CYPRESS : Council to Advance Cultural Arts Project

Despite concerns over costs, the City Council has moved ahead with a plan to hire a professional planner to survey Cypress’ cultural arts needs.

The plan includes surveying area residents to see if they are interested in bringing more cultural arts programs into the city. The results would then provide a blueprint for potential projects and guide future decisions.

In May, during a joint meeting between the council and the Cultural Arts Commission, the council directed staff to begin the process and budgeted $5,000 to implement it.

The action taken last week allows city officials to solicit proposals from cultural planners. In an informal survey, many planners have indicated that costs for such a project would range from $15,000 to $30,000.

This alarmed some of the council members. “I think we are all concerned about the costs,” Councilwoman Gail H. Kerry said.

Despite the funding questions, the council agreed to move ahead with the plan. After the proposals are collected, the council will then decide whether to go forward with the project.