Title
CRA Project Summary (B)
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
CRA Office Options - The CRA's offices are located at 300 E University Ave, Suite 240 in the Commerce Building. The Commerce Building was constructed between 1999 and 2001. The CRA borrowed $839,000 from the City of Gainesville to provide as an incentive to AMJ, Inc., the developer of Commerce. The CRA also contributed funding to pay for streetscape along Regents Park, the residential development directly behind the Commerce Building.
The current lease at the Commerce Building has been extended for one year and will expire on February 28, 2010. Before the one-year extension was approved, the CRA Executive Director asked that staff consider alternative locations. Also, during the FY09/10 budget discussions, the City Commission asked that the CRA consider alternative locations.
There were four options that were considered:
1. Remain in Commerce Building
2. Relocate to Thomas Center
3. Relocate Depot Building (post renovation)
4. Relocate to a new Office Building on one of two CRA-owned NW 5th Ave lots
4a. 414 NW 5th Ave
4b. 802 NW 5th Ave
Staff prepared an analysis to list the pros, cons, and financial implications of each option. The analysis was then presented to each Redevelopment Area Advisory Boards. Each Advisory Board member was asked to rank the options in order of their preference. The scores were then tabulated. Relocating the offices to one of the two NW 5th Ave lots (options 4a and 4b) ranked 1 and 2 with every Advisory Board, with the exception of CPUH, which only ranked of one of the lots (option 4a) in one of the top 2 rankings.
CRA Sustainability Policy - This project is in process and has been assigned to a staff team. Initial research and policy drafting will start this fall. The target delivery date is February 2009.
CRA Maintenance Programs - CRA currently provides/manages maintenance activities such as pressure washing, landscaping, and street cleaning. The Downtown Board is currently examining the feasibility of using free labor from the Alachua County Corrections Dept. as an alternative to funding maintenance services in the area.
CRA Website - CRA will begin a marketing program to promote the website. Additional web content is being developed.
Awards Applications - Staff has submitted the CRA's FY 2007 Annual Report to the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for consideration in the IEDC's Annual Awards. Staff has also submitted the rehabilitated 5th Avenue Tot Lot and the FY 2007 Annual report for the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) annual awards.
Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation Services - In March 2008, the CRA issued a request for statement of qualifications to obtain annual professional services for architecture, landscape architecture, and historic preservation. The selected firms are Zamia Design Landscape Architecture (Gainesville, FL), RBK Architects (Tampa, FL), and Jay Reeves and Associates, Inc Architecture and Design (Gainesville, FL). Examples of the types of projects that these firms will be selected for are the Model Block, streetscapes, and adaptive reuse projects.
University Avenue Medians - The construction documents for the 5 medians in CPUH and 3 medians in the Eastside, including irrigation systems, are complete. The bid documents have been prepared for release. The FDOT requested additional review after having given preliminary approval earlier this year. The FDOT review will delay the bid release 3-4 weeks. It is anticipated that the invitation to bid will be released before the end of September.
CPUH and Downtown Parking Studies -Staff is aiding the consultants in the collection of background data. The consultant team plans to visit Gainesville in mid-September to measure parking demand and conduct field observations.
Eastside
Southeast Gainesville Redevelopment Initiative - The City accepted the Special Area Plan from consultants at the May 12th City Commission meeting. Staff from the CRA, Community Development, and the City's Attorneys office are currently working together to finalize the document in order to begin the process of incorporation into the Land Development Code.
Kennedy Homes - Staff is finalizing the RFP for publication, and plans to issue the document within the next month, in conjunction with a targeted marketing campaign aimed at attracting top caliber respondents.
Hawthorne Road Properties -. The CRA closed on the properties on June 9. A survey and site analysis has been completed, and staff has attended a First Step meeting to better understand issues associated with redevelopment of the property. The CRA has entered into a contract with DAG Architects based in Destin, Fl with offices in Atlanta, Destin, Pensacola, and Tallahassee to create a conceptual site plan, preliminary floor plan layout, and architectural renderings for a small restaurant or diner.
