HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-078-08/19/2008-GIVING PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO THE USE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY AS THE SITE OF A DOWNTOWN AMPHITHEATER RESOLUTION 2008-078
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
GIVING PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO THE USE OF CITY-0 ED
PROPERTY AS THE SITE OF A DOWNTOWN AMPHITHEAT AND
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO WORK WITH THE D TOWN
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, THE BEET STREET BOARD F DIRECTORS
AND LARIMER COUNTY TO DEVELOP A PLAN FO UTILIZING
SUCH SITE FOR THAT PURPOSE
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins and Latimer C ty are the owners of certain real
property in the city located at the northeast comer of the inte ection of Mountain and Mason Streets
(the "Property"); and
WHEREAS, since 2002, the Board of Direc rs of the Downtown Development Authority
(the "DDA Board") has been discussing the idea f a downtown performing arts facility and, as a
result of that discussion,the Beet Street non-pro corporation("Beet Street")was formed to pursue
the development of a programming center si ' ar to the New York based Chautauqua Institute;and
WHEREAS, the overall purpose f Beet Street is to develop programming at a downtown
facility focused on culture and the arts education, recreation and spirituality; and
WHEREAS, the City Co cil strongly supports the Beet Street goals and objectives and
believes that the development o eet Street will benefit not only the downtown area but all of the
Fort Collins community; and
WHEREAS,both eet Street and the DDA believe that,in order to realize its full potential,
Beet Street needs a cen 1 performing arts facility in the downtown area that would accommodate
various kinds of pro ing; and
WHERE ,toward that end,it has developed plans for a 4,000 seat amphitheater that would
be an integral p ofrealizing the Chautauqua-like vision for downtown Fort Collins,would provide
a permanent me venue for Beet Street and would also be available to the general public as both
a "town ce er" for impromptu gatherings and for independently contracted entertainment; and
Xent
EREAS, in 2007, the City Council appropriated anticipated revenues from DDA tax
increonds in the amount of$1,300,000 to fund a site selection and feasibility analysis for the
/r�etained
itheater project; and
WHEREAS, through a competitive process, HOK Venue of Kansas City, Missouri was
to manage the site selection and feasibility analysis and to provide preliminary architectural
ngineering design services; and
WITHDRAWN FROM CONSIDERATION
WHEREAS, as part of this process, HOK Venue evaluated eight potential sites fo,p 4Ce
amphitheater in the downtown area and has recommended the Property as the most viable those
sites, based upon its high visibility and image; its proximity to related dining, tail and
entertainment activities; its proximity to public transportation and proposed par ng; and its
compatibility with other existing land uses in the vicinity; and
WHEREAS, the City Council discussed the use of the Property as th site for the proposed
amphitheater at its work session on July 22, 2008, and gave directio to bring forward this
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to continue to work with tVDDA and other affected
parties to further explore the use of the Property for that purpose; analX
WHEREAS, the issues that the City Coun/- and
e d to be further addressed include
the development of a business plan supporting thee and capacity of the amphitheater;
an explanation of the measures that will be undegate noise and any other potentially
negative impacts on neighboring properties; a clearof the costs that will be incurred by
the parties contributing to the development, the long-term ownership and operation
plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the City Council hereby gives eliminary approval to the use of the Property as the
site for the above described amphitheater an directs the City Manager to continue to work with the
DDA and Beet Street Boards, as well as I irimer County, to further explore the feasibility of such
proposal and to develop and submit to t City Council a report and recommendation regarding the
best mechanism for using the Prope for that purpose.
Passed and adopted at a re lar meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 19th
day of August A.D. 2008.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
WITHDRAWN FROM CONSIDERATION