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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 10/11/2007DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Jack Wolfe, Chair 495-1299 (W) Kelly Ohlson, Council Liaison 219.9814 (W) Kathay Rennels, County Liaison 498-7010 (W) MINUTES of October 11, 2007 REGULAR MEETING The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in Regular Session at 7:30 a.m. on October 11, 2007 in the Board Room at First National Bank located at 215 West Oak Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524. PRESENT George Brelig; McCabe Callahan;. Carey Hewitt; Kim Jordan; Ryan Keiffer; Kathay Rennels; William Sears; Patty Spencer; Steve Taylor; Jack Wolfe ABSENT Kelly Ohlson 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 Diane Jones, Deputy City Manager; Mike Jensen & Matt Evans, Fort Collins Real Estate; Chuck Seest, Finance; Jean Lamm & Maggie Hirko, Beet Street; Alan Balloo, Landmark Preservation Commission; Blue Hovatter, Citizen at Large; Paul Mills, Russell & Mills Studio; Steve Slezak; Scoo Leary, Aggie Theater; Brad March; Cheryl Donaldson, Ft. Collins Museum; Craig Foreman, City Park Planning; Aaron Asquith, McLaughlin Whitewater CALL TO ORDER Mr. Wolfe called the meeting to order at 7:40 a.m. Roll call was taken. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Sears moved to approve the minutes of September 13, 2007. Seconded by Ms. Jordan, and passed unanimously. BIG IDEAS Blue Hoverter presented a proposed website he has named "ISupportLocal.com." It is designed as a tool for small local businesses to gain access to the world of e-commerce. The home page of the website would have the ability to search restaurant menus, movies, activities and community calendar in addition to shopping opportunities. Retailers would not list their entire inventory but would have seasonal, timely items posted. Included would be options for bicycle delivery or pick up at the store. There could be all option to round up the purchase for a donation to a local charity. The concept is to provide a service to businesses that do not have the time or money to do it themselves, giving them more power and exposure. BEETSTREET Ms. Bennis announced the appointment of Elizabeth Hare to the position of Director of Cultural Arts Programming for Beet Street. Ms. Hare has more than twenty years experience in arts management with DDA October 11, 2007 Page 2 heavy emphasis in artistic planning and production. She just completed a two month contract with Beet Street planning the September launch event. Her first day on the job at Beet Street will be November 5, 2007. Various marketing efforts are underway. They have partnered with the Downtown. Business Association to sponsor First Night events at the Lincoln Center. They are also co -programming and co -marketing the Jazz Festival to be held in July 2008..Beet Street has also offered to hire the DBA to help coordinate Peace Corps Reunion events. The first meetings of Beet Street's Community Advisory Councils focused on marketing, programming, development and operations will be convened in November. Beet Street secured its first grant in September in support of our launch. A short list of grant requests for underwriting, sponsorship and funding has been established and proposals for 2008 programming support have been submitted. Answering a question from Mr. Callahan, Ms Bennis noted that by and large the feedback fi•om the launch event has been very positive. 227 SOUTH HOWES The DDA Board first considered this project in March under the name Olive Gardens. No decision was made because a portion of the proposed improvements against which the increment was being calculated would not be built immediately. Steve Slezak, speaking for the completed remodel, explained that the second piece of development would not take place for several yearns. Based on TIF projections, Mr. Steiner recommended that the Board approve funding in the amount of $18,444, commenting that this project and the renovation of the two properties on either side of it ensure that these three stately homes will remain a part of downtown Fort Collins well into the future. Moved by Mr. Taylor; seconded by Mr. Brelig: To approve the request to fund the project in the amount of $18,444. The motion passed unanimously. PADDLE PARK In April, the Board considered a request to release all the funds it had pledged to the project (around $63,300). However, accurate figures on the cost of the course and hydraulic designs were unavailable and the Board asked for the project to return when the information was more complete. Contracts have been signed in the amount of $72,000 (which is $16,000 short of the total design costs) and the Paddle Park has turned over$41,000 to the City. Paddle Park proponents are requesting early release of $48,000 from the DDA's two prior pledges. Mr. Steiner recommended the early release of some of the pledged funding. The park will be a wonderful recreational amenity in downtown and it has the potential to create some regional interest, which will benefit downtown. It will also complement Beet Street programming. Mr. Steiner suggested to the Board that DDA release only enough of the pledged amount to cover existing contractual obligations. That would total $31,000. The balance should be retained until the final design is complete and construction funds have been secured. Matt Evans, Jason Stutzman, Craig Foreman and Aaron Asquith spoke for the proposal. They noted that the project has come a long way since July, with design and feasibility. They estimated the costs at $350,000 - $500,000 and hope to get the funds from GOCO. Mr. Asquith, of McLaughlin Design, worked DDA October 11, 2007 Page 3 on Confluence Park in Denver and noted the huge amount of redevelopment that has taken place in that area hi the eight years since the Park was built. They feel that there is sufficient water flow to create a good draw of kayakers as well as tubing, swimming and rafting, which will increase the audience. It will also create a significant draw to those who simply would like to come and watch others enjoying the river. Ms. Rennels noted that kayaking is becoming a primary draw throughout the state. Board discussion centered on the appearance of the kayak course, improved public access to the area and the schedule. Mr. Asquith assured the Board that the appearance would be made as natural as possible given the fact that there are existing concrete structures in the area. It will take approximately 2 months to finalize the drawings and the earliest they would here on GOCO funds would be March 2008. Moved by Ms. Jordan; seconded by Mr. Callahan: To release $31,000 of the total commitment to go towards the design phase of the Paddle Park Project. The motion passed unanimously. After the motion passed, Mr. Steiner noted that the check would go to the City of Fort Collins for disbursement and that Matt Robenalt would draft an IGA. BIRNEY TROLLEY The Foil Collins Municipal Railway Society is requesting assistance in the purchase of second Birney trolley car, an original Fort Collins trolley. The Society has $49,000 available and is seeking an additional $150,000. The request to the DDA does not ask for a specific dollar amount but does spell out terms of the option to purchase. In addition to the $49,000, a second payment of $50,000 is due December 31, 2007 followed by two additional installments of $50,000 each in August and December of 2008. The trolley can be moved to Fort Collins after the December, 2007 payment is made. Cost to ship it is estimated at $5,000. Mr. Steiner recommended that the Board contribute a total of $55,000 to be used toward two of the installment payments on the streetcar and the cost of shipping it fi om Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Steiner supports the idea of bringing a second Bimey car to Fort Collins and advocates extending the trolley tracks into Old Town, eventually making a loop from Mountain to Willow, to Cherry, to Howes, and back to Mountain Avenue. Brad March, speaking for the Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society, presented some of the history of trolley operations in Fort Collins and of the cars themselves. He also announced that the City will allow them to use the old trolley barn for the restoration so the public can observe to progress of the project. Board discussion explored several topics: the cost of renovation, the possible future use of trolleys in Fort Collins, and, if DDA were to contribute to the project, what time frame that would involve. It was also suggested that the restoration could be another attraction like the current sculpture project in Old Town Square. The Society anticipates funding the cost of restoration through local donations. Staff had suggested that the DDA assist with the periodic payments, but Board discussion favored supporting at this stage to ensure that the trolley would be acquired. Moved by Mr. Hewitt; seconded by Mr. Brelig: To fund the project in the amount of $55,000 in one lump sum payment. The motion passed unanimously. AMPHITHEATER AND ALLEY MASTERPLAN Amphitheater Nine proposals in response to the amphitheater request for proposals have been received. Staff will review them with the Board. The plan is to shortlist three to five submittals and interview those teams. These are not design ideas for die amphitheater. Rather the proposals feature examples of previous projects and the DDA October 11, 2007 Page 4 qualifications of the designers. Interviewers include representatives from CSU (representatives from the Center for the Built Environment and the School of Fine Arts), the Fort Collins Symphony, Beet Street, City, perhaps the School District, and DDA. Board members George Brelig and Kim Jordan offered to be on the review team. Scoo Leary from Aggie Theater also volunteered. Alley Masternlan Matt Robenalt has been working on an RFP for a Master Plan for Downtown Alleys and Integrated Walkways. The plan will look at how to enhance connections between Old Town, the River District and the CSU Campus. The plan will guide the DDA, City and affiliated stakeholders in accomplishing the pedestrian strategy outlined in the Downtown Strategic Plan, and the UniverCity Transit and Mobility task group recommendations. Identifying logical pedestrian linkages, finding creative solutions for hash/recycling storage and collection, addressing issues of internal block circulation and delivery vehicle loading/unloading, and conceptual design recommendations are among the items to be addressed in the plan. Steve Taylor, George Brelig, and Kathleen Bracke and Clark Mapes from the City staff have agreed to serve on the selection panel. UPDATES Sales Tax: Chuck Seest reported that sales tax had a strong August showing, with the downtown area up 8.1 % and the City as a whole up 6%. Newsracksr The publishers requested a delay from the City in bringing the news rackordinance forward to Council while they develop an alternative voluntary maintenance program proposal similar to the agreements used in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. OTHER BUSINES Holiday Lights: The new LEED holiday lights are going up and really look nice. DBA Giftcards: The DBA will go live with its new giftcard program throughout the DBA membership in time for the holidays. Hotel: There is an updated schedule for the hotel development. The Board needs to authorize the Chair to enter into an amended contract with Corporex. Moved by Mr. Taylor; seconded by Ms. Jordan: To authorize the Chair of the DDA Board to enter into an amended contract with Corporex. The motion passed unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Ms. Jordan: To move to Executive Session to discuss real estate acquisition. This Executive Session for the purpose stated is authorized pursuant to CRS 24-6.402 (4) (1) (1). The motion passed unanimously. Moved by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Sears: To move from Executive Session back to Regular Session. The motion passed unanimously. There was a further motion to reopen the issue and return to executive session. Legal counsel decided that it was inappropriate to take further action at this time and no action was taken ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m. George Brelig/S tart'