Prepared by Gonzalo Casals
BUILD DEDICATED ASSET MANAGEMENT CAPACITY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS (DCLA) TO ENSURE THE CITY’S CULTURAL FACILITIES ARE SAFE, SUSTAINABLE, AND RESILIENT, WHILE IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND STRENGTHENING COORDINATION WITH CAPITAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES.
DCLA oversees an extensive portfolio of physical assets that require continuous stewardship, including buildings, leases, and long-term occupancy agreements. This responsibility extends beyond capital projects to ongoing needs such as preventative maintenance, sustainability upgrades, insurance and lease renewals, and lifecycle planning. The scale and complexity of this work now exceed existing staff roles, creating operational risk and limiting DCLA’s ability to plan proactively.
IMPACT
A dedicated asset management function would protect public investment in cultural infrastructure, reduce long-term operating and capital costs, and improve conditions for the organizations and communities that rely on these spaces. Proactive maintenance and sustainability planning would enhance resilience, reduce emergency repairs, and support the development of safer, more accessible, and environmentally responsible cultural facilities. Over time, this approach would stabilize neighborhood anchors, safeguard jobs, and strengthen the role of cultural facilities in local economic and community life.
IMPLEMENTATION
The City would establish clear asset management responsibility within DCLA, supported by specialized staff and standardized systems for tracking facilities, leases, maintenance needs, and risk exposure. This function would coordinate closely with the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and other relevant agencies to align capital planning, sustainability initiatives, and facility investments. Formal interagency protocols would ensure shared accountability, efficient use of public resources, and long-term stewardship of the City’s cultural assets.