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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport - Mail Packet - 4/5/2016 - Letter From Matt Robenalt, Downtown Development Authority, Re: 2015 Year In Review2015 YEAR IN REVIEW 1 Introduction As the premier area in Northern Colorado for employment, shopping, entertainment, and urban living, Downtown Fort Collins today is as exciting as ever. At the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority (DDA) we are proud to provide leadership and commitment that helps build the partnerships that foster the economic, cultural and social growth of our unique and beloved Downtown district. We are pleased to share with you the accomplishments of the Downtown Development Authority in our 2015 Year in Review. In 2015, the DDA Board and staff embarked on an exciting endeavor that harkened back to the very roots of Downtown Fort Collins’ earliest revitalization efforts. We renovated and updated the beloved Old Town Square with a design that was created by the community, for the community, and will serve the needs of the community for generations to come. Downtown Fort Collins flourished in 2015 with significant steps being made by both the public and private sectors coming together in partnership to accomplish things unachievable on their own. After more than 30 years of efforts to realize a new downtown hotel, a team from Bohemian Companies, McWhinney Enterprises, and Sage Hospitality received approval for a 162 room boutique hotel adjacent to Old Town Square. The DDA is proud to have partnered with the City of Fort Collins and the hotel team to assist in financing a new 320 space public-private parking structure in conjunction with the hotel. The Downtown Plan is being updated through a wide community outreach effort and new, exciting development is emerging in the River District. On behalf of the Board of Directors and DDA staff, we express our appreciation to our many partners that made these and many other accomplishments possible in 2015. We look forward to a prosperous and exciting 2016. Bevin Parker Board Chair Matt Robenalt Executive Director 2 Public Investment Philosophy When the DDA Invests Tax Increment Funds to Promote and Support Public and Private Development Our Aim is to: Make it Happen, Make it Happen Sooner, Make it Better The Downtown Development Authority is a steward of the neighborhood at the heart of Fort Collins - Downtown. We fund projects that add to the vitality, excitement, activity, vibrancy, diversity, and attractiveness of our community. To achieve success in economic development of the District, all DDA functions will be operated with attention to: maintaining the fiscal viability of the organization; achieving the goals of the organization as developed by the community of stakeholders; and, implemented through the adopted plans and policies of the DDA Board of Directors and City Council. make it HAPPEN • Environmentally restorative, responsible and accountable • Design and build circulation systems that minimize auto/pedestrian conflict and maximize convenience • Solve a market/use mismatch by bridging a project financing gap make it HAPPEN SOONER • Reduce risk of pioneering investments • Signal political importance • Public infrastructure upgrades make it BETTER • Sustaining the historic character by preserving and honoring what is here • Quality façade materials and timeless design in architectural improvements • Place-making with enduring impact • Support of attainable housing to diversify downtown living options 3 make it BETTER make it HAPPEN Old Town Square Renovation Project Budget: $3,900,000 Contractor: Mortenson Construction Designer: studioINSITE After several years of dreaming and planning, the construction phase of the renovation of Old Town Square was completed in 2015. The goal of the project was to enhance the public experience, expand opportunities for public enjoyment, and perform needed infrastructure improvements to this gathering space which has become the heartbeat of our community. A further goal, adding to the complexity of the project, was to maintain access to all businesses and keep the Square a vibrant destination while crews worked in constricted spaces. In October the community celebrated the beginning of the next chapter in Old Town Square’s legacy and the completion of the renovation project with music, dance, and speeches to welcome back old and encourage new users to the new Old Town Square. The Square is now poised to continue hosting public events and entertainment, patio dining, shopping, and relaxing by the fountain well into the future. The initiation of a sculpture-on-loan program, interactive art ventures, and new public amenities will continue to make the downtown a vibrant destination and contribute to our wonderful quality of life in Northern Colorado. photo: Richard Haro 4 • Underground utilities relocated and new water main through the length of the Square • Reconfigured fountain with concrete seat wall • Enlarged children’s play area with refurbished play surface, new musical chime feature, and the addition of seat walls • New trees, planter pots, benches, and waste receptacles • Irrigation systems installed in planters, systems poles, and flower beds • New pavers throughout; curb and gutter replacement • Pop jet play feature in the middle of the plaza • Public restrooms relocated to a building adjacent to the plaza • New gas fireplace designed to engage the pedestrian walkway on the south side of the plaza • LED lighting throughout and decorative Tivoli lights over the central plaza • Moveable bistro tables and chairs • Stage relocated to the northwest corner of the plaza with expanded features, steel roof canopy, and built-in hookups for sound equipment Construction and Key Features photo: Bob Younger photo: Bob Younger 5 Old Town Square Renovation Art Activation Throughout the Old Town Square Renovation, the DDA team coordinated an Art Activation Program to create small-scale artistic interventions and programming to drive patrons into businesses and provide enhanced guest experiences during the construction. In total, twenty-nine artists and organizations participated in the program providing fifty days of programming which included: • Brewing/tapping event for CooperSmith’s ‘Pardon the Disorder Facelift Porter’ • Display of artistic photographs of hard-to-adopt animals and a pet costume contest • Hot air balloon glow in the Square • Four local artists painting commemorative artworks on original pavers • Front Range Community College’s “OPEN House” project, student sculptures, and screening of videography student films • Written in the Stars month-long exhibit by artist Ren Burke; solar and star gazing • Graduation picture wall for CSU’s spring graduates • Construction story time with Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys • Retail and restaurant promotions • Dance, photography, and light painting classes • Tell Me Something Good interactive art piece • Picture Yourself in the New Square photography frames and social media contest • Back to the Future I & II movie screenings and trivia nights • Adirondack chair and flower pot painting • Re-patina of the iconic geese sculpture on the rock fountain 6 Communication & Public Engagement Thank You Throughout the renovation, the project team utilized many avenues to keep the public and affected businesses informed. • Monthly newsletters to the general public • Weekly construction update to affected businesses • Construction management team on the ground daily • Informational and directional signage on construction fencing to help guide the public to businesses • Monthly interviews on KRFC community radio • Regular website updates The project would not have been possible without financial assistance from the City of Fort Collins General Improvement District; Bohemian Foundation; and Progressive Old Town Square Properties. photo: Bill Cotton/Colorado State University 7 make it BETTER Downtown Parking Garage Jefferson Street and Chestnut Street Project Budget: $11,500,000 Since its formation, the DDA has played a role in funding structured parking infrastructure in the Downtown through various public and private partnerships. In 2015 the DDA participated in the creation of a financial partnership with the City and Bohemian Companies to support development of a 3-story, approximately 320 space public-private parking garage at 363 Jefferson Street, across the alley from a hotel that will break ground in 2016. The DDA Board approved funding of up to one-third of the cost of the parking structure. The partnership will support multiple goals and continue the DDA’s longstanding role to assist in providing parking facilities. It will also move towards achieving the City’s Parking Plan goal to provide an additional 1,600 additional structured parking spaces, support the long-desired downtown hotel, and enhance a visionary urban design for this important gateway into the historic downtown. It also supports the most flexible and exciting option for a hybrid-street design on the 200 block of Linden Street and allows the extension of alley enhancements in Old Firehouse Alley. make it HAPPEN make it HAPPEN SOONER 8 221 East Mountain Avenue Tax Increment Investment: $993,231 This project located at 221 East Mountain Avenue is a 4-story, 67,000 square foot mixed-use development with potential uses including restaurant, retail, and office on the ground floor with three stories of office above. Located at the prominent intersection of Mathews Street and East Mountain Avenue, the currently vacant auto repair and tire shop will be deconstructed to make way for the new structure. The three lower floors will be constructed using brick masonry, stone, aluminum storefronts, metal canopies, and elegant signage. A large glass curtainwall feature above the street corner will provide tenants with outstanding views and abundant natural light. The site provides easy pedestrian access to the adjacent parking deck and the Old Town District. MAVDevelopment Mixed Use Project make it BETTER 9 Woodward Inc., Lincoln Campus - Phase 2 With approval of the façade designs for Phase 2 of the Woodward Inc. Lincoln Campus project, the DDA continued the implementation of the 2013 agreement with Woodward for the infill project on the former Link N’Greens golf course. Woodward, a publicly traded global energy controls company, has developed a phased master plan for the site as a corporate headquarters. Phase 2 includes 60,000 square feet of office for the relocated corporate headquarters building. The architecture of the Woodward Lincoln Campus is inspired by Western European industrial style. The facades are constructed with high quality finish materials such as translucent wall panels, as well as aluminum, stainless steel and granite wall tiles at ground level. 