Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 10/17/2000 - RESOLUTION 2000-129 DESIGNATING BLOCK 31 IN DOWNTO AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 32 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: October 17, 2000 STAFF: Mike Powers SUBJECT: Resolution 2000-129 Designating Block 31 in Downtown Fort Collins as the Site for a New Performing Arts Center. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. FINANCIAL IMPACT: In 1997 the citizens of Fort Collins approved$1,575,000 for the purchase of land and/or design of a new performing arts center. In 1998, the City Council directed that the land for this center be purchased in the downtown area. After extensive review and analysis of sites in the downtown,staff is recommending Block 31 for the site of the future performing arts center. Generally, the site can be described as the southern half of Block 31 which is the block bound by Mountain Avenue,Howes Street, Laporte Avenue, and Mason Street(see attached map defining proposed area). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City owns 79,931 square feet of land on Block 31. Latimer County and the City of Fort Collins jointly own an additional 66,168 square feet on Block 31. Recent appraisals of comparable properties have placed the value of this land at $20 per square foot. Should this Resolution be approved, discussions with Latimer County about the future use of this property will continue, in order to maximize the potential of all spaces in Block 31. This may entail the swapping of some parcels on Block 31 and/or purchase of some additional land. Once these discussions are completed, City Council will be asked to consider an ordinance using the Building Community Choices money to purchase the land from the City's General Fund and possibly some additional land. At that time, Council will also consider a new intergovernmental agreement with Larimer County pertaining to Block 31. Since 1997, the funding for this land purchase approved by the voters has inflated to $1,900,090. The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority has expressed its support for Block 31 as the site for the new performing arts center pursuant to Resolution 00-11 (a copy of which is attached). r DATE: October 17, 2000 2 ITEM NUMBER: 32 BACKGROUND: In 1988, the Choices 95 process considered the need for future City capital projects. One project identified was a cultural complex to house a 350 to 500-seat theatre,a 2,500-seat theatre,a 3,500 seat outdoor amphitheater,and a 35,000 square foot conference facility. Funding for this project was not included in the "Choices 95" capital budget because further study was deemed necessary. In 1989, $40,000 was included in "Choices 95" to conduct a feasibility study for new performing arts facilities. An advisory committee was formed with members from the Cultural Resources Board,the Lincoln Center Advisory Board,and Lincoln Center and Facilities staff to administer and assist with the study. In 1990,Glaser and Associates completed the study which confirmed the need for expanded cultural facilities. The firm of Joan Madison and Associates was hired by the consultant to gather information from the community. In addition to input from the members of the feasibility study advisory committee, which included the Cultural Resources Board and the Lincoln Center Board, individual interviews were conducted with artists,patrons,promoters, renters,community leaders, city staff, county officials, and school officials. Following that process, a public open house was held to gather community input. The facilities defined by that study were a 350 to 500-seat theatre, a 3,500 seat outdoor amphitheater, and a large hall that would seat a minimum of 1,900. In 1994, Colorado State University and the City of Fort Collins contracted with Hardy Holzman Pfeifer to first develop a program plan and then to analyze the possibility of combining proposed City and University performing arts facilities. Hardy,Holzman Pfeifer is an architectural firm that specializes in designing performing arts complexes. The program plan identified the size of specific spaces that would be needed to implement the results of the feasibility study completed in 1990. The consultants looked at locating both the City and CSU's facilities at the old Fort Collins High School site and at the site of the current Lincoln Center. After two years of study, it was decided that the City's performing arts complex would better serve the community if it was located in the downtown area. It should be noted that during the Hardy Holzman Pfeifer analysis a conscious decision was made to separate the 3,500-seat amphitheater from this project. The siting and program plan of such a facility was so different from the indoor facilities that it made sense to consider them separately. No further work has been done on an amphitheater project of this magnitude. In 1997, as part of the Building Community Choices ballot issues, the citizens of Fort Collins approved funding estimated at $1,575,000 for the purchase of land and/or design of a new performing arts center. In February of 1998,Requests for Proposals were advertised by the City's Purchasing Department seeking potential sites for the new performing arts center as well as other facilities identified in Building Community Choices. This proposal was open to the public and private sector and to any site in the Fort Collins area. After these sites were submitted, a public review and outreach was conducted. Following this process,in June 1998 City Council agreed with public comment that none of the sites submitted were acceptable and adopted a resolution that limited the search to select a site to the downtown area. The boundaries for this search were defined as Vine Drive to the north,Howes Street to the west,Mulberry Street to the south and Lemay Street to the east,excluding the Lee Martinez Park area. DATE: October 17, 2000 3 ITEM NUMBER: 32 City staff then analyzed each City block within these boundaries based on nine criteria. The search was narrowed to five sites after receiving input from the