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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 02/05/2004DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REGULAR DIRECTORS' MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 5. 2004 REGULAR MEETING THE BOARD OF DIRECTDRS OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELGPMENT AUTHORITY MET IN REGULAR SESSION AT 7:30 A.M. ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004 IN THE MEETING ROOM AT HONE STATE BANK LOCATED AT 303 EAST MouNTAIN AVENUE, FORT COLLINS. CO 50524. PRESENT THERE WERE PRESENT: Kim JORDAN, CHAIR STEVE TAYLOR, VIDE CHAIR JASON MEADORS, SECRETARY/TREASURER BILL BERTSCHY WRY BRAYTON BILL SEARS LARRY STROUD ABSENT CARET HEWTTT STArw: ROBERT STEINER. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINDA GULA. ANNE GARRISON LUCIA LNEY. COUNSEL GUESTS: JOHN FISCHBACH, ALAN KIICMMIK, MYRNE WATROUS. DAVID SHORT. CHIEF DENNIS HARRISON, SOTS, STEELS 3 WALKER OFFICER FRANCIS GON"L.ES, LT. JOHN PING CALL TO ORDER MS. JORDAN CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7;35 A.M. AND ROLL CALL WAS TAKEN, APPROVAL OF MINUTES MR, STROUD MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY B, 2004 THIS WAS SECONDED BY MR, MEADORS AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, WEBSTER HOUSE MR. STROUD DECLARED A ROSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AND DECLINED TO PARTICIFMTE IN THE RES, 2004-02 DISCUSSION. MR. STEINER REFERENCEL THE JANUARY BOARD DISCUSSION IN WHICH IT WAS RROPOSED THAT DDA'S BOUNDARIES BE EXTENDED TO INCORPORATE THIS P OJECT. TO THAT END, RESOLUTION 2004-02 IS BEFORE THE BOARD FOR ITS REVIEW, MR. BZATSCHY MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2004-02 WHICH WAS SECONDED BY MR. SEARS AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, CORTINA PROJECT 'ME ORIOINAL PROJECT COMMITMENT HAS EXPIRED AND A REQUEST IS BEING MADE TO EMEND IT FOR ANOTHER YEAR. MR. STEINER NOTED THAT THE BOND ISSUE WILL APPEAR BEFORE CITY COUNCIL IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. MB. BRAYTON MOVED TO EMEND THE PROJECT COMMITMENT AS REQUESTED, THIS WAS SECONDED BY MR, BERTSCHY MO OARRKD UNANIMOUSLY, DOA MINUTES PAGE 2 OBA MARKETING PLAN AT RD JANUARY MEETING THE BOARD REVIEWED ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND DISCUSSED WAYS TO ENHANCE ITS INVOLVEMENT. IN HIS MEMO TO THE BOARD, MR. STEINER SUGGESTED THREE OPTIONS. THESE OPTIONS WERE DISCUSSED AND MR. MEADORS MOVED TO ALLOCATE $ 10.000 TO DBA FOR ADMINISTPATIVE ASSISTANCE AND/OR UPGRADING THE MARKETING PROFILE. IN ADDITION, UP TO $ 10.000 TO EXPRESS DDA'3 SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MARKETING PROGRAM FOR THE PROPOSED DOWNTOWN CULTURAL DISTRICT, WITH SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO SE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. IN CONCLUSION, UP TO $ 10.000 TO DBA FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONDUCTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR ANALYSIS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMPHITHEATER, WITH SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO BE APPROVED AB PRESENTED. ALL OLPENDITURES ME SUBJECT TO A SIMPLE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE DBA AND ODA. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR, BMWSCHY AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MR. STEINER WONDERED IF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY SHOULD BE CONDUCTED BY DDA. HOWEVER, M3. LILEY STATED THAT USING DBA A3 ITS AGENT, PROVIDING ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE MET, IS COMPLETELY IN ORDER. RUNNING CASHFLOW MR. STEINER PROVIDED AN EXPLANATION OF THE CAPTIONED FINANCIAL REPORT WHICH THE BOARD HAD REQUESTED, IN ORDER TO BETTER UNDERSTAND DDA'3 FINANCIAL PICTURE WITH REGARD TO PROJECT COMMITMENT. MR. STEINER EXPLAUNEO THAT AS DEBTS ARE ISSUED THEY WILL EE FACTORED INTO THE REPORT TO KEEP M CURRENT. A GENERIC HOTEL HAS BEEN INPUT, AND THAT E3TIW7TD FIGURE WALL CHANGE AS THE PROJECT COMES ON LINE. THE BOARD REQUESTED THAT AN EXPLANATION OF UNE ITEMS BE GENERATED TRACE A TEAR, AND OTHER THAN THAT A SPREADSHEET CONTAINING DESCRIPTIONS WILL EE ATTACHED TO PROJECTS AS THEY COME TO THE BOARDA LETTER OF APPRECIATION A LETTER m PRESSING THE THANKS AND APPRECIATION OF THE DDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS DISTRICT ONE OFFICERS INCLUDED IN THE PACKETS, IT WAS READ ALOUD BY MS. JORDIN TO THOSE PRESENT, AND IT COMMENDED OFFICERS STEELS, WALKER AND MCCAMBRIDOE FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT TO DOWNTOWN, AND DEDICATION TO DUTY. CHIEF HARRISON THEN INTRODUCED OFFICER FRANCIS GON=N.EB TO THE BOARD WHO IS NEWLY ASSIGNED TO DISTRICT ONE, THE BOARD SUGGESTED A COPY OF THE LETTER BE SENT TO THE COLORADOAN, AND TO THIS END, MR. SEAP3 MOVED TO DIRECT MR. STEINIR TO FORWARD THE LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE DDA BOARD. THIS WAS SECONDED BY MR. TAYLAR AND CARTED UNANIMOUSLY. OTHER BUSINESS • M3. BRAYTDN INQUIRED ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE 'SHOP DOWNTOWN FORT' COWNS' BUTTONS. • MB. BRAYTON ASKED ABOUT THE NEW PARKING SYSTEM AND HOW THE NEIGHBORHOODS WERE RESPONDING TO IT. SHE SUGGESTED A BOARD UPDATE WITHIN 60 DAYS. • MS. BRAYTON EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE NEW SIOHAOE ON THE EMPIRE HOTEL WY HAVE SLIPPED THROUGH THE BUILDING PERMIT DEPARTMENT'! FLAG 3YSTEM, BECAUSE IT HAS NOT COME THROUGH THE DDA BOARD FOR APPROVAL. MR, FISCHBACH AGREED TO CHECK ON THE PROCESS, • MR. $TEINER NOTED THAT NEXT MONTM'S PACKET WILL CONTAIN A PROJECT UPDATE LIST WHICH WILL BE RAPT OF 'OTHER BUSINESS' IN MARCH, • MR. F13CHBACH ENCOURAGED THE BOARD TO WATCH OR ATTEND THE WORK STUDY SESSION ON TUESDAY EVENING. THE TOPIC 13 SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE UFESTYLE CENTER. • INFORHATION KIOSK - MR. TAYLOR INQUIRED ABOUT THE STATUS OF THIS PROJECT, AND MR, STEINER OBSERVED THAT THE CONTRACT HAD SEEN 31044ED BY THE CONTRACTOR, BUT NOT YET SY THE CRY. THE CONTRACT WENT OUT UNDER THE CITY'S NAME. • COUNSEL HAS BEEN ASKED BY THE BOARD TO RENDER AN OPINION TO THE BOARD'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REGARDING A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ISSUE INVOLVINO MR. STEINER. THE BOARD, RESPONDING INDIVIDUALLY, AGREED THAT MR. STEINER WAS ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE DDA IN ORDER TO ADVANCE A LEGITIMATE DDA INTEREST. THE BOARD ADDED THAT IT IS THE TYPE OF ISSUE IT WOULD EXPECT MR. STEINER TO ADDRESS, AND FOUR DIRECTORS HAD. IN FACT, REQUESTED HE PASS ON THEIR CONCERN TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MR. BKW3CHY ALSO VOLUNTEERED HIS OPINION THAT MR, STEINER HAD ACTED APPPOPPIATELY, AND HAD FULFILLED THE REQUEST OF THE BOARD ON AN ISSUE THAT 1S IMPORTANT TO DOA. HE REITERATED THAT HE DDA MINUTES PAGE 3 SAW NO IMPROPRIETY IN MR. STEINER'S SPEAKING WITH COUNCIL MEMSER THARP, MS. ULEY WILL RENDER AN OPINION EASED ON THIS INPUT. MR. FISCHOACH NOTED THE NEED TO ANNEX THE IN -SITU PROPERTY, MR. STEINER WILL PRESENT THIS TORIG AT THE MARCH MEETING. IT WAS REQUESTED THAT THE MATTER DE DISCUSSED AT THE MARCH 16' CRY COUNCIL MEETING, TO ALLOW THE DDA BOARD TO DISCUSS IT AT ITS MEETING ON MARCH I 1. 2004. LINDA GULA'S CONTRACT AT 8:45 A.M. MR, MEADORS MOVED TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES OP DISCUSSINO UNDA GULA'S CONTRACT. 7111E EXECUTIVE SESSION WHICH IE POR THE PURPOSE STATED, AND IS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO CRS 24-5-402 (4) (1) (1). WAS SECONDED SY MR. suns, AT B:55 A.M. THE BOARD OP DIRECTORS ADJOURNED THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. AND MS. BRAYTON MOVED TO ADOPT THE CHARGES DISCUSSED AND AMEND THE CONTRACT ACCORDINGLY, THIS WAS SECONDED SY MR. TAYLOR AND OARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ADJOURN THERE SEINO NO I4URTMER SUSINESS, V2 MEETING ADJOURNED AT 0:30 A.M. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of'Wectors FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: March 9, 2004 RE: 331 North College Avenue Ernie Garner has purchased the old T&T Tire building at 331 North College Avenue with the intention of converting it into a new furniture showroom. The DDA is being requested to participate in the facade improvements. Improvements being proposed include new brick facades and traditional style store fronts. Stucco, brick, and display windows will be applied to the existing cinder block walls on the north and west sides of the building. Because the redevelopment involves a change of use, Larimer County has estimated that the value of the building will increase from $374,700 to almost $1.11 million