Title
Update on Redevelopment Projects and Development Agreements (NB)
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 welcomes their new Staff Assistant, Stephanie Seawright to the Agency.
Staff has executed the contracts with Conceptual Arts. The new website will allow citizens and vendors to navigate to areas for project updates, CRA area maps, and redevelopment assistance programs.
Staff will add a Referral update to next month's agenda to be included in all successive agendas.
Development Agreements:
University House on 13th Street - Located at the northeast corner of Northwest 13th Street and Northwest 7th Avenue is not being negotiated due to the Strand decision.
University Corners - Located on the west side of Northwest 13th Street between University Avenue and Northwest 3rd Avenue is not being negotiated due to the Strand decision.
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 currently not being negotiated due the Strand decision.
Project Updates:
Downtown Farmers Market - At the August 20, 2007 CRA meeting, Charlie Lybrand of the downtown farmers market addressed the Board. The weekly market is currently housed in the Sun Center, however due to successful growth, they would like to expand and relocate to the Downtown Plaza. CRA Staff has been working closely with Mr. Lybrand as well as with City Staff from various departments in order to facilitate the move. We are happy to report that that the market will begin operations at the Plaza on October 17th. Staff would like to thank Sarah Wilson at GPD for her help in coordinating the move to the Plaza.
University Avenue Improvements - Agenda Item
Hippodrome Lighting - The Downtown district budgeted $17,000 for this project in FY 2007, however management at the Hippodrome indicated that $25,000 was needed to complete the entire project. On September 17th, the CRA approved the FY 2008 1st Amendatory Budget. Included in the Downtown budget was an additional $8,000 to achieve the total funding needed for this project. The CRA and the Hippodrome will need to enter into an agreement for this project that is compatible with the current lease between the City and the Hippodrome. Staff has informed Rocky Draud, Hippodrome General Manager, that these funds have been budgeted. We anticipate work on this project will begin shortly.
Gainesville Responsible Hospitality Partnership - Agenda item
Cotton Club - Located at 837 Southeast 7th Avenue. The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center Inc. did not receive the $350,000 grant from the Historic Preservation Board of Florida for the rehabilitation of the Cotton Club. Staff is currently working on the Cotton Club's contract and documents for release of the first part of their funding for Architectural services.
Depot Avenue 13th Street Overpass - Staff is currently writing the RFQ and design competition.
Depot Avenue Rail Trail - Design work has begun and is expected to be completed in January 2008.
The Renaissance Lights on University from Waldo to SE 15th Street - Agenda Item
Eastside Gateway (old Tacklebox) - Agenda Item
Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Redevelopment Plan Update - In August 2004, the Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street Redevelopment Advisory Board approved $15,000 to fund an updated redevelopment plan. The current plan was revised in March of 1997 and has not received a major update since that time. A few years ago, Herbert Halback, Inc. (HHI) was hired to revise the FAPS Redevelopment Plan. A draft was completed in June 2005, but because of multiple staff changes and schedule setbacks, it was never presented to the CRA for approval. Staff is now bringing the updated plan back with additional changes. Staff integrated green building/energy efficiency language into the redevelopment plan drafted by HHI in 2005. In addition to green building, the draft plan outlines other objectives and initiatives to further redevelop and remove blight from the existing Community Redevelopment Area, including land acquisition and redevelopment, housing revitalization, historic preservation, public spaces, infrastructure improvements, funding, financing, management, and promotion. At the July 24, 2007 Fifth Avenue/Pleasant Street Advisory Board meeting, the Board unanimously approved the addition of Green Building language to the Redevelopment Plan. The Advisory Board will continue discussion of the Plan at their October 18, 2007 meeting.
Model Block House Site D - Located at 418 Northwest 4th Avenue. Carter Construction is in the remodeling process, which is 80% complete. There is a tentative completion date of October 2007.
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 this fall.
NW 14th Street Domus Lighting - The project is complete.
NW 17th Street Sidewalk Repair - A sidewalk condition survey of this street was carried out by the CRA and Public Works staff. There are problems with tree roots uplifting the surrounding pavers and causing tripping hazards for the general public. During the site meeting it was concluded that CRA should determine the repairs on case by case basis. Staff will negotiate with outside contractor to carry out repairs.
Southwest 5th Avenue Triangle Streetscape - Agenda Item
Southwest 7th Avenue Improvements - The feasibility study carried out by Joe Montalto Jr. of JMJ Consulting Engineering is now complete and both CRA and Public Works Department staff have reviewed the study. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of utilizing the SW 7th Avenue Corridor for the treatment of stormwater. 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. The Public Works Department is covering the cost of professional services, upon completion of the analysis, a decision will be made by the Public Works Department and the CRA in conjunction with the Advisory Board views concerning the design component of the proposed roadway and parking improvements to SW 7th Avenue between 10th and 12th Streets.
Southwest 8th Avenue Streetscape Improvements - The Public Works Department are clustering this project with other roadway projects for the purpose of securing consulting services in accordance with State Statutes "Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act." (CCNA). This project has been given second priority at this time as the Public Work and Purchasing Department must address another project in which the City has entered into agreement. In addition, Public Work Department have rather tight schedule to get this done since multiple FDOT reviews are required, which further delay matters. Purchasing Department will assemble the document with all the required Federal references and coordination with the City Attorney. The Public Work Works Department is obligated to go through this process and have a design build firm/team under contract before the end of this calendar year. Construction works is envisioned to begin in June 2008. 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.
Fiscal Note
None at this time.
Recommendation
Executive Director to the CRA: Receive update from Staff.