title
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Amend the Agreement with the Thalian Association of Wilmington to Manage the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center
body
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Department: |
Parks & Recreation |
Meeting Date: |
6/3/2025 |
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Contact Name: |
Amy Beatty |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910-341-5838 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
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Attachments: |
Letter to the City Manager Requesting Consideration of a Fee Increase to Manage the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to amend the City of Wilmington’s Agreement with the Thalian Association to manage the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center.
BACKGROUND:
The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center is Wilmington Parks and Recreation’s principal arts and cultural facility, providing exposure to all disciplines of the arts in an accessible way to youth and adults.
The Thalian Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the artistic environment and providing arts education, has managed the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington since 1994. Thalian strives to bring exceptional theatrical performances to all audiences, support youth development of life skills through performing arts education, and to provide artistic outlets to engage and unite the community.
At its February 20, 2024 meeting, Wilmington City Council approved a resolution to extend its management agreement with the Thalian Association to manage the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for a term of five years with two one-year options for an annual fee of $78,831 subject to a yearly increase of five percent or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U), whichever is less.
Since that time, Thalian Association’s expenses to operate the facility have increased significantly, beyond expectation due to labor, equipment, supply and service costs. Despite an increase in expenses, the Thalian Association has maintained studio and classroom rates significantly below market rate to keep the Community Arts Center accessible to everyone, with many activities free for all participants.
Under the current fee structure, the Thalian Association would be operating the Community Arts Center at a deficit and therefore, has requested an amendment to the management agreement to increase their management fee by $10,000 annually, subject to future budget adoptions.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
The budget impact is $10,000 annually, subject to future budget adoptions.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The recommendation is to adopt the attached resolution amending the City’s agreement with the Thalian Association to manage the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center.