Title
CRA Project Summary (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 Wide
Seward Johnson Sculpture Installation - You may have noticed the police officer writing a ticket at City Hall, or the girl hula-hooping in front of the Police Administration Building on NW 8th Avenue. The art exhibition is titled "Crossing Paths" and is the result of a unique collaboration between the City of Gainesville and the University of Florida. On July 8th, 10 life-like sculptures were delivered to the CRA and installed throughout Gainesville's downtown area and another 15 placed on the University of Florida campus. A location map and information about the cell phone tour can be accessed at the following link: http://www.crossingpathsgainesville.com/. The sculptures are scheduled for removal in mid-October.
Wayfinding Signage - The Downtown area project is complete.
CRA Maintenance Policy - The purpose of the maintenance policy is to enact a predictable and consistent process for managing current maintenance responsibilities and transferring certain activities and costs to the City of Gainesville. The policy is currently being streamlined, where maintenance procedures are grouped into their appropriate categories; specialized, typical and janitorial maintenance practices. CRA staff has received additional input from Public Works and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and will make revisions prior to submitting for legal review.
Economic Development Finance - Staff continues to market the Grow Gainesville Fund to business owners and financial institutions. Board Appointments for the CAP Program were made in April. Staff is finalizing the loan service agreement for this program and is in the research and development phase of additional economic development programs.
GTEC Assessment - The assessment has been completed and CRA staff has begun the planning phases of building renovations, and programming improvements at GTEC.
Power District Redevelopment - CRA staff continues to examine a variety of issues at play in the Power District. The CRA is working with the City Manager, City Attorney, and GRU General Manager in order to navigate the issues at play in the Power District and coordinate a successful transition from utility support uses into redevelopment.
Eastside
1717 SE 8th Avenue Redevelopment - In November 2010 the CRA contracted with Perkins & Will a firm specializing in Architecture, Urban Design, Planning and Strategy to complete a three phase analysis of the redevelopment site. This work includes a strategic analysis which will aid in identifying the appropriate project team, and strategic framework which will help staff create the guidelines for moving forward with the vision of the project. Staff is developing an RFQ for design and development of the site.
Exterior Paint Program- Staff is currently accepting paint program applications; this includes marketing and distributing applications to interested parties. Special focus will be placed on 8th Avenue & Waldo Road corridor.
Hawthorne Road Café - Staff has executed a lease agreement with an option to purchase with Southern Charm and Pie Factory to operate the café as a contemporary southern influenced restaurant. The next step is for the tenant to complete their interior build-out of the café and construction is proposed to take 6-8 weeks.
Downtown
SW 3rd Street Improvements - Utility, roadway, and sidewalk construction is largely complete, and the corridor is reopened to normal traffic patterns. Installation of the new light fixtures, conversion to the underground power system, and removal of the old utility poles/wires is being coordinated with GRU and the project is scheduled for full completion by October of this year.
Art Line - CRA staff presented the concept and proposed routes for the Art Line project to the CRA Board. Staff received good feedback on the project concept and possible routes from the boards. The CRA is currently conducting an in-depth analysis of the most favored route options and beginning to develop the project scope.
Depot Building Phase I Rehabilitation - The Depot Building contractor (West Construction, Inc.) is prepared to mobilize to the site to begin construction, pending the issuance of the City's Building permit. A ground breaking ceremony was held on September 8, 2011.
CPUH
13th Street Overpass - The project is currently undergoing the permit review process through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Construction is anticipated to commence in fall 2011.
SW 12th Street Lighting -The Domus light fixtures have been received and are in storage. Scherer construction is gathering subcontractors and it is anticipated that construction will begin in early October. The first phase of this project extends from SW 8th Avenue to SW 4th Avenue.
SW 13th Street Streetscape - Oelrich Construction is working on the west side of the roadway south of the Archer Road intersection. Contractors are currently installing erosion controls and electrical infrastructure in addition to brick sidewalks. Work will begin on the east side of the roadway in September. Construction is expected to be complete in mid-December.
NW 1st Avenue - This project consists of reconstructing the roadway from NW 16th Street to the UF Foundation. Parking, solid waste, utilities and streetscaping are being assessed for improvement. Staff is in the process of developing an engineering scope and procuring engineering services through the RFQ process. Coordination work has been initiated with Stadium Club and Campus Christian House. It is anticipated that an engineer will be on-board in early 2012.
6th Street Improvements - Phase I of the visioning for the 6th Street corridor was completed by Dix.Lathrop and presented to the CRA board during the July 2010 meeting. The PWD has included a portion of SW 6th Street on the City's Capital Improvement Project plan for initiation in 2015. The CRA has reached out to the PWD to inquire about coordinating on this project, thereby expediting the design and construction in order to address infrastructure needed for this area. The CRA is working to identify infrastructure needs in the area that can be coordinated within the project scope. A Request for Qualifications for Engineering Services will be released this fall.
Innovation Square District Infrastructure Analysis - On this agenda
Façade Program - The Façade Grant Program is currently open and staff is accepting applications. In September 2010, the CPUH Advisory Board approved a grant for Chao, LLC to build an outdoor café at the building on 1620 W. University Avenue.
FAPS
Legacy Project - The capital campaign is in progress and staff continues to reach out to community members. The land use change and rezoning petition is anticipated to go before the City Commission in October. The website is completed and is now live (http://aqjmuseum.org/). Looking ahead, the next phase of design work is expected to begin once project funds become available.
Model Block 5th Avenue - Design is complete on 3 new 5th Avenue neighborhood homes a 3 bedroom 2 bath home at 321 NW 7th Terrace approximately 1254 Sq/Ft H/C, a 3 bedroom 2 bath home at 403 NW 8th Street approximately 1320 Sq/Ft H/C, and another 3 bedroom 2 bath home design for 725 NW 4th Avenue 1320 Sq/Ft H/C. An invitation to bid has been issued for the construction of 3 new model block homes within in the 5th Avenue neighborhood with bids due to City Purchasing on October 12, 2011 at 3pm.
Façade Program - The Façade Grant Program is currently open and staff is accepting applications.
Model Block J 419 NW 4th Avenue - The sale of 419 NW 4th Avenue was approved by the CRA board at the July 2011 meeting and the CRA closed on the sale of the home to Kurt Strauss and Renee Pinault on September 13, 2011.
NW 5th Ave Commercial Building - The first floor office/retail space is available for lease. Interested parties should contact Shaad Rehman at 334-2298.
Fiscal Note
None at this time
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to CRA: Receive project update from Staff.