Title
Recommendation to Approve an Exemption from the Public Art Requirement for the Alameda Food Bank. (Base Reuse and Economic Development 10061810)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda's (City's) Public Art Ordinance (the Ordinance, Exhibit 1, Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) Section 30-98) requires commercial, industrial, and municipal development projects costing $250,000 or more to devote one percent (1%) of building development costs for public art in the City. On August 2, 2024, the Alameda Food Bank (Food Bank) purchased Building 607 and the associated 1.7 acres of land at 677 West Ranger Avenue from the City for $3.06 million to construct a permanent Community Market for the distribution of food to vulnerable households. The Food Bank is making additional investments totaling $5 million, which triggers the Ordinance requirement to either install on-site public art valued at, or pay an in-lieu fee of, $50,000. The Food Bank indicates that the requirement is cost-prohibitive for the non-profit whose primary mission is to serve Alameda's most vulnerable populations experiencing food insecurity. The Food Bank seeks an exemption so that they can proceed to obtain permits and open their new facility in the near future. Staff recommends that City Council fully exempt the Food Bank from the Public Art requirement pursuant to AMC 30-98.3.b.4.
BACKGROUND
In 2022 the Food Bank, a local nonprofit organization, approached the City to discuss its desire to purchase land for the construction of a permanent, new facility. The Food Bank currently serves approximately eight percent (8%) of Alameda's residents and approximately 700 families per week. It is open to the public on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It has a paid staff of four, supplemented by volunteers. The Food Bank currently provides their services from approximately 18,000 square feet of leased space in Building 92, wh...
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