HD South seeks deeper partnership with town of Gilbert 

HD South, a Gilbert history museum and arts and cultural center, has approached the town about deepening their partnership as the museum looks to expand its reach. 

Town council gave direction to staff at its Nov. 1 meeting to explore those opportunities but cautioned the town would have to receive a direct benefit from any arrangement under the Gift Clause of the Arizona Constitution. 

That clause prohibits the donation or grant of public funds to private individuals or entities unless it is for a public purpose and the value to be received by the public is not “grossly disproportionate” to the consideration being paid by the public. 

Council members also indicated they had a number of questions they would want answered during future discussions before any proposal comes back for council consideration. 

Gilbert Town Council annually has approved a $50,000 grant to go toward HD South’s general operation funds. Robert Carmona, the town’s parks and recreation director, said HD South has met its obligations under those agreements and been a good partner for the town. 

HD South is undergoing a major capital campaign that it launched in 2020, a $2 million commitment to expand and renovate the museum, which was put into the original Gilbert Elementary School building. 

However, the campaign launched right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, HD South President and CEO Denise Lopez said. That put a crimp into fundraising efforts. Additionally, construction costs have doubled for the museum’s proposed plans, Lopez said. 

Lopez said HD South raised about $1.6 million dollars to date from donations and grants, but needs $2.5 million to break ground on the project.  

Asked if the museum was looking more for money for its capital campaign or from programming, Carmona said it was both. 

Partnerships for arts and cultural education to benefit Gilbert residents was among the ideas discussed in the study session.