777 East Lincoln Avenue Headquarters Building Façade Design Approval Tax Increment Investment: $800,000 make it BETTER make it HAPPEN 10 2015 Highlights Downtown Community The DDA, in partnership with Police Services District One, organized four workshops for business owners and employees to provide information on current city ordinances and suggested responses related to disruptive behaviors inside and outside business establishments. More than 75 business representatives attended the workshops. Outreach Fort Collins Staff participated in public engagement on negative behaviors through community conversations and strategic meetings with human service agencies, Larimer County, Visit Fort Collins, Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Business Association. Conversations regarding awareness and responses to disruptive behaviors in the downtown led to the formation of a task force to explore the concept of a street outreach team. Based on a successful model in Burlington, Vermont the concept has identified partners and funding sources, set up a governance structure, and is in the process of hiring staff. Civic Engagement DDA Staff and Board members coordinated and participated with the Planning Department’s Downtown Plan Update process through public open house events, working group meetings, public speaker engagements, and Board meeting updates. photo: Tim O’Hara 11 2015 Highlights Old Town Square Use Holiday Lights Old Town Square event and concession guidelines were updated to correspond with the renovation amenities and new space configuration by establishing design standards for mobile vendor carts and procedures for events and other activities. The DDA continued the collaboration with the City of Fort Collins and Downtown Business Association for the annual downtown holiday light display that features thousands of LED lights brightening the downtown from November through Valentine’s Day. The DDA partnered with Bohemian Foundation and Art in Public Places to support the fifth year of Pianos About Town. UniverCity Connections Urban Lab As a member of the UCC Executive Committee, DDA staff assisted in the development of the FOCO Forum, a series of four evening events to catalyze discussion about the future of Fort Collins character and housing attainability. DDA staff served as a steering committee participant in the CSU-hosted Urban Lab to develop project concepts for the Mason Street railway enhancement initiative, a living wall installation, and a right- of-way encroachment policy update. The Urban Lab is a ‘living laboratory’ where specific community needs are identified and the public, policy makers, professionals, researchers, and students can collaborate to create, test, and implement integrated solutions. Pianos About Town 12 Revenue Charts 2015 REVENUE total $5,120,912 Property Tax Increment Revenue $3,209,541 63% Property Tax Mill Levy, Other $782,329 15% Interest, Other $65,837 1% Proceeds from Debt Issuance $1,063,205 21% 63% 15% 1% 21% 2015 EXPENDITURES total $5,120,912 Debt Service Principal $2,756,839 54% Debt Service Interest $498,599 10% Projects & Programs $1,285,354 25% Administration $580,120 11% 54% 10% 25% 11% 13 DDA Tax Increment Revenue Cycle New Tax Increment Revenues CREATES The Driver The What The How The Outcome ACCELERATES ENHANCES Improves Diversity & Attractiveness of District. Exciting, Active, Vibrant Downtown When the DDA Promotes/Supports Private Development, it Directs Tax Increment Investments to: Address a Market Shortfall or Failure Act as a Market Catalyst Enhance Market Outcomes make it HAPPEN make it HAPPEN SOONER make it BETTER • Environmentally restorative, responsible and accountable • Design and build circulation systems that minimize auto/pedestrian conflict and maximize convenience • Solve a market/use mismatch by bridging a project financing gap • Reduce risk of pioneering investments • Signal political importance • Public infrastructure upgrades • Sustaining the historic character by preserving and honoring what is here • Quality façade materials and timeless design in architectural improvements • Place-making with enduring impact • Support of attainable housing to diversify downtown living options 14 Chris Aronson Vaught Frye Larson Architects Jenny Bramhall Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys Gino Campana Alternate City Council Representative Steve Johnson Larimer County Board of Commissioners Justin Larson Vaught Frye Larson Architects (Vice Chair) Wynne Odell Odell Brewing Company Ray Martinez City Council Representative Bevin Parker Maximum Painting (Chairperson) Lee Swanson Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop Mark Williams Attorney Cheryl Zimlich Bohemian Foundation (Secretary) 2015 Board of Directors Back and Front Cover photo: Tim O’Hara The DDA’s mission is to build public and private investment partnerships that foster economic, cultural and social growth in the Fort Collins central business district. 19 Old Town Square, Suite 230 Fort Collins, CO 80524 (970) 484-2020 www.downtownfortcollins.org