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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 03/01/2007DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Steve Taylor, Chair 481-5385 (W) Kurt Kastein, Council Liaison 223-0425 (W) Joanna Stone, Staff Liaison 484-2020(W) MINUTES of March 1, 2007 REGULAR MEETING The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in Regular Session at 7:30 a.m, on March 1, 2007 in the Meeting Room at Home State Bank located at 303 East Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524. PRESENT George Brelig McCabe Callahan Carey Hewitt, Secretary/Treasurer William Sears Patty Spencer Steve Taylor, Chair Jack Wolfe, Vice Chair Kurt Kastein ABSENT Kim Jordan STAFF Robert Steiner, DDA Executive Director Matt Robenalt, DDA Project Manager Joanna Stone, DDA Staff Kathy Cardona, DDA Staff Carol Bennis, Beet Street, Executive Director Lucia Liley, Legal Counsel GUESTS INCLUDED Darin Atteberry, Karen Weitkunat, David Short, Mike Jensen, Kelly DiMartino, Blue Hovatter, Jason Jones, Ben Manvel, John Albright, Ty Smith, Eric Nichols, Steve Slezak CALL TO ORDER Mr. Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. Roll call was taken. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Wolfe moved to approve the minutes of February 1, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Sears and passed unanimously. BIG IDEAS Blue Hovatter and Jason Jones presented the Rocky Mountain Foundry, a plan to build affordable housing and studio space for artists in a sustainable co-housing/studio neighborhood. The proposed project has common studio and art space in a working/teaching environment. Old cargo containers will be used to build the structures and the developers envision the development as an inviting community with changing outdoor art in a walkable environment. They are currently working with the Institute for the Built Environment at CSU to incorporate into a graduate project. The Foundry is a non-profit but the developers hope to have some commercial elements with teaching/studio enterprises. Their next step is to have blue prints done and to present the project to planning and zoning. A model may be built at the former Cherry Street Station site. THIS OLD HOWES/OLIVE GARDENS Steve Slezak, owner of the properties at 231 and 227 South Howes, presented plans to renovate the property at 227 South Howes and to add a five -unit upscale rental apartment building to the rear of the buildings. Estimated improvement investment is $800,000. Mr. Slezak proposes continuation of the retaining wall and wrought iron railing from the property at 231 South Howes to the renovated luxury office suites at 227 Howes. DDA invested in right of way work when the original house at 231 S Howes was renovated. Mr. Slezak is asking DDA to help with that cost. He is also asking for funding to improve curb cut on Canyon Avenue which will provide access to the residential complex. All three structures will surround the historic rose gardens behind 231 South Howes. Mr. Steiner recommended that the DDA approve the cost of fascia, gutter and exterior paint for the fagade facing the Howes right-of-way in addition to the fencing, retaining wall and curb improvements. Moved by Mr. Sears, seconded by Mr. Callahan to commit up to $27,000 for the retaining wall, wrought iron fence, fascia repair, and Canyon Avenue curb cuts contingent upon the County Assessor's confirmation of the change in value of the completed project. The Board accepts the design of the proposed rental residential project. The motion passed unanimously. OPERA GALLERIA Ms. Spencer recused herself for this discussion. Mr. Steiner reported that Dan Eckles of Realtec is working on a revised proposal for the entry way into the Opera Galleria, but needed more time to finalize the plan. He has also revised plans for the fagade improvements and will be asking for additional funds for the project up to the project maximum of $50,000. Mr. Steiner asked if the Board had any objection to revisiting the fagade grant even though construction on the project will have begun by the next Board meeting. Board expressed approval of allowing Mr. Eckles to come back to the Board with a new request. Mr. Taylor felt a formal motion was not necessary. URA BLIGHT STUDY Mr. Steiner recommended the DDA pay the consultant fees and postage to notify stakeholders of up to $26,300 for preparation of the blight study which is underway, in support of the City's consideration to create and urban renewal project area in the central business district. The blight study is required by the urban renewal statute, and it is a tool used to document observations of blighted conditions within the proposed urban renewal project area. Upon completion, the study will be submitted to the Urban Renewal Authority Board of Commissioners, which is also the City Council. Based on the consultant's observations, the URA Commission will consider whether a positive finding of blight can be justified, and if so they can proceed with adoption of an urban renewal plan and creation of a project area in the downtown. Mr. Atteberry addressed the reaction the word "blight" has caused in the media and public discussion. He made the distinction that the study would look for blight within the downtown area and no one is saying that the area is blighted. The board discussed some of the publicity surrounding the term. Ms. Spencer asked if there was more the DDA Board could do in terms of outreach to the community. Ms. Weitkunat added that City Council had been troubled by the term blight and wondered if the language of the criteria for a finding of blight could used instead of that term. Mr. Steiner said he would review the document and request that the criteria be used. Mr. Atteberry and Mr. Taylor expressed the view that the extension of the DDA is the best option, but if that were not possible, creation of an Urban Renewal Authority is another good option. Upon the conclusion of discussion, Mr. Kastein requested that Mr. Steiner prepare a one page summary of where we are in the DDA/URA process. Moved by Mr. Wolfe, seconded by Ms. Spencer to authorize DDA spending of $26,300 associated with consultant fees and postage for the purposes of the creation of an urban renewal board. The motion passed unanimously. NEWS RACKS At the February meeting, the Board requested a cost estimate of a proposal to install all -metal news racks along