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AGENDA
Urban Renewal Authority URA Committee
January 8, 2018
10:45 am - noon
CIC Room - City Hall
URA
1. N College URA Strategy 30 minutes P. Rowe
2. Whitewater Park 30 minutes P. Rowe
COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Staff: Patrick Rowe, Redevelopment Coordinator
Date: January 8, 2018
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
North College Plan area challenges and opportunities discussion with members of the North
College Citizens Advisory Group.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to provide background information that may be helpful to the Finance
Committee with its discussion with members of the North College Citizens Advisory Group.
The North College Urban Renewal Authority (URA) tax increment financing will conclude in
2030. With only 13 years of tax increment collections remaining, and several years fewer after a
new project is constructed and assessed, the value of remaining tax increment is depreciated. For
this reason, it’s important for the URA to be strategic with a final investment effort in the area.
In this vein, the URA along with its consultant Economic and Planning Systems, is undertaking a
strategic investment plan for North College, while simultaneously exploring specific investment
opportunities including, notably, a west side regional storm system.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
This item and discussion is an opportunity for the North College Citizens Advisory Group to
interface with the URA Finance Committee. No direction is being sought by Staff at this time; as
the strategic investment plan solidifies, Staff anticipates future URA Finance Committee
engagement.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The North College Urban Renewal Plan area was established in 2004. Generally, the plan area is
comprised of the North College Avenue commercial corridor extending from the Poudre River
on the south to the City limits on the north. With a 25-year life, the North College tax increment
will conclude with a final collection in 2030. This leaves the URA with 13 years of increment
collections remaining, and several years fewer after accounting for the time lag to generate new
increment due to entitlement, construction/assessment, and increment collection. In recognition
of this waning opportunity, Staff is engaged in a strategic planning exercise to identify and
prioritize investment opportunities in the North College area.
The URA has engaged Economic and Planning Systems (EPS) to assist in producing a North
College Strategic Investment Plan. Staff is in receipt of a draft report, which includes the
following preliminary conclusions:
• Specific Focus Area strategies – Identification and specific strategies in 3 key areas of
opportunity and impact.
• Lacking key infrastructure.
o West side stormwater outfall system;
o Access connections;
• More proactive role in land assembly – In recognition of the challenges due to the
fragmented ownership of the area.
• Consider land banking property suitable for affordable housing – In recognition that the
plan area contains moderately priced land that may be developed and/or land banked for
affordable housing purposes.
• Storefront Improvement Program – To beautify and improve existing local retailers and
businesses.
The next steps of the strategic investment plan effort include:
• Modifying the focus area strategies to take account of the availability of key parcels
necessary to facilitate development and/or public projects.
• Further analysis on the west side stormwater system, including refinements to new
increment projections and potential phasing.
• Additional analysis on prioritization of focus areas and area wide strategies.
Staff anticipates completion of the strategic investment plan in February.
ATTACHMENTS (numbered Attachment 1, 2, 3,…)
CAG Discussion – NC URA Plan Area 1
January 8, 2018
Plan Area Background
• Last increment collection in 2030 (13 years
of increment remaining)
• Increment created after project is
built and placed on tax rolls
• Available fund balance ~$900K (less
Whitewater Park support)
2
Plan Area Background
3
Plan Area Objectives
• Address infrastructure deficiencies
• More urban approach to College Ave
• More complete street network
• Greater connections to Downtown
• Enhanced appearance and design
• Support & complement downtown
core
Challenges
• Stormwater system (outfall)
• Street network – local/collector
• Fragmented ownership;
• Challenging parcel configurations –
e.g., long-narrow;
• Obsolete structures;
Opportunities
4
• Strategic Investment Plan Undertaking – Draft Conclusions
• Specific Focus Area strategies – 3 focus areas;
• Facilitate installation of stormwater system;
• More proactive role in land assembly;
• Improve street connections;
• Consider land banking property suitable for affordable
housing;
• Storefront improvement program;
Proposed Improvements
5
Conceptual NCDID Improvement Cost
6
Table 5.1 Estimated Construction Costs
Description Cost
General Costs $675,000
Storm Sewer C and Pond C $313,125
Storm Sewer B and Pond B $1,976,590
Storm Sewer A and Pond A $1,454,835
Total $4,419,550
Total with Contingency $5,303,460
With Storm Sewer A Extension $1,386,800
Total (with extension) $5,806,350
Total with Contingency (with extension) $6,967,620
Goal of NCDID Project
7
The goals of NCDID:
• Mitigate local flooding (up to and including the 100-year storm
event)
• Stormwater outfall – for existing development and projected new
development
• Regional water quality and detention for development (50% of
requirements; remaining 50% addressed on-site via Low Impact
Development requirements)
Benefits of the Project
NCDID will provide the following benefits:
1) The project will provide a needed stormwater outfall for those properties and one for
the entire area.
