Title
CRA Project Summary (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
NW 5th Ave Commercial Building - 802 NW 5th Ave - Construction is expected to start in mid December/early January after four outstanding activities are completed: 1) GRU Permit 2) Final Development Order 3) Construction Financing and 4) Building Permit.
GRU Permit - GRU is currently reviewing the plans and providing comments. The design team, in cooperation with GRU, will work to resolve any outstanding issues.
Final Development Order - Once GRU issues a permit and final glazing calculations are submitted, the City will be able to issue a Final Development Order.
Building Permit - Once the Final Development Order is issued, PPI/CPC will apply for a building permit. This process can take 4-6 weeks.
Construction Financing - On October 19, 2009 the CRA Board approved, by Resolution, a construction to permanent bank loan from Sun State Credit Union for an amount not to exceed $400,000 to cover the estimated construction cost of the first-floor retail space. The loan application is currently being processed and is expected to close in late December 2009.
Wayfinding Signage - This project is moving forward with the assistance of the Public Works Department.
Parking Study (Downtown & CPUH) - CRA and City staff have begun meeting to discuss the findings and recommendations made by Rich & Associates and will forward pertinent discussion and implementation items to the City Commission, as appropriate.
Eastside
Eastside Fencing Projects - The CRA is working with the Alachua County School Board and the Parks Department on replacing fencing along the perimeter of Williams Elementary and Lincoln Middle School complex. The CRA budgeted funding in 2010 to supplement funding from Wild Spaces Public Places to construct new fencing.
Eastside Medians Projects - Two new median design projects - SE Hawthorne Road, east of SE 15th Street and Williston Road south of East University Avenue - are expected to get underway in 2010.
Kennedy Homes - The CRA is exploring new possibilities for redevelopment at the former Kennedy Homes site. Staff will bring additional information to a later CRA meeting.
Redevelopment of 1712/1714 Hawthorne Road - Staff issued an initial Request for Proposals (RFP) on April 30, 2009 to solicit proposals from perspective business owners and/or entrepreneurs. The responses were due June 22, 2009 and no proposals were received. Staff is currently reviewing the RFP process and is working to secure a tenant through a competitive solicitation process concurrently while the building is under construction.
In November 2009 the CRA approved the Construction Guaranteed Maximum Price of $330,734. BBI Construction Management will be the CM for the project, and we expect to break ground in December 2009.
Potential Eastside Expansion Areas and Updated Eastside Redevelopment Plan - Staff and ERAB are finalizing the content for the Plan, and staff is reviewing state statues to verify the inclusion of all required Redevelopment Plan elements. The draft Plan's content will be approximately 95% complete by the end of the calendar year, and CRA staff will continue to include maps, ancillary information, and statutory requirements. CRA staff is awaiting final information from the City of Gainesville regarding proposed expansions to the Eastside CRA boundaries; once this information is complete, the Plan will be finalized and ready to begin the adoption process.
Southeast Gainesville Redevelopment Initiative - The original draft special area plan has been significantly modified by City staff and has been approved by the City Plan Board. CRA staff expressed interest in coordinating with the Planning Department to ensure the final product is in keeping with the wishes expressed in community workshops. This item is now at the City Commission.
Cotton Club - Fundraising is underway, and a new roof has been installed. The project is currently working through utility/infrastructure capacity issues.
Exterior Paint Program- Staff will conduct an outreach program for potential applicants for the Exterior Paint Program.
East Gainesville Gateway - The gateway plantings are flourishing as designed, requiring little water to maintain. Vandalism of the architectural lighting fixtures continues to occur despite protective measures taken. Replacement fixtures have been installed and the CRA will continue to monitor the condition of the lighting. If vandalism continues to occur, a different strategy for lighting the gateway median may be undertaken.
Downtown
Depot Park - update on this agenda.
Landscape Bulbouts at SE 1st Street and SE 1st Avenue - The CRA is working to expand the landscape planting opportunities on SE 1st Street from University Avenue to the Hippodrome. New plantings that complement the landscaping installed near the Hampton Inn Hotel are being planned. A partnership with the County is being explored.
Boundless Playground at Depot Park - This project is under consideration for incorporation into Depot Park.
Bethel Station - On this agenda
Haisley Lynch Park & Gardens - The building permit was issued on December 1st, so the team is now able to begin site work. All fixtures and furniture has been ordered, and the contractor is mobilized to begin construction. The project is anticipated to take approximately 2-3 months to complete and during that time, the park will be an active construction site and off limits to the general public.
Downtown Community Plaza - on this agenda
GRU Redevelopment - On this agenda
Porters Neighborhood Improvements -The CRA has 30% plans for undergrounding utilities and providing CRA standard streetscaping along SW 3rd St from Depot Ave to SW 4th Ave. Staff is now working with the City's Land Rights Coordinator to address significant ROW issues along the corridor. These issues must be addressed prior to proceeding with construction documents.
CRA Streetscaping for Depot Ave - The CRA and Public Works Department have coordinated to add CRA streetscaping materials to the Depot Ave Reconstruction project. Streetscaping elements will include brick sidewalks, crosswalks, and decorative roadway and pedestrian lighting. Phase I of this project is currently under construction. In accordance with requirements from the State of Florida Department of Historical Resources, the CRA is planning to issue a change order for Phase II to include additional streetscape elements to memorialize the former placement of the Historic Depot Building.
CPUH
SW 5th Avenue Triangle - Additional landscape enhancements are being planned for 2010.
Buxton Retail Study - Additional data points, which include UF and the City of Gainesville employees, have been provided to Buxton. Retail Matching report being re-run with additional data points. Additionally, Buxton has expanded study to look at similar size and style towns such as Gainesville for additional reference. Retail Matching report is anticipated to be complete by mid-December 2009.
SW 13th Street Medians - Final design for 3 medians due end of December. Installation of medians anticipated to start mid to late January 2010.
SW 13th Street Improvements - CRA staff has met with Brown & Cullen, Inc. to develop a scope for the Streetscape Improvement along SW 13th Street from Archer Road to SW 16th Avenue. Final negotiations with B&C expected mid-December 2009. Design anticipated taking 3 months with a target construction start date of April 2010.
SW 7th Ave Roadway Improvements -90% CD's due 12/1 from Engineer. Scherer Construction has been engaged as CM and is finalizing GMP. Final utility review scheduled for 12/17. Construction NTP anticipated for February 2010.
SW 8th Ave Roadway Improvements - 90% construction documents are complete, and 100% CDs are expected by the end of January 2010. Scherer Construction has been engaged as CM and is developing GMP. Possible phasing of project to expedite construction timeframe while stormwater permit is under review by SJRWMD.GRU-W/WW is installing a waterline upgrade during early winter 2010. Construction NTP anticipated for February 2010.
6th Street Improvements -The landscape architect and CRA are finalizing the scope for the project which will include both SW and NW improvements. Design expected to begin January 2010.
6th Street Rail Trail Enhancements - Dix.Lathrop has been engaged and is currently working on sign bases for al Rail-Trail signage as well as design for an interpretive pedestal sign for Trail. Design anticipated taking 30-45 days.
13th Street Overpass Design - Ten professional qualification submittals were received on November 12th and the Selection Committee will meet to shortlist firms November 30, 2009. Oral interviews will be held the week of January 13, 2010 and final selection and contract negotiation will take place shortly thereafter. If you have any questions, please direct them to Fran Boynton, Senior Buyer, City of Gainesville Purchasing Department at boyntonfb@cityofgainesville.org or 352-334-5024.
NW 17th Street Repairs -Oelrich Construction has been engaged as the CM to repair and reconstruction the 17th Street Sidewalks from University Avenue to NW 3rd Avenue. The reconstruct project will start the week of December 14th and will take 10-11 weeks to complete.
FAPS
FAPS Strategic Planning - FY 2009 and FY 2010 projects are underway. The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association has recognized the FAPS Redevelopment Plan and Strategic Planning framework, created by CRA staff and neighborhood citizens, as the state's top Neighborhood Planning initiative. The project was also nominated for the American Planning Association's national awards program.
FAPS Heritage Trail - The CRA is planning to hold a follow-up meeting in the community on January 9, 2010. The purpose of the meeting is to review the information gathered on October 3, 2009, hold additional one-on-one interviews, and review conceptual sign designs. In early 2010, the CRA expects that design development will move forward at a steady-state. The CRA is also planning to coordinate with Pleasant Place on a neighborhood commemorative monument.
A Quinn Jones House - On consent agenda
Model Block
Construction - The Historic Preservation Board approved the houses at their October meeting. The building permit for Site F (402 NW 4th Ave) has been issued and Oelrich Construction started construction on October 26, 2009. Before building permits can be issued and construction can start on the other two lots, a minor sub-division must be must be approved by the City's Planning department. It is anticipated that the minor sub-division will be approved no later than November 25, 2009.
Construction Financing - will be provided by Sun State Federal Credit Union. The loans are expected to close the first week of November 2009.
Real Estate Broker Services - Craig Wilburn and Team Dynamo of Bosshardt Realty have been contracted for 12 months to market and advertise the Model Block houses. Marketing will begin during pre-construction and continue until houses are either sold or the term (12 months) expires.
NW 5th Ave Streetscape Phase II (600-1000 BLK) - On this agenda.
Fiscal Note
None at this time
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to CRA: 1) Receive project update from Staff.