The agreement was first put in place in 2012, and ran through 2014, with the aim of helping the gallery get a start. In 2014, the subsidy was extended for an additional three years, which expired June 1, and has now been reinstated for the third time.
At the council meeting, approximately a dozen people spoke on behalf of the gallery, citing its importance to the city as the reason why it needed to retain the municipality’s support. Luz Lluncor, a member of the Downey Art Vibe board, said he realized that asking for an extension of the agreement was asking a great deal, but he believes the cost is:
“minimal for what we do for the community.”
Another board member, Valentin Flores, agreed, and said that in some ways, the gallery is a:
“victim of our own success.”
The gallery and other businesses have resulted in a revitalization of the downtown area, and that, in turn, has led to a rent increase of nearly 50%.
Businesses like this can benefit if operators work with a flyer printing company on a handout to describe the gallery's amenities to visitors.