2) Some properties are land locked and need an easement to get to an existing storm
sewer.
3) Increase developable area (adding larger buildings, more buildings or parking lots)
4) Reduce maintenance costs from detention ponds.
5) Greater potential for success if the surrounding area is developed and improved via
stormwater and street coordinated improvements.
6) Increased capacity of the North College storm sewer reducing flooding of frontage
properties.
8
Flood Risk Heat Map
9
Stormwater CIP Project Priorities
10
NCDID System Funding
Development (impact fee – based on new
impervious surface)
City Stormwater (financing for existing
conditions and flood control)
URA (financing gap)
11
Next Steps
• Stormwater CIP Updates and Prioritization
• Updated Cost Estimates for Highest Priority Projects – [TIMING
FROM MATT]
• Updated prioritization – [TIMING FROM MATT]
• Design-Implementation Strategy
• Consider phasing / constraints / funding scenarios – Jan/Feb 2018
• URA may fund next level of design (w/ partial reimbursement from
Stormwater at later date)
• Budget Offer FY 2019/2020 (may be independent offer)
12
13
42" RCP
60" RCP
42" RCP
POND C
36" RCP 30" RCP
18" RCP
48" RCP
60" RCP
58" X 91" HERCP
24" RCP
24" RCP
36" RCP
POUDRE RIVER
RAILROAD
RAILROAD
ALPINE ST
POUDRE RIVER
PINON ST
HEMLOCK ST
VINE DRIVE
RAILROAD
HICKORY STREET
CONIFER ST
COLLEGE AVENUE
RAILROAD
LOW POINT
LOW POINT
OVERFLOW
LOW POINT
DRY CREEK
24" RCP
66" RCP 66" RCP 60" RCP 60" RCP 48" RCP
4'X9' RCBC
72" RCP
24" RCP
24" RCP
24" RCP
24" RCP
24" RCP
COLLEGE AVENUE
POND B
22.8 AC-FT
POND A
ALTERNATE
LOCATION
POND A
54" RCP 48" RCP (ALT A)
(ALT A)
60" RCP
(ALT A)
36" RCP (ALT A)
4'X7' RCBC
(ALT A)
30" RCP
48" RCP (ALT A)
36" AB WATERLINE
24" ELCO WATERLINE
36" AB WATERLINE
Figure 3.1
Proposed Storm
COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Staff: Kurt Friesen, Director Park Planning and Development
Matthew Day, Sr. Landscape Architect
Patrick Rowe, Redevelopment Coordinator, Economic Health Office
Date: January 8th, 2018
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
URA funding request for the Whitewater Park
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of the item is to request approval of $300,000 funding from the URA for the
Whitewater Park.
The Whitewater Park is a planned 12.5 acre park that includes world class whitewater features,
park gathering spaces, river overlooks, fish passage and habitat, stormwater improvements and
restoration of the area. The project will include many items beyond the whitewater features such
as art in public places, road improvements, parking, pedestrian circulation, gathering spaces,
wetlands and restoration, historic preservation and interpretation, removing the Coy diversion
structure and south bank walls, cleaning up industrial properties, and creating a stormwater basin
that returns water to the river. The project also includes a layout the supports future trail
alignments, pedestrian bridge, and an upper terrace gathering space that can be enhanced without
the need for FEMA or US Corps of Engineers permitting.
