PRINTER'S NO. 1132
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
193
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY COSTA, BROWNE, LANGERHOLC, BOSCOLA, FONTANA,
SANTARSIERO, BREWSTER, SCHWANK, FARNESE, DINNIMAN, K. WARD,
HAYWOOD, MENSCH, J. WARD, KILLION, YUDICHAK, TARTAGLIONE AND
STEFANO, AUGUST 7, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
AUGUST 7, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an
advisory committee to conduct a study relating to creative
districts and to report its findings and recommendations to
the Senate.
WHEREAS, State agencies throughout our nation are
increasingly adopting and implementing policies for place-based
economic development and community revitalization through the
arts; and
WHEREAS, Designating creative districts consolidates highly
adaptable economic, community and recreational development tools
in urban and rural settings to distinguish the unique
conditions, assets, needs and opportunities of a community; and
WHEREAS, Sustaining creative districts as hubs of economic
activity supports jobs and enhances creative development, civic
identity and tourism; and
WHEREAS, Sustaining creative districts as marketable tourism
assets highlights the distinct identity of communities, draws
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in-State, out-of-State and international visitors and
strengthens ancillary businesses such as restaurants and
lodging; and
WHEREAS, By integrating many types of businesses, creative
districts drive commercial and industrial development as well as
investment in the arts and entertainment for the benefit of area
residents, visitors, public and private institutions and
regional networks; and
WHEREAS, Creative districts showcase existing attractions,
features and amenities and recruit new artists, businesses and
organizations; and
WHEREAS, Adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of historic
properties, including facade and structural improvements, is a
common activity in creative districts; and
WHEREAS, The nonprofit arts industry in this Commonwealth
generates $3.4 billion in total economic activity annually and
$402 million in State and local government revenue; and
WHEREAS, The nonprofit arts industry in this Commonwealth
supports the equivalent of 100,000 full-time jobs that produce
$2.2 billion in household income; and
WHEREAS, The Pittsburgh Cultural District is credited with
promoting Pittsburgh's economic resurgence and providing a
foundation for the downtown neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, States that are using formal programs to encourage
and promote creative districts are adopting policies that
include:
(1) certifying districts;
(2) setting standards for certification;
(3) providing technical assistance;
(4) ensuring broad and equitable eligibility for
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participation;
(5) implementing incentive programs, including tax
incentives, to attract businesses, artists and organizations;
(6) prioritizing State assistance for entities within
districts;
(7) providing marketing and promotions; and
(8) offering a supportive environment for the arts;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government
Commission to establish an advisory committee of 18 members
consisting of experts in the arts, municipal government and
community and economic development; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the membership of the committee be balanced so
that it encompasses a wide range of backgrounds and viewpoints;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee contain the following
individuals:
(1) the Secretary of Community and Economic Development
or the secretary's designee;
(2) the executive director of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts or the executive director's
designee;
(3) the managing director of the Citizens for the Arts
in Pennsylvania or the managing director's designee;
(4) the chief executive officer of the Greater
Pittsburgh Arts Council or the chief executive officer's
designee;
(5) the President of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural
Alliance or the president's designee;
(6) the executive director of the Pennsylvania Downtown
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Center or the executive director's designee;
(7) the president of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and
Lodging Association or the president's designee;
(8) the president of the County Commissioners
Association of Pennsylvania or the president's designee;
(9) the president of the Pennsylvania Municipal League
or the president's designee;
(10) the executive director of the Pennsylvania
Humanities Council or the executive director's designee;
(11) the executive director of the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission or the executive director's
designee;
(12) the executive director of PA Museums or the
executive director's designee; and
(13) six members of the public who are experts in
promoting, marketing and encouraging arts and the humanities
as applied to economic, community and recreational
development;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
with the advisory committee, identify:
(1) the number of existing creative districts in this
Commonwealth and their location and history;
(2) differences between urban and rural creative
districts;
(3) trends and models of Pennsylvania creative districts
and how they compare to those in other states;
(4) the types of businesses, organizations, artists,
facilities and other physical assets that are common to
creative districts;
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(5) the impact of creative districts on the built
environment, including rehabilitating historic, abandoned or
blighted properties;
(6) organizational and financial structures which
support the creative districts;
(7) jobs supported within creative districts and new
employment opportunities that can be generated through
private, public or private-public activities; and
(8) best practices in other states for providing support
to creative districts;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the final report include recommendations to
implement necessary changes in State statutes, practices,
policies and procedures relating to creative districts; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
its findings and recommendations to the Senate no later than 15
months from the adoption of this resolution.
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