Title
CRA Project Summary June 2019 (NB)
Explanation
As a regular informational item on CRA agendas, Staff provides a brief update on selected referrals, redevelopment projects and development agreements under review. This monthly update is typically a limited sampling of the CRA’s many on-going projects, as opposed to a complete list.
CRA Multi-District
What Next for GCRA: On the Agenda
Economic Development: Programs on hold until further notice. Please contact Daniel Blumberg at 352-393-8208 or via email at blumbergdn@cityofgainesville.org if you have any related questions.
Façade Grant Program: Program on hold until further notice. Please contact Daniel Blumberg at 352-393-8208 or via email at blumbergdn@cityofgainesville.org if you have any related questions.
Residential Paint Voucher Program: Program on hold until further notice. Please contact Daniel Blumberg at 352-393-8208 or via email at blumbergdn@cityofgainesville.org if you have any related questions.
Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Board (ERAB)
Cornerstone Phase 1 Development, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker: Construction of the Phase 1 Infrastructure Site Improvements and the Merieux Nutrisciences' building is complete and open for business; bringing approximately 70 new employees to the Gainesville East area. Merieux has decided to postpone their Open House Event until a yet to be determined date. The Condominium Association for the entire Cornerstone development is complete and Avison Young is actively advertising the additional development opportunities.
https://www.avisonyoung.us/properties?enableCookie=true&propertyId=432966-sale
Gainesville East, Project Manager, Tricia Lopez: Gainesville East is a marketing and branding effort to bring attention to the exciting new developments taking place in the District. The Team is continuing to pursue potential partnerships for the full build out of a website and supporting materials for the umbrella campaign. Staff is collaborating with community organizations and other agencies in order to maximize each other’s reach and effects, including the Greater Duval Neighborhood Association and GPD. In the meantime, banners, signage and other materials are available and helping spread the word about the history and opportunities in the District. Staff has been focusing on the development of a communications strategy for the Heartwood neighborhood.
Heartwood, Project Manager, Daniel Gil: On the Agenda
Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board (DRAB)
Downtown Plaza, Project Manager, Nigel Hamm Bo Diddley Plaza continues to offer free Yoga and Capoeira classes during the week. https://www.facebook.com/events/254097595305686/
For additional event information visit: www.bodiddleyplaza.com and facebook.com/BoDiddleyPlazaGNV/
Power District, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker: Following the CRA Board’s decision at the March 18, 2019 meeting to terminate the previous development solicitations, Staff has been convening a series of internal stakeholder meetings to discuss lessons learned, next steps, and work towards developing potential options to advance the project. Defining the project limits and boundary of the project has been of particular interest to the group as GRU is still currently operating in portions of the property that has been discussed for redevelopment. Consequently, GRU Staff is conducting additional internal discussions to determine opportunities and constraints of adding these additional areas to the redevelopment area. GRU has requested additional time to conduct these internal meetings and assessments ahead of a presentation back to the Board so they have time to evaluate the impacts and feasibility of any such decisions.
College Park University Heights Redevelopment Advisory Board
Innovation Square, Project Manager, Dan Gil: The CRA continues to serve as a participant in the many on-going private public partnership discussions between the University of Florida Development Corporation (UFDC) and private development. On September 17, 2018, the CRA Board approved the public private partnership associated with the 800 Second at Innovation Square building for the northern extension of the SW 9th Street public walkway from SW 2nd Ave. to SW 1st Ave. Staff is currently executing the development agreement with Concept Companies, the project developer. Construction on the public walkway project began in late February early March of 2019 and is expected to be completed by July 2019. CRA Staff will provide project updates while construction is on-going. The southern extension of the SW 9th street corridor has been completed as well as the undergrounding of utilities along SW 4th Avenue.
South Main Street, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker: As of June 1, 2019, construction is substantially complete. All of the overhead utilities have been removed with the exception of GRUCom. Once GRUCom removes their overhead facilities, GRU Electric will remove the obsolete concrete poles. GRUCom is currently estimating their overhead facilities will be removed by June 17th. By July 1, all concrete utility poles should be completely removed. There are several project close-out punchlist items such as cracked concrete, stormwater drainage, pavement markings, etc. that will be remedied over the summer prior to the warranty period beginning. Staff is beginning to discuss a ribbon cutting event with details and a date to be announced.
Project updates are available via facebook.com/DestinationSouthMain/ or the project website at www.destinationsouthmain.com Businesses, residents, and stakeholders are being informed on the project progress via on-site meetings, physical and electronic newsletters, press releases, and social media. Additionally, Destination South Main Street is a vital part of the Trans4ming East GNV communication initiative aimed to inform community stakeholders of the multiple street improvement projects underway in the area. www.trans4mingeastgnv.com
NW 1st Ave, Project Manager, Tricia Lopez: String lights were added to the Allee elm and palm trees along NW 1st Ave in January, 2019. Four of the trees were vandalized within the first few days, with the lights being torn off. Staff has been monitoring the situation and has been repairing or replacing the lights as needed. Between January and June, 25 of the 47 strands were vandalized and repaired or replaced. Due to the high rate of maintenance required, the light strands will be removed.
Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street Redevelopment Board
Heritage Trail, Project Manager, David Roque: With the addition of a new CRA project manager, Staff is advancing the project by contracting with a consultant to bring the project closer to implementation. As the trail route has been defined and the majority of the landmarks identified, the project will conduct necessary land surveys, wayfinding signage design, site planning, cost estimating, and community engagement to refine the details before entering in the construction document phase of the project. Staff also plans to engage a Construction Manager to begin vetting construction magnitude, schedule, and cost estimating.
Fiscal Note
None at this time
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to the CRA Board: Receive project update from Staff