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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 07/12/2007DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Steve Taylor, Chair 481-5385(W) Kelly Ohlson, Council Liaison 219-9814(W) Joanna Stone, Staff Liaison 484-2020(W) MINUTES of July 12, 2007 REGULAR MEETING The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in Regular Session at 7:30 a.m. on July 12, 2007 in the Meeting Room at Home State Bank located at 303 East Mountain Avenue, Port Collins, CO 80524. PRESENT George Brelig; McCabe Callahan; Kim Jordan; Kelly Ohlson; William Sears; Patty Spencer; Steve Taylor; Jack Wolfe ABSENT Carey I lewitt STAFF Chip Steiner, DDA Executive Director; Matt Robenalt, DDA Project Manager; Joanna Stone, DDA Staff,, Carol. Bennis, Beet Street, Executive Director; Kathy Cardona, DDA Staff GUESTS INCLUDED Darin Atleberry, City Manager; Josh Guernsey, Briniarian Partners; Scott Allen, Mike Jensen, Port Collins Real Estate; Judy Dorsey, The Brendle Group; Kelly DiMartino, Jeremy Reese, City of Fort Collins; John Albright, Landmark Preservation Council; Frank Lancaster, Lorimer County; Blue Hovatter, citizen at large; Jean Latmn, Beet Street; Tom hacker, Northern Colorado Business Report; Tom Watrous, Watrous & Allbrooks; Paul Mills, Russell & Mills Studios; Mark Kostovny, Charlee Randall, Solar Village CALL TO ORDER Mr. Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. Roll call was taken. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Sears moved to approve the minutes of June 14, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Wolfe, and passed unanimously. BIG IDEAS No Big Ideas were presented BEET STREET Carol Bennis, Executive Director of Beet Street, provided updates on Beet Street. The initiative is well on its way to fall stalling. They continue the scarch for a programming director to round out the first year staff. The move to a 501(3)(c) corporation is moving ahead. The Beet Street websito and e-newsletter, which will underscore what is cool about Port Collins and why people should come and play downtown, will be up and running by the end of August. Preliminary programming includes the first Peace Corps reunion scheduled for August 21-23, 2008. invitations will be extended to 184,000 former Peace Corps volunteers and Beet Street will provide programming for the event. There is also planned discussion and exploration of the issue of living wage focused on Barbara Ehrenreich's "Nickel & Dinned" and Open Stage Theatre's production of the play. Another programming opportunity is in conjunction with a MOCA exhibit entitled `The Hunan Experience." Beet Street is also in conversation with Jazz Festival planners aboutjoint programming possibilities. Ms. Bennis wants to create four community advisory councils that will report to the Beet Street Steering committee: marketing, cicvelopment, programming and operations. Phis will create opportunities for community involvement and she will be seeking recommcnclations for nominees. DDA Minutes July 12, 2007 Page 2 FORT ZED fort ZF'1') (Zero Ilno-gy District) is an initiative that grew out of UniverCity Connections. They are seeking $4 million match fora $5 million Department of Energy grant for a demonstration project which would be a `living laboratory" for implementation of the Zero Energy District in the University, downtown and river district. 7beir goal is to generate as much energy from within the designated area as the area uses on an annual basis. Chip Steiner encouraged the Board to approve $100,000 towards the local cash match of $500,000, which must be pledged by July 17, 2007 The rest of the $4 million needed wil I be provided by state grants and in -kind services raid equipment donated by team members. Judy Dorsey of The Brendle Group presented the goals of Fort Zed and information about the grant process. There are three major steps to attain this goal: local energy generation, less energy use and provide a template and inspiration through the demonstration project. Fort ZED has a 5 part program: Jump start the program by providing a smaller scale demonstration of what is possible; stabilize growth, showing Sustainability, and high performance in the built environment; remove barriers; local power generation; education and promotion. They seethe benefits to the community as establishing Port Collins as the "North Star" of Colorado; position downtown as the capital of the Northern Colorado Clean Energy Cluster; become a venue for growing primary employment; create a strong niche that difterenliaes downtown from other competing areas-; provides Benefits to investors and property owners; and, improves the quality of life. Ms. Dorsey announced that there would be a fundraiser tonight hosted by New Belgium Brewery. Fort ZED is looking to DDA as a lead donor to show progress to their goal. The local match would be administered by the Community Foundation. The pledges would be paid out over a 3 year period and would only be used if they received the federal Department of Energy giant, Board discussion focused on the future of Fort Collins as a leader in innovation and energy conservation. Moved by IMs. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Seas: To commit $200,000 to the Clean Energy/Fort ZED Community Foundation Fund. Mr. Callahan suggested a friendly amendment to the motion to increase the DDA commitment to $250,000 which would bring them halfway to the needed match. Ms. Spencer and Mr. Sears agreed to the amendment. "flee motion passed unanimously. SOLAR VILLAGE Solar V ill age is located at the corner of Maple and Meldrmn. It consists of four artist's lofts, 23 residential units and conmiercial space on the ground floor. This project will seek LEED designation, incorporating many greet building principles including solar hot water, R-23 walls, photovoltaic power, and efficient lighting fixtures. The partners are requesting $694,000 in fagade and right-of-way, improvements. Mr. Steiner supports funding to the amount of $300,000 for fagade and right-of-way improvements and matching any cash incentives for energy efficiency earned from the City up to $100,000. lie also suggested making some modifications to the roofline to soften the flat look and using upgraded materials on more of the faqade. Charlee Rundle, Mark Koslevny and Justin Larson of Solar Village presented the project to the Board. They noted that some design changes had already been made to the roofline and that they were still finalizing plans for the facades. Their concept is to bring green building to a wider audience by pricing the residential units in tine $160,000 to $340,000 price range. Green huilding feaures will include PV awnings which will produce electricity. The will also have solar hot water, energy star appliances, maximize natural lighting, use non -toxic paints and finishes, mid use more sustainable, longer lasting materials. Thcy also intend to have all occupants buy wind credits. "they would like to set an example of what is possible now. They further noted that their first project in Longmont won solar project of the year. Flood plain issues have also arisen since plans were first drawn, necessitating either raising the building by two feet or putting in expensive flood gates. Public comment felt the mixed use development would further increase the vibrancy of downtown and appreciated the price points. Board discussion focused on future design changes as the developers are still making subtle changes tothe roofline mid faqade materials. Board members encouraged the use of brick and stucco on the west side of the building. Ms. Jordan made a motion to accept the staff recommendation on funding. Further discussion suggested that the design should be brought back to the Board since it was not finalized yet. Ms. Jordan agreed to the change. Mr. Ohlson suggested that since ibis was such a great project that perhaps' funding should be increased to $400,000 instead of approving a match for City energy incentives which will probably not amount to more than $16,000. A compromise was suggested as a friendly amendment and passed by the Board. Moved by Ms. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Sears: 7'a provisionally commit $300,000 plus additional match for energy incentives from the City up to tine amount of $100,000 with the caveat that the materials used are up to the design standards that are promoted by the DDA. A friendly amendment to tine motion was to fund up to the amountof$350,000 with a match of City energy incentives subject to design review. The motion passed unanimously. DDA Minutes July 12, 2007 Page 3 CITY BRANDING INITIATIVE Kelly DiMartino presented an overview of the City's new branding process, which began over a year ago and has included partnership with many entities. The initiative was necessary because marry people are not aware of Fort Collins as a destination. The City contracted North Star Destination Strategies for the project. The research indicated that Fort Collins is seen as beautiful, friendly: environmentally conscious, home of CSU, the microbrew capital and possessing great hiking and biking trails. Challenges to the City include the fact that we are viewed as a college town, not a destination. We also still retain the old image of being anti -business and and -growth. The consultants suggest that the City embrace the great things about our conununity — Old "]'own, breweries, our educational institutions, the vitality of our residents, our vibrant arts community and outdoor opportunities. They feel our target audience is anyone who wants the Colorado lifestyle but also wants more out of life. 'fire research all points to the new tag line —''Fort Collins: where renewal is a way of life." Kelly displayed examples of advertising, banners and logo placement which capture the essence of the initiative. Another key is the new City website which will serve as a central way for the user to get access to all important City information. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Taylor reminded the Board that Mr. Steiner's contract as Executive Director comes up for renewal at the September meeting. New officers will also be appointed at that meeting. UPDATES Mr. Steiner distributed a handout with updates. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned 9:45 a.m. (L Carey H witt, Secretaryi