Title
Projects within the Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street District (NB)
Explanation
At the April 26, 2005 Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street (FAPS) Advisory Board meeting, the Board recommend the following projects to the CRA for approval: the acquisition and rehab of the tot lot on Northwest 5th Avenue near Northwest 9th Street; the development of a Request for Proposals for a Mixed Use Development on Northwest 5th Avenue; and the increase of hours for the Part Time Project Coordinator to Full Time Temporary to provide construction oversight for the Model Block project.
Tot Lot on Northwest 5th Avenue - The Gainesville Housing Authority has a tot lot on Northwest 5th Avenue that it has expressed interest in giving to the CRA so that it could be refurbished for community use. This lot is currently underutilized and its rework into a pocket park could be an asset to the corridor. The CRA currently provides sidewalk cleaning, graffiti abatement and landscape maintenance one day a week in the district and this pocket park could be added to the contract for upkeep. The CRA routinely uses small visual changes to strengthen redevelopment efforts. The FAPS Board is recommending an initial budget of $4,000 to begin this project.
Request for Proposals for a Mixed Use Development on Northwest 5th Avenue - Staff has been working with ADP, Inc. to develop a concept that would allow the CRA to option property and create an RFP for a mixed use development on Northwest 5th Avenue. The FAPS Board is recommending a budget of $3,500 for options, survey work and appraisals as needed to move this project forward.
Construction Oversight for the Model Block Project - The CRA currently has a part time Project Coordinator in the Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street District. Mr. Herbig has been responsible for the Model Block program and as the project moves into the construction phase staff is recommend that the position be changed from a part time regular position to a full time regular position for the length of the Model Block construction. This change will take place in July and the FAPS Board is recommending that the personnel budget be supplemented by $5,700 to cover the cost until September 30, 2005. The 2005-2006 budget will also have to be amended to cover the additional costs at the appropriate time. Once the construction is completed, the project will return to part time regular employment.
Fiscal Note
The cost for these three projects is $13,200. The CRA currently has $32,689 budgeted in the Facade Grant program, which was sunset on December 30, 2004, that could be used for these projects
Recommendation
Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street Redevelopment Advisory Board to the CRA: 1) Recommend the CRA move forward with the Tot Lot project and create a $4,000 budget for the project; 2) recommend the CRA authorize staff to move forward with the RFP for a Mixed use Development on Northwest 5th Avenue and create a $3,500 budget; and 3) change the part time regular projects coordinator in the FAPS district to full time regular employment to allow for construction oversight of the Model Block project and increase the personnel budget by $5,700 to cover the cost between July 1, 2005 and September 30, 2005.