Cultural Resources Board, Downtown Development Authority, Lincoln Center Board, and a group of community leaders committed to a private fund raising campaign for the project. The City hired the firth of van Dijk Pace Westlake Architects to conduct an analysis of the five selected sites. van Dijk Pace Westlake Architects also specialize in the design of performing arts complexes. The architects determined that Block 31 and Block 101 (the site of the old County Courthouse)were the best sites. After negotiations with Larimer County it was determined that the Block 101 was not an option. ANALYSIS OF BLOCK 31 The following is a review of the pros and cons of the Block 31 based on the nine criteria used for site analysis and selection: 1. The site would ideally accommodate a 99,000 square foot building. The City only owns 79,931 square feet of Block 31. An additional 66,168 square feet on Block 31 is owned jointly by the City and Larimer County. Several options exist. Use remaining funds available for this project in Building Community Choices to purchase additional land. • Reduce the scope of the project. Staff has analyzed the original program plan and believes that, if needed, cuts could be made in the project without significantly affecting the core function of the complex. For example, cuts might be made in the visual arts, lobby and storage spaces. Staff's overall objective will be to work with Larimer County to maximize the potential of all spaces in Block 31. The County has created a beautiful structure in the new Justice Center. The addition of a performing arts complex, art,park and people spaces will provide a spectacular area in downtown. 2. 1,080 parking spaces should be available in the surrounding area. The consultant analysis found 1,470 parking spaces within walking distance of the facility. The Civic Center Parking Facility will provide most of the needed parking. Additional parking is located on street or in surface lots in close proximity to the center. Parking may be a problem if large, daytime events are programmed at the facility. 3. It must have good patron access. A transportation analysis has been conducted and the results are extremely positive for pedestrian and vehicular access. Plans for the Mason Street Corridor and the Transit Center • make Block 31 an excellent location for the performing arts facility. Finally, the location enables a complete patron experience with downtown amenities at this location. sr. DATE: October 17, 2000 4 ITEM NUMBER: 32 4. It must have good service access for theater productions. The site enables large truck access particularly along the West side of the facility on Howes Street. 5. Staff must be able to address acoustical issues (primarily railroad noise). Railroad noise at this site will be a significant issue. As part of the consultant analysis of this site,an acoustical specialist was hired to conduct studies of train noise at the intersection of Mountain Avenue and Mason Street. Their findings were that the train effects were significant and the facility would need special construction to eliminate sound in the performance spaces. These special construction features are described in the consultant's report and have been used successfully in other performing arts facilities in the United States, which have similar noise issues. 6. Environmental issues if present must be fixable. The construction of the Justice Center provided many of the answers to environmental issues that might be present. Further study will be needed on the southern half of the block but significant environmental problems are not anticipated. 7. A facility of this scope must fit into its surroundings. The future design of this facility will incorporate themes that began with the construction of the Civic Center Parking Structure and the Justice Center. Staff will work with Latimer County to ensure that the performing arts complex will work with the design of its new office complex. Special attention will be paid to the unique character present at St. Joseph's Church and School. The park and other interior spaces adjacent to the Justice Center will ibe enhanced. 8. City development requirements must be met. This project has received preliminary input from the conceptual review process and the Growth Management Committee. No significant problems are foreseen. 9. It should be a catalyst for re-development in the downtown. The performing arts complex was originally defined and approved in the Civic Center Master Plan as a significant facility contributing to the re-development of this area. OTHER ISSUES: THE PROPOSED PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY ARTS GROUPS. I Over the next six years, Colorado State University is phasing a remodel of old Fort Collins High School into the University Center for the Arts. CSU's plan is to move all theater and dance classes j and programs into this building. CSU will be replacing three performance spaces from existing facilities. The old performance spaces will be changed to different,non-theater uses. An additional 500-seat theater will be included at the new site. DATE: October 17, 2000 5 ITEM NUMBER: 32 CSU has proposed sharing these new theaters and performance spaces with community arts groups. Currently,community arts groups rent space at Lincoln Center or perform at other venues in town. • The predominant space—the mini-theater at Lincoln Center— is completely rented and used. There is tremendous pent up demand for small to mid-size theater spaces. City staff has been working with staff at CSU to conduct a preliminary analysis of the potential for this partnership. Staff s initial findings are that the new theaters added to the University Center for the Arts over the next six years will be a significant addition to the quality and availability of theater space in Fort Collins. The next step will be to ask the community arts groups and the CSU theater producers to fine tune the analysis and add detail to the partnership. Staff will also continue working with CSU to explore ways to enhance all of the theater venues between the two organizations. These enhancements