La Villita Historic Buildings RFP Public Meeting Wednesday, April 30, 2014 6:00 p.m. San Antonio Central Library Auditorium 600 Soledad Street Sebastian Guajardo, Special Projects Manager Department for Culture & Creative Development
Project Scope DCCD will solicit proposals from qualified respondents seeking to operate retail establishments (Working Artist Studios, Galleries, Retail Shops, Restaurants) in 22 cityowned buildings located in Historic La Villita. Goals of the RFP: encourage participation by local artists, artisans, and creative businesses to partner in an arts village; support the vision established by the La Villita Ad Hoc Committee in 2010 that La Villita be a place Where artists and artisans showcase their talent and market their work 2
Project Scope Goals (continued): continue to advance toward the objectives of the 1939 La Villita Ordinance and the 1981 La Villita Resolution; enhance the visitor experience for residents and tourists; augment the artistic aspects of the facility; increase cultural tourism opportunities; and implement recommendations that respond to the various studies done on La Villita since 2006. 3
History & 1939 La Villita Ordinance La Villita is a unique historic and culturally significant facility on the banks of the San Antonio River. dates back to the mid 18th century as a settlement continued its growth through the late 19th century experienced a severe decline in the early 20th century In 1939, the City passed the La Villita Ordinance, which allocated funds to restore La Villita; defined specific goals, objectives, and policies: La Villita shall have, maintain, and operate Arts and Craft shops in the designing and making of fostering production of arts and crafts useful, true in design, of good quality, and which can be sold at a profit 4
Background: History & 1981 La Villita Resolution Facility expanded with additions in 1947, 1949, 1974 1981, City allocated $2 million for improvements, passed a resolution to re-confirm goals and objectives of the 1939 Ordinance, and created a La Villita Policy Statement, with a goal that La Villita: become a vital, alive, people place...an economically viable center, populated by quality artists, artisans, and craftsmen, and quality retail activities related to the arts 2006, Destination SA Study cited concerns with hours of operation, authenticity and mix of merchandise, and recommended completing Retail Management Study 2007, Urban Marketing Collaborative (UMC) was hired to conduct a La Villita Retail Management Study. 5
UMC 2008 Retail Management Study Areas of concern: Visitor Experience: largest obstacle to success is the current inconsistent experience Retail Mix: the conflicting identity and inconsistent quality of the retailers must be addressed Merchandising: retail merchandising is inconsistent and varies from mediocre to excellent. Financial performance: not meeting sales targets, rent is lower than market levels Lease Conditions: including inconsistent hours of operation and use clauses, are difficult to enforce 6
2008 Retail Management Study Recommendations: Improved retail management, including stronger controls over leasing and recruitment Careful management of retailer mix and product lines Specialization by artists/artisans, which is key to success Creation of a diverse, unique retail offering that carries through a clear theme of an Arts Village Each artist, artisan, and retail business is critical: Must make an impact individually Must develop a consistent brand image of the best quality experience they can offer 7
Implementing UMC Recommendations La Villita RFP will: create a vibrant, diverse, and unique retail mix centered on Art and Craft and the artists that produce this work enhance the visitor experience for residents and tourists clearly delineate locations for specialized businesses in the following categories: Working Artist Studios: sale of works of art and/or craft products made on the premises by individual artists or artisans Galleries: sale of works of art and craft produced off premises Retail Shops: sale of quality goods, products, and objects made off premises Restaurants: sale of prepared food, in a seated, café, casual or other manner 8
Retail Mix Recommendation Results DCCD Recommendations will: Increase Working Artist Studios from five (5) to nine (9), providing opportunities for local artists to produce and sell their work. Reduce Galleries from eleven (11) to eight (8). These will operate in a truer sense as galleries, with requirements to host exhibit openings and limits on the sale of non-art goods. Reduce Retail Shops from six (6) to five (5), and provide strict requirements on the type of goods sold. Increase number of Restaurants from one (1) to three (3), with requirements on extended hours, further enhancing the visitor experience. 9
La Villita Retail Mix Location: Recommended Uses 10
RFP Review - Rating Proposals will be rated in seven areas, with points to be determined prior to RFP release. Business Plan Quality and Uniqueness of Retail or Restaurant Concept Artist/Artisan Work Experience and Reputation of Respondent Economic return to the CITY (proposed rent) SBEDA Local Preference Program Veteran Owned Small Business Preference Program Four Evaluation Panels will review each category: Working Artist Studio, Gallery, Retail, Restaurant 11
Proposed RFP Coordination with City Policy Recommendations support City Policy: DCCD SA2020 Arts and Culture Goal reflect a diverse range of artistic expression that builds on our rich cultural heritage, an SA2020 objective Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Supports DestinationSA Plan to preserve San Antonio s authenticity Assists in committing to CVB s brand promise Enhances the visitor experience and quality of life for residents City Center Development Office (CCDO) Align with and support SA2020 Downtown Development Goal that: Downtown is the heart of San Antonio and is everyone s neighborhood. 12
Public Information Meetings March/April 2014 Stakeholder Meetings (Hotels, SACS, Tourism) March/April 2014 Confirm Evaluation Teams April 2014 Goal Setting Committees April 2014 Pre-Solicitation Briefing to HPCCC May 2014 Solicitation Process Overview (tenants/other parties) May 2014 Release RFP June 2014 La Villita Leases RFP Project Timeline RFP Proposals Due September 2014 Complete Evaluation November 2014 Post-Solicitation Briefing to HPCCC Committee December 2014 City Council Approve Contract Award January 2015 Target Contract Start Date August 1, 2015 13
La Villita Historic Buildings RFP Public Meeting Questions Additional questions may be submitted to: sebastian.guajardo@sanantonio.gov