The Whitewater Park project has funding sources of $9,018,000 and a proposed budget of
$9,467,000. The current project scope has been reduced and the project team is value
engineering project elements, methods and means. The project team has reduced the amount of
hardscape areas, reduced river seating areas, replaced concrete walks with soft paths, phased
parking, and reduced landscape elements to what is required by code. The project team is
continuing with value engineering efforts to close the budget gap. Items the team is working on
are reducing dewatering and water treatment, making utility connections for the south bank at the
Powerhouse Campus, using angular granite versus rounded river rock, repurposing onsite
materials, and potentially adjusting the timing of the improvements to work in the river first to
free up dewatering contingencies and apply those funds to help complete the upland efforts and
afford site amenities. Our project team is also working with the River Commissioner to see if the
irrigation/ditch companies could take water out through the irrigation ditches, bypass the work
site, and return the flows to the river downstream. The approach would reduce the amount of
dewatering and water treatment necessary for the project as well as reduce risk associated with
in-stream work. The project team is also working to see if water removed from the site could be
diverted to the sanitary sewer and not require the costly water treatment system associated with
the State dewatering permit. And finally, we continue to seek opportunities to repurpose on-site
materials, reduce hauling and handling and divert any materials from the landfill.
The URA funds are very important to the project and without the additional funds to help bridge
the budget gap, the project will need to eliminate the bridge foundations, redesign a smaller wall
at the south bank overlook plaza, and redesign Vine drive to eliminate parallel parking.
The Whitewater Park will be a recreational asset for the area, generating interest and activity.
Additionally, the project:
• Improves Vine Drive by adding 19 parallel parking spaces, a continuous bike lane, curb
and gutter, and a formalized the right of way strip with street trees, irrigation and turf
grass
• Provides improved stormwater conveyance by removing the Coy diversion structure,
lowering the river, and terracing the banks to allow places for people and habitat
• Creates a new stormwater basin to return storm flows to the river
• Results in floodmap revision by significantly reducing the Poudre River floodway,
opening significant area to development
• Creates fish passage and river habitat that has not existed since the original diversion
structure was constructed in the late 1800’s
• Enhances habitat diversity through native plantings that support avian species
• Cleanup of the area; the project is removing degraded buildings, obsolete concrete
structures and walls, and pruning and removing hazardous trees that have been neglected
for a long time
• Creates historic interpretation of the site including the Coy Diversion and headgate, the
Hersh Quonset, the Union Pacific and BNSF railway bridges, and the Grotto
• Future alignment of the Poudre Trail will cross the river at the Whitewater Park and
connect under the BNSF bridge, through Gustav Swanson Natural Area and replace the
at-grade crossing at Linden with a grade separated crossing under the Linden bridge
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Does the URA Finance Committee support the Whitewater Park Project funding request
for $300,000?
2. Does the URA Finance Committee recommend this request be brought forward to the
URA Board for consideration?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City initiated and funded the master plan for the Poudre River Downtown Project during the
2013/2104 BFO process. The project included a comprehensive planning process for the Poudre River
from Shields street to Mulberry. The master plan was approved by City Council in fall 2014 (Resolution
2014-093).
The Master Plan identified the area between the Union Pacific and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railroad as the initial priority for City investment, this area is now the Whitewater Park. The Whitewater
Park project area includes College Avenue, the old Coy irrigation diversion structure and headgate, the
CSU Powerhouse Campus, Gustav Swanson Natural Area, properties along Vine Drive, and 2 railroads.
