SUBJECT: An Ordinance approving and authorizing a development and construction agreement between the City of Houston, Texas and HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON for improvements around the Clayton Library located at Caroline Street
RECOMMENDATION: (Summary) Approve an ordinance authorizing a Development Construction Agreement wit the Holocaust Museum Houston
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The Holocaust Museum Houston (HMH) owns and operates the Holocaust Museum at 5401 Caroline Street and the City of Houston, Texas owns and operates the Clayton Library across Caroline Street from the Museum at 5300 - 5400 Caroline.
In connection with expansion of the museum, HMH requested the City abandoned one block of Calumet Street from Austin to Caroline subject to conveyance of a full width utility easement and certain other requirements including payment of the appraised value determined at the time to be $572,115.00. The easement was conveyed by the Museum payment of the appraised value which was extended by mutual agreement by City Council Ordinance 2013-1127 on December 11, 2013. HMH expected to obtain the funds from federal sources but do to changes in that funding source their effort was not successful.
HMH has proposed that, rather than paying the appraised value and accrued interest, HMH will design and construct specific improvements around the Library, including reducing the width of the pavement in the 1200 block of Calumet Street, installing a plaza with reading area under the live oaks to serve library patrons, a pad for a bike sharing kiosk or bike rack and landscaping. The improvements will be maintained by the Library Department - The total value of the improvements available to the public is estimated to be over $240,000 more than the appraised value of the abandoned block of Calumet.