with a resulting annual tax increment of $19,800. The project is intended to be completed this year and the tax increment would begin in 2006. In the packet of information provided by the developer there is a list of "public side" project costs some of which staff does not believe are expenses the DDA can legitimately absorb. New storefront, windows and doors and Brick, Stucco & E.I.F.S. Staff believes facade improvements that qualify for DDA participation would apply only to the east and west facades. Although the south facade is currently exposed, future redevelopment of the property at the corner of College and Maple will eventually obscure it from public view. Landscape Islands, New pedestrian walkway along north side of building, Paving and curbing for new parking lot and entry drive, and New Roof. These are all interior to the site and do not constitute a public improvements. To estimate what the DDA can legitimately finance, staff has estimated that 75 percent of the new storefront, windows, doors, brick, stucco and E.I.F.S. will be used for the east and north facades. Combined with the required contribution to R.O. W improvements and the dormer on the north facade, total qualified improvements would be around $112,000. The requested funding level of $99,063 easily falls within that amount. • 0 As with all projects, the owner would be required to certify the expenditures made on the public improvements and would also be required to make up any shortfall in the increment should the project fail to assess at projected levels. Staff recommends Board approval. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Dire ors FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: March 9, 2004 RE: In -Situ Annexation A few months ago the Board of Directors approved financial participation in the development of the new In -Situ facility located on Lincoln Avenue. City Council has appropriated the funds for DDA participation but the property must be annexed into the district in order for this participation to occur. Attached is a letter and petition from the owners requesting the annexation. The Board must approve the request and recommend approval to Council to change the existing DDA boundaries. A resolution so stating is attached. RESOLUTION 2004-03 OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FORT COLLINS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY RECOMMENDING TO THE FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL THAT THE BOUNDARIES OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE IN -SITU PROPERTY LOCATED AT 301 LINCOLN AVENUE WHEREAS, the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority has been duly organized in accordance with the Colorado Revised Statutes 31-25-804, 1973 as amended; and, WHEREAS, Colorado Revised Statutes 31-25-822, Inclusion of additional rp opertv, allows for the inclusion of additional property subject to satisfactory petition to board of the authority and submittal of same to the governing body of the municipality; and, WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority has duly considered and found satisfactory a petition submitted to it and signed by all the owners of the In -Situ property at its regularly convened meeting of March 11, 2004. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, that it hereby recommends to the Fort Collins City Council that it approve the annexation of the In -Situ property into the Downtown Development Authority district. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fort Collins, Downtown Development Authority this 11 th day of March, 2004. Kim Jordan, Chair ATTEST: Jason Meadors, Secretary/Treasurer MAR-09-2004 TUE 09:25 AM L0 ROGERS MARTELL FAX NO. 97(64242 08 MAR 2004 23:25 0660380687 0140255517 P. 04 pago 3 PETITION FOR INCLUSION OF PROPERTY The McKee Brothcta, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company by its mimagem, Craig and Christopher McKee petition the Board of nircetors of the Fort Collins Downtown Davolopment Authority punnwd to C.R.S. §31-25-822, for inclusion of the following described property into the Downtown Development Authority district boundaries; Beginning at a point which bum S. 89657' H.100.34 feet from the punter yuarte mvwr of Section I2, 'fownvWp 7 North, Range 69 West of the 0 P.M., thanco S_ 89057' E. 370 feet, thence