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Home My WebLink About(0004) IR 22-006 - Fort Worth Botanic Garden BRIT Progress ReportINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-006 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 18, 2022 � d5 Page 1 of 5 *a SUBJECT: FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN / BRIT PROGRESS REPORT Y@7'a BACKGROUND On May 19, 2020, City Council approved M&C 20-0347 which authorized execution of a Second Amendment to a Management Services Agreement with the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Inc. (BRIT) for management of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. The agreement authorized a six-month transition period, effective May 1, 2020 and was fully implemented by October 1, 2020. This report is a six-month progress report from April through September 2021. Future reports will be reflective of BRIT's fiscal year of January through December. Areas covered include revenue, participation, programs, and capital development programs. Information is also included on the Master Plan process. REVENUE AND PARTICIPATION Agreement benchmarks: 1. Growth in attendance in FY2021 versus FY2020 2. Minimum of 10% of total admissions are free or reduced cost 3. Growth in non -City funding versus FY2020 4. Increase public participation in education, events and volunteer program versus FY2020 VIi'llft-It, �IAVX�__I% FY2021, April '1/ Change September* 0 .- Total guests 47,215 129,369 174% increase Gate revenue $372,557 $1,217,595 227% increase * FY2020, closed for COVID, 3/15 — 6/1 ** FY2021, closed for Winter Storm Uri, five days FY2021 October - September: total guests = 228,777 FY2021 October - September: gate revenue with photo pass = $2,022,185 Accessibility and reduced admission, April - September 2021 Total accessibility guests: 15,130 Total # guests: 129,369 Total % = 11.7% This included 1,172 Title 1 students served through field trips. Accessibility options most frequently used, in order of usage: children under 5, Garden programs, Muse Pass Other free and reduced admissions options include: • Access Adult & Child (includes Museums4All), • Blue Star, • Community Passes checked out by the Fort Worth Public Library, • Discounted hours for COFW residents (free and half price), and • FWISD students free of charge, and complimentary admission (teachers planning botanical curriculum and local horticulture student projects). ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-006 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 18, 2022 Page 2 of 5 DA, SUBJECT: FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN / BRIT PROGRESS REPORT Y@7'a Gift Shop Donations & Foundations Rentals Membership Admission City Subsidy PROGRAMS Education Attendance 17% 74% 1% 6% 6% 32% 45% A. - Children & Families 3,220 3,160 2,684 1,176 Elementary Students (PreK — 5) 1,984 4,611 2,582 3,016 Middle/High School (6 — 12) 2,554 4,033 2,108 773 College/University 0 290 118 5 Educators 221 1,372 411 13 Community Education 959 TOTAL 8,938 2,652 685 677 16,118 8,578 5,660 CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FY2020 Tax Note Funds • Addresses $4.3M of the $17M in City deferred maintenance obligations • 4 projects and $250K in design work substantially complete • Project management split to expedite project completion Completed Droiects: Design $303,568 IT Upgrades $367,000 South Restrooms $32,999 Conservation Greenhouse Repairs $68,075 Fuller Garden Paving $62,463 Current status, remaining funds as of September 30, 2021: ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-006 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 18, 2022 Page 3 of 5 DA, SUBJECT: FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN / BRIT PROGRESS REPORT Y@7'a Rose Ramp Fountains South Vista Drainage Moon Bridge Moncrief Garden Center Hill Arbor Restaurant/Rock Springs Bldg. Rose Shelter Stabilization Site Amenities (Water Fountains, Elec.) Old Garden Road Renovation Greenhouse Replacement Southwest Quadrant Renovation TOTAL *Includes Tax Notes and PayG $280,179 $483,240* $150,606 $231,865 $35,750 $60,021 $116,928 $94,080* $1,192,856 $1,034,969 $845,729 $4,526,223 $261,179 $432,240 $132,226 $209,010 $35,750 $49,715 $99,753 $94,080 $1,021,159 $945,558 $716,229 $3,996,899 We7 BG/BRIT BG/BRIT Property Management BG/BRIT Property Management Property Management BG/BRIT BG/BRIT Property Management BG/BRIT 2022 BOND PROGRAM REQUEST In the current Management Agreement with BRIT (CSC 54201), the City agrees to finance debt funded repairs and capital replacement in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden totaling $17 million in inflation adjusted 2017 dollars. PARD and FWBG I BRIT staff have worked together to present a 2022 bond request in the amount of $7,000,000. Private funding is $3,825,000. Projects focus on infrastructure and related projects that do not present opportunities for significant private fundraising while the master plan is underway. Bond funds requested would be administered by FWBG BRIT and would support the following improvements: • Improvements to education facilities and collections housing • Pedestrian/guest service improvements • Consolidation of operations • Utilities/infrastructure • Site preparation for Children's Garden • Professional services Infrastructure $1,024,000 Facility Repair/Replacement $4,415,000 Event/Guest Services $1,411,000 Professional Services $150,000 TOTAL $7,000,000 ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-006 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 18, 2022 Page 4 of 5 DA, SUBJECT: FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN / BRIT PROGRESS REPORT Y@7'a MASTER PLAN AND STRATEGIC PLAN In 2010, the City Council adopted the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Master Plan (M&C G-16963). In 2016, the City Council accepted the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Strategic Plan (M&C G-18885). After executing the 2020 management services agreement with the City, BRIT initiated a new strategic plan and master plan for the Botanic Garden in partnership with the City and stakeholders. The ambitious three-year strategic plan has recently been completed. In addition to a new mission statement, vision, and five transformative goals, 12 top priorities for 2022-2024 have also been established. By striving to reach these ambitious targets, we will have moved rapidly to fulfill the new opportunities created by the union of Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. The top 12 priorities are as follows: • Develop a science communication program • Conserve regional biodiversity by focusing on our Texas Flora Project • Welcome 500,000 guests • Complete a new site master plan and begin a capital fund drive • Strategically add to and diversify our living plant collections • Complete the rebranding of FWBG I BRIT • Host the 2023 American Public Garden Association (APGA) Conference • Plant 500,000 bulbs • Become one of the top five garden -based research institutions in the U.S. • Engage all 4th grade Fort Worth students in our STEM Program • Achieve institutional accreditation through the American Alliance of Museums • Become one of the best places to work in Fort Worth A comprehensive Master Plan process has also been initiated. The prime consultant, Studio Outside from Dallas, along with local architectural firm Bennet Partners, is leading the complete study of the joint campus and programs. The master plan process coordinates with the recently completed strategic plan to determine: • Joint mission and vision Programmatic goals Feasibility Physical facilities The master plan process is coordinated through a 24-member committee comprised of Botanic Garden and BRIT organizational representatives and community stakeholders chaired by former City Council Member Dennis Shingleton and includes Councilmember Leonard Firestone, and former Park & Recreation Advisory Board Chair Dan Villegas. It is projected that the Master Plan will be completed during Fall 2022 with an M&C submitted to City Council for their approval in December 2022. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-006 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 18, 2022 Page 5 of 5 DA, SUBJECT: FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN / BRIT PROGRESS REPORT Y@7'a CONCLUSION FWBG I BRIT is honored to have been entrusted with management of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and believes as shown by the statistics including in this report, that substantial progress has been made during the first year managing all operations. FWBG I BRIT is working every day to create one of the nation's leading institutions for botanical exploration and discovery that impacts and improves the lives of everyday people. The staff and board appreciate your support and attention. Any questions can be directed to President and CEO Patrick Newman at pnewman(a)brit.org or 817-335-8158 and to Richard Zavala, Park and Recreation Director, at richard.zavala(o�fortworthtexas.gov or 817-392-5711. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS