Title
CRA Project Summary August (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
Façade Grant, Project Manager, Jessica Leonard - The Façade Grant program is a competitive matching grant program that is designed to encourage reinvestment in building facades, specifically those located on highly visible target corridors within each district. Staff is enthusiastically expecting the approval of multiple façade grants in each district as a continued effort is placed in concentrated outreach and community engagements to help aid in awareness of the program. Staff is delighted to announce that we have four (4) façade grants that will be presented to the Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street Advisory Board for the first time in over four years. We currently have multiple façade grant projects underway across the four redevelopment areas.
Community Vitality Report, Project Manager, Ori Baber - On the Agenda
Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Board (ERAB)
Heartwood, Project Manager, Michael Beard - In May 2017, Staff worked with the City’s Purchasing Department on a public solicitation for a site contractor in the form of an Invitation to Bid. The contracted site work would include utility infrastructure, wetland improvements, paved streets, curb and gutter, sidewalks, and pad ready sites. There were three responsible and responsive bids received; all being over the budgeted amount of $1.7M. At its June Meeting, the CRA Board approved O’Steen Brothers, Inc. as the lowest most responsive and responsible bidder. At that meeting, CRA Staff presented a recommendation to move the project forward after collaborating with City Budget and Finance and a third party financial services partner which included loan from the City. The recommendation was passed and subsequently received approval at the City Commission. Site Construction is anticipated to begin in August/September 2017.
Cotton Club Grant Management, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright - The CRA entered into an agreement with the Cotton Club to provide matching funds for a Division of Cultural Facilities Grant to complete the renovation project. At this time, the Cotton Club has nearly expended the CRA’s funding with approved work on the project. The Division’s grant has been extended for six (6) months until December 31, 2017 due to the State’s disbursement process being stalled to their grantees. At its June 19, 2017 meeting the CRA Board approved the request for an extension of the agreement until December 31, 2017.
Cornerstone Phase 1 Development, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright--Construction is underway on Building Pads C & D with a projected completion to be November 2017. Concept Companies is expected to break ground on the building mid-August 2017.
A Request for Proposal for Real Estate Marketing and Brokerage Services was released and two submissions were received. After review the award went to Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group, Inc.
Eastside Redevelopment Area Residential Paint Voucher Program, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright -Staff is moving forward to identify a power washing company to perform the work as needed.
Greater Duval Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI), Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright - CRA launched a partnership with Alachua Habitat for Humanity called the “Partnership for Paint” program. The program allows the CRA to offer a grant of up to $500 to eligible home owners in the NRI area. The $500 grant will be applied to the fee associated with participation in Habitat for Humanity’s “A Brush with Kindness” program. As of January the partnership has completed 21 homes in the Greater Duval Neighborhood. We currently have no applications pending. Additional work through the NRI includes the development of new gateway signage, homeownership, and mentoring and mentoring programs.
Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board (DRAB)
Cade Museum, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker - Following the CRA Board’s approval of the Development Agreement terms at their April 2017 meeting, Staff is actively coordinating with the Cade and their construction efforts. Substantial completion is anticipated in the Fall of 2017 with the grand opening in early 2018.
Downtown Plaza, Project Manager, Nigel Hamm -For the month of August we will continue to have our weekly programming with Free Yoga, Zumba, Capoeira and Salsa Classes. Every Tuesday and Thursday we will be playing music through the plaza sound system from 11am-1pm for the Lunchtime Jazz Mix. We are also making some upgrades to the public bathrooms and hardscape.
Events in June:
• Every Friday from 8pm to 10pm: Free Fridays Concert Series: <http://gnvculturalseries.org/free-fridays-concert-series/>
• Website: www.bodiddleyplaza.com <http://www.bodiddleyplaza.com>
• Facebook: <https://www.facebook.com/BoDiddleyPlazaGNV/>
Downtown Redevelopment Area Residential Voucher Paint Program, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright -Staff is moving forward to identify a power washing company to perform the work as needed.
University Avenue Substation, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright - The County has determined they will maintain ownership and go into a lease with the City for the property. Staff is reviewing the feasibility of continuing to move forward with redevelopment of this property or if the project should be removed from the Workplan.
Depot Park, Project Manager, Ori Baber - Staff continues to work closely with Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs and the Depot Park Staff to manage the operational expense budget, warranties, and maintenance. Staff is working to close out Phase II of the Depot Park project. Staff is working with PRCA to revise the original 2010 Depot Park Design and Technical Standards to preserve the design cohesion and uniformity throughout the Park. The revised standards will memorialize the current amenities and provide guidance on future additions to the Park. A chilled water bottle filler and fountain was installed at the park in July. Since the park opened in August 2016, park goers have frequently requested that additional shade opportunities be considered in the playground area. In response and in conjunction with other sun protection efforts city-wide, staff has been reviewing options to have shade sails installed in the playground area. Currently, there are designs underway and installation is anticipated to begin this summer.
The CRA has completed the design of a comprehensive signage package for Depot Park, including signage for the new Depot Park Visitor’s Center on S. Main Street and graphics for literature, social media event postings, and more. To date, a majority of the new signs have been installed throughout the park
Historic Depot Building, Project Manager, Ori Baber - The ‘Pop-a-Top General Store’ and ‘The Boxcar’ at the Depot Building continue to provide refreshments, snacks, and live entertainment to visitors to Depot Park and the Downtown area. Staff is working with Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs and City Facilities to develop a transition plan. Construction of an ADA compliant ramp at the Depot Building began mid-July. Per the lease agreement, Staff is working with the tenant to install a 6ft kitchen hood in the Depot Building which will allow greater food offerings.
