Submitted By: William Cayro
presenter
Presentation By: William Cayro
end
Department: Recreation and Parks
/
FORMAL TITLE:
title
Budget Resolution 2026-162 to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to accept and appropriate funding from the Fort King Heritage Foundation for professional concept plan design services for the Fort King Visitor and Education Center in the amount of $6,400
end
/
OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Operational Excellence
/
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
/
body
BACKGROUND:
The Fort King National Historic Landmark consists of approximately 42 acres jointly owned or leased by the City of Ocala and Marion County. The site was designated a National Historic Landmark on February 24, 2004.
The Fort King Heritage Foundation, Inc. (Foundation) is a Florida-registered not-for-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization comprised of citizens dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing the historical significance of the Fort King Historic Site.
Since 2012, the City of Ocala, Marion County, and the Foundation have been parties to a memorandum of understanding that assigns responsibility for the capital fundraising to the Foundation.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The Foundation is preparing to launch a capital fundraising campaign for the future construction of the Fort King Visitor and Education Center. Development of a concept plan is an initial step necessary to advance the project and support future fundraising efforts.
The City has a continuing contract with Architecture Studio, Inc. for professional architectural and related design services. Staff has prepared a contract work order under the existing continuing contract to obtain the concept plan.
Completion of the concept plan will provide the Foundation and the City with the documentation needed to pursue future grant opportunities and private fundraising efforts for construction of the Visitor and Education Center.
The cost of professional services necessary t...
Click here for full text