HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD Historic Museum in Conjunction w/the PD Historical Society•
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CITY OF PALM OESERT
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE CREATION OF A PALM
DESERT HISTORIC MUSEUM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PALM
DESERT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
SUBMITTED BY: Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs
DATE: June 26, 2008
CONTENTS: None
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction to staff relative to the following options:
1. Direct staff to proceed with the creation of an Historical Museum within the Portola
Community Center, including negotiations with the Palm Desert Historical Society for the
leasing of the building.
2. Direct staff to proceed with the development of an Historical Museum within the Entrada
site in conjunction with the Palm Desert Historical Society;
DISCUSSION:
The Palm Desert Historical Society approached the City last year regarding the need for more
space to properly showcase Palm Desert's history. Subsequent to this request, two
suggestions have been made relative to meeting this need in our community:
1. Convert the existing Portola Community Center into a Palm Desert Historic Museum,
which would make good use of the City's second -most historical building. The Center is
approximately 3,142 square feet and consists of eight (8) offices, ranging in size from
128 to 227 square feet, and two large community rooms (one with a kitchen) that range
in size from 600 to 800 square feet. While this building has been used as meeting space
for local groups and office space for local non -profits, the Henderson Building will be on
line and available for the community meetings portion of this need, and one of the
tenants, Desert Cancer Foundation, which was paying an annual lease rate of
$5,682.60, has vacated two of the office spaces, which currently remain vacant. The
existing tenants, Friends of the Desert Mountains (paying $7,682.40 annually) and the
Sister Cities Foundation (paying $2,574.00 annually), could remain and provide a
revenue source for the Historical Society until such time as they either decide to relocate
or are given a year's notice to vacate.
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT JUNE 26, 2008
RE: REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE CREATION OF A PALM DESERT
HISTORIC MUSEUM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PALM DESERT
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
2. Build a new 2,000/3,000 square foot facility at Entrada Del Paseo. Below are the rough
estimated costs (prepared by RDA staff) to construct a new building:
2,000 Square foot building:
Shell Building $650/psf $ 1,300,000
Site Improvements $11/psf $ 22,000
Tenant Improvement $65/psf $ 130.000
Total Estimate $ 1,452,000
($726/square foot)
3,000 Square foot building:
Shell Building $650/psf $ 1,950,000
Site Improvements $11/psf $ 33,000
Tenant Improvements $65/psf $ 195.000
Total Estimate $ 2,178,000
($726/square foot)
PROS AND CONS OF CONVERTING THE PORTOLA COMMUNITY CENTER:
PROS:
r Existing facility
Less expensive than constructing a new
building
Second most historical building in the City
Good location
Minimal renovation required
City would be relieved of the use of General
Fund monies for the operation of the Center
Below market lease rates resulting in total
annual revenue of $15,939 versus annual
operating costs of $80,615 for the facility
CONS:
Older facility
Need to terminate 2 leases and CVRPD
Agreement
Location may not be as good as Entrada
PROS AND CONS OF BUILDING A NEW FACILITY:
PROS:
New more modem building
Build to suit
Good location for visitors
No existing tenants
CONS:
Cost for new construction ($1.452M to
$2.178M)
Budget constraints
Existing facility available
City would lose the opportunity to generate
revenue from the sale of the land at Entrada
Ongoing operational and facilities
maintenance costs to the City
May be better uses for the site
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CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT JUNE 26, 2008
RE: REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE CREATION OF A PALM DESERT
HISTORIC MUSEUM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PALM DESERT
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Historical Society of Palm Desert has done a tremendous amount of work in preserving and
exhibiting Palm Desert's history. The old fire station, also an historical site, is filled with displays
covering not only the time in which the City has been incorporated but the years before that. As
we grow in population and in age, the need for future space is critical if we want to provide for
this cultural aspect of our community.
Submitted By:
nkie e
Dire or of Special Programs
CorlFur:
.l;
Sheila R. Gi(iga
ACM of Community Se
Approval:
Carlos L. Ortega
City Manager
Paul S. Gibson
Director of Finance
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