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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBlack Hawk County Gaming Association-Grant Application-12.21.2009 F BLACK HAWK COUNTY GAMING ASSOCIATION GRANT APPLICATION COVER PAGE Date Application Received: Grant Number: (Office Use) (Office Use) 1. Name of Organization: Waterloo Leisure Services, City of Waterloo 2. Mailing Address: 1101 Campbell Ave.,Waterloo, IA 50701 3. Telephone: 291-4370 Federal Tax ID Number:42-6005327 4. Email Address: paul.hutinq(&.waterloo-ia.orq 5. Contact Person/Phone Number: Paul Hutinq, Leisure Services Director 291-4370 6. Amount of Funding Requested From BHCGA: $ 20,000 (not to exceed)Actual amount needed may be less if other funding requests are successful. 7. I have read the Funding Guidelines & Procedures document. PH(INITIAL) 8. You must list a title and brief description of the project/program for which funding is requested in the space below. (In addition, a one-page addendum describing your proposal in more detail may be attached.) Include in this description how this project will provide property tax relief, capital improvements and/or charitable services. Mark's Park and Performance Structure RECAT Grant Match: In February of 2009 BHCGA awarded $823,000 to the City of Waterloo for the Mark's Park and Performance Structure. After that time the State of Iowa Department of Economic Development began accepting applications for a new funding grant source called the River Enhancement Community Attraction program. Subsequently the City applied for a RECAT grant from the Vision Iowa Board in the amount of $185,000 for additional play equipment and enhancements for the performance structure. Recently (12/9/09) the Vision Iowa Board awarded $135,000 to the project with the stipulation that the remaining $50,000 be raised within 90 days (on or before February 9, 2010). Multiple requests are being made from several entities, including BHCGA, the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors, the R.J. McElroy Trust, downtown businesses, and individual donors. Additional funding, not to exceed $20,000, from the Black Hawk County Gaming Commission is being requested to help assure the RECAT money is available to enhance Mark's Park and the adjacent Performance Structure. Project Budget Mark's Park and Performance Structure MARK'S PARK FUNDING SOURCES Young Family Foundation $200,000.00 Black Hawk County Gaming Association $ 124,000.00 (prior to current application) RECAT $ 42,862.50 (additional play equip./design) RECAT MATCH (from gaming and others) $ 15,875.00 (must be committed by 2/9/10) City of Waterloo $ 3,175.00 " Black Hawk County $ 1,587.50 " " " Total Mark's Park Funding $387,500.00 MARK'S PARK COSTS Splash Pad $ 90,000.00 Play Equipment $ 129,000.00 Concrete Slab $ 18,000.00 Railing $ 12,000.00 Rubber Safety Surfacing $ 55,000.00 Plumbing to Site $ 11,000.00 Electrical to Site $ 11,000.00 Landscaping/Site Furniture $ 17,000.00 Design/Engineering/Contingency $ 44,500.00 Total Mark's Park Cost $387,500.00 PERFORMANCE STRUCTURE FUNDING SOURCES Black Hawk County Gaming Association $ 528,000.00(prior to current application) RECAT $ 92,137.50 (lighting/curtains/backdrop/design) RECAT MATCH(from gaming and others) $ 34,125.00 (must be committed by 2/9/10) City of Waterloo $ 6,825.00 " Black Hawk County $ 3412.50 " Total Performance Structure Funding $ 664,500.00 PERFORMANCE STRUCTURE COSTS Structure $ 330,000.00 Electrical $ 55,000.00 Stage Equipment $ 55,000.00 Enhanced Structure Lighting $ 80,000.00 Performance Curtains/Backdrop $ 36,000.00 Design/Engineering/Contingency $ 108,500.00 Total Performance Structure Cost $664,500.00 Project Grand Total Funding Sources $1,052,000.00 (all but$50,000 committed) Project Grand Total Estimated Costs $1,052,000.00 (excludes$171,000 funded by BHCGA for site prep work not eligible for purposes of RECAT application) Narrative A. State problem addressed by the project or program and describe the need for service. Both Mark's Park and the Amphitheatre will fulfill unmet needs in downtown Waterloo by providing unique, family-friendly spaces in the heart of the city. There are a great number of family neighborhoods and elementary schools in the downtown area, and yet there is not a nearby public playground area with fun, safe equipment for children to enjoy. Combining a splash park with an amphitheatre performance venue will offer nearby residents and visitors of all ages and interests a creative outlet in a fun, safe, and accessible outdoor location. Downtown Waterloo is getting a facelift and will soon be a cultural, entertainment and recreational hotspot for residents and tourists alike. With downtown traffic already on the rise and new attractions such as the Phelps Youth Pavilion and Grout Museum expansion, now is the ideal time to capitalize on that success and offer those patrons another destination location. Potential and current visitors don't realize that downtown Waterloo offers numerous activities for an afternoon, all-day or all-weekend excursion. Mark's Park and the Amphitheatre are the perfect elements to compliment and augment the downtown riverfront enhancements. B. Describe the goals and objectives of the project br program. The primary goals of this project are to create [1] a more beautiful and animated downtown, [2] new activities for tourists and residents, and [3] a creative and innovative environment for patrons to enjoy. As part of the Cedar Valley River Renaissance project, Mark's Park and the Amphitheatre will become visitation anchors that will enhance the quality of life for Cedar Valley residents and create new visitor attractions for the region. The unique design of Mark's Park, featuring play and splash equipment, will make it an appealing destination for all ages. The park will complement the family-friendly Phelps Youth Pavilion, and will be a safe, comfortable place for parents and children to gather. Additionally, the Park is adjacent to the proposed Riverwalk Loop, making it an important rest stop along the downtown nature trail system. Families can bike, hike or rollerblade the 