Item 5-F
Cirque Du Soleil
Site rental fee $1,547,882 ($647,882 more than if only used for parking) and would directly support beach operations and maintenance. Will offset current and projected Beach Fund deficits.
Purchase of local supplies and services by Cirque for its operations, accommodations for its staff and performers.
Increase in parking revenues at other City parking lots and structures. Increase in spending by Cirque visitors in local restaurants, hotels and other businesses, generating additional sales and transient occupancy taxes. Cirque will provide direct payments and in-kind contributions to Pier Corp and Santa Monica Pier Lessee Association.
Cirque Du Soleil
Anticipated Economic Benefits
2010 Economic Impact Study determined Cirque’s 2009 performance was a significant contributor to the Santa Monica economy.
Net impact to Santa Monica economy = $16.7 million.
Cirque generated additional $130K in sales and transient occupancy tax revenues to the General Fund.
Cirque visitors spent almost $4.6 million in various outlets throughout the city of Santa Monica between October and December 2009.
Cirque generated a net impact of $420,000 to Pier businesses, even after adjusting for displaced sales.
2010 Economic Impact Study
Council-approved 1550 Extended Event Policy
o Extended events are permitted after Labor Day weekend and prior to Memorial Day weekend. o Proposals to be received through a competitive bidding process. o Applications are reviewed by a committee of City staff and representatives from the Santa Monica Pier Corporation and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. o Staff and event producer are to meet with the Pier Corp Board and Pier Lessees Association as part of the review process prior to recommending final approval to the City Council. o Key criteria include:
Proposal for a unique cultural or entertainment experience, demonstrates clear measurable economic benefit to the City and local businesses, including Pier lessees,
contributes to the Beach Fund,
addresses traffic and parking impacts and minimizes environmental impacts. June 2023, City issued and Request For Proposals (RFP) for 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
Three responses received by deadline.
July–September 2023, evaluation panel reviewed and rated the proposals using the evaluation criteria published in the RFP. Received clarification and adjustments from event producers on aspects of proposals to ensure alignment with City’s 1550 extended-event goals. September-November 2023, presented events to the Santa Monica Lessee Association (SMPLA) and Pier Corp Board for feedback.
Cirque refined proposal to incorporate some but not all requests from the SMPLA.
November 2023, Council authorized negotiation of license agreements with Spirit Awards and LA Wine & Food Festival for February 12-March 8, 2024.
December 2023, Staff is seeking Council authorization to negotiate a license agreement with Cirque Du Soleil for October 1, 2024 - January 24, 2025.
Process and Selection
Approximately
550 public
parking spaces
remaining.
111 spaces added