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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: John Russell, Grant Writer
DATE: 7/16/14
SUBJECT:
Requesting approval to enter into a Project Agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and acceptance of a $750,000 Illinois Public Museum Capital Grant for the interior restoration of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum.
PURPOSE:
This grant will allow for the completion of restoration of the interior of the GAR Memorial Museum, and for the development of exhibits. This grant and other funding provided by the City will allow the historic Museum to be opened again to the public.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall, Post 20, was built in 1878 as a gathering place and tribute to Union Army veterans of the Civil War -- and as Aurora's first free public library. Its construction was funded entirely by donations from a grateful community, and it was built on land donated by one of Aurora's earliest settlers, Joseph Stolp. Over the years, more than 700 Union Army veterans were members of Aurora GAR Post 20. The Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places and in the Stolp Island Historic District. The GAR Museum has been closed since the 1990s because of concerns over the building's safety. Since that time, most of the exterior restoration work has been completed. The grant from the state will assist in the completion of the interior work.
DISCUSSION:
About $2.75 million has been spent on restoration and shoring up of the exterior of the building -- $2.2 million in City funding, and about $500,000 in grants from the state, county and private foundations. The City has budgeted $275,000 in City funds and $46,000 from a grant from Kane County for 2014-15 for the GAR project. The interior work covered by the Public Museum Capital Grant will include cabinetry restoration, woodwork and floor finishing, partition walls, lighting, climate control and emergency systems
The revenue for income and expenditures will be in the following established accounts: Revenue Other/Grant-Grant- State- Other 231-1361-334.30-02;
Expenditure: Capital Outlay-Improvement/GAR Museum 231-1361-465.73-42
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IMPACT STATEMENT:
The interior restoration of the GAR Memorial Museum is expected to create 30 construction jobs. The museum will be under the director of the Aurora Public Art Commission, a division of the Community Services Department. It is expected that the Museum will be staffed by volunteer docents. It is also a goal to make the Museum's operation more sustainable through merchandise sales, donations, and other revenue sources. Once open, the GAR Museum will contribute to the local economy, increase tourism and serve as an educational asset in the region and beyond.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request approval by the City Council of the Project Agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and acceptance of a $750,000 Illinois Public Museum Capital Grant for the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum.
cc: Alderman O'Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Peters, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution to accept a grant from the State of Illinois in the Amount of $750,000 for the Interior Restoration of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grant Program to expand and upgrade public museum facilities and create new exhibits and other physical facilities to enhance their abilities to meet their mission; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has been involved in a multi-year project to restore and reopen the historic Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum to the public once again; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Public Museum Capital Grant Program has awarded a grant of $750,000 to the City of Aurora for the interior restoration of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: That the City of Aurora does hereby accept a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Public Museum Capital Grant Program in the Amount of $750,000 for the interior restoration of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum, and hereby authorizes the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the attached agreement and such other documents as are required for the implementation thereof.
PASSED AND APPROVED on ______________.
AYES ____ NAYS ____ NOT VOTING ____ ABSENT ____
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Alderman Bohman, Ward 1 Alderman Garza, Ward 2
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Alderman Mesiacos, Ward 3 Alderman Donnell, Ward 4
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Alderman Peters, Ward 5 Alderman Saville, Ward 6
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Alderman Hart-Burns, Ward 7 Alderman Mervine, Ward 8
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Alderman Bugg, Ward 9 Alderman Johnson, Ward 10
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Alderman Irvin, At Large Alderman O'Connor, At Large
ATTEST:
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City Clerk Mayor
Attachment 1: Public Museum Capital Grants Program Project Agreement