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County reports $16.25 million public funding for proposed African American Arts and Cultural Center; naming-rights deal greenlit
Summary
County staff reported $16,250,000 in public funds raised toward a proposed $44.5 million African American Arts and Cultural Center in West Tampa; a majority of commissioners approved a naming-rights agreement to allow the nonprofit to solicit an additional $16 million in private donations.
Hillsborough County commissioners received an update on a proposed African American Arts and Cultural Center approved in 2021 for a site on North Rome Avenue in West Tampa. Katie, a communications staffer with Hillsborough County Communications and Digital Media, told listeners the project has $16,250,000 in public funding so far toward an estimated total project cost of $44,500,000 for a two-story, 55,000-square-foot facility.
A majority of the board approved a naming-rights agreement that county staff said will allow the nonprofit to enter donor agreements and raise private funds intended to cover remaining construction and facility-related costs. Katie said the naming-rights spaces would include gallery and exhibit areas, meeting rooms, classrooms, event halls, outdoor gathering spaces and a heritage walking trail.
The recap did not provide a detailed fundraising timeline, donor commitments, contractor selections, or a construction start date. County staff and commissioners framed the naming-rights agreement as a tool to expand private fundraising capacity for the project.
Next step: the nonprofit may pursue private fundraising under the approved naming-rights framework; the county will continue oversight and reporting.
