Title
Update on Redevelopment Projects and Development Agreements (NB)
Explanation
Staff has been asked to provide an update on several redevelopment projects and development agreements under review. This update is a sampling of the many projects underway by the CRA, and is not a complete list.
Development Agreements
University Corners- The developer has submitted an application for an amendment to the University Corners PUD and PD, requesting 490 units (up from 400) including up to 243 condo-tel units, increasing the height from 8 to 9 stories, eliminating the underground garage, adding parking on the roof deck behind a parapet wall, and making a few other adjustments to the PD layout plan. The façade would remain unchanged. An application and pro forma proposal will be submitted to the CRA for review and approval of these changes.
Hampton Inn/Lot 9 - The development agreement is being negotiated. The developer is expected to return to the CRA in December regarding number of stories, precise increment calculation, non-compete clause, and stage location.
Jefferson on Second - The development agreement is being negotiated.
Gainesville Greens -The development agreement has been executed.
University House on 13th Street - The development agreement is being negotiated.
Camden Court - The development agreement is being negotiated.
The Estates at Sorority Row - The development agreement is being negotiated.
Project Updates
Beautification Grant Program - The Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board recommended that staff develop a Beautification Grant Program for their consideration. The College Park/University Height Redevelopment Advisory Board and Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Boards recommended not pursuing this grant program for their areas. The Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Advisory Board will be discussing the proposal at their November meeting due to not having a quorum in October.
Depot Park Area Master Plan - The RFP has been reissued. Staff anticipates having a consultant under contract in early 2007.
Downtown Competitive Façade Grant Program - The Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board has awarded two grants under their new competitive façade grant program launched recently to aid Downtown commercial storefronts. Two $10,000 grants were awarded, one to the Chestnut Building located on University Avenue and the other to the Law Offices of Rush & Glassman building currently under construction on Southeast 2nd Avenue. The successful grant applicants will be recognized at a future public meeting of the City Commission upon successful completion of their projects.
Pilot Donation Meter Project - Community Development Block Grant staff are working on a pilot "donation meter" project and sought the input of the Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board, as this project is proposed for the downtown area. The Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board advised that the project not be initiated, but if initiated that the project be made city-wide and as a least obtrusive and aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Eastside Gateway - A site assessment by Water and Air Research is underway to determine options for the overall scope of the cleanup needed, the potential remedial actions, and the likelihood of disruption if the CRA proceeds with developing the entry feature in advance of taking remedial action. Following clarification from the site assessment, the Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Board will discuss the gateway feature and staff will bring back a revised design reflecting the comments of the CRA and Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Board.
East University Avenue Medians - FDOT Beautification funds may be available to fund these improvements, but they will not be available this year. Public Works staff is working on obtaining an interlocal agreement to secure repayment of these funds if the CRA proceeds to fund the improvements earlier.
Façade Grant Program - Both the College Park/University Heights and Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Boards have requested staff to develop a proposal to convert their façade grant programs into new competitive programs similar to Downtown's new program. Staff will bring a proposal to change the respective façade grant programs to the December College Park/University Heights and Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Board meetings. The B'nai Israel Cemetery façade grant application has been approved and staff is working with the applicant.
The Bartlett Building Façade Grant project is now complete. Staff is also working on a proposal for a proposed competitive façade grant program for the College Park/University Heights Redevelopment Area.
Lot 13 Solid Waste Project - Waste Management will be continuing to provide service to the dumpsters on Lot 10 until the compactor at Lot 13 is constructed when Gainesville Greens begins development. CRA staff is working with Public Works as they begin designing the new compactor for Lot 13.
Model Block Project Update- A winning bid of $169,100 (the minimum bid was $158,000) was received for the second Model Block House, Site B, located at 408 NW 4th Avenue. A closing for the sale of the house will be scheduled within the next 30 days. The contract with Carter Construction for Site D is in the process of being finalized and following execution of the contract and construction will begin shortly thereafter.
Northwest 5th Avenue Streetscape- Bid documents are being processed by the Public Works Department.
