City of Hampton - File #: 17-0220

• File #: 17-0220
• Version: 1
• Name: Motion for Acceptance of Streetcar Donation
• Type: Motion
• Status: Passed
• File created: 6/14/2017
• In control: City Council Legislative Session
• On agenda: 7/12/2017
• Final action: 7/12/2017
• Title: Motion to Accept the Gift of Streetcar 390, an Ex-Hampton Roads Semi-Convertible Streetcar, From the Baltimore Streetcar Museum to Create a New Cultural Asset for the City of Hampton
• Indexes: , Hampton History Museum, Love Your City
• Code sections: 15.2-944 - Authority to acquire and preserve places and things of historical interest., 2-134 - Council approval prerequisite to acceptance of certain gifts to city; gifts for undercover law enforcement investigations; inventory of gifts.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
7/12/2017	1	City Council Legislative Session	approved	Pass

Title

Motion to Accept the Gift of Streetcar 390, an Ex-Hampton Roads Semi-Convertible Streetcar, From the Baltimore Streetcar Museum to Create a New Cultural Asset for the City of Hampton

Purpose

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:

                     The Baltimore Streetcar Museum ("BSM") seeks to donate and the City desires to accept an Ex-Hampton Roads Semi-Convertible Streetcar (Streetcar 390).  BSM values the streetcar at $125,000.00.  Pursuant to Hampton City Code Section 2-134(a), gifts to the city of real property and tangible personal property valued at five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or more shall be approved by City Council, by appropriate motion duly recorded in the Council minutes, before such gifts shall be deemed to have been accepted by the City. 

Discussion:

                     BSM owns Streetcar 390, the last remaining car that ran in Hampton and the surrounding areas between 1918 and 1945.  BSM acquired Streetcar 390 in 1978, and is willing to donate it to the City if there is a commitment to its restoration and display.  The restoration is being led by the 390 Committee, a group of passionate Hampton volunteers, who are working to preserve and restore Streetcar 390 and construct a pavilion that will house the car and educational exhibits. The Hampton History Museum Association is serving as the fiscal agent for that Committee.  By resolution dated April 9, 2014 (File No. 14-0174) the City Council memorialized its support for the Committee and its effort to return Streetcar 390 to its original home.

                     As the result of multiple years of cooperation of the BSM Board, the Hampton History Museum, the Committee, and a specialized transporter, a timeline for City's acquisition of Streetcar 390 has been tentatively set.  The move from BSM to the City is anticipated to take place during the first week of August.  Streetcar 390 will be housed for restoration in a warehouse space, Building #57, made available by the Fort Monroe Au...