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TIDA told it has $3.6M in accrued art fees but needs new revenue for future installations; board directs staff to seek surplus funding
Summary
The Arts program update showed $3.6 million in accrued art fees and $4.3 million in prior expenditure authority; board members urged the authority to preserve surplus funds to support art installations and moved a directive for staff to seek and preserve savings for art projects.
TIDA’s arts program steering committee and Arts Commission staff reported to the board that the island’s 1% art fee (payable on issuance of vertical building permits under the DDA) has accrued $3.6 million to date, while earlier budgets established $4.3 million in continuing expenditure authority. Staff warned that the pending Cityside Park installation, Canopy of the Sky by Ned Khan, will exhaust accrued funds once final installation costs are accounted for.
Bob Beck and Arts Commission staff told directors that the arts appropriation was structured as a continuing authorization because installation and procurement typically span multiple fiscal years. With no additional vertical permits pulled since fiscal year 2023–24, new permanent installations will require either the resumption of market‑rate vertical permits or outside funding sources. Staff said any cost overruns for the current Cityside Park installation could be absorbed using leasing revenues, but future projects will need new revenue or gifts.
Directors, led by President Sen and Director Richardson, objected to a draft TIDA budget that initially listed $0 for arts programming. They described public art as an economic engine that attracts visitors and benefits island retail and programming. The board moved and approved an amendment directing staff to seek and preserve any budget savings or surplus in the current fiscal year with the specific intent of supporting the Treasure Island Arts program; the motion passed by voice vote.
Arts staff noted the program governance structure (2015 MOA with the Arts Commission, a 2017 Arts Master Plan, a five‑member steering committee and selection panels) and asked staff to continue exploring temporary artworks and outside funding while the board pursued additional budget flexibility.
Next steps: Staff will identify potential savings and report back; the board’s directive was included in the budget approval motion and recorded as part of the FY2025–27 budget action.
