The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to authorize a resolution supporting the negotiation of all necessary agreements between the City of Fort Worth, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District, and YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth for the purpose of development and operation of a joint use facility.
The 2018 Bond Program allocated $10,000,000 for the design and construction of a community center in northwest Fort Worth. This facility is to include, but is not limited to, a gymnasium, fitness area, fitness equipment, and meeting rooms with a goal of leveraging City funds through partnerships with other organizations, agencies, municipalities or school districts and create expanded recreational opportunities.
On November 7, 2017, the voters within the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District (EMSISD) approved a bond program which allocated $5,000,000 as contingency funding for the development of a natatorium in partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth (YMCA).
During the development of the 2018 Bond Program, representatives from the YMCA approached the City with a proposal to develop a joint use facility with the EMSISD on property owned by the EMSISD. Under the current proposal, the partnering organizations would participate as follows:
• YMCA would contribute $6,000,000
• EMSISD would contribute $5,000,000 and $1,000,000 (land value)
• CFW would contribute $6,000,000
On June 23, 2009, the City Council authorized Resolution No. 3755-06-2009 which expressed support for joint use of facilities between the City of Fort Worth and EMSISD. Additionally, the City of Fort Worth Comprehensive Plan, the Park, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, and the Neighborhood and Community Park Dedication Policy recommend that the Park & Recreation Department should seek partnerships with area independent school districts and local non-profits to provide programs and facilities in a way that best maximizes public resources.
The proposed partnership with the EMSISD and YMCA represents a unique opportunity to leverage public funds resulting in the development of a joint use facility that will provide aquatics, fitness equipment, meeting space and educational programs in one facility. With extended operating hours and maximum use of the facility, utility and other operating costs can be shared between the EMSISD, the YMCA and the City of Fort Worth resulting in savings to the taxpayer. The proposed partnership will significantly increase the hours and use of the occupied space.
Upon approval of the proposed resolution by the City Council, staff from the partnering organizations will collaborate in the development of the agreement which will specify the lease terms, development guidelines, management structure and operational conditions for the facility. The fully-negotiated agreements will be brought to City Council for consideration for approval.
On August 22, 2018 the Park & Recreation Advisory Board endorsed the proposed resolution for a joint facilities agreement with EMSISD and YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth for the NWCC.
The proposed facility will be located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. |
