Hillsborough County OKs naming‑rights agreement and pushes fundraising for African American Arts and Cultural Center

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 5 approved a naming‑rights agreement intended to unlock private pledges and expedite construction of the planned African American Arts and Cultural Center (AAACC) in West Tampa.

John Mueller, director of Facilities Management and Real Estate Services, told the board the project at 2103 N. Rome Avenue is near 90% design with an estimated construction budget of $44.5 million for about 50,000 square feet. Mueller said roughly $16.25 million in public funding is identified, and the nonprofit Tampa Bay African American Arts and Cultural Center Inc. has $7.8 million in pledges on hand. The naming‑rights agreement before the board is intended to allow the nonprofit to enter donor agreements, secure naming‑rights gifts and deposit construction pledges into a reserve fund at the Tampa Bay Community Foundation that would be earmarked exclusively for the county’s construction costs.

Nicole Travis, executive director of the nonprofit, described the center as a countywide cultural and economic asset and said $7.8 million in pledges are “ready to move into our Tampa Bay Community Foundation Reserve Fund,” and that a minimum naming‑rights goal of $16 million over a 10‑year cycle would be pursued to complete the project. “Your support will unlock those funds and multiply their impact,” Travis said.

Commissioners pressed staff for financial detail and raised operating‑cost concerns. Commissioner Wolstol warned that operating shortfalls on past facilities had fallen back on taxpayers and said the county should not “put the cart before the horse” without secured operating agreements. Deputy County Administrator Greg Horwedel said the county anticipates offsets such as Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) dollars, leases and revenue from leased spaces but could not yet quantify the amount. Mueller said any funds raised for construction will be placed in a third‑party reserve account with the county named as beneficiary for construction reimbursement and that naming rights would not be perpetual and would include a morals clause.

Commissioner Gwen Myers, who championed the project and moved to accept the AAACC report and authorize staff to work with the school district on an interlocal for Head Start placement, argued that the center would serve students and visitors countywide and that private commitments were contingent on approval. She noted the nonprofit already has prospective donors who want to give once naming rights are authorized.

The board also discussed a companion item to authorize the county to enter a naming‑rights agreement with the nonprofit that would permit the nonprofit to formalize pledges and continue private fundraising while reserving the BOCC’s right to approve any main‑building name. That naming‑rights agreement requires separation of construction funds and operating funds and specifies the county‑review of agreements. The board voted to approve the naming‑rights agreement and related direction to staff; the motion carried 6–1 (Commissioner Wolstol opposed).

The board asked staff to develop a phased implementation plan and a comprehensive funding strategy and directed staff to return with interlocal language to place McLeod Head Start on the adjacent Rebuild Just Stuart campus, where practicable. The county also noted that construction bidding will occur once sufficient construction funds are committed and that any procurement for construction will be brought back for board approval.

What happens next: Staff will finalize the naming‑rights agreement and an interlocal with the school district for Head Start site planning; construction procurement will follow once funding is secured.