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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Julie Frankino, Grant Writer
DATE: February 23, 2023
SUBJECT:
A Resolution seeking City Council authorization to apply for a Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Grant in an amount not to exceed $80,000.
PURPOSE:
The Aurora Public Art Division is seeking a grant from Kane County to assist in the creation of a mobile game app that will create a wayfinding path through Downtown Aurora enhanced with augmented reality markers to guide visitors to public art installations, businesses and other attractions.
BACKGROUND:
The Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Grant Fund requires applicants to submit a resolution from the governing board authorizing permission to apply for a grant. The city was last awarded a Grand Victoria Riverboat Grant in 2020.
DISCUSSION:
Smart maps regularly assist tourists and residents alike to plan outings. Such maps can improve and enhance the experience of a trip for people who have specific expectations or purpose for their visit, can introduce people to new businesses and attractions, and can help cities better understand foot traffic patterns. This project aims to build upon this concept to create a unique, secure mobile game app that includes a virtual map to create wayfinding paths that encourage people to explore everything that downtown Aurora has to offer and discover its hidden gems, including local businesses. Students will contribute to the creation of artwork that will be incorporated into the augmented reality content of the game.
Between the proliferation of public artworks in the city over the past five years and the addition of many new restaurants and business in Aurora's downtown since the pandemic, the city's downtown is on the threshold of a substantial renaissance. The Public Art Division aims to help further spur downtown revitalization by creating a map-based game that will guide visitors on routes that expose them to businesses, points of interest, and works of art.
The 2023 Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund grant application proposes that approximately 70% of the project will be funded through the grant. The remainder will be funded through Public Art Division funds allocated to the project in the 2023 budget. The proposed expense account number is 101-1360-450-32-20 and the proposed revenue account is 101-1360-337-30-02
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This custom digital map game (virtual board game) of downtown Aurora will increase foot traffic at key locations and improve the city's ability to understand which downtown locations receive the most visitors and which areas visitors tend to overlook. This virtual game will be unique to Aurora. It will serve as a Public Art installation and a destination feature in itself, as people will only be able to play the game and view the augmented reality art on-site in downtown Aurora.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommend the City Council authorize the Aurora Public Art Division to apply for a Kane County Riverboat Grant in an amount not to exceed $80,000 to fund the creation of a digital map game with augmented reality highlighting downtown Aurora's many attractions.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution to allow Aurora Public Art to apply for a Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Grant in an amount not to exceed $80,000.
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, Kane County is offering Grand Victoria Riverboat Grants to local communities and non-profits and:
WHEREAS, the Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Grant Fund requires applicants to submit a resolution from the governing board authorizing permission to apply for a grant; and
WHEREAS, between the proliferation of public artworks in the city over the past five years and the addition of many new restaurants and business in Aurora's downtown since the pandemic, the city's downtown is on the threshold of a substantial renaissance; and
WHEREAS, the Public Art Division aims to help further spur downtown revitalization by creating dual real-world and virtual maps that will guide visitors on routes that expose them to businesses, points of interest, and works of art; and
WHEREAS, the following accounts will be used for this grant: Expense Account number is 101-1360-450-32-20; Revenue Account number is 101-1360-337-30-02
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that Aurora Public Art may pursue a grant not to exceed $80,000 from the Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Grant Program to assist in the development of an augmented reality wayfinding path game of downtown Aurora.