Title
Update on Redevelopment Projects and Development Agreements (B)
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.
Organization Updates:
Staff has started the process of redesigning a new website. Buster O'Connor of eye4 design has been hired to give the CRA three concepts for web styling. Those have been forwarded to staff. One concept will be selected and given to a web designing to implement on the new CRA website. All three designs include new ways to write CRA.
Development Agreements:
Gainesville Greens - Located at 104 Southwest 2nd Avenue. The City Commission recently approved a 12-month extension to the option of this site, and the CRA approved a companion extension to the development agreement. Work continues on this project. As requested by the City, the developer has completed underground work prior to the repaving of SW 2nd Avenue. Additionally, the developer is currently working towards obtaining final site plan approval and towards submittals for building permits. The most significant outstanding site plan issue relates to the building's foundation system. Gainesville Greens had proposed using a pad foundation system for the building in order to avoid environmental concerns related to the installation of deep pilings onsite; however, structural engineering analysis has subsequently ruled out the potential for a pad foundation system, indicating that a piling system is necessary for the proposed development. Through the development review process, the developer is currently working with the City of Gainesville Planning Department, CRA staff, and Alachua County Environmental Protection in order to obtain approval for a foundation system that is both structurally safe and environmentally sound. The developer has stated that he anticipates construction will commence on the project within the next year. Included in the backup is a letter from the developer to the CRA Manager and CRA Board Members.
University House on 13th Street - Located at the northeast corner of Northwest 13th Street and Northwest 7th Avenue. Staff is working on an interlocal agreement between the City Parks and Recreation Department, the School Board of Alachua County, and the developer for improvements to the A. Quinn Jones School as part of their development agreement. Progress has been made on this issue. Staff will again meet with the developer, Parks Division, and School Board to discuss the final steps.
University Corners - Located on the west side of Northwest 13th Street between University Avenue and Northwest 3rd Avenue. The agreement is actively being worked on by staff.
Project Updates:
Cotton Club - Located at 837 Southeast 7th Avenue. The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center Inc. has applied for a $350,000 grant from the Historic Preservation Board of Florida for stabilization of the Cotton Club.
Depot Park Area Master Plan -The kickoff for this project is going to be on August 22, 2007 at 10:30 am in the GRU Multipurpose Room.
Depot Avenue Rail Trail - Glatting Jackson Design Inc. has completed the conceptual design for the Depot Avenue Rail Trail improvements. Staff has finalized the terms and conditions noted by the CRA Attorney with Glatting Jackson Design Inc.
Eastside Gateway (old Tacklebox) - Located at the intersection of West University Avenue and Hawthorne Road. Zamia Design is preparing construction and bid documents. Work will proceed to develop the final design and bid specifications needed in order to construct the Gateway design.
Fifth Avenue Historic Survey - Staff received a historic preservation grant for $10,000 to do a survey study on the Northwest 5th Avenue corridor. The consultant hired to complete this work is 90% finished.
Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Underground Initiatives - A streetscape project, from the 300 block to the 600 block has undergone final design changes. Bidding for the project will take place within 30 days.
Hampton Inn/Lot 9 - Located at the intersection of SE 1st Street and SE 1st Avenue. At the July 16th meeting, the CRA approved a revised proposal for the development of a Hampton Inn in the Downtown. The net present value of incentives approved by the CRA is approximately $802,000. These incentives are very similar to those initially requested by the developer in 2005. The development agreement is being finalized.
Model Block House Site D - Located at 418 Northwest 4th Avenue. Carter Construction is in the remodeling process. Construction has begun, and there is a tentative completion date of October 2007.
NW 1st Ave. Sidewalk construction - City of Gainesville Public Works Department is currently constructing a 6 foot wide sidewalk along NW 1st Ave from the 1700 to the 1900 blocks with an estimated cost of $65,000.00. The construction is 80% complete.
Northwest 5th Avenue Tot Lot - Located at 1007 Northwest 5th Avenue. The Parks Division has taken down the chain link fence and ordered the equipment. Construction is expected in September.
NW 17th Street Sidewalk Repair - A sidewalk condition survey of this street was carried out by CRA staff. It was noted that in a number of areas the concrete brick pavers were sunken excessively and were in dangerous condition for the public safety. The City of Gainesville Public Works Department was informed and repairs have now been carried out.
Professional Design Services - The complexity of CRA construction projects requires supplemental technical assistance on an ongoing basis. Staff is working to pre-qualify individuals or firms with expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, and historic preservation for ongoing service contracts with the CRA. The list of desired expertise includes historic preservation review, evaluation of structures for redevelopment, feasibility studies, new construction plans, consulting on plant material, and streetscape design. Staff is preparing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to seek qualified firms with a minimum 10 years of professional experience, professional staff located within a 2 hour drive of Gainesville, experience with other municipalities of similar size as Gainesville and/or larger cities, and extensive experience working with communities and neighborhoods. The anticipated RFQ release timeframe is August.
Renaissance Lights on University from Waldo to SE 15th Street - Since SR 20 and SR 26 are state roads, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) requires a permit application from the city, which is in process. The Renaissance lights have been ordered by GRU and will arrive in September 2007. Once the FDOT has finalized the permit, the removal of the concrete light poles will be scheduled, and construction will begin.
Southeast 7th Street Lighting - This project is underway, and is scheduled to be complete within a few weeks.
Southwest 5th Avenue Triangle Streetscape - The construction work is progressing well. Site demolition is now complete and GRU has moved two existing light poles to their new proposed locations. Brick masons on site constructing dwarf walls in the island. Pavers installation will proceed after completion of the walls. The project began on July 7, 2007 and is due for completion within 90 days of the start date.
Southwest 7th Avenue Improvements - The geotechnical report is now complete and the consultant "JMJ" is in the process of conducting a feasibility study for the CRA and Public Works in utilizing the SW 7th Avenue Corridor for the treatment of stormwater. A progress meeting was held on July 19, 2007 between the consultant, Public Works, and CRA staff. The stormwater potentially would be treated through an exfiltration system placed beneath the roadway on the north side of the street next to the curb and gutter. The system will cover a large area and will provide a solution to the lack of treatment basin in the area. Public Works is covering the cost of professional services. Upon completion of the analysis, a decision will be made concerning the design component of the proposed roadway and parking improvements to SW 7th Avenue between 10th and 12th Streets. The feasibility study will be completed by mid August 2007.
Southwest 8th Avenue Streetscape Improvements - Public works will obtain RFQ for design services through the Consultants Competitive Negotiations Act for projects over $1,000,000 by mid August, 2007 and anticipate design to start by November, 2007. The project is to allow for new sidewalks and parking spaces between 10th and 12th Street, providing curb, gutter, sidewalk and parking spaces between 9th and 10th Street, and allowing for cross walks halfway between 10th -12th and 12th-13th Street.
Tumblin Creek Watershed Management Plan - A "final" copy of the recommendations and plans was sent to the CRA on May 7, 2007 for review and comments. The CRA and Public Works Department staff met on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 to discuss consultant recommendations. It was agreed that the consultant should complete the study at this stage according to CRA and Public Works Department comments. The CRA has requested that the complete study be provided on CD for the College Park/University Heights Board Members.
University Avenue Improvements - CRA staff has submitted the improvements plans to the FDOT for a Special Use Permit to install permanent streetscape equipment. Quotes for streetscape equipment have been obtained. Public Works is obtaining easements for bus shelters and benches along the right of way. Zamia Design Landscape Architecture has started the design of the roadway medians in the College Park/University Heights (CPUH) and the Eastside District. Bellomo-Herbert has started work on streetscape standards revisions. Work is progressing on bus shelter re-designs.
Fiscal Note
None at this time.
Recommendation
Executive Director to the CRA: Accept this update from staff.