might include joint box office and computer scheduling systems so that the City and CSU could work together to use the best available space for a production at either the University Center for the Arts or at the Lincoln Center. It would also provide multiple ticket outlets for productions throughout the community. Other enhancements might include expanded shop, storage and rehearsal spaces and additional technologies to enhance production values. Staff is enthusiastic about this partnership and believes it will benefit students at both CSU and Poudre School District as well as community arts groups and theatergoers throughout the community. • OTHER ISSUES: WHAT FACILITIES WILL GO INTO THE PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX ON BLOCK 31? iIn Building Community Choices, the voters approved money for the purchase of land for a new performing arts complex. Specific components of the performing arts complex were not included in the ballot issue. This means that staff is charged with finding and purchasing a site in the downtown that will have enough space to accommodate the community's wishes with respect to this t facility. Eventually, the community will be asked to approve a second ballot issue to fund s construction of the facility. At that time,a community-wide discussion will be held to identify these x spaces and the community's appetite for funding them. OTHER ISSUES: WHAT WILL ULTIMATELY HAPPEN TO THE EXISTING LINCOLN w' CENTER COMPLEX? The existing Lincoln Center has meeting rooms and conference spaces that are rented to community groups. The facility has visual art presentation spaces that allow the community and artists to display their work. As mentioned earlier, there is a 220 seat mini-theater that is rented to community arts groups. And finally,the Center has a 1,180 seat performance hall that is both rented for theater and other uses as well as programmed by the City. Lincoln Center provides a vital service in providing conference and meeting room facilities. These spaces are in short supply within the community. In addition, the feasibility study has shown that the performance spaces will continue to be in demand. This is particularly true when we consider • that the facilities planned on Block 31 and at CSU are meant to serve the community and its subsequent growth for many years to come. In the future, Lincoln Center will continue to provide a vital function and complement the new, planned facilities. It will remain as part of the inventory of facilities for the community. DATE: October 17, 2000 6 ITEM NUMBER: 32 RESOLUTION 00-11 OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FORT COLLINS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY EXPRESSING ITS SUPPORT OF BLOCK 31 AS THE SELECTED SITE FOR A NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN DOWNTOWN FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 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,the Downtown Development Authority finds it to be in the best interests and welfare of the Downtown Development Authority district to continue its program to assist and encourage downtown renovation and revitalization in the fiutherance thereof; WHEREAS,the Board of Directors has supported the exploration of the construction of a new Performing Arts Center to be located in downtown Fort Collins;and, WHEREAS,the City of Fort Collins is currently exploring the site known as Block 31 for the construction of a new Performing Arts Center,and, WHEREAS,the selection of this site fits with many of the goals of the DDA, City of Fort Collins,Downtown Plan and the Civic Center Master Plan. NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority hereby expresses its support of Block 31 for the construction of a new Performing Arts Center in downtown. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority this 5th day of October,2000. � J. Bra} n, Chair A Js6n ors, Secretary Exhibit A Division of Ownership of Blo�, k LAPORTEAVE MOUNTAINAVE Lat Lines ���r fib?' �i•� r{r � � �Sv.1 ' S`nS r _ff:*��1 County Ziz'�dfr. city 11 1 100 1 200 Fee • ���� RESOLUTION 2000-129 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS DESIGNATING BLOCK 31 IN DOWNTOWN FORT COLLINS AS THE SITE FOR A NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WHEREAS,in April 1997,the voters of the City of Fort Collins approved a one-quarter cent sales and use tax (the `Building Community Choices Capital Improvements Tax") to fund the construction of certain capital improvement projects identified in Ordinance No. 31, 1997; and WHEREAS,Ordinance No.31, 1997,includes a project which funds the acquisition of land and/or design of a new performing arts center at an estimated cost of$1,575,000(1996 dollars);and WHEREAS,the Council wishes to designate a site for the future performing arts center;and WHEREAS, staff previously solicited proposals for sites through a request for proposals process and by evaluating possible locations,including a non-specific downtown location which was proposed by City staff; and WHEREAS, the sites were evaluated by a sub-committee of the Cultural Resources Board and significant public input was gathered both from the arts community and the general public; and WHEREAS, the analysis and recommendation of the Cultural Resources Board led to a Board recommendation to seek out a downtown location for the future performing arts center; and WHEREAS,a downtown location for the Center will provide significant cultural,economic and community benefits to the residents of the City; and WHEREAS, on June 2, 1998, Council adopted Resolution 98-89, directing staff to identify a site which will be of adequate size to accommodate the future facility in the Downtown Area of Fort Collins; and WHEREAS, staff has further investigated the potential sites for a performing arts center in the downtown area, has analyzed potential sites based on nine criteria and, based on that analysis, has determined that the southern portion of Block 31 is the best available site for the location of the performing arts center; and WHEREAS, the City owns 79,931 square feet of the southerly