Renaissance Lights on University from Waldo to SE 15th Street -The Renaissance Lights are installed on E. University Avenue. The banners arms on the north side of E.University installed. The banner arms on the south side of E. University are in the process of being installed.
Cotton Club - The rehabilitation effort is still underway and is taking place in three phases; stabilizing the main building, rehabilitating the surrounding shotgun houses and grocery store and building new structures for additional classroom space. DAG Architectural firm is working on the construction drawings for the grocery store. Civil Engineering for the site is 90% complete. The City Commission will hold a second hearing for the zoning change of the Perryman Grocery store to Restaurant and café. A marketing plan is being develop for the "Cotton Market Place" which will include a farmers market, crafts and ethic foods. .
Exterior Paint Program- The contractor's application is being reviewed by legal. Implementation of the Exterior Paint Improvement Grant Program will begin September 2008.
Downtown
Lynch Park - on this agenda.
Downtown Community Plaza - Staff is currently formulating strategies for improvements to the Downtown Community Plaza. Working with DRAB, staff is examining the issues and opportunities at play, and is also examining how the Plaza compares to examples of healthy, vibrant public spaces found in other cities. Staff will provide a full presentation to the CRA at a future meeting.
Bethel Station - In conjunction with the Plaza improvements listed above, staff is also moving forward with Bethel revitalization. Within the next month, the CRA plans to issue an RFP soliciting potential businesses for this site. Staff will provide a comprehensive summary on this project at a future CRA meeting.
GRU Redevelopment - on this agenda.
Hampton Inn/Lot 9 Redevelopment - Construction is currently underway; foundation work is complete and the structure is now going vertical. It is anticipated that the project will be complete and the hotel will be operational by July 2009.
Jefferson on 2nd Avenue - Construction is complete and residents are moving in. The CRA Engineer is working with the Developer to ensure the terms of the Development Agreement are fulfilled.
Gainesville Greens/Lot 10 Redevelopment - The developer has notified the City and the CRA that they no longer intend to pursue this project.
The Palms - Construction is complete and residents are moving in. The CRA Engineer is working with the Developer to ensure the terms of the Development Agreement are fulfilled
Porters Neighborhood Improvements - The CRA has received a utility design scheme from GRU. Other utilities involved in the project are currently reviewing the proposed design plans.
Cade Museum - The Cade museum organizers announced selection of Depot Park as the museum construction site. The organizers, staff from Carol Johnson and Associates, and CRA staff met on August 5, 2008 to discuss planning strategy for the development of the museum and Depot Park as a unified project. A presentation was given to the SPROUT Task Force concerning these announcements. The Cade group is planning to meet in Gainesville with its new architect, E. Verner Johnson and Associates, during the second week of September.
Rehabilitation of the Old Historic Gainesville Depot Building - The Gainesville Depot Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a major component of the Depot Park development project. In August, CRA staff visited the State Historic Preservation Office to discuss the scope of the project and general timeline. On August 25th, GRU issued the notice to proceed for the first major milestone of the rehabilitation; relocation of the building. During the month of September, the 10,000 sq ft Depot Building will be cut into four segments and moved to the south of the Depot Park site in order to prepare for remediation activities by GRU. Hygema House Movers will be moving the building to where it will be stored at a temporary location during Phase I of the remediation and while Depot Ave is under construction. CRA staff engineer is coordinating with the City's communications department to document the move of the building. Staff is in the process of preparing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for professional services to program the interior space and complete the final design and construction drawings for the building rehabilitation.
Depot Park - Staff is in the process of preparing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for professional services to complete the final design and construction drawings for the major park and recreation elements. The procurement process will target nationally recognized firms.
CPUH
Bus Shelters - On August 18, 2008 staff gave the CRA a presentation on the Kaleidoscope bus shelter, including the August CPUH recommendation to approve this bus shelter design and the purchase of test units. The Kaleidoscope design was approved for the SW 13th Street location, but not for the other locations proposed on West University Avenue. The CRA discussed funding bus shelter upgrades through revenue generated from advertizing on new bus shelters of a different design, which would be provided by a private company. Until the shelter design issue is resolved, the CRA will not move forward with the Kaleidoscope design.
Gainesville Responsible Hospitality Partnership - After reviewing the latest underage violation statistics from GPD, GRHP re-evaluated membership eligibility. Rue Bar and Rehab, which were previously on probation, still exceed the underage violations limit. These bars remain on probation and are now also joined by Gator City, Grog House, Jewell's, and The Swamp - which all exceeded 12 underage violations in the 1st quarter. GRHP continues to work with UF Student Government and with Greek students to formalize support for the Partnership. GRHP will also be reaching out to other student and professional groups at UF.
CRA Streetscape Design Standards- Bellomo-Herbert has finalized the revisions to the standards. Staff is reviewing changes with the advisory boards and making revisions.
University Avenue Improvements - The FDOT Maintenance Agreement has been completed and is being reviewed by FDOT. Application has also been made for the FDOT general use permit. The construction work plan is being implemented. The projected start time of late-August for installation of the first improvements (waste cans and benches) was delayed due to the FDOT review taking longer than FDOT had anticipated. It is now projected that the improvement installation will begin in late September. The improvements extend from NW 20th Terrace to Waldo Road.
Depot Rail Trail - JMJ Consulting Engineering completed the feasibility study for the portion of trail located adjacent to the SW 13th Street overpass and between SW 11th and 13th streets. The feasibility study analyzed options for widening and accessing the trail from SW 13th Street. It is recommended that the trail be widened to 10-ft and direct access be provided to the trail from SW 13th Street. Final recommendations were based on shared use path design quality and construction costs. Design concepts for accessing the path will be addressed in the RFQ/Design Competition for the SW 13th Street overpass, to be issued this fall. Widening of the trail will follow construction of the SW 13th Street overpass, anticipated 2010.
Tumblin Creek Watershed Management Plan - The Tumblin Creek Watershed Management Plan (TCWMP) was completed in late 2007. Currently, staff is working on the implementation strategy of the plan. Projects listed within the plan have been prioritized, and staff is initiating the top priority project, SW 7th Ave exfiltration.
SW 2nd Avenue Master Plan - CPUH continues to pursue a comprehensive vision for redevelopment along the SW 2nd Avenue corridor. The goal of this initiative is to formulate a plan that is based on a thorough understanding of the market forces and infrastructure issues that will impact redevelopment. Staff is currently examining the possibility of new partners to help guide this process.
SW 7th Ave Exfiltration Basin and Improvements - The CRA engineer is working with CES and JMJ engineering to coordinate design, permitting, and construction of this project. Currently the project is in the early phases of design, with preliminary stormwater modeling and geometric layout of the roadway improvements to be completed this month.
SW 13th Street Pedestrian Overpass Enhancement Design - On this agenda
Rails-to-Trails Signage - The City Commission has adopted the CRA's design for guide signage for the City's rail trail system. CRA is currently designing the mounting system and design specifications.
FAPS
Model Block D 418 NW 4th Avenue- The CRA at their August 18, 2008 meeting, approved a Purchase price of $162,000. The closing will take place in September by Attorney Mr. Haswell.
University House - Construction is nearing completion. The CRA engineer is working with Planning and Public Works Departments to ensure that CRA standards are well reflected in the final product and that inadequate lighting of the street is addressed.
5th Avenue Mixed-Use Project (Union Academy Building) - The rendering was approved by the CRA and the Fifth Avenue Advisory Board. Staff is currently reviewing options to be presented later this summer or early fall.
NW 6th Street Rail Trail - Public Works and CRA staff are collaborating on this project, which involves the design and construction of the 6th Street rail trail from South Main Street to approximately NW 14th Avenue. CRA will participate mainly on the design of the project. The trail project spans the Downtown, CPUH, and FAPS redevelopment districts.
A. Quinn Jones House - This house is located at 1013 NW 7th Avenue. Staff is in the preliminary process of recommending that the A. Quinn Jones House be placed on the National Register of Historic places. The Feasibility study has been completed by Architect Jay Reeves and Associates and will be reviewed by the Committee members in September. This study outlines the proposed use, structural condition, and required renovations for pubic access.
Fiscal Note
None at this time
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to CRA: Receive project update from staff.