Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Report on Grant Award from Central Valley Opportunity Fund in an Amount Not To Exceed $27,000 to the City of Merced to Fund the Replacement of the Clock in Bob Hart Square.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff report on grant award and crowd source funding opportunity awarded by Central Valley Opportunity Fund to replace the clock in Bob Hart Square.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Information Only- No Action Required
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CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
This grant aligns with the City Council’s FY 2025/26 Goals and Priorities to Complete Bob Hart Square improvements.
DISCUSSION
Bob Hart Square has undergone a significant transformation. This renovation was guided by an effort to highlight our past while embracing our future with Downtown Merced as an anchor for business, arts, culture and entertainment. Part of that past included historic amenities such as Stenberg lighting, brick inlays and the replacement of the Bob Hart Square Clock.
The clock which stands approximately 16 feet tall has been a permanent fixture of downtown. Records reflect it’s presence as early as 1927 at which time it stood in front of the Bank of Italy which later became the Mondo Building and today serves as the administration building for Merced County Office of Education. At some point over it’s lifespan it was moved to Bob Hart Square and became a central focal point of downtown.
The original scope for the Bob Hart renovation included repairing the existing clock but due to it’s age and missing components it proved to be unfeasible. The price of replacing the Clock was not affordable through the available budget for the project. While discussing the need to remove the clock with stakeholders, staff received indications that the community would be interested in providing matching dollars to ensure the clock was replaced. Staff submitted a proposal to Central Valley Opportunity Fund to match up to $27,000 through a crowd source funding initiative from additional stakeholders to help cover the cost. The Clock is $77,000 to replace and the proposal was granted based on the following commitments:
• Central Valley Opportunity Fund will match any community donations up to $26,000 for a total possible match of $52,000 the City of Merced will allocate, at minimum, a third of the expense ($26,000) but up to the amount not funded by the grant and crowd sourcing.
• The City will commit to maintaining the clock as long as it is within it’s sphere of responsibility
• Donors will be recognized on a nameplate to be installed on the clock itself as part of the project.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
This grant and any matching community funds generated as a result will be added to the Bob Hart Renovation budget.
ATTACHMENTS