On January 22, 2018, Council approved an agreement for the donation of the historic Rogers Building, located on the northeast intersection of South Magnolia Avenue and East Pine Street in downtown Orlando, from the Gallery at Avalon Island LTD to the City.  The real estate closing will be on or about June 30, 2018.   

The donation agreement requires that the City maintain the property as a cultural arts facility for a period of twenty (20) years following the recording of the deed.  As recognition of the historical significance of the building and Ford W. Kiene's restoration of the property and gift to the City, the property will be renamed the Rogers Kiene Building. 

For several years, the City has leased property in downtown Orlando, at 29 S. Orange Avenue, and subleases the building to Downtown Arts District (DAD) for the operation of the City Arts Factory.  The lease ends on November 30, 2018 and will not be renewed.  DAD will relocate the City Arts Factory to the Rogers Kiene Building.

DAD will operate the City Arts Factory at the Rogers Kiene building as a multi-use cultural arts facility to serve and benefit residents and visitors of the city of Orlando and may provide gallery space, artist-in-residence programs and studios, meeting space, administrative offices, a café, a theatre for films and live performances, and may also offer other arts-related uses and events such as Third Thursday, luncheon events, juried art shows and outreach to schools.  

DAD has acknowledged and agrees that an essential requirement of the Lease is that it must be and remain a substantial contributor to the betterment of the city of Orlando through maintaining a multi-use cultural arts facility. DAD shall be required to provide an annual plan containing its specific goals, performances, classes and other activities to be held at the Rogers Kiene building and otherwise in the city.  The City’s Real Estate Division will be authorized to approve and modify the annual plan.

The Lease term shall be for five (5) years commencing on July 1, 2018, and ending on June 30, 2023.  The Lease may be extended for one (1) additional five (5) year term.  Either party may terminate the Lease at its convenience upon ninety (90) calendar days’ prior written notice. Rent will be $1.00 per year. 

Approval and authorization for the Mayor/Pro Tem and City Clerk to execute the Lease, substantially in the form attached, and approval and authorization, without further City Council approval, for the Real Estate Division Manager to execute the additional extension options referenced herein, so long as such approvals are in conformance with the terms and conditions of the Lease, all subject to the review and approval of the City Attorney's Office.