BALTIMORE CITY CULTURAL SPACES CAPITAL SUPPORT FUND · 2020. 7. 2. · Fire Suppression System and Related Improvements • Peale Center Interior ... or that support political actions,

BALTIMORE CITY CULTURAL SPACES CAPITAL SUPPORT FUND

Information Session June 30, 2020

1 Baltimore City Department of Planning

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR ONLINE HEARINGS

Baltimore City Department of Planning 2

3

4

BACKGROUND


General Obligation Bonds


•  GO Bonds make up a small but important piece of the city’s overall capital improvement program

•  GO Bonds fund a wide range of capital improvements & activities, from libraries and parks to demolition and housing incentives.

•  Every two years, voters have to authorize the City to use this source of funds.

2020 Loan Authorization


Affordable Housing Loan $12,000,000 over 2 years Eligible uses of this new loan include acquisition, preservation, production of new housing, demolition, rental assistance, housing counseling and project finance comprised of loans or grants as well as other related activities. Schools Loan $38,000,000 over 2 years Provides funding for dozens of systemic improvements to City school buildings (roofs, HVAC, windows, etc.) along with a few major renovations, replacements and additions. Community and Economic Development Loan $38,000,000 over 2 years Provides funding for a range of community and economic development uses from renovation of cultural institutions and other community assets to acquisition and demolition of vacant homes. Public Infrastructure Loan $72,000,000 over 2 years Provides funding to improve public infrastructure and land, including libraries, parks, recreation centers, court buildings, fire stations, municipal buildings, information technology infrastructure, roads, bridges, sidewalks, and other city-owned properties.

$160,000,000 over 2 years

CULTURAL SPACES CAPITAL SUPPORT FUND


Purpose


To provide capital support to organizations that promote arts and culture in Baltimore City and contribute to the City’s unique identity, ensuring opportunities to experience arts and culture.

Eligible ORGANIZATIONS


•  The process is open to museums, galleries, and theaters citywide •  Within Arts and Entertainment Districts designated by the

Maryland State Arts Council, the process is open to other arts and cultural venues as well

•  Organization must be a non-profit in good standing with the State Department of Assessment and Taxation.

•  Facility must be located in Baltimore City •  Organization must own the facility or have a minimum 15-year

lease & responsibility for capital improvements •  Facility must be open to the general public

Eligible PROJECTS

•  Board of Estimates defines a capital improvement as a physical betterment or improvement and any preliminary studies relative thereto

•  NOT: •  Improvements costing less than $50,000 •  Vehicular equipment •  Repairs or maintenance costing less than $100,000, or

emergency in nature •  Salaries other than those which are properly capitalized as

part of the cost of the project

•  Projects should have an expected life span of at least 15 years •  Examples include roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, renovation

of theater/exhibit space, elevator replacement, ADA upgrades


Sample Projects

•  Baltimore Museum of Industry Accessibility Improvements

•  National Great Blacks in Wax Museum – ADA/Accessibility Improvements

•  Maryland Science Center – Kids Room Elevator

•  Baltimore Museum of Art – Fire Suppression System and Related Improvements

•  Peale Center Interior

Renovations


INELIGIBLE Activities

•  Projects or improvements costing less than $50,000 •  Vehicular equipment •  Repair or maintenance items costing less than $100,000 or which

are of an emergency nature •  Salaries other than those which are properly capitalized as part

of the project cost •  Operating Support •  Repayment of existing loans or liens •  Projects that support specific religious or other affiliations, and/

or that support political actions, causes, advocacy, or parties


Planning Commission Evaluation Criteria


•  Necessary to protect public health and safety •  City funding will leverage other fund sources •  Capital investment will result in operating savings •  Fulfills a state or federal mandate •  Necessary to implement a priority housing or economic

development project •  Promotes private-public partnerships •  Implements the City’s Comprehensive Master Plan, area master

plans and/or agency/institution’s master plan •  Implements the City’s Sustainability Plan •  Promotes equity •  Agency has prioritized the project

Additional Considerations

•  Project provides improvements to City owned assets •  Project provides access for Baltimore City Public School students •  Project demonstrates health and environmental benefits •  Project enables organizations to build financial and

organizational capacity •  Project promotes equity (for example, the project is located in

an area that is typically underserved or organization needs the improvement to better serve an underserved population)


Available Funds


•  Approximately $1 million per year for FY22 & FY23 •  Individual awards will not exceed $200,000 over two years •  Typical awards will be between $50,000-$100,000 over a two-year

period •  FY22 funds will not be available until July 1, 2021 and FY23 funds

will not be available until July 1, 2022 •  If awarded, funds are provided on a reimbursement basis •  If selected, projects may be funded at lower levels than

requested

Cultural Organization Application Process


Timeframe Activity

June 15, 2020 Application released

June 30, 2020 Information session

August 14, 2020 Applications due

October15,2020 Notification of award (conditional on approval of CIP)

July 1, 2022 & July 1, 2023 Capital budget enacted/funds available

IF AWARDED - CONSIDERATIONS


If Awarded – Accessing the Funds

•  Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis •  Invoices, etc. are submitted to the City’s Department of

Finance – Bureau of Accounting and Payroll Services •  Detailed instructions available by emailing Department of

Planning


If Awarded - Reporting

•  Organizations should submit annual reports for each year that funds are unspent, through the end of the fiscal year in which funds are fully expended

•  Annual reports are not lengthy, but provide an update on the status of the project and projected expenditure schedule

•  Once the project begins, annual reports should include photographs and accomplishments


REVIEW APPLICATION


Documents

BALTIMORE CITY CULTURAL SPACES CAPITAL SUPPORT FUND · 2020. 7. 2. · Fire Suppression System and Related Improvements • Peale Center Interior ... or that support political actions,