Northwest 5th Avenue Tot Lot - The property previously owned by the Gainesville Housing Authority has now been reverted to the City so improvements can be made. CRA and Parks and Recreation staff met with the Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Advisory Board on September 26 to discuss a plan to improve the tot lot, and Parks staff is working on a proposal based on those discussions for further review by the FAPS Advisory Board and the CRA.
Responsible Hospitality Partnership - CRA staff is continuing to offer assistance with this initiative.
RFP for Real Estate Services - The RFP for Real Estate Services has been re-released due to not receiving sufficient responses following the initial release.
Seminary Lane - Staff is in the process of scheduling a meeting with the Gainesville Housing Authority to discuss Seminary Lane, per the CRA's request. This meeting will be scheduled following the arrival of the incoming CRA Manager Anthony Lyons.
SFCC Houses - On September 5, 2006 the Historic Preservation Board approved the CRA's request, acting as agent for Santa Fe Community College, to move the houses located at 502 and 508 NW 4th Avenue to their new location at 414 Northwest 5th Avenue. The houses will be later rehabilitated and sold for homeownership through the CRA's Model Block Program.
Sorority Woods Feasibility Study - Staff is currently reviewing the response from the University of Florida regarding the proposals of this study and easement request. The response then will be reviewed by the College Park/University Heights Stormwater Subcommittee, the College Park/University Heights Redevelopment Advisory Board and the CRA.
St. Augustine's Church Parking Lot - The CRA has requested that staff assist in the redevelopment of the St. Augustine parking lot. Staff has submitted a letter offering assistance to prepare an RFP for the redevelopment of the St. Augustine parking lot. Staff recently received a response back from a representative of St. Augustine reporting that St. Augustine is moving forward with an RFP for a mixed use project, 4-8 stories, north side strictly residential and Hurley Hall remaining. The RFP will be released shortly, they are pre-qualifying a number of interested parties and it will be an invitation only bid. St. Augustine's has stated they do not need CRA assistance but they know CRA assistance is available should they need it.
SW 5th Avenue Triangle - The bid documents are being processed through the Public Work's department. A Call to Artists was issued through the Art in Public Places Trust but the APPT determined the responses were not appropriate for the site. The APPT will be reworking the process and inviting specific artists to apply.
SW 7th Avenue Improvements - design is underway by consultant and once drafted will be reviewed by the CPUH Advisory Board.
SW 8th Avenue Streetscape - CRA staff is working with Public Works on obtaining estimates for design services to complete the plans for SW 8th Avenue, and will bring the request to the CRA.
Transformational Incentive Program Changes - The College Park/University Heights Redevelopment Advisory Board made recommendations on potential changes to the program at their October 4, 2006 meeting but requested to discuss the points system and other items related to the program at their November and December meetings before finalizing their recommendation to the CRA. The Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Board completed their recommendations at their November meeting. The Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board began discussing their changes and will likely conclude their discussion at their December meeting, The Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Redevelopment Advisory Board will have their initial discussion at their November meeting due to the October meeting cancellation as a result of a lack of quorum. Staff will bring back the Advisory Board's recommendations for final consideration by the CRA.
Tumblin Creek Watershed Management Plan -- At the July 5 and October 4 College Park/University Heights Redevelopment Advisory Board meetings the Board reviewed the draft Tumblin Creek Watershed Management Plan report. This important planning document outlines the stormwater issues and opportunities in the area and provides the Advisory Board with options to consider funding to address stormwater issues in the area. Stormwater is among the biggest infrastructure concerns in the College Park/University Heights Redevelopment Area, and affects further redevelopment of the area. The CRA created a subcommittee to continue their review of the Master Plan at their October meeting. The Subcommittee will prepare recommendations shortly and submit those recommendations to the College Park/University Heights Redevelopment Advisory Board, who will submit recommendations to the Community Redevelopment Agency.
University Avenue Interim Improvements - Development of a baseline inventory from Waldo Road to Northwest 20th Street has been completed and staff is coordinating with FDOT in order to implement the planned improvements. The 100 block of University Avenue has been selected as a pilot project area for planters and baskets to improve aesthetics on the corridor. Sidewalk power washing and street sweeping work continues in all areas.
Fiscal Note
None at this time
Recommendation
Executive Director to the CRA: Receive update from staff.