Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #304 Pensacola Cultural Center
Requester:	Bill Harrell		Organization:		Pensacola Cultural Center
Project Title:	Pensacola Cultural Center		Date Submitted:		01/20/2000 1:25:23 PM
District Member:	W.D. Childers		Service Area:		County
Counties Affected:	Escambia
Recipient:	Pensacola Cultural Center		Contact:		Donna Peoples
	400 South Jefferson Street		Contact Phone:		(850) 434-0257
	Pensacola 32501
Project Description:
The Pensacola Cultural Center/Little Theater is housed in the former Escambia County Court of Record and Jail building, which was built in 1911. The property was deeded to the Pensacola Little Theater several years ago. The building was remodeled into a first class facility for development and growth of the arts. More than $3.5 million has been raised in local funds over the years to support the facility. The state has an investment of $3 million in the Center. There remains an $800,000 balance on the bank note from when the facility was remodeled. This request is for money to retire that debt, thus enabling the Center to place monies in reserve for future building maintenance.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
Thousands of people avail themselves of this facility annually. With a 474-seat performing arts theater, the Center is home to the Pensacola Little Theater, Kaleidoscope Dance Center, West Florida Literary Foundation, African-American Heritage Society and Communities in Schools. Young and old people are continually afforded enriching experiences through the Center.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Even more people will be able to utilize the Center in future years as its offerings of plays and special events are expanded due to the availability of funds currently being used for debt retirement. The building is already used on almost a daily basis for year-round activities.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$500,000
Total cost of the project:		$6,000,000

Request has been made to fund:			Construction
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?					Yes
	Cash Amount:	$275,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?					Yes
	Fiscal Year:	1998-1999		Amount:	$445,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?					No
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:	Assessments by the City of Pensacola, Escmabia County Commission and Chamber of Commerce.
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?					Yes
	Hearing Body:	Pensacola City Council and Escambia County Commission
	Meeting Date:	12/16/1999