On November 13, 2018, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an Exclusive Right to Negotiate Agreement (ERN) with Orton Development Inc. (Orton) for the development and operation of an Art Center on the City-owned property located at 4060 Hollis Street. At this time, staff is negotiating terms with Orton for a Lease Disposition and Development Agreement (LDDA), a legal document that will include requirements for the construction and operation of the Art Center. 

Orton has submitted a Planning Application for the Design Review and Use Permits required for the project. The proposed conceptual plans are subject to change during the planning entitlement process as the public helps to shape the priorities for the Art Center design. The review of the plans and proposed uses will include consideration of the conceptual proposal's compliance with the General Plan, Park Avenue District Plan, and other planning regulations. The scope of proposed design and uses will need to consider the pragmatic objectives set forth in the RFQP. The final design and scope of uses will also need to thoughtfully balance opportunities for arts programming with the constraints of the construction budget and need for the facility to generate revenue to provide a sustainable budget for the Art Center. The goal is to open a quality facility as the cornerstone of the Rotten City-Emeryville Cultural Arts District, with a sustainable and independent operations model and budget. 

Planning Commission Study Session

The public is encouraged to attend the Planning Commission Art Center Study Session to be held on Thursday, February 28, 2019. The meeting will be held in the Emeryville City Council Chambers held at 1333 Park Avenue; the meeting begins at 6:30 PM.  You can also watch the Planning Commission meeting via live web-streaming at http://emeryville.org/88/Video-Agendas-Reports-Minutes-Archive.