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Also attached to this agenda item: August 18%2C 2023 Memo on Gouveia Memo Gouveia Park Narrative August 2023 November 16%2C 2023 letter from Maria Slippen%2C Chair... November 8%2C 2023 Memo from Mark Duncan%2C...

To: CC: Frank Balbi, Debi Braddick, Mark Duncan, Sherry Horowitz, Eren Johnson, Janet Monahan, Nora Nicholson, Brian Pugh From: Maria Slippen, Chair and Ken Sargeant, Vice Chair Date: January 24, 2024 RE: Gouveia Park Working Group Recommendation The Department of Public Works, Recreation Department and Recreation Advisory Committee, at the direction of the village manager, discussed and decided that moving the Recreation Offices to Gouveia would be an appropriate use of the property. This decision was reached through multiple meetings and discussions. The considerations that went into the decision included: a desire to open Gouveia for more robust resident use as a recreation, event, arts and learning space (REAL Space), the determination that the staff must be physically together in a common location to most efficiently and effectively operate, and the commitment to add additional staff to support expanded programming. The Village Board unanimously agreed with the department moving and established the Working Group to agree on some specifics for this REAL Space. The Gouveia Park Working Group was convened and tasked with making recommendations for a concept for the interior space of the main building on the Gouveia property. The group met together three times, twice at the municipal building and once at Gouveia. There was one smaller group gathering for a tour of Gouveia for those who had not yet seen it. After reviewing several proposed concepts provided by Frank Balbi and informal consultation with a local architect, it was decided that the general direction of the plans should be to have the Recreation staff inhabit a portion of the lower level. The group agreed unanimously that this was the best direction to take. This concept leaves the entire upper level for programming. Additionally, the group expressed a desire to maximize the downstairs space not in use for the administration of the Recreation Department for the arts, including but not limited to gallery-style exhibits. The group also agreed that the village should actively explore uses for the vacated space in the municipal building. The recommendation is that this space be for community use, including those which further both the arts and cultural programming. Moving forward, we request that the chairs of the village committees included in the working group (currently Maria Slippen - RAC, Ken Sergeant- Arts & Humanities, and Janet Monahan - CAC), be updated at minimum quarterly regarding the direction and progress of the project. The chairs will communicate the progress with their respective committees. Finally, we recommend that the building be named in honor of former Trustee and Deputy Mayor Ann Gallelli at the earliest date possible. Ann was instrumental in the acquisition of the property and protection of this green space and has always been a strong supporter of the arts, cultural programming, parks, and recreation in the Village.