HD South, a Gilbert history museum and arts and cultural center, will expand its space and its programming after entering into an “operating assistance agreement” with the town of Gilbert.
The agreement will provide HD South with $475,296 for its capital campaign that will help it construct a 6,500-square-foot, single-story multipurpose building in the center’s courtyard as well as remodel some of its existing space.
In a separate agreement, the town also will acquire the right of way at the property at the southwest corner of Gilbert and Elliot roads. Between the two agreements, the town estimates the cost to be at least $1 million, though the acquisition costs are yet unknown, according to town documents.
Gilbert Town Council unanimously approved the agreements as part of its consent agenda June 20.
“We're just extremely grateful to the town of Gilbert for having the foresight to preserve this area and expand what we have to offer,” HD South Executive Director Denise Lopez said.
As part of the agreement, Gilbert residents will receive a 10% discount on museum admission, and the town will be allowed facility usage at no cost two times annually while any additional usage will be discounted at 25% of the established fee.
Additionally, the town will be identified as a co-sponsor of HD South events and a board of directors seat will be made available to a town council member. The entities can cross-promote programming and events.
The agreement also will allow HD South to expand its programming, Lopez said.
For example, while the center always has an art exhibit in its small “Gallery 4,” the new building will allow for more art displays and public art exhibitions, as well as a traveling art partnership between the center and town that will display public art at designated locations throughout the community.
HD South will be able to host public productions of plays or musical events available for the community to attend, or it can host business conferences.
HD South also will offer expanded recreational programs for residents of all ages including youths, adults and seniors.
“I think what's most exciting is the potential that this expansion will offer to the residents of Gilbert and the East Valley as far as the things that we'll be able to provide to them, what we can do, what we can offer, what we can share with the people of the town,” Lopez said. “We will truly be the hub for art, culture and history.”
HD South has been planning the expansion and capital campaign since 2017, but the organization has experienced a leadership change and the pandemic set its fundraising back.
Gilbert Town Council annually has approved a $50,000 grant to go toward HD South’s general operation funds.
Lopez and Gilbert Parks and Recreation Director Robert Carmona presented to the council in November the idea of a deeper partnership between the entities. Council then directed staff to explore the possibility but cautioned the town would have to receive a direct benefit from the arrangement to avoid running afoul of the gift clause of the Arizona Constitution.
“This is getting us back on track and giving us a really great shot in the arm to continue to move forward and get the expanded building built,” Lopez said.
Tom Blodgett can be reached by email at tblodgett@iniusa.org or follow him @sp_blodgett on Twitter. We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Tom Blodgett Senior News Editor | Gilbert @sp_blodgett
Meet Tom Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.
Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.
Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism.
Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.
Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).
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