cover
TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: John Russell, Grant Writer
DATE: 10/06/14
SUBJECT:
Requesting approval to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and acceptance of a $200,000 Tourism Attraction Development Grant for creation of exhibits and replication of the historic Chandelier for the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum.
PURPOSE:
This grant will allow for the creation and development of entertaining, educational and interactive exhibits for Aurora's soon-to-be-restored Grand Army of the Republic Museum, and for the replication of the historic Chandelier which hung over the Angel Room, the main display area on the first floor of the Museum.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall, Post 20, was built in 1878 as a gathering place for Union Army veterans of the Civil War, as a tribute to their fallen colleagues, 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 GAR Post 20. The Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places and in the Stolp Island Historic District. The Museum has been closed since the 1990s because of concerns over the building's safety. The City now is about to begin the final stages of restoration, focusing on the interior of the building. Funding from the Tourism Attraction Development Grant will allow for creation of exhibits which will make for an educational and enjoyable experience for all visitors, while the historic Chandelier will add to the beauty of the restored building.
DISCUSSION:
By the time the restoration project for the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum is completed in 2016 (the 150th anniversary of the founding of the National GAR), more than $3.75 million will have been spent on the reconstruction of the exterior and interior of the historic hall. The City this year received a $750,000 Illinois Public Museum Capital Grant to complete the interior renovation. Overall, about $2.5 million in City funds and $1.25 million in grants from State, County and private foundations will have gone into the project. This $200,000 Tourism Attraction Development Grant will help provide extraordinary exhibits fitting for this restored community monument. The exhibit work will include restoration and recreation of historic display cabinets, special lighting and climate control for the displays. Multimedia displays being considered include power point slide presentations; documentaries presented on flat screen monitors; and audio stories associated with specific displays and collection pieces.
The revenue for income and expenditures will be in the following established accounts:
Revenue Other/Grant-Grant-State-Other 231-1361-334.10-44
Expenditure: Capital Outlay-Improvement/GAR Museum 231-1361-465.73-42
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum will be under the director of the Aurora Public Art Commission, a division of the Community Services Department. The current operational costs of the GAR has been minimal but will increase once the museum is open. It is a goal that the Museum will be staffed by volunteer docents, and be open to the public on the same schedule as the Public Art Commission. The Museum will be an attraction for families, students and historians interested in the Civil War and post-Civil War America; for academics and genealogists; and for descendants of Civil War veterans from across Illinois and the entire nation. It will join the growing list of cultural attractions in downtown Aurora, contribute to the local economy, increase tourism and serve as an educational asset to Aurora and beyond.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request approval by the City Council for the Grant Agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and acceptance of the $200,000 Tourism Attraction Development 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 $200,000 for creation of exhibits and replication of the historic chandelier for 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 Commerce and Economic Opportunity offers Tourism Attraction Development Grants to promote tourism attractions and events across Illinois, thus increasing hotel/motel occupancy and travel into and throughout the state; 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 Commerce and Economic Opportunity has awarded a grant of $200,000 to the City of Aurora for exhibits for the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum. The revenue for income and expenditures will be in the following established accounts: Revenue Other/Grant-Grant-State-Other 231-1361-334.10-44; and Expenditure: Capital Outlay-Improvement/GAR Museum 231-1361-465.73-42
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 an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Tourism Attraction Development Grant in the Amount of $200,000 for exhibits for 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 ____
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Bohman, Ward 1 Alderman Garza, Ward 2
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Mesiacos, Ward 3 Alderman Donnell, Ward 4
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Peters, Ward 5 Alderman Saville, Ward 6
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Hart-Burns, Ward 7 Alderman Mervine, Ward 8
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Bugg, Ward 9 Alderman Johnson, Ward 10
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Irvin, At Large Alderman O'Connor, At Large
ATTEST:
____________________________ __________________________
City Clerk Mayor
Attachment 1: Tourism Attraction Development Grant Agreement.