Thank You Supporters & OCGP Board Update

Thank you to all OCGP Multicultural Center supporters! We had an outstanding showing of individuals supporting the Multicultural Center, including many letters that were presented at the hearing by Issa Edah-Tally and a variety of public comments. We appreciate your support.

The OCGP Board approved staff's recommendation to initiate Phase 2 of the Feasibility Study pending community funding support. The Board approved funding other programs such as the Art and Cultural Center and other programs in the Cultural Terrace without outside funding. Visit the June 19th OCGP Board Meeting Video Archive at: http://irvine.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=19.

We did not support this decision and requested the Board to prioritize fund the Multicultural Center Phase 2 Feasibility Study. However, we will move forward with a new strategy and approach.

Issa Edah-Tally and Michelle Drousé are coordinating with the Great Park Design Studio to determine how they will undertake the Cultural Terrace Feasibility Study. Below are our next steps:
  • Explore opportunities for synergy with other programs in the Cultural Terrace.

  • Determine the extent of fundraising required for the Multicultural Center Phase 2 Feasibility Study on its own, including timing.

  • Explore the community's capabilities for fundraising to initiate the Phase 2 Feasibility Study. We look forward to hearing from you if you have this capability.
We encourage the multicultural community to support our vision of celebrating diversity and education.

We will continue to provide updates to the community. Please check this site often for updates. Contact issaet@gmail.com or mdrouse5@yahoo.com for more information.

PLEASE ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT MEETING: We Need You There!

*Cultural Terrace Image from www.ocgp.org


Be involved in the most important meeting for the Multicultural Center to date! The Great Park Board of Directors will hold a meeting to discuss the Multicultural Center's First Phase of the Feasibility Analysis. Please attend this meeting to be held at Irvine City Hall (Council Chambers) on Thursday 6/19/2008 at 10:00 am. Public testimonies will likely begin after 11 am.
  • Meeting Details (including information regarding how to watch the event streaming online)
  • Agenda
  • Staff Report
  • Attachment L - Multicultural Center Details Only Available via Hard Copy

OC Multicultural Coalition Liaison, Issa Edah-Tally will be representing our group's interest during the public comment period. If you are interested in writing a letter or speaking in support of the Multicultural Center, please email issaet@gmail.com and mdrouse5@yahoo.com. We are happy to provide you with an example of a public testimony and/or written comment that is similar to the one Issa is presenting. IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE WRITE A SUPPORT STATEMENT FOR THE MULTICULTURAL CENTER.

Please look for Issa in the audience during the meeting and sit together if possible. Issa will likely ask supporters of the effort to stand or list your names.

The OC Multicultural Coalition encourages the Board to initiate the Level 2 Feasibility Study at the meeting on Thursday, and we look forward to developing a Multicultural Center at the Great Park.

Below is an excerpt from the agenda and a sample support letter to send or present. We hope to see you there!


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AGENDA TITLE & DETAILS:
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PRIORITY PROGRAM FEASIBILITY STUDIES: FINDINGS FROM FIRST LEVEL ANALYSES; NEXT PHASE OF ANALYSES; AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUNDING PARTNERS

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Receive and file the first level analysis for the following Park Programs: Agriculture and Food; Amphitheater; Arts and Culture Exhibition Space; Aviation Museum; Botanic Garden; Center for Community Organizations; Demonstration Garden; Equestrian Center; fire Museum; Library; Multi-Cultural Center; National Archives; Orangewood Academy; Sports Park; Visitors Center; and Water Science Park.

2. Direct staff to execute change orders to the Design Studio Contract to undertake the next phase of feasibility analysis for the following Park Programs:

a) Agriculture and Food
b) Art and Culture Exhibition Space
c) Aviation Museum
d) Fire Museum
e) Visitor Center

3. Direct staff to execute a change order to the Design Studio Contract to undertake a new feasibility analysis for the Cultural Terrace District.

4. Direct staff to undertake the next phase of feasibility analysis subject to identification of potential funding partners for the following Park Programs in or adjacent to the Cultural Terrace District:

a) Amphitheater
b) Botanical Garden
c) Library
d) Multi-Cultural Center
e) National Archives

5. Direct staff to undertake the next phase of feasibility analysis, subject to negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the identified funding partner, for the following Park Programs:

a) Center for Community Organizations – Orange County Children and Family Commission
b) Demonstration Garden – Great Park Conservancy

6. Sports ParkDirect staff to execute a change order to the Design Studio Contract to undertake the next phase feasibility analysis for the Sports Park which focuses on:

a) Early delivery of public sports fields (18-24 months); and
b) Identification of public/private funding partners for other Sports Park features

7. Water Science ParkDirect staff to undertake the next phase of feasibility analysis for the Water Science Park, subject to identifying funding partners and negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each funding partner(s).

8. Equestrian CenterDefer further study of the Equestrian Center Program to a future time.

9. Orangewood AcademySuspend study of the Orangewood Academy Program as requested by the Orangewood Foundation.

10. Budget AdjustmentRecommend that the City Council approve a budget adjustment in the amount of $665,000 to complete the next phase feasibility studies for the Agriculture and Food, Art and Culture Exhibition Space, Fire Museum and Visitor Center; and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate the scopes of work and execute change orders to the Schematic Design Contract not-to-exceed $665,000

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SAMPLE SUPPORT LETTER/ORAL COMMENT
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Good afternoon Chairman Agran and Great Park Board members. My name is (insert name) and I'm from (insert your location) representing (affiliation/cultural background). I support the Orange County Multicultural Coalition's efforts to encourage the development of the Multicultural Center at the Great Park.

Our vision is for the Multicultural Center to celebrate diversity through collaboration, education, and global awareness by infusing multiculturalism into the heart of the Orange County community. It will be a place where all cultures will gather together to share their own cultural traditions with each other as well as to educate the community. The Multicultural Center will be a vibrant place with a regional draw.

I recommend that the Board initiate the Level 2 Feasibility Study now and I look forward to developing a Multicultural Center at the Great Park as a priority program.

Thank you.