HomeMy WebLinkAboutRIVER DISTRICT BLOCK ONE MIXED-USE (ENCOMPASS) - FDP - FDP130015 - CORRESPONDENCE - (5)Thank you.
Rich
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Ted Sheuard
From: Rich Shannon<richs@pinnacleconsultinggroupinc.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 11:25"AM
To: Ken Marmon
Cc: Darin Atteberry; Bruce Hendee; SeonAh Kendall; Laurie Kadrich; Karen Cumbo; Ted Shepard;
Matthew Robenalt; Lucia Liley ; Todd Dangerfield; Ann Hutchison
(ahutchison@fcchamber.org); Jeff Jensen (Jeff@jensenconsulting.info); Kyle Lundy
(kyle.Lundy@svn.com); Randy Shortridge; Jason Kersley (jkersley@rbbarchitects.com);
'Jerod Huwa'; Angie Milewski (amilewski@bhadesign.com); Randall Provencio
Subject: Price for Block One Easements
Importance: High
Ken,
This is a follow up to our recent conversation regarding one of the easements needed from the city for
the Block One project. We greatly appreciate Helen's efforts to help us get these defined and
packaged for City Council approval in June.
There is, however, one issue that is of concern regarding the easement on Linden Street ROW and
may be viewed as a precedent setting issue. It is the price that will be charged for the easement. I
encourage the city to use a case by case basis when determining the value for this kind of easement.
We are not opposed to paying for the easement but think the price should reflect the shared value
(public and private) of what is being built.
1. There is a total of 1094 square feet.
2. Approximately half of that space, 529 square feet, is for stairs, a planter box, and a retaining
wall. All of these are dictated by the significant change in grade or the city's desire for
interesting urban design. In theory the building could have been pushed back from the ROW
line to minimize some, but not all, of the need for an easement. However, this would also
violate good urban design standards in which the buildings should be next to the ROW line and
provide interesting elements.
3. Approximately 565 square feet is for a dinning deck along Linden. Block One will have two
other decks with river views. The Linden deck was considered to be the least valuable and
could easily have been eliminated for cost saving purposes. We decided to keep it following
discussions between our design team and city staff. This feature, more than any other, was
considered a key urban design element to send the message that something interesting is
happening along Linden. Admittedly, the private sector will be constructing permanent
improvements and conducting business in this space and perhaps should be charged.
However, it is not in the city's best interest to make the price punitive.
4. Another factor should go into each case by case analysis. Are there meaningful other uses for
the city ROW that will be precluded by an easement? In this case we think the answer is No.
The width of the roadway is already predetermined. It is necessary to redirect the sidewalk as
it approaches the bridge,which is much narrower than the full ROW. Thus the deck can be
viewed as helping to enhance the Linden ROW by providing an interesting element in what
other wise would be dead space.
The easements need to be on the June City Council agenda to keep our construction schedule. We
ask that you consider these factors when setting a price for them. The message you send to other
developers about urban design will be important.