portion of Block 31, and jointly owns with Larimer County an additional 66,168 square feet in the middle of Block 31; and WHEREAS, the City and County have previously entered into an intergovernmental agreement regarding the ownership, management and use of Block 31; and WHEREAS, preliminary discussions with the County have indicated that the County is supportive of the use of the southerly portion of Block 31 for a performing arts center; and WHEREAS, further analysis of the specific design, location and size of a performing arts center will be necessary, along with further discussions with the County, to negotiate the modification of the existing intergovernmental agreement and the exchange or other conveyance of any property interests in Block 31 necessary to provide for the optimum site for the performing arts center on that block; and WHEREAS,upon completion of such further analysis and negotiation,staff intends to return to the Council with specific proposed action to complete the modification of the intergovernmental agreement, accomplish the conveyance or acquisition of any necessary property interests to or from the County,and transfer funds from the proper Building Community Choices account to the General Fund for the property to be used for the performing arts center; and WHEREAS, the Council has determined that Block 31 is the best available site for the performing arts center and wishes to direct staff to proceed with planning and arrangements for finalizing any transactions necessary to acquire the property needed in Block 31 to accommodate that facility; and WHEREAS, the Council will review the performing arts needs of the community in conjunction with the City's ongoing capital needs analysis process and performing arts will be considered in the context of other City needs for possible consideration by the voters in November 2001. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That it is the intent and desire of the Council that the southerly portion of Block 31 be the location for a new performing arts center in the Downtown Area of Fort Collins. Section 2. That the Council hereby directs the City Manager to proceed to negotiate the modification of the intergovernmental agreement with the County so as to arrange for the conveyance or acquisition of any necessary property interests to or from the County,and to develop a recommendation as to the appropriate transfer of funds from the proper Building Community Choices account to the General Fund for the property on Block 31 to be used for the performing arts center. Section 3. That the Council further directs the City Manager to explore the potential for a partnership with Colorado State University to maximize the use of all performing arts facilities in the City for the benefit of all citizens of the Fort Collins community. . Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this 17th day of October, A.D. 2000. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk • October 10,2000 PROPOSAL TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL OF PARTNERING BETWEEN THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AND COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY ON PERFORMING ARTS FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMING The City of Fort Collins and Colorado State University are currently planning the expansion of performing arts facilities to serve the growing needs of the citizens of Fort Collins and the students of Colorado State University. The University has begun a project to re-model the old Fort Collins High School into the University Center for the Arts. This will include office, classrooms,performance spaces, an art gallery, a natural history collection and the historic costume collection from the Department of Design and Merchandising. The City is in the process of purchasing land in the downtown to ultimately develop a new performing arts complex. This complex will be in addition to the existing conference, meeting and performance spaces at Lincoln Center. Historically these two entities have operated independently with respect to the performing arts in Fort Collins. The vision of this partnership is the potential to merge the facilities into one menu of options for producers of theater(the City, CSU faculty and students and the community arts groups) and patrons. By sharing all facilities,producers will be able to utilize the best spaces in our community for each specific production. Patrons will be able to go to one place for information and ticket purchase. The focus of continued discussions will be on: • maximizing dollars of both the taxpayer and private donors to create superior performance spaces to benefit the students and faculty of Colorado State University and the Fort Collins community. • cooperative scheduling of all performing arts venues to accommodate the needs of University programs, community arts groups presentations, and City productions. • Establishing a joint box office and scheduling system for all community and University programs. • Technology upgrades to the facilities to accommodate increased viewings. • Expanded support spaces such as rooms for rehearsals, set construction and storage. Both the City and the University understand that ultimately we are responsible for presenting the best possible performing arts product and maximizing taxpayer dollars. There is the potential for enhancing theater in our community by sharing experiences and talents between community arts groups, the students and faculty of Colorado State University and the students and faculty of Poudre School District. The involvement of our young people in the arts can be a powerful force in shaping their lives. The benefit to the community can be an enhanced experience and the judicious use of their taxpayer dollar. Discussions will accelerate over the next few months. It is our intention to have a draft proposal available for review during December 2000 which will provide recommendations as to the feasibility of specific partnership options. The proposal will then be presented for consideration to appropriate City and CSU groups.