our evolving timeline
Request For Idea Submission
The Sausalito Center For The Arts (SCA) began in 2021 when a consortium of city organizations including the Sausalito Art Festival Foundation, ICB Arts Association, Marin Open Studios, along with dedicated community, business and art leaders worked together to imagine and prepare the winning Request For Ideas (RFI).
The RFI process was run by a Sausalito City Council Committee that evaluated and recommended a concept to transform the former Bank of America Building into a center for the arts. SCA was unanimously voted on, and approved by then Council Members Melissa Blaustein, Joan Cox, Jill Hoffman, Janelle Kellman and Ian Sobieski.
SCA is comprised of a Board of Directors representing several Sausalito and Marin County collaborating art organizations, including representatives from ICB Artists Association, Sausalito Arts Festival Foundation, Marin Open Studios, individual and recognized local artists, and city business leaders and residents.
The purpose of the Board and its stewardship for the Center is to represent all forms of culture embedded in our community, to educate and to create a space that is welcome and open to all.
The response to the RFI was developed by a community Task Force of arts and civic leaders including:
Louis Briones - Chair, Sausalito Art Festival Foundation
Kay Carlson - Director, Marin Open Studios
Gabriella Calicchio - Director, Department of Cultural Services Marin County
Zeny Cieslikowski – Artist and SAFF Board Member
Monica Finnegan - Member, Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC)
Raylene Gorum - Artist and Chair- Sausalito Parks & Rec
John Kunzweiler - President, ICB Artists Association
Lease Negotiation
Initial Letter Of Intent
After many months and revisions, in August 2022, a lease was signed between the City of Sausalito and the Sausalito Center For The Arts creating a public/private partnership. Although it appears that the City gave SCA a below-market rental rate, when all aspects of the lease are evaluated, SCA is effectively paying competitive rental rates:
After a start-up period of 18 months, SCA will cover the City’s Principal and Interest payments on the building ($4k/month initially, $11k/month after start-up)
SCA will immediately assume 100% of building maintenance costs including roof, plumbing, foundation, etc.. ($400k - $500K over 7-10 years or effectively $6k/month needs to be accrued)
SCA will assume responsibility for any asbestos and lead contamination discovered in demolition ($5k - $50k in year one, or effectively $2,500k/month needs to be accrued in year 1)
City of Sausalito will have rights to use facility for civic purposes 5 days/month (valued at $5k off lost opportunity/month)
SCA agrees to hold a minimum of 5 days of public events per month
SCA agrees that at least 20% of its public event days will be DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) focused
City of Sausalito will share in the revenues of private events during the start-up phase
SCA is effectively paying between $17k - $24k per month when we accrue for maintenance and offset City uses of the property. This figure is for the 18 month rate. For the start-up period the figure is $12.5k - $19.5K.
Phase 1 and 2 Buildout
Conceptual drawing
In September, 2022, SCA began its Phase 1 Buildout. The buildout included the removal of all bank teller stations, partitions, offices, etc. The buildout will also include the purchase of furniture, lighting, sound and other items needed to transform the building into a multi-use venue.
The layout of the Center has been transformed into a modular venue that can be configured for a variety of artistic and community needed. The budget for the Phase 1 project has been set at $400,000.
The Center is now in its Phase 2 Buildout that continues the improvement of the interior of the building and begins on exterior improvements..