HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-129-10/17/2000-DESIGNATING BLOCK 31 IN DOWNTOWN FORT COLLINS AS THE SITE FOR A NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 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 anon-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_jQity of Fort Collins held this
17th day of October, A.D. 2000.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk