Laserfiche WebLink
July 11, 2017 <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE ACCEPTING $43,758.30 OF HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS <br />PROGRAM INCOME AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2018 <br />COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FUND.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Cherry, Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Rowe <br />Nays: None <br /> <br />17 - 292 - Adoption of an ordinance to amend Chapter 9.2 of the Code of the City of <br />Portsmouth, Virginia (2006) by adopting a new Article II establishing an Arts and <br />Cultural District. <br /> <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> In 2001, the Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation that gave authority to <br />localities to create arts and cultural districts by ordinance for the purpose of increasing <br />awareness and support for the arts and culture within its boundaries (§15.2-1129.1). In <br />addition, localities may grant tax incentives and certain regulatory flexibility in its art and <br />cultural district. <br /> <br /> Arts and Cultural Districts are used nationally for downtown revitalization as an <br />economic development tool and as a means to promote and enhance a community’s <br />assets. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> The Portsmouth Museum and Fine Arts commission has worked approximately <br />two years on the development of a proposal for an Arts and Cultural District within the <br />city’s downtown area. <br /> <br /> Several community engagement sessions were held with the Old Towne Business <br />Association (OTBA) and various civic leagues, a meeting was held with artists at Orzo, <br />and presentations were made to the Portsmouth Service League, Portsmouth Partnership <br />and the Economic Development Authority. In addition, joint meetings were held with <br />representatives from Planning, Marketing, Communications and Tourism, Economic <br />Development and Support Public Art. <br /> <br /> During Work Sessions in July 2016 and June 2017, City Council was presented <br />with an overview of the proposed district, its vision and goals. <br /> <br /> While the state code allows localities with formally designated and adopted Arts <br />and Cultural Districts the ability to adopt and offer incentives in these districts, the <br />adoption of Portsmouth’s Arts & Cultural District does not include incentives. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> The adoption of an Arts & Cultural District will create opportunities for the city and <br /> <br />property owners to apply for various grants. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> Adoption of the ordinance. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> The Director of Museums will work with the Portsmouth Museum and Fine Arts <br />Commission and necessary parties to implement the program. <br /> <br />Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to adopt the following <br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 9.2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF <br />PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (2006) BY ADOPTING A NEW ARTICLE II ESTABLISHING <br />AN ARTS AND CULTURAL DISTRICT.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Cherry, Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Rowe <br />Nays: None <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />