Friends of Hemming Park will receive the latest installment of its city funding, but the nonprofit revitalizing Downtown’s “front porch” has a looming battle over its long-term viability.
City Council voted 18-1 Tuesday that revenue the group receives from events and concessions should count toward its fundraising goal. Supporters say that always was the intent, with the amendment now allowing the city to disburse $150,000 that the group was eligible to receive June 1.
Council member John Crescimbeni last week voted against the idea. However, after watching several videos from last year, he said somehow language relating to concession sales was dropped from one contract draft to another.
Given that, he said he couldn’t in good conscience vote against the idea — he thought that’s what he was voting for last year, so he did Tuesday.
That made it awfully lonely for Matt Schellenberg on the issue.
The sole negative vote, Schellenberg said he thought the Friends’ budget was misleading and “didn’t see a big difference” in what’s happening in the park.
Not counting the June payment, the city has contributed $600,000. The contract calls for the nonprofit to receive a total of $1 million in taxpayer assistance.
The group is required to raise $250,000 in its first year, with $200,000 coming by the ninth month — a mark that was the focal point of the latest amendment.
Schellenberg said he hoped that money would have provided “a little bit better” results and suggested maybe grassing the venue and turning it into a passive park.
Talks turned toward the overall performance of the nonprofit and its future. Several council members called Hemming Park Downtown’s “front door” and said they liked the job the group has done since taking it over in September.
“It’s worth it,” said council member Jim Love. “It’s worth it to make this front porch of our house nice.”
The park is often the first thing economic development clients see on their way to City Hall, Love said, and it can make an impression.
Council member Aaron Bowman agreed. As a JAXUSA Partnership executive, he often brings out-of-town business clients to City Hall. He said the park in the past has been “embarrassing” and he would try to distract visitors by having them look at buildings.
Despite the progress, Bowman said he is “very concerned” about the group’s future. There’s been talk of the group asking for up to $500,000 from the city for its mission. Yet, several council members intended for the $1 million it approved for the 18-month contract to be just seed money — the goal was for the group to be self-sustaining over time.
Bidding it back out or giving it to the Downtown Investment Authority were ideas thrown out by council member Bill Gulliford, who reined in discussion by reminding members of the issue at hand. There’s plenty of time for long-term talks in the coming months.
Wayne Wood, Friends’ board president, afterward said he was happy council members saw the intent of the original contract and language relating to revenue was fixed. And, he understands the talks about the future of the group.
It’s a tremendous challenge, he said, to raise money for a park, especially a new venture like the group has done. However, over the next several months will have several “amazing” events that will show progress and what the park can be. He said those announcements would be coming, but wouldn’t elaborate.
The group has scheduled an 11 a.m. Thursday news conference to announce that “two prominent community leaders” will offer a “substantial private donation” for the park’s revitalization.
The group will host a beer festival Saturday that will serve as a fundraiser.
And as for any future city money the group might pursue, it wouldn’t be a burden, he said.
“We’re not going to be a drag on the city,” he said.
As Tuesday’s discussions showed, that will be the topic for another day.
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