City Commissioners approved a $96,447 agreement for a facilities utilization and feasibility study during their Sept. 2 meeting.

Staff recommended approval of the agreement with TheatreDNA of the six responses received to the request for proposals it issued in June to assess usage, physical condition, financial performance and long-term viability of the public facilities, and to develop strategic recommendations that enhance their value to the community.

The public facilities to be reviewed include the Mansfield Convention Center, Mansfield Theater, city commission chambers, the former Children’s Museum building and other public meeting and event spaces.

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“As part of the city’s broader commitment to fiscal sustainability and community enrichment, this project seeks to determine how these spaces can be better utilized, programmed, or reimagined to meet evolving community needs and market demands. The study will evaluate operational models—including city-operated, public-private partnerships and full or partial privatization options—to identify the most effective and financially sustainable path forward,” staff wrote in the RFP. “Consultants will be asked to review existing data, assess the condition and capabilities of each venue, gather stakeholder input, and provide data-driven analysis on facility use, management structures, revenue potential, and cost recovery strategies. The final deliverables will help guide future investments, improve financial outcomes, and ensure continued public benefit from these key civic assets.”

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The public venues, particularly the Convention Center, have required subsidies to maintain operations, staff wrote in their Sept. 2 agenda report, and “recognizing the financial strain and underutilization of certain assets, the city is exploring whether alternate management structures, operational models, or strategic partnerships might offer greater efficiency, cost recovery and community value.”

Staff is  looking to ensure long-term sustainability of the public facilities and maximize their use.

City staff reviewed the proposals and invited three firms for follow-up interviews.

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Bryan Lockerby, interim deputy city manager, said that some of the firms relied on digital surveys for public outreach, which he didn’t like, but TheatreDNA said it had plans for inperson community engagement.

He said staff also contacted TheatreDNA’s references and “I’ve got a lot of confidence in recommending this proposal.”

City Manager Greg Doyon said, “I really don’t know how to do a market analysis of an event venue of this size,” and that there has been a lot of change within the event spaces in the Civic Center, impacting their operations, as well as changes in the number of event venues across the city.

Doyon said that there’s been a lot of conversation over the years about the city’s ability to manage event spaces and that it lacks the funding to produce large shows.

He said that now that the city has the former Children’s Museum space, his long-term plan is to relocate planning and development staff into that space, which could also have room for community meeting space.

The feasibility for event space, as well as the planned feasibility study for Park and Recreation operations, was mentioned during the city’s budget process meetings.