[BoulderCouncilHotline] Multicultural Center

[Young, Mary]

Dear Colleagues and Community,

As we move through community discussions regarding the future of the old hospital site, I recalled that the West Senior Center is slated for a new location. In thinking about the Senior Center, it occurred to me that the idea of a multicultural center has been brought up time and again. In fact, it was a use proposed for the Holiday Neighborhood in 1999.

Art Figel, one of the Human Relations Commissioners, forwarded to me the attached documents.

If the Senior Center were to be considered as a use for the site, perhaps it could combine uses or be defined more broadly to accommodate the use as described in the attached documents.

Thank you.

Best,

Mary Dolores Young
Boulder City Council
303-501-2439

“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” ~Martin Luther King Jr.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Art Figel <art.figel at gmail.com<mailto:art.figel at gmail.com>>
Date: February 10, 2019 at 4:30:49 PM MST
To: "'Young,  Mary'" <YoungM at bouldercolorado.gov<mailto:YoungM at bouldercolorado.gov>>
Subject: RE: Multicultural Center


Mary,



I’m glad you asked. The conclusion of the attached feasibility study addresses your questions about the purpose of a center, the need for one, and why you won't find too many examples in other cities with larger numbers of underrepresented people. The City funded the CDC to do this study in 1996.


CDC attained non-profit status in 1997 and operated for several years in small spaces donated by Boulder County CAP. We served as a fiscal agent and helped several groups get established such as Reading to End Racism.

A proposal to be included in the Holiday Drive-In site development plans was submitted in 1999 (attached).



Here's a quick summary from a brochure we put together.



The Vision

Our dream is to operate a large facility where interactions among and outreach to culturally diverse communities will take place, including education, social action, business, artistic, recreational and other activities.



We envision a facility that will house organizations’ offices, conference rooms, a common library, a resource area (copier/fax/computers), areas for art exhibits, classrooms and workshops, and a large space for cultural events such as dances, quinceañeras, pow-wows, etc.



Furthermore, it is our belief that this facility will only succeed if governed by members of the diverse communities it serves.



Background

The Committee for the Center for Diverse Communities (CDC) was created after years of informal, grassroots discussion regarding the need for a Multicultural Center in the Boulder area.



The Committee obtained $20,000 to conduct a conceptual study, designed to determine the needs and level of public support for a Center in Boulder. Surveyed were members and allies of the six communities listed in the next paragraph. The CDC Conceptual Report is now available to the general public.



I did a quick Google search for multicultural centers. Far from a comprehensive list, but this is what I found.



Portland, OR – “The project will have 47,475 square feet including 5,155 square feet for the Asian Pacific Network of Oregon (APANO). The Jade’s unit mix will include 33 one-bedroom units, 11 two-bedroom units, 3 three-bedroom units, and a manager’s unit. APANO, will own ground floor commercial space that houses their offices and a MultiCultural Community Center.”

·         The Jade<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/KRiDC2kDlJupMJq9cnGQah?domain=portlandoregon.gov>



Seattle is building one:

·         Seattle Multicultural Community Center Coalition (MCC)<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/p6XRC31VmJipnJ1Ecq3aFG?domain=racetodemocracy.com>

·         Nonprofit Secures Land for Othello Community Center<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/4-cAC4xGnKiBXQNvuBd_q-?domain=southseattleemerald.com>

·         Othello Square<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/_WHwC5yKo0TZBQmDC2OWNn?domain=othellosquare.org>



Beaverton’s Diversity Advisory Board recommended one in the city’s DEI plan (pages 20-21):

·         Beaverton DEI Plan<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/Un4rC68KpVir5A2BUxYVqX?domain=beavertonoregon.gov>



The Utah Cultural Celebration Center has elements of what CDC proposed:

·         UCCC Newsletter<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/-oeiC73VqJhADx5JsR0jw_?domain=culturalcelebration.org>



The Lexington (MA) Community Center has “flexible multi-purpose performing spaces to accommodate their diverse, multicultural growing community” as well as “space for public service organizations, and more multi-purpose rooms for community meetings”:

·         Steffian Bradley Architects<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/o2LAC82KrYi6oZVKIzNv0h?domain=steffian.com>

·         Lexington Community Center<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/GelQC9rYvXikGgypIZVKYn?domain=lexingtonma.gov>


Austin – Mexican, Latinx, Arts/Education focused and doesn’t appear to house multiple organizations. Still, it’s an incredible achievement:

·         The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC)<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/WYNrC0RDj3HG1DOLhorjRr?domain=austintexas.gov>



Regards,



Art

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