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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 04/02/1998ddoAWNTOWN 0 DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 19 OLD TOWN SQUARE, SUITE 230 Telephone (970) 484-2020 FORT COLLINS, CO 80524 Telefax (970) 484-2069 DOWNTOWN DEVEZOPMWT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Kermit A11ard, Chuck Wanner, Anne Garrison, MINUTES OF APR= 2, 1998 Chair Council Liaison Staff Liaison 482-1893 (W) 484-3014 (W) 484-2020 (W) The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority not in regular session at 7:30 a.m. on April 2, 1998 in the Meeting Room at Boma State Bank - 303 R. Mountain Avenue. PRESEWT There were present: Mary Brayton, Vice Chair Jason Meadors, Secretary Steve Slezak Larry Stroud John Pitner Margaret Brown Chuck Wanner Absent: Kermit Allard, Chair Greg Belcher, Treasurer Staff: Chip Stainer, Consultant Anne Garrison Lucia Liley, Legal Counsel Guests: Jay Hardy, Bud Frick, Susanne 8dainster, Robert Sisetti, Chris Ray, Mack S Jackie Anderson, Diane Jones CALL TO ORDER No. Brayton called the meeting to order and roll call was taken. MINUTES A motion was made by Mr. Meadors to approve the minutes of March 5, 1998 which was seconded by Mr. Stroud and carried unanimously. DDA NINMS PAGE 2 PARKING OPDATE Susanne Edminster spoke of the improvements slated for the existing parking garage, and timelines for the new structure. The vendor selected is Mountain Parking 8quipment from Colorado Springs. In an effort to address the security issues, a manned booth will be installed on the Remington Street side. Ticket spitters will be added, and permit holders will be given magnetic cards which will be "read" on entering. There will be an intercom feature at both entrances, and in time, the technology of this garage, as wall as the new one, will be linked by computer for monitoring purposes. The manned booth will be in operation from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m, with hours being extended to 2:00 a.m. on busy nights. In addition, overhead lighting will be upgraded and the interior of the garage painted a lighter color. To ensure cost effectiveness, permits will be increased from $24.00 to $36.00 a month, and the fourth floor will no longer be free. Sundays will remain at no cost but charges may be imposed on Saturdays. In addition to these changes, parking rates will increase to 50 cents for the first two hours and 50 cents each hour thereafter. The controlled access segment of the parking structure remodel should be complete by the and of may. Ms. Edminster suggested that validation parking arrangements could be made, in which businesses pay a certain amount to the Parking Department and the customer receives a discount. Special event rates for festivals etc., are being considered, and Us. Edminster advised that during the high pressure cleaning, painting and upgrade of lighting, the garage may have to be closed, possibly over a weekend. The new parking ramp will be housed on the Laporte/America lot. It is the City's intent to provide 900 spaces, if the costs are feasible. Retail is planned for the lower level, with the drive aisle design to be determined. A full time security person is planned for this gated structure, final bids are due by April 15, 1998. A decision will be made by May, with the end of summer 1999 slated as the completion date. Temporary parking will be placed on the old depot site on Block b22, which will eventually become the Transit Center. A portion of Block $32, which is City owned, will also be utilized. This will also serve as a staging area for the construction of the Justice Center. Block $33 is being considered as a site for additional parking. Temporary parking costs are estimated at $787,000. At least a part of this cost is in landscaping and required curb cuts Recycled asphalt is being considered for the r tempo ary lots. DDA mnwns PA03 3 It was stressed that Block $31 will not be under construction at the same time as the parking structure to avoid too great a displacement. Ms. Bdminster advised that a volunteer advisory committee had been enlisted from the DBA Hoard to help address some of the more difficult issues. MASON 822=T Mr. Steiner referred the Hoard to a letter from Robert FIIRICrW ZOT Hisetti and Chris Ray who wish to acquire the Mason street parking lot for $75,000. DDA purchased this property in 1984 from Larimer County for $182,000 plus an additional $18,000 for landscaping. Proposal made by Robert Bisetti and Chris Ray of Raylins Homes would involve a mix of commercial and residential development, with some parking still being available to other than tenants. Robert Bisetti and Chris Ray explained that they had not finalised their plans until hearing how DDA might view the project. Tentatively, a four story building is envisioned in the two to four million dollar range, comprising commercial with residential lofts and