The Whitewater Park project makes improvements to the river system and surrounding areas by
addressing the Poudre River Downtown Master Plan’s core objectives. These objectives are:
Flood Mitigation
• Improve public safety and protect properties from damaging floods
• Reduce or eliminate 100-year flood overtopping of College Avenue
• Reduce or eliminate the 100-year flow split along Vine Drive
• Reconnect the river to its floodplain while maximizing the beneficial environmental and
recreational uses of the river corridor
Habitat
• Conserve and restore the existing riparian ecosystem to promote river health and
resilience
• Deliver continuous, connected aquatic and riparian habitat for fish wildlife, trees and
plants
• Achieve and maintain diverse and sustainable native fish, wildlife, and plant populations.
Recreation
• Provide a mix of active and passive recreational amenities both in and along the river
which encourage a safe, healthy, outdoor lifestyle
• Provide community gathering places and promote connectivity between recreational
opportunities along the river corridor
Funding for the phase one project is provided from several sources:
Community Capital Improvements Program $4,000,000
Natural Areas $1,000,000
Stormwater $1,000,000
General Fund (2015) $1,000,000
Parks $ 418,000
Public and Private Fundraising $1,600,000
Total Project Budget $9,018,000
Project Cost is summarized as:
Vine Drive, parking and stormwater enhancements $ 513,000
Property acquisition and cleanup $1,000,000
River enhancements $3,675,000
Gathering areas and pedestrian bridge abutments $1,157,000
Landscape elements $ 233,000
Design, engineering, and contractor cost $2,887,000
Project contingencies $ 455,000
Total Project Cost $9,647,000
1
Poudre River Whitewater Park
Kurt Friesen, Park Planning & Development Director
01-08-2018
Council Approved Master PIan
2
• Natural Systems Connectivity
• Stormwater Enhancements
• Recreation
3
Council Approved Master PIan
4
Project Funding Sources
5
Community Capital Improvement Program $ 4,000,000
Natural Areas $ 1,000,000
Stormwater $ 1,000,000
General Fund (2015) $ 1,000,000
Parks $ 418,000
Public and Private Fundraising $ 1,600,000
Total Funding $ 9,018,000
Project Cost Estimate
6
Vine Drive, Parking and Storm Sewer Improvements $ 513,000
Property Acquisitions and Cleanup $ 1,000,000
River Enhancements $ 3,675,000
Gathering Areas & Bridge Abutment $ 1,157,000
Landscape Enhancements $ 233,000
Design, Engineering & Contractor Costs $ 2,887,000
Contingency $ 455,000
Total Estimated Cost $ 9,647,000
Approximate Shortfall $ 629,000
Funding Request
• Seeking $300,000 of URA funding
• This would fund the
• Vine Drive Street Improvements and Parallel Parking
• Vine Drive Stormwater Improvements
• Vine Drive ROW Landscape Enhancements
7
URA Benefits
1. Desirable Amenity for Businesses and Residents
8
URA Benefits
2. Improved Vine Drive with Additional Parking
9
Existing Condition
URA Benefits
10
2. Improved Vine Drive with Additional Parking – 19 spaces added
11
3. Vine Drive Floodway Channelization
URA Benefits
Existing Condition
12
3. Vine Drive Floodway Channelization
URA Benefits
Proposed Condition
13
4. Increased flood flow
under College Ave bridge
Channelization
URA Benefits
[Matt insert picture]
5. Facilitates future
improved connectivity to
Downtown
Schedule
14
URA Schedule
January 8,
2018
URA CAG 2nd Meeting
January 8,
2018
URA Finance Committee Meeting
Feb 6, 2018
(Tentative)
URA Meeting (Tentative)
Questions for URA Finance
• Does URA Finance support the Project funding request
for $300,000?
• Does URA Finance recommend this request be brought
forward to the full URA Board for consideration?
15
16
Sewer Layout
ASSOCIATES
LEGEND
NOT TO SCALE
DRAINS TO POND C
NO WQ REQUIRED
DRAINS TO POND B
NO WQ REQUIRED
DRAINS TO POND A
NO WQ REQUIRED
DRAINS TO THE NORTH
COLLEGE STORM
SEWER SYSTEM
Attachment 1 Conceptual Storm Sewer Layout Page 1 of 1