3-mile loop and stop to cool off, rest and relax at Mark's Park with scenic views of and access to the Cedar River. The Amphitheatre will provide an outdoor performance venue also on the banks of the River. Mark's Park and the Amphitheatre will both be central access points for all of the exciting renaissance features in the new downtown Waterloo, and will create entertaining outdoor fun and leisure for all visitors. C. Describe the nature of the service to be offered and the activities which will be conducted to carry out the project or program. Creating more downtown destinations for residents and tourists is vital to the success of the Cedar Valley River Renaissance Project. Two important elements of downtown Waterloo's enhanced riverfront are Mark's Park and the Amphitheatre, both of which will engage and entice people to relax, play and simply put: have fun. Situated in downtown Waterloo's Cultural District, Mark's Park and the Amphitheatre will be walkable, mixed-use common areas that will serve as anchors for economic development. Mark's Park, to be located adjacent to the US Bank building on the upper plaza will be a 4,200 square-foot splash park where spraying and shooting water and climbing structures will become a great place for outdoor kid and family fun. The park will offer scenic and recreational opportunities to residents and visitors with its interactive splash features, nearby performances in the Amphitheatre, river access, and connections to the Riverwalk Loop. Mark's Park will help create a space that supports the community's revitalized identity and provide recreation and entertainment for all ages. Mark's Park and Amphitheatre plaza will become popular gathering places. With benches and rest areas, the park and plaza area will be the stop and relax location of the Renaissance area. Just yards away from Mark's Park will be the 15,000 square foot Amphitheatre at the Cedar River's edge. Seated on the south side of the Cedar River bank, hundreds of people will enjoy concerts, rallies, theatrical performances, and movies on the Amphitheatre stage. This outdoor entertainment venue that overlooks the river is an ideal setting for family fun. The stage area will be configured to allow for small ensembles/performances, but be flexible enough to accommodate large performance groups, such as orchestras and theatre productions. The seating area will be constructed within the existing flood control levee and will be accessible from both the upper and lower plaza areas. Both the Amphitheatre and Mark's Park will be anchors in the entertainment and cultural district that will reconnect downtown Waterloo to the Cedar River. There is a multi-hued, multi-lingual population in downtown Waterloo that craves nearby social opportunities for their families. The additions of Mark's Park and the Amphitheatre to downtown Waterloo will truly make it a destination location. Please see the attached one-page addendum for further details and rendered photos. D. Provide the beginning and ending dates for this project or program. The infrastructure construction (i.e. digging, laying water foundations and piping)will begin in Spring 2010, with all elements of the Cedar Valley River Renaissance project to be complete by the end of the 2011 calendar year. E. Provide estimates of the number of people to be served by this project or program. Members of the Cedar Valley River Renaissance team project 1.5 million visitors to the newly enhanced downtown area in its first three years of operation. In 2006, over 663,000 visitors (not including festivals or sporting event attendees) visited Waterloo, with over 319,000 specifically visiting downtown Waterloo. With the completion of the Renaissance projects, including Mark's Park and the Amphitheatre, and the nearby attractions of the Phelps Youth Pavilion, Grout Museum expansion, and Young Arena, the 1.5 million-visitor projection is very attainable. F. Describe how you will evaluate the success of the project or program. The number of visitors to the downtown area where Mark's Park and the Amphitheatre will be situated will determine the success of this project. With both features being public spaces, it will be difficult to obtain exact attendance figures, but periodic walk-throughs of the plaza area and attendance figures from performances booked in the amphitheatre will be used to determine how well the spaces are being utilized. Comments and feedback from the community will also be an important assessment tool, giving the City immediate feedback from those utilizing the space. Furthermore, this project is not static; both elements will continually be analyzed to ensure both residents' and tourists' experiences are enjoyable. G. If this project or program is ongoing, what are future sources of revenue to support this proposal. N/A Mission Statement The City of Waterloo Leisure Services Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens by providing the best possible recreational activities, special events, facilities, and services that encourage lifelong learning, fitness and fun. The Commission strives to provide an enjoyable outdoor environment with top quality parks, preserves, golf courses, recreational trails, and a healthy urban forest resource. Board of Directors David Buck, Chair Sheryl Annette, Vice Chair Sharon Samec, Secretary Edgar Cunningham Jr. Aundra Meeks Chris Handfelt Bob Frost Recognition The Black Hawk County Gaming Association and/or the Isle of Capri Casino and Hotel would be recognized in many ways for its contributions. Below are several ideas for recognition and others would be considered if requested by BHCGA. • Recognition at televised City Council meeting at the time of grant award. • A press release announcing the award and upcoming construction would be distributed to local and regional media contacts. • Recognition would be provided on the Leisure Services website. • Presentations at service club meetings, conferences, and other other venues include mention of the ongoing support and community minded donations provided by BHCGA. 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