House Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2380 Celebration of Juneteenth and the opening of the Wells'Built Museum
Requester:	Geraldine F. Thompson		Organization:		Association to Preserve African American Society, History and Tradition, Inc. (PAST)
Project Title:	Celebration of Juneteenth and the opening of the Wells'Built Museum		Date Submitted:		01/31/2000 12:55:51 PM
District Member:	Alzo Reddick		Service Area:		Regional
Counties Affected:	Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole
Recipient:	PAST, Inc.		Contact:		Geraldine F. Thompson
	725-B S. Goldwyn Avenue		Contact Phone:		(407) 297-5790
	Orlando 32805
Project Description:
The request is made to fund a regional celebration of Juneteenth and the opening of the Wells'Built Museum of African American History and Culture. The observance of Juneteenth is one of the oldest holidays celebrating the ending of slavery in the United States. The holiday dates back to 1865 when the last of the slaves in the south were informed that they were free. Florida recognized the holiday officially in 1991. The celebration of Juneteenth 2000 in Orlando will serve the two-fold purpose of observing the holiday and hosting a grand opening for the Wells'Built Museum of African American History and Culture, which originally opened as a hotel in 1929. The Wells'Built was the only hotel during segregation where African Americans could find lodging when traveling to Central Florida. The structure has been restored and will house the Wells'Built Museum of African American History and Culture. The Florida Department of State recently nominated the Wells'Built for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
The regional celebration of Juneteenth and the grand opening of the Wells'Built Museum of African American History and Culture will attract visitors to Central Florida and the state. Taxable spending in 1998 in the "Tourism and Recreation" area totaled $43 billion (an increase of 5.7% over the previous year), according to the Florida Department of Revenue. VISIT FLORIDA is actively conducting research on ways to increase African American and Hispanic American tourism to Florida. The Juneteenth Celebration and Wells'Built Museum will positively impact this segment of the tourist market. Research shows that multi-cultural tourists attractions need to be enhanced. Figures show that the top destinations for 1998 visitors to Florida were Orange, Hillsborough, and Dade Counties. The location of the regional celebration and the Wells'Built Museum of African American History and Culture will further expand visitors to one of Florida's most popular destinations.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
The project will be evaluated based on the following measurable objectives: an increase in the number of individuals who participate in Juneteenth over previous years and in grand opening activities; an increase in the dollars spent by tourists and area residents on recreactional activities surrounding Juneteenth and the grand opening; an increase in hotel beds occupied in the area during the month of June.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$75,000
Total cost of the project:		$75,000

Request has been made to fund:			Operations
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?					No
Was this project previously funded by the State?					No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?					Yes
	Amount:	$75,000
	Purpose for future year funding:			Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?				Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?					No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?					No
Is there a documented need for this project?					Yes
	Documentation:	Travel Industry Association surveys
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?					No