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Council authorizes MOU concept to let nonprofit pursue EDA approval for STEMCAT lease
Summary
Council agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) conceptually authorizing Dr. Jesse Bryson and the I Will Mentorship Foundation to pursue EDA approval and private fundraising for a proposed STEMCAT center on the city lot at 3903 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, while staff will prepare formal written documentation.
Dr. Jesse Bryson presented a proposal to lease a long‑vacant city parcel at 3903 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard for a nonprofit STEM center operated by the I Will Mentorship Foundation. Bryson said he is not seeking city funds but needs local approval to present the project to the Economic Development Agency (EDA) and to secure private backers and grant timelines. He told council the proposal would cost the city nothing and would bring private investment and tax revenue once developed.
City Attorney Alley and City Manager Long advised the council on statutory advertising and the EDA approval process; Alley said a memorandum of understanding could reflect the council's conceptual approval without creating an immediate lease that would violate the statute of frauds. Council amended the motion to ask staff to draft an MOU and authorized the concept, enabling Bryson to proceed to the EDA and meet private funders' deadlines.
Bryson said the timeline is pressing for some grants and that he needs a tentative local approval to advance architectural and fundraising work. "I'm not asking for a handout," Bryson told council; "I'm just asking you guys for an opportunity." Council members supported moving forward with the MOU and asked staff to work concurrently on EDA requests and the formal written documentation.
