Politics & Government

More Art Studios in Hamilton? City Council Will Decide

The Marin Power Squadron building is going to be vacant by this fall. What do you think should go in there?

The city of Novato is exploring the idea of leasing out the building in downtown Hamilton, which will be vacant by this fall.

City staff recently received a letter from the Marin Power Squadron saying that the group does not plan to renew its lease for the final five years of a contract that runs through November 2017, creating a vacancy by this November.

The structure, part of the headquarters of the former Hamilton Air Force Base, has been owned by the city since 2000 when the base was being transitioned from military use. Today the 2 1/2 acre group of buildings, known as the Building 500 complex, is home to the and the .

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Marin Power Squadron, which since 1959 has hosted classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects, has suffered from a drop in membership, according to the letter sent to the city. Marin MOCA requested in writing that the Power Squadron building be used for additional artist studios to encourage growth in cultural arts in Novato.

The Precise Development Plan for complex the specifies artist studios, a museum, art gallery, commercial offices, nonprofit uses, service uses and community meeting space as appropriate uses, according to a staff report. Novato City Council, which meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Novato City Hall, will have a chance to recommend whether it favors more art studios, leased office space or community uses such as classes for the nearby church.

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

City staff, however, is recommending more art studios because it lines up with the site's Precise Development Plan and could provide the best option for revenue generation.

Also on Tuesday's council agenda is a recommendation that the council change course on its earlier decision to transfer city-owned housing assets to management by the county of Marin. A quick decision was forced upon the council back in January when the Novato Redevelopment Agency was being axed as part of a statewide elimination of redevelopment agencies, and the council voted to give up its assets.

Now, based on the county's lack of administrative funding for the housing program and a better understanding of the implications of the redevelopment saga, an about-face on that ruling would benefit the city, according to a staff report.

Monday, the council is gathering for a closed-session meeting to discuss the job performance of City Manager Michael Frank.  Public comment starts at 6:30 p.m. prior to adjourning for the closed session.


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