incorporating some attractive landscaping. Concerns expressed were as follows: * Value of property greater than the price being offered * DDA's contribution level would be higher than normal * Opposition may be expected from several avenues * Loss of 51 parking spaces currently available on the lot Advantages offered by this project: * Property would be returned to the tax rolls * Housing in the heart of the central business district * Desirable infill project The first question Mr. stainer posed was whether the Hoard wished to consider the sale of this property. If the Board is in favor, an appraisal should be done to determine the fair market value. DDA could then enter into negotiations with the developer to determine the size and scope of the project, and assess the amount of tax increment which the project would generate. A vital part of the process will be to obtain the City's early write-off on this project, because although the property belongs to DDA, 51 spaces are managed by the City and represent part of its parking inventory. DDA MLNDTZS PAGR 4 Pollowing a lengthy discussion by the Hoard, Ms. Liley Offered a suggestion, but only in the event that a decision was made to pursue the sale of this property. That a non binding Letter of Intent be drawn up stating that the Hoard is interested in pursuing good faith negotiations, subject to as evaluation of downtown parking needs, an assessment of fair market value, City approval and the establishment of an acceptable contract. A document such as this would indicate the hoard's interest in pursuing the negotiation, but that other concerns exist which must be considered. Mr. Pitney moved that a non binding Letter of Intent be Prepared which includes the issues raised by the Hoard. This was seconded by Mr. Stroud. Mr. Meadors offered a friendly amendment that the Hoard not a timeframe of six months to Pursue good faith negotiations. The amendment was acceptable to Messrs. Pitney and Stroud, and the motion carried unanimously. 105 ITN Mr. Stainer introduced this project with some background COLSHGE AVS information. The property was onos owned by the DDA and was recently sold again to Mark and Jackie Anderson. The new owners have designed a two story, historically flavored building, which will house a restaurant on the first floor. The estimated improvements are slated at about $475,000. This will support approximately $50,000 gross in tax increment. DDA would normally fund the Right of Nay improvements, but since GID will provide these monies, DDA is being asked to contribute to additional Right of Way improvements. Mr. Steiner suggested that the Hoard evaluate the application of its funds in light of GID's participation. There followed a suggestion, with some discussion to extend the pedestrian improvements westward to hook up with the new parking garage. Mr. Slaxak made a motion to support the project, and encourage Messrs. Hi.metti and Ray to move forward with their Plans, returning to the Hoard at a later date when more information has been received. Mr. Meadors offered a friendly amendment that the Consultant be directed to work with the City staff regarding the appropriation of GID and DDA monies. This was seconded by Mr. Wenner and carried unanimously. mously. CST' Mike Powers provided the Hoard with an update on the site CNOIC6S selection process for projects of spacial interest to the Authority. These include the Performing Arts Center, Library, Horticultural Center, and Northside Community Center. On May 19, information will be presented to City Council, at which time staff will be looking for one of three outcomes. DDA Mn1DT&S PAM 5 • Approval of site selection • Receive general area direction to continue search • Council may require additional information Suggested site for the Library is the northeast corner of Lemay and Lincoln. Performing Arts Center sites include Old Fort Collins High School, Downtown Civic Center Neighborhood, NO corner of Lemay and Lincoln, Ni corner of North College and Vine. Horticultural Center auhsdttals were myriad, but one of the most favored is Lee Martinez Park. Mr. Stainer raised the issue of parking, stating that if the parking garage could be easily accessed from the proposed new facilities, the requirement to provide additional spaces significantly reduces the cost factor. Formal recommendation of these sites is pended until the next Hoard Meeting. L8C DPDATE The Trimble Court building houses `Rifle Works,' which is in need of some security measures to preclude access to the firearms. The Landmark Preservation Commission is assisting then in this endeavor. DHA ANNUAL Copies of the first Downtown Husiness Association's Annual REPORT Report were circulated. It is noteworthy how far this organization has come since its inception, and the report catalogs mach of that progress. ADJOM There being no further business, the meeting adjourned a 9.40 a.m. Jason Meadora, Secretary