S, 0014' W. 495.00 feat; thence N. 09057' W. 170 foot; thence S. 00014' W. 12-1-67 fact; thence N. 70.20' 24" W. 163.91 fuel thonec N. 76949' 10" W. 46.60 feet; tla nou N. 0'14' F. 542.00 feet to the point of bepnning, County of Iar mim State of Colorado Also items and numbered as: 301 Lincoln Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 90524 The undersigned prate that the subject property is owned by the McKee Brothem LLC. DATED: Maroh ?S,, 2004 OWNER: McKee Brothers, LLC a Colorado 11milpd Vability company stop Manager MAR-09-2004 TUE 09:25 AM L JY ROGERS MARTELL FAX NO, 9164242 P. 03 08 MkR 2004 23:25 06603806 1 0148255517 page 2 March 8, 2004 Wanda M. Krajivek, City Clerk City Clerb's Office PO am 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Steve Roy City Attoracy'sOffice 300 Laporte Ave, City Hall Wa t, 2e' Floor Fort Collins, CO 80521 Re: DDA Inclusion —McKee l;rothcrs LLCM -Situ Inc. Dear Steve and Wanda: This letter is to fallow -up to a conversation I had with Chip Steiner about the recent approval of the inclusion of property into the DDA District which will be the fitturc site of In -Situ Inc.'s operations at 301 Lincoln Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524. C.R.S. § 31- 25.822 provides that, subsequent to the organvetiom of an authority, property may be included in the District after a petition Is provided to the hoard of the authority signed by the owner and approval of the petition by the DDA Board. Upon approval, the DDA is to submit the petition to the governing body of the municipality and the municipality is to approve the inclusion as well. P L� Manager McKtx Drothsav LLC cc: Chip Steiner Lucia Liley 17, DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Directors FROM: Chip Steiner C DATE: March 9, 2004 RE: Alley Design As a result of discussions about developing way -finding signage in the central business district it has become apparent that pedestrian circulation routes need to be upgraded in tandem with the signs providing directional information. These pedestrian routes frequently involve alleyways. Two alleys have surfaced as needing immediate attention: that alley running between the Civic Center Parking Garage and the Opera Galleria and Trimble Court which provides direct access from College Avenue to Old Town Square. To make these alleys function as welcoming pedestrian ways, surfaces need to be cleaned and enhanced, trash needs to be kept enclosed (from both eyes and noses), lighting needs to be improved, safety upgraded and, where possible, pedestrian -attracting activity needs to be introduced. To accomplish these objectives staff is recommending the DDA hire professional design assistance. This service will help to identify key upgrades necessary to make these two alleys function as pedestrian avenues. The completed work will also provide the Authority and the City with a template that can be applied to other downtown alleys. Staff points out that using downtown alleys as a pedestrian system is a very important component of the DDA's vision to help with the evolution of the central business district into a full time cultural district. Estimated cost should not exceed $40,000. Board direction is requested. 0 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Dir ors FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: March 9, 2004� RE: Discovery Center The Discovery Center has become an institution in Fort Collins. Yet, because its lease expires next year, it is looking for a new location, the primary place right now being Centers (it is offering to put the land into the deal for free). The Discovery Center brings about 38,000 people to Fort Collins every year. Although most of those are children, the impact is still large. Such a facility would fit perfectly into the downtown cultural district because it is cultural and it is so wonderfully family - oriented. Staff is asking the Board to give its OK to research ways to bring the Discovery Center to downtown. Aside from easy access, the Center is looking for a way to establish a permanent revenue stream to help fund operations and growth. Staff suggests that the downtown environment and the resources of the DDA represent the only real competition Fort Collins can mount against the Centerra proposal. If given the go-ahead, staff will work to identify sites and a developer who might be able to bring a commercial element to the project (such as an I -Max theater —another project that fits perfectly with the downtown cultural district) and through that, a revenue stream that can be shared by the Discovery Center. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ddoAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of I&ectors FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: March 9, 200 RE: National Association for Interpretation Commitment Extension The DDA's commitment to the National Association for Interpretation expires in June. At that time, the project will still be under construction. The lender for the project is concerned that the Authority will not renew its commitment and is therefore balking at providing a loan. Staff requests the Board approve renewing its commitment to this project now. This will insure to the lender that the DDA's commitment will still be in place when the project is completed. A new project commitment form is attached. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROJECT COMMITMENT TERMS The Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors renews this preliminary commitment to participate in redevelopment of 230 Cherry Street based upon the following terms: 1. The commitment by the DDA is for a period of 12 months commencing on the date the Board of Directors votes in favor of participation. If this project is being funded from administrative resources, it is contingent upon re -appropriation of funds by City Council if the 12-month period extends into the next budget year. If this project is being funded through a tax increment debt instrument, the DDA commitment is contingent upon approval by City Council. Funding type: _Administrative X TIF. 2. The project owner must provide the DDA with periodic updates, the frequency to be determined on a case -by -case basis. 3. Extension of the 12-month commitment may be considered upon the formal request of the project owner or authorized representative and must be placed on the Board of Director's agenda no later than the 121h month of the most recent commitment term then in effect. 4. If there is a change in project ownership, the continuation of this commitment requires notice to the Downtown Development Authority and the Board may, at its sole discretion, require reconsideration of the DDA commitment. 5. Reduction in the private investment for taxable improvements here declared at $893,148.00, of more than 10 percent requires reconsideration of the Authority's commitment by the Board of Directors. 6. An appraisal by the Larimer County Assessor's office of the completed project that fails to substantiate a taxable value of $893,148.00 may give cause to the Board of Directors, at the sole discretion, to reconsider the Authority's commitment to this project. 7. This commitment is contingent upon the completed project being consistent in scope, use, and design with that presented to the Board at the time this commitment was made. If no scope, use, and design have been provided at the time of this commitment, the commitment is contingent upon the acceptance by the Board of Directors of a scope, use, and design as submitted at some later date but prior to any disbursement of funds. 8. This commitment is expressly contingent upon the acceptance and execution of an agreement between the Downtown Development Authority and the project owner(s). The DDA Commitment is: Up to $200,000 for fagade easement and public improvements. The date of this renewed commitment is: March 11, 2004 Project Owner Please Print Name and Title Kim Jordan, Chair Downtown Development Authority 0 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ddoAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Dir org FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: March 9, 2004 RE: Old Town Cultural Center Through the course of the past year the Old Town Cultural District working committee has devoted most of its time to the idea that a performing arts hall should be the district's catalyst project. However, issues keep surfacing that suggest this is not the right approach: 1. Building consensus for a performing arts hall is somewhat contentious; 2. Stringent demands for broader representation —mostly from the arts community — on the working committee; 3. Failure to understand