Title
Innovation Campus Task Force (B)
This item involves the proposed establishment of an Innovation Campus Task Force to examine aspects of redevelopment associated with the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) maintenance property.
Explanation
On January 25, 2007, staff briefed the EDUCC on the existing situation regarding the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) maintenance property located adjacent to the GRU Administration building in downtown Gainesville. Over the next two to three years, GRU anticipates that it will be relocating its maintenance operation northeast of the intersection of NW 39th Avenue and Main Street.
Staff recommended the GTEC Advisory Board be contacted informally for participation in this facet of the proposed redevelopment opportunity because one component of the proposed redevelopment on the downtown GRU site may involve establishment of a facility for capture of Innovative firms in the City of Gainesville and members are broadly representative of entities involved in local efforts at building the Innovative Economy.
The Innovation Campus Task Force itself is proposed to serve in an ad hoc capacity and have membership from a variety of fields important to this effort as well as from the effected neighborhood (the Task Force will be staffed by the ED Director with appropriate GRU staff). Slotted Task Force positions would include the following and will be advertised utilizing the appropriate City Clerk procedures including appointing seven members:
• Developer
• Entrepreneur
• Finance (Venture/Conventional)
• UF Representative
• EDUCC Representative
• Citizen at Large
The EDUCC directed staff to: 1) utilize the existing GTEC Advisory Board with additional slotted positions as the entity associated with initial pre-planning efforts; 2) begin the due diligence process with respect to the subject property (title, environmental, site analysis); and 3) report back to the EDUCC on a regular basis.
It is anticipated that the Task Force would meet over the course of the next year (quarterly with appropriate Public Notice) to examine various aspects of the redevelopment project, report to the City Commission via the EDUCC and then discontinue its activities. These meetings will begin as soon as possible. Over the course of subsequent years, it is expected that a variety of other boards and citizen groups will review the redevelopment potential of the GRU site most notably within the context of the upcoming Master Plan for Deport Park and surrounding areas.
Fiscal Note
There are no fiscal ramifications associated with establishment of this Task Force for pre-planning activities.
Recommendation
Recommended Motion: The City Commission follow the recommendation of the EDUCC: 1) endorse the establishment of an Innovation Campus Task Force comprised of slotted positions as outlined above to review preliminary redevelopment of the GRU Maintenance property; 2) direct staff to begin the due diligence process with respect to the subject property (title, environmental, site analysis); 3) direct staff to report back to the EDUCC on a regular basis; and 4) authorize the City Clerk to advertise the vacant Innovation Campus Task Force slotted positions.