Power District, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker - The ITN (Invitation To Negotiate) development solicitation was advertised to the previously three qualified development teams on December 21, 2016. This marks the beginning of a multi-phased negation period between the CRA, GRU, and the City along with each development team in order to evaluate developer concepts, proposals, and terms of a private public partnership. The development teams submitted the first of two proposals in April 2017. The evaluation committee reviewed these proposals and met individually in May 2017 with the prospective developer teams to provide feedback in order to align the goals of the Power District with their respective proposals. The next step in the process was for the development teams to incorporate the evaluation committee’s feedback, adjust their proposals accordingly, and re-submit with their Best and Final Offer (BAFO) for the evaluation committee’s consideration in June 2017. After an initial evaluation committee review of the submitted BAFO’s, the development teams will provide the committee with presentations in July 2017 outlining the specifics of their proposals. The evaluation committee with then convene to discuss a recommendation for the CRA Board’s consideration for an anticipated September agenda item. The CRA Board will be provided an overview of the Power District initiative, public private partnership strategy, ITN process, summary of the BAFO’s received, and a recommendation for terms of a development agreement. The result will be a development agreement that will serve as a roadmap for new private and public investments in the Power District that honors the 2013 Redevelopment Plan while also setting the framework for a sustainable economic development strategy for the District.
College Park University Heights Redevelopment Advisory Board
Innovation Square, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker - 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. The northern extension of the SW 9th Street greenway from SW 2nd Ave. to SW 1st Ave. is in the conceptual planning phase. Additionally, an updated Innovation Square master plan has been provided to the CRA by the UFDC. As this and other potential partnerships develop, Staff will return to the Board for any necessary approvals.
NW 5th Avenue (1300-2000 blk), Project Manager, Andrew Meeker - The preliminary electrical undergrounding design with the required electrical easement locations has been received from GRU, providing the CRA a basis for beginning easement acquisition discussions with property owners. The electrical undergrounding easements required are extensive and involve many properties along the entire project corridor from NW 13th Street to NW 20th Street. The CRA is in the process of procuring professional services to evaluate and determine potential electrical easements reduction (quantity and sizes). The stakeholders along this corridor are numerous. The CRA project manager continues to meet with individual property owners along the corridor to determine the feasibility of the acquisition of all of the easements required for both the undergrounding of the electric utility and the uninterrupted connection of the sidewalks on the southern side of NW 5th Avenue. Once the reduction of the electrical easements (sizes & quantities) has been determined and the private property outreach process is completed over the coming months, the Board will receive a presentation on the status of the undergrounding feasibility as well as the overall project, including cost estimates.
The Standard Development Agreement, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker - The CRA and LM Gainesville, LLC entered into a development agreement on May 15, 2015. This development agreement reimburses for infrastructure intended to benefit the public. As the project nears completion, the CRA will be reviewing the approved construction documents and performing site inspections to verify compliance with the terms of the Development Agreement prior to issuing any reimbursement payment.
NW 1st Avenue Streetscape (NW 16th St to NW 20th St), Project Manager, Sarit Sela -- On the Agenda
South Main Street, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker - Following the Board’s June 17, 2017 approval of the project plans and Construction Manager At-Risk GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) proposal, Staff is working thru the various tasks (engineering, permitting, construction coordination, communications, etc.) required prior to construction scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2017.
Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street Redevelopment Board
A.Q. Jones House Museum, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright -
The renovation of the shed for storage is underway as well as the identification and purchasing of indoor and outdoor furnishing for the facility.
The hours of operation for the public are Sunday - Thursday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm with appointments being available for Fridays and Saturdays. The CRA and PRCA staff is meeting regularly to make sure for a seamless transition of the project.
Historic Heritage Trail, Jessica Leonard, Project Manager - In January 2009, the Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street Redevelopment Advisory Board revised its Redevelopment Plan and completed the strategic planning process for the district. The Heritage Trail project arose from these two efforts and addresses multiple First Avenue Pleasant Street (FAPS) Redevelopment Plan objectives including neighborhood marketing and community investment. The goal of the project is to create a trail of physical markers that will highlight the historic and cultural significance of key locations and people connected with to the FAPS neighborhood.
In June of 2009, Staff partnered with Dix Lathrop and Associates (landscape architects) to research existing heritage publications, create a base map of significant heritage sites, and research existing heritage trail systems for insights on the approach to the project. In October of 2009, the first community workshop was held at the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church facilitated by CRA and Dix Lathrop staff. This meeting included prepared discussion questions for participants regarding people, places, and events. This community engagement also included a video interview process and document scanning station for photographs owned by community members.
Staff will present to the Historic Preservation (HP) Board in August. In addition, staff is also looking to onboard a graphic designer to develop the signage and marketing and branding collateral. The project team is preparing to schedule a community meeting for September. The purpose of this meeting is to review the findings with the community, refine the site map, and provide clarifications on project scope, design workshop, personal interviews and receive feedback from the community.
FAPS Residential Paint, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright -Staff is moving forward to identify a power washing company to perform the work as needed.
Seminary Lane, Project Manager, Michael Beard - In October 2016, the Gainesville Florida Housing Corporation (GFHC) and Gainesville Housing Authority (GHA) boards, the majority owner of the site, approved to sale of the entire 6.55 acre Master Plan of the Seminary Lane Project. CRA Staff in conjunction with the Gainesville Florida Housing Corporation has selected Bosshardt Realty as the listing agent for the development. After working with Bosshardt Realty, the Property Owners Gainesville Florida Housing Corporation, and its partner, Gainesville Housing Authority, the Listing and Development and Disposition Agreements have been executed and Staff is working towards listing the property in August.
Fiscal Note
None at this time
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to the CRA Board: Receive project update from Staff