the distinction between a cultural district and an arts district; 4. Trying to put a framework around just what a cultural district entails has proven very difficult —not because of a shortage of ideas but because there are so many ideas arising from special interests which results in problems establishing priorities; 5. Turf issues. What entity will do what; worries about competition for funding resources; how the district will be managed, to name a few; 6. In the aggregate, these issues have resulted in the DDA losing control of the project. After discussions with a number of people including the City Manager, some Board members, and other community leaders, staff would like to suggest an alternative approach: rather than focusing primarily on the performing arts hall, devote DDA resources to leveraging smaller, less controversial, less expensive, project elements that will incrementally lead to the blossoming of the proposed cultural district. There are a number of advantages to this approach: 1. It will allow for a much more rapid "deployment" of the cultural district since the DDA can either do projects on its own or leverage projects through the private sector (the Board has already discussed two such elements earlier in this agenda — alleys and the Discovery Center); 2. It will give us the ability to test the waters without the huge financial commitment entailed by the performing arts hall; 3. We avoid, at least for the time being, the need for any new additional tax levies; 4. We can maintain control; Mostly, it establishes an incremental approach that gives us the time to build the programming aspects of the cultural district over a much broader time span. In addition to the alley projects and the Discovery Center, the Downtown Business Association is looking at developing an amphitheater on its own. The DDA can work with the Colorado College of Contemporary Music, the Center for Fine Art Photography, Bas Bleu, and other private ventures which help to create the cultural environment envisioned by the Board. The Authority can also consider building lecture halls, an independent art school, ice rink, farmer's market, and perhaps a small convention center. Assuming the Armstrong Hotel is successful, there will also be new opportunities for small hotel development. Importantly, the DDA can probably accomplish all these projects with existing and projected financial resources. Remember: the Authority's commitment to the performing arts center was in the neighborhood of $15 million and all of that was for one public, non -tax increment -generating facility. Equally important, together all these smaller projects will confirm downtown as the de facto cultural district of Northern Colorado which, over the next few years, should help build broad support for a truly spectacular performing arts facility. It should also serve to attract other private sector cultural investment. If the Board supports this revised approach, staff will immediately begin the process of identifying project partners, site selection, and design work. As facilities get added to the inventory, the Downtown Business Association can expand its programming efforts to utilize them and to promote a coordinated, consistent, cultural theme for downtown. Project Updates. 1. Chamber deal is done. 2. Construction has begun on the information center and public bathrooms. 3. Baptist church is done. 4. The National Association for Interpretation may be under construction by the time of this executive committee meeting. 5. We have drafted all the agreements for the Empire, Cortina, First National Bank, Pine Street Lofts. 6. Bisetti's renovation is under construction. As of my last conversation with Robert, he will be seeking little if any DDA participation. 7. Bill Sears and I attended a "town meeting" hosted by David Roy. Most of the discussion focused on downtown parking issues. 8. I spoke to the Latimer County Democratic Business Coalition about economic development. 9. Bas Bleu relocation to and renovation of the Giddings building has been underwritten by Tom Sutherland and should begin construction soon. Bas Bleu will be seeking DDA participation. 10. Webster House has been annexed. 11. Mikal Torgerson's group has closed on all but one of the properties in the triangular block being proposed as a hotel/convention center.