Explanation
This ordinance authorizes Columbus City Council to enter into contract with Stonewall Columbus in support of the 2018 Columbus Pride Festival. This legislation will assist Stonewall Columbus in their effort to procure and install “Pride” banners along streets in the central downtown business district in 2018.
Funding for this request coincides with the culmination of the 2018 Pride Festival and Parade June 15-17, 2018. Organizers expect up to 500,000 people to be in Columbus for the weekend festivities. The Columbus Pride Festival is the second largest in the Midwest and one of the top five in the country, generating millions in direct and indirect spending. The 2018 event will feature 12,000 parade participants, 3 performance stages, 250 performers, and 500 volunteers on-hand to assist with executing the event. Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission use the increased awareness of the city that results from the Pride celebration and the city’s growing gay-friendly reputation to reach out to LGBTQ tourists and events.
Emergency action is requested so that funding can be in place for the 2018 Pride Festival.
Title
To authorize a grant agreement between Columbus City Council and Stonewall Columbus for installation of banners in downtown Columbus for the promotion of the 2018 Pride Festival and Parade; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $10,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, more than 117,000 commuters drive through downtown Columbus every day and more than 44.3 million visitors come to Columbus on an annual basis, and the Downtown Banner Program allows local organizations to promote annual events via banners hung throughout the city which bring attention to these organizations in a highly visible manner; and
WHEREAS, Stonewall Columbus has a long-term goal to expand the banner program throughout the downtown, to raise sufficient resources ...
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