College Avenue. The project team of Mr. Robenalt, Mr. Short and Ms. DiMartino presented further study on the purchase and installation of uniform news racks at 4 intersections (8 comers) between LaPorte Avenue and Olive Street. An additional location at Walnut and Linden is recommended by DDA staff. The estimated cost of the revised proposal is $85,500, which includes shipping, construction of concrete bases, and 4 extra racks for future expansion/vandalism replacement. The recommendation is that the DDA fund 50 percent of the cost of purchasing the metal modular racks manufactured by Sho Rack, not to exceed $42,750. The Sho Rack product is preferred because its higher quality materials should withstand normal wear and tear over a longer period of time. Mr. Robenalt presented three facets of the proposal: equipment; the City ordinance that is being drafted; and, the concerns and needs of the publishers. The project team has held meetings with the publishers whose concerns are loss of identity, loss of distribution points, and questions over whether existing permits will be honored. The City Attorney's office recommendation is that in the interest of free speech concerns, to make sure not to eliminate the number of spaces available. The current proposal includes 40 spaces for paid publications and 104 for free publications. This represents a shift from 173 individual racks to 33-36 modular racks. Board discussion centered on the quantity and aesthetics of the news racks. Mr. Hewitt felt that there were too many racks on College Avenue and that they should be placed at the same 4 comers but only have one per intersection instead of two. Additional news racks could then be placed at other high traffic areas such as the bus terminal and parking structures. Mr. Hewitt commented further that the drawings included racks in front of Oak Street Plaza which the DDA just rebuilt. Mr. Robenalt noted that they were looking at relocating those particular racks because of that concern. Board members expressed concern that a large bank of racks could also detract from the appearance of the area. Mr. Jensen suggested that brick or stone bases would be more attractive than concrete slabs. Ms. DiMartino hopes that an Art in Public Places contest would generate ideas for giving the racks visual interest. She noted, in response to questions about maintenance and fees, that the City is recommended a change in the feel structure from a one time $10 fee, to an annual fee of $10 per space. Mr. Attebeny commented that while he likes the concept, he is nervous about the increase in cost. If the City were asked to fund 5001., the matter would have to be approved by Council. In view of this, Mr. Steiner expressed the view that this was a terrific project and recommended that the DDA fund above the 50% level. Moved by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Sears: to approve 75% of the cost up to $75,000 for the installation of 9 Sho Rack modular news racks at 8locations on College Avenue and at the intersection of Walnut and Linden. A roll call vote was taken on the motion: Mr. Brelig, yes; Mr. Callahan, yes; Mr. Hewitt, abstain; Mr. Kastein, yes; Mr. Sears, yes; Ms. Spencer, yes; Mr. Taylor, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes. The motion was approved. FORT COLLINS CULTURAL DISTRICT (BEET STREET) Job Descriptions The operating plan for the Fort Collins Cultural District (Beet Street) requires hiring an Administrative Assistant, a Programming Director and a Director of Development. Job descriptions for these positions were reviewed by the Fort Collins Cultural District Committee on February 22, 2007. Ms. Bennis hopes to have an Administrative Assistant hired by the end of March, the Programming Director by the end of April, and the Development Director by the end of June 2007. 3-Year Plan Prioritiesl90-Day Action Plan/Performance/Economic Impact Metrics Ms. Bennis presented plans a 90 action plan, a 3 year plan and a discussion of economic impact metrics. As the initiative moves forward it is imperative that the governing bodies achieve consensus about what success looks like at the end of the first, second and third years of operation to effectively manage the expectations of the community and its funders. Fort Collins Cultural District (Beet Street) 2007 Draft Operating Budget The operating budget for 2007 was constructed to mirror the plan expectations presented in discussion draft format. This budget takes into consideration the staffing and other start-up needs, an anticipated schedule of branded programming in the last four months of 2007, and the public launch of the Initiative. As actual expenses are realized the budget will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Ms. Bennis stated that several opportunities for collaboration were already presenting themselves. She plans to build a three year programming calendar, using established programs before the initiative begins adding its own programs. The 2007 goal is collaboration and enhancing what is already available in the community. The next Beet Street meeting will focus on refining the metrics, defining the measures of success up front so all can understand what the targets are. The second focus of that meeting will be the namingjbranding process. The subcommittee working on that task will have recommendations ready for discussion by that time. Mr. Taylor expressed pleasure at how well things were going already. DDA staff will work on how to integrate the cultural district meetings into the DDA board meetings. The Board is the governing legal entity governing both Beet Street and DDA. The Beet Street Committee serves in an advisory capacity and helps minimize the work the DDA Board has to do. UPDATES 1. Billboards- The billboards in the 200 block of North College are not an issue as construction will begin on an adjacent buildings in the next 2-3 weeks and the billboards will be taken down. 2. County Representation on DDA Board -In order to gain County representation on the DDA Board, the ordinance will need to be changed to allow up to 11 Board members. The ordinance and by-laws will also need to reflect country representation. 3. Sales Tax- Revenues were down in December 2006 but several Board members expressed relief that, considering the terrible weather, they weren't down much lower. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned 9:50 a.m. Carey HeOftt,Secretary