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Executive Summary
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As part of the 2006-2007 City
Council Work Plan, a Strategic Policy Project has been underway to explore a
partnership opportunity between the Museum of Natural Science
and the City of Sugar Land. In meeting
with the Museum of Natural Science representatives, we have found that the
museum has exceeded their existing area and believe that a “satellite” museum
site outside of the central museum district is a very good approach to both
meeting the demands of the area and attracting more visitors and enhancing
the museum district.
After looking into potential venues provided by the City
of Sugar Land, the Museum of Natural Science expressed interest in the Old Prison
Building (12910 University Boulevard)
in the Newland Communities’ Telfair development as their preferred site. City
staff introduced Museum representatives to NNP-Telfair, LP, and all three
parties have toured the old prison site.
The museum is very interested in the satellite facility and received
positive direction to continue pursuing this opportunity when they discussed
the project with their Board in September.
As part of a September workshop, the City Council
directed staff to continue moving forward with this project. At this time, staff recommends that all
parties agree to a Letter of Understanding outlining each group’s participation
in the project to establish a basis for a formal contract. Staff is
recommending that the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign the
Letter on behalf of the City of Sugar Land.
According to the Letter of Understanding, the City of
Sugar Land will be responsible for securing funding for the design and
construction of interior improvements to modernize the building and bring it
into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (such as an
elevator, access and restrooms).
Additionally, the City is responsible for preparing a detailed cost
estimate for construction and for spearheading efforts to raise an estimated
$6,000,000 to complete the initial interior build-out design and construction
and site work.
The Museum of Natural Science will enter into a
long-term, 50-year lease with the City of Sugar Land and will commit to
contribute an estimated $3,000,000 to complete the final interior build-out
of the facility (such as display cases, furnishings and museum arts and
artifacts), to pay all advertising and opening costs, and to provide space
and opportunity to local cultural arts initiatives. Additionally, the letter states that the
Museum is committing to pay all future on-going operational and
administrative costs.
NNP-Telfair, LP has agreed to complete all exterior
repairs to the building, including limited landscaping at the site, and to
prepare the preliminary site plan design.
The preliminary site plan design is to include signage, parking,
driveway access, and ingress and egress. Additionally, NNP-Telfair, LP has
committed to donate the site and facility to the City of Sugar Land and may
also be able to contribute additional funding in the future, perhaps offering
a program where they would match any grants or smaller private donations
(less than $1,000,000) received for the completion of this project. The
anticipated funding need for this portion of the project is a minimum of
$1,000,000.
The next step is to immediately
begin addressing the funding gaps. In addition, we will begin preliminary
engineering to firm up the costs for internal improvements. The goal of the
project is a Spring 2008 Grand Opening of a Museum of Natural Science
satellite facility in the City of Sugar Land.
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Exhibits
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Letter
of Understanding between the
City of Sugar Land,
NNP-Telfair, LP, and
The Museum of Natural Sciences
The City of Sugar Land
(COSL), NNP-Telfair, LP. (Telfair), and the Museum of Natural Sciences
(collectively the “Parties”) wish to establish a satellite Houston Museum of
Natural Sciences (HMNS) at the Central State
Farm Building (CSFB) at 12910 University Boulevard in Sugar Land, Texas (the
“Building”). The Central State
Farm Building
is currently owned in fee by Telfair.
The parties agree to enter into this Letter of Understanding to
establish the basis to negotiate a contract for the ownership and operation of
the Building. This letter is not a
contract binding on any party. The dates provided below are target dates to
complete the tasks assigned below.
1. By May 31, 2007, Telfair will:
·
Complete all exterior repairs to the Building including limited
landscaping at the site per the current contract with Pepper Lawson. Any additional repairs found to be reasonably
necessary after the completion of Telfair’s contracted work with Pepper Lawson
will be by others along with the interior build-out.
·
Prepare the preliminary site plan design (to include signage, parking,
driveway access, ingress and egress).
·
Determine a structure by which the COSL could obtain ownership of the
CSFB.
·
Work with the COSL and the HMNS to establish a grant and donor match
program to aid the City in funding its $6 million dollar commitment to the
Building.
2. By May 31, 2007, City of Sugar Land will:
·
Design the initial interior build-out of the Building, and related
external facilities as identified and envisioned in the preliminary site plan
prepared by Telfair.
·
Prepare a detailed cost estimate for construction.
·
Spearhead efforts to raise an estimated $6 million dollars to complete
the items on this list, including renovation of the Building and construction
of the related external facilities associated with the function of the
Building.
·
Assist Telfair in obtaining the proper zoning for the development of the
remaining site according to the preliminary site plan prepared by Telfair.
3.
By May 31, 2007, The Museum of Natural Sciences will:
·
Enter into a 50 year lease with COSL for the use of the Building and
commit to contribute an estimated $3 million dollars to complete the items on
this list:
o Complete the interior
build-out of the Building (installation of display cases and other museum
specific fixtures and equipment).
o Pay all advertising and
opening costs.
o Provide space and
opportunities to local cultural arts initiatives.
·
Commit to pay all future on-going operational and administrative costs.
The Parties will endeavor to
enter into a contractual agreement that will identify each of the Parties’
specific role and contribution to this effort. In the event no contract or
agreement has been fully executed by the Parties by ___________, this Letter,
although not binding on any party as written, shall expire and terminate for
all purposes.
____________________ ___________________ _______________________
City of Sugar
Land NNP-Telfair,
LP Museum of Natural Sciences
____________________ ___________________ _______________________
Date Date Date
