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By Mark Baratelli
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida, Inc. (“Holocaust Center”) will be moving from its home in Maitland into the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce building in Orlando at 75 South Ivanhoe Blvd and into the adjacent Senator Beth Johnson Park.
The relocation will include the Holocaust Center’s renovation of the existing 7,569 sq ft Chamber of Commerce building built in 1970 and the construction of a new building on a portion of the park. All costs associated with all phases of the project to be located on the Premises, including sidewalk improvements, shall be borne by the Holocaust Center throughout the term of the lease.
The Holocaust Center will invest in a complete renovation of the interior and exterior of the Existing Building. The renovation will maintain its historical architectural significance, while bringing operations up to current standards.
The renovated Existing Building will provide space for a welcome center, classrooms and administrative offices. The New Building will include permanent and temporary exhibit space, an auditorium and multi-use space.
Pursuant to the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding, the City and the Holocaust Center intend to enter into a 50 year lease for $1 per year on terms mutually agreeable to the parties, and will be presented for City Council approval at a later date. The lease will come with options to extend on mutually agreeable terms.
The Center will have 2 years from the date of the MOU to raise the funds necessary to construct a first class facility, which is estimated to be $20 million dollars. The lease is anticipated to begin sometime in 2020 after the funds are raised. Center Executive Director Pam Kancher said it would take 2 to 3 years to raise the funds according to Heritage Florida Jewish News.
At the end of the Lease, the Premises and all improvements located thereon, including the New Building, shall be owned by the City.
While there are currently no tenants in the Existing Building, the City may lease it to third parties until the effective date of the lease with the Holocaust Center.
The design of the renovated Existing Building, New Building and any improvements to the Park shall be subject to the reasonable approval of the City.
A majority vote of City Council at a duly advertised public hearing is required in order for the City to lease the Premises to the Holocaust Center.
The relocation will include the Holocaust Center’s renovation of the existing 7,569 sq ft Chamber of Commerce building built in 1970 and the construction of a new building on a portion of the park. All costs associated with all phases of the project to be located on the Premises, including sidewalk improvements, shall be borne by the Holocaust Center throughout the term of the lease.
The Holocaust Center will invest in a complete renovation of the interior and exterior of the Existing Building. The renovation will maintain its historical architectural significance, while bringing operations up to current standards.
- The Holocaust Center will design and construct a new, multi-story building, which will connect to the renovated Existing Building (New Building) to create one seamless facility. The New Building will be a minimum of 20,000 square feet, and will be designed to achieve an iconic architectural feature reasonably agreed to by the parties.
- Senator Beth Johnson Park will maintain its namesake and continue to be a public park with sufficient open green space. The City and the Holocaust Center will reach agreement on the size of the Park, and how it will be improved, managed, operated, maintained and secured.
- Construction of the proposed project is estimated to begin sometime in 2020 and take approximately 18 months to complete.
The renovated Existing Building will provide space for a welcome center, classrooms and administrative offices. The New Building will include permanent and temporary exhibit space, an auditorium and multi-use space.
Pursuant to the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding, the City and the Holocaust Center intend to enter into a 50 year lease for $1 per year on terms mutually agreeable to the parties, and will be presented for City Council approval at a later date. The lease will come with options to extend on mutually agreeable terms.
The Center will have 2 years from the date of the MOU to raise the funds necessary to construct a first class facility, which is estimated to be $20 million dollars. The lease is anticipated to begin sometime in 2020 after the funds are raised. Center Executive Director Pam Kancher said it would take 2 to 3 years to raise the funds according to Heritage Florida Jewish News.
At the end of the Lease, the Premises and all improvements located thereon, including the New Building, shall be owned by the City.
While there are currently no tenants in the Existing Building, the City may lease it to third parties until the effective date of the lease with the Holocaust Center.
The design of the renovated Existing Building, New Building and any improvements to the Park shall be subject to the reasonable approval of the City.
A majority vote of City Council at a duly advertised public hearing is required in order for the City to lease the Premises to the Holocaust Center.
The Holocaust Center will provide the following benefits:
A 115,000 volt electric transmission line is located under the Existing Building and Park, and may need to be relocated at the Center’s expense in order to construct the improvements. The Holocaust Center also acknowledges that certain City equipment may exist within the Premises that the City will continue to access or may need to be relocated at the Center’s expense, such as irrigation and lighting controllers for off-site City facilities.
- Provide free admission days for City of Orlando residents.
- Provide discounted rates of the Holocaust Center's auditorium for local community groups and non-profits.
- Offer affordable rental space to the community for meetings and gatherings.
- D. Collaborate with city youth and adult programs.
- Offer free access of the auditorium/event space for events held or sponsored by the City of Orlando on mutually agreeable terms.
- Offer traveling exhibits from around the world and permanent world-class exhibits.
- Provide office space to community groups on mutually agreeable terms.
- Include exterior art, sculpture and building features to enhance the visitor experience.
- Provide recognition of the City of Orlando/DDB for its contribution to this project, including an exterior entry plaque.
A 115,000 volt electric transmission line is located under the Existing Building and Park, and may need to be relocated at the Center’s expense in order to construct the improvements. The Holocaust Center also acknowledges that certain City equipment may exist within the Premises that the City will continue to access or may need to be relocated at the Center’s expense, such as irrigation and lighting controllers for off-site City facilities.