HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 6055-02-2025A Resolution
No. 6055-02-2025
SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL JUNETEENTH MUSEUM
TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE FORT WORTH'S DIVERSE HISTORY AND
CULTURE
WHEREAS world -class museums contribute significantly to the City of Fort Worth's
community identity and economic vitality; and
WHEREAS nearly two decades ago, Fort Worth icon and national treasure Opal Lee
founded a local Juneteenth Museum to commemorate the significance of that date and
event and to further her effort to make Juneteenth recognized as a federal holiday in order to
promote and memorialize its importance as a milestone on the path toward human freedom;
and
WHEREAS the fierce determination and vision of Opal Lee, known as the
"Grandmother of Juneteenth," has made Juneteenth a federal holiday while bringing
widespread recognition to the City of Fort Worth ("City"); and
WHEREAS as Ms. Lee's efforts gained national attention and following the
recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday in 2021, interest grew in taking her initial
local museum and transforming it into a National Juneteenth Museum to provide expanded
opportunities for awareness, education, and understanding; and
WHEREAS in addition to increasing tourism and educational opportunities,
museums and facilities addressing challenging parts of the City's and nation's past benefit
the public by offering opportunities to promote and enhance understanding and further
community healing; and
WHEREAS the City seeks to leverage its existing cultural resources by supporting
the development and expansion of high -quality museums that preserve and promote Fort
Worth's diverse history and culture; and
WHEREAS, on September 13th, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No.
5613-09-2022, supporting the development of the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort
Worth; and
WHEREAS a National Juneteenth Museum is planned to break ground in Fort Worth
on or before October 315t, 2026; and
WHEREAS the City has reserved funds to support development and
construction of the Juneteenth National Museum in Fort Worth; and
WHEREAS the National Juneteenth Museum requested to lease the Southside
Community Center property for the purpose of constructing the National Juneteenth
Museum; and
WHEREAS the City currently plans to relocate programs operated from the
Southside Community Center to the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
Section 1. The City Council supports the development of a National Juneteenth
Museum by pledging to fund up to one-third of the capital costs associated with the project,
subject to Resolution No. 5613-09-2022 and the following conditions:
a. The total City contribution to the project shall not exceed $15 million;
b. The City Manager's review and approval of a feasibility study and business
plan demonstrating that the museum's ongoing operations are economically
and financially feasible without City subsidy;
c. The City shall not contribute its share of capital costs unless and until the
museum first provides a letter from the museum's financial institution
confirming funds -on -hand in an amount no Iess than two-thirds of the project's
planned construction costs, exclusive of the City's funding, which is intended
to be provided as the "last dollars in;" and
d. The appropriation of City funds shall require:
i. City Council approval of an appropriation ordinance; and
ii. A finding by the City Council of the specific public purposes the museum
will serve.
Section 2. The City Council supports leasing the Southside Community Center property
for the development of a National Juncteenth Museum for a term of forty (40) years and rental
rate of $1.00 per year, subject to:
a. approval by the City Council through a Mayor and Council Communication;
b. the museum meeting the conditions contained herein; and
c. the successful, adequate, and ongoing accommodation of all existing
programming and uses of the Southside Community Center in the ground floor
of the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods or at other facilities within
the community.
d. the City's exclusive use and occupancy of the Southside Community Center
until the conditions contained herein have been met, the museum has completed
design and permitting, and the museum has fully funded the construction of the
museum.
Section 3. The City Council finds that the creation of the National Juneteenth Museum
in accordance with the terms of this resolution benefits the public by providing and
expanding educational opportunities, enhancing the City's national and international appeal
as a cultural destination, and offering opportunities to bring the entire community together to
foster better understanding and relationships.
Section 4. The City Council requests that the City Manager continue to reserve a
portion of the City's debt capacity to support issuance of debt in an amount not to exceed
$15 million for the support of the National Juneteenth Museum, subject to the museum
meeting the conditions contained herein.
Section 5. The City's willingness to provide funding and a lease of the Southside
Community Center property is contingent on the museum meeting the criteria contained herein
and in Resolution No. 5613-09-2022 prior to October 31st, 2027 (the "Completion Date").
Section 6. If the National Juneteenth Museum fails to meet the requirements contained
herein and in Resolution No. 5613-09-2022 prior to the Completion Date, the City's
commitments shall be null and void; however, the City Council may re-evaluate whether to
extend its commitments for an additional period of time under similar or revised terms and
conditions.
Section 7. That this resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage
in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth, and is accordingly
so resolved.
Adopted this 11t' day of February 2025.
ATTEST:
By:
Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary
Al