Title
CRA Project Summary February 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
Economic Development: CRA Staff is currently looking to partner with developers or businesses interested in investing in the CRA redevelopment districts. Please contact CRA Director, Sarah Vidal, at vidalsc@cityofgainesville.org for more details. Key priorities include: Heartwood neighborhood (15.1-acre residential neighborhood), Cornerstone (13-acre commercial site), Innovation Square (17-acre mixed use site), and the Power District (17-acre mixed use site).
Façade Grant Program: The Façade Grant program is a competitive matching reimbursement grant incentive that is designed to encourage reinvestment in building facades, specifically those located on highly visible target corridors within each district.
Residential Paint Voucher Program: The Residential Paint Program is available in three CRA redevelopment districts (ERAB, FAPS, DRAB) and provides applicants financial support for paint preparation such as pressure washing as well as paint and supplies of up to $750 to be used for the exterior painting of their home.
Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Board (ERAB)
Cornerstone Phase 1 Development, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker: Construction of the Phase 1 Infrastructure Site Improvements is substantially complete with the exception of the areas immediately adjacent to the Merieux building development. Concept Companies construction on the Merieux building is well underway with a projected completion date in February 2019, which will bring approximately 50 new employees to the Gainesville East area. Following Merieux’s move-in, CRA Staff will co-host a ribbon cutting event for Spring 2019. The Condominium Association for the entire Cornerstone development is complete and Front Street Commercial Real Estate is actively advertising the additional development opportunities.
Frontstreet.net/commercial-real-estate-listings
Gainesville East, Project Manager, Tricia Lopez:
Staff is continuing community outreach and participating in and promoting events in East Gainesville. Staff is compiling a database of resources available to residents and businesses in preparation of the website buildout.
Greater Duval Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI): As of March 2018, Habitat for Humanity’s “A Brush with Kindness” program partnership has completed 27 homes in the Greater Duval Neighborhood.
Heartwood, Project Manager, Daniel Gil: On 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.
For additional event information visit: www.bodiddleyplaza.com and facebook.com/BoDiddleyPlazaGNV/
Power District, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker: Following the CRA Board’s approval of the Phase 1 Development Framework in July 2018, Staff is working internally as well as with the developer to draft and negotiate the terms of the Development Agreement and Purchase Sale Agreement. Once the terms of these agreements are completed, Staff will provide a presentation to the Board for consideration of approval.
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 drafting the development agreement with Concept Companies, the project developer. Construction on the public walkway project is projected to begin in March of 2019 and is expected to be completed by June 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: Construction continues on the three quarter mile section of South Main Street with complex underground utility work and hardscape improvements such as sidewalks and curbing. New traffic patterns are in place that incorporate the new roundabout as well as the reverse angle parking at Depot Park/Cade Museum. Currently spectators of the project can view some of the decorative street lights being placed as well as landscaping being completed. Driveway tie-ins to the many active businesses are underway and landscaping on the northern segment is complete. Work along the southern segment is actively progressing and the project is on schedule to be complete in May 2019. 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 recently launched 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 Avenue Streetscape, Project Manager, Tricia Lopez: Orange, blue, and white string lights have been installed along NW 1st Ave on the Allee Elms and Palm trees. Within the first week of being installed, four strings were vandalized. CRA staff is monitoring and replacing the lights as needed and will look for a solution to the issue of vandalization.
Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street Redevelopment Board
Heritage Trail: Staff is working to provide a presentation to the Board for consideration of approval once the CRA reviews and consolidates all the community input from the meeting. Staff is working internally as well as continued partnerships within the community and Manley Designs to draft the Trail Feasibility Study and Implementation Strategy. Once the layout of this trail is completed, Staff will provide a presentation to the Board for consideration of approval.
Fiscal Note
None at this time
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to the CRA Board: Receive project update from Staff