Title
CRA Project Summary May (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, Michael Beard - 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 continues to meet with potential applicants in each district. Staff is also developing a modified program that will coincide with the NW 1st Ave Streetscape Project.
Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Board (ERAB)
Heartwood, Project Manager, Michael Beard- Through the executed contract with EDSA for Architectural Standards and Design Guidelines, 4 Floor plan options and 4 Elevation options have been produced. Staff are in the process of developing cost estimates for the horizontal improvements and appraisals for the conceptual designs on the approved lots. The completion of the Architectural Standards will also provide the final elements needed to fulfill website development for Heartwood, which will act as a major marketing component for the community, as well as a source for progress updates. Staff is continuing to reach out to the builder/developer community in order to discuss innovative approaches to partner on the new development. As we move forward, CRA will work with the community, builder/developer’s, as well as the local finance and real estate professionals to create the new Heartwood community.
Cotton Club Grant Management, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright - At its April 18, 2016, the CRA Approved $233,141 to continue the renovation of the Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center.
GTEC Area Master Plan & Phase 1 Development, Project Manager, Michael Beard - On Agenda
ERAB Residential Paint Program, Project Manager, Malcolm Kiner - The Eastside Redevelopment Area Program provides an eligible applicant with a voucher for paint and painting supplies up to $500 to be used for the exterior painting of their home. Staff will make a push during the month of May to reach out to the residents of the Springhill and North Lincoln Heights neighborhoods.
Greater Duval Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI), Project Manager, Malcolm Kiner - CRA launched a partnership with Alachua Habitat for Humanity called the “Partnership for Paint” program. Habitat’s A Brush with Kindness program provides volunteer groups who assist homeowners in completing minor repairs, painting, and other home maintenance. 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 “A Brush with Kindness”.
As a member of the NRI coalition staff is actively participating in a new marketing and branding effort for the Duval Community. The results of the effort will influence the look and design of a new gateway entry sign for the community.
Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board (DRAB)
Downtown Plaza, Project Manager, Malcolm Kiner - Staff is currently working with Jan and David Patterson on the build out of “Patticakes on the Plaza” we anticipate a 4 to 6 week build out period.
BDP welcomes back the “Free Friday Concert Series” in the month of May. For more information on the series or any other events at the Plaza please visit www.Bodiddleyplaza.com <http://www.Bodiddleyplaza.com>.
University Avenue Substation, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright -
Staff is still in discussions with County Staff with regards to the property being transferred to the City or CRA through the surplus program. CRA Staff plans to take the project through our First Step process to determine the viability of the types of projects envisioned for the site. Possible uses for the redeveloped site are a restaurant, newspaper kiosk, juice bar, pizza take-out and a specialty shop to name a few.
Downtown Redevelopment Area Residential Paint Program, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright - To date the DRA Residential Paint Program has completed seven (7) homes (407 SW 5th Ave, 428 SW 3rd St., 436 SW 3rd St., 507 SW 6th Pl, 608 SW 4th St., 627 SW 5th St., 703 SW 5th St.). We have six (6) pending applications (621 SW 5th St., 704 SW 5th Terr., 803 SW 5th Terr., 614 SW 3rd St., 321 SW 7th Ave; and 403 SW 7th Ave.)
Depot Park Phase II, Project Manager, Cindi Harvey - On this agenda.
Power District, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker - After receiving Board approval at the February CRA meeting, Staff has proceeded with the advertisement of the Development Partner RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for the Power District. The goal of the solicitation is to identify potential private development partners by way of an RFQ that will advertise, market, and promote the redevelopment opportunity within the Power District to a local, regional, and national audience. Because of the uniqueness of the Power District as well as the significant amount of existing due diligence work with the site, a RFQ will serve as a mechanism to announce our desire to formalize private public partnerships and begin strategic development driven implementation of the master plan. The 60-day solicitation advertisement will be followed by a shortlist ranking of qualified respondents that will be submitted to the CRA and/or City Commission for review/approval. Based on the feedback such as phasing and sequencing of development received during the RFQ process, shortlisted respondents will then participate in subsequent RFP’s (Request for Proposals) for specific redevelopment projects that will result in potential development agreements.
College Park University Heights Redevelopment Advisory Board
NW 5th Avenue (1300-2000 blk), Project Manager: Suzanne Wynn -The CRA has received preliminary electrical undergrounding designs and required easement locations from GRU. The easements required are extensive and involve numerous properties along the entire project corridor from NW 13th Street to NW 20th Street. The CRA’s next steps for this project will be meeting with individual property owners over the next several months to determine the feasibility of the acquisition of all of the easements required. We will be moving toward a community meeting after all potential easement stakeholders have been contacted.
NW 1st Avenue (1600-1900 blocks): Project Manager, Sarit Sela - On this agenda.
South Main Street, Project Manager, Andrew Meeker - Over the past several months a series of activities such as Façade Facelift outreach targeted towards businesses and properties along South Main St., coordination with planning and construction activities related to Depot Park and the Cade Museum has been underway. Staff is beginning to strategize on possible next steps related to short and long term safety, aesthetic, functional, and accessibility improvements that could be made to the corridor to support existing as well as future users. A strategy and schedule to advance the project will be included in the upcoming Workplan Update to be presented to the CRA Board in June 2016.
Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street Redevelopment Board
A.Q. Jones House Museum, Project Manager, Stephanie Seawright - Construction for the interior renovations of the home has been completed. We are currently securing services for the additional site work and landscaping. We will be working with Cultural Affairs to move forward with management of the facility. We are also working on the exhibit design and programming for the center.
FAPS Residential Paint, Project Manager, Malcolm Kiner -Like the Eastside Residential Paint Program the FAPS Residential Paint prorgram provides an eligible applicant with a voucher for paint and painting supplies up to $500 to be used for the exterior painting of their home. We are currently accepting applications and received pending applications for homes along NW 7th & NW 6th Avenue.
Seminary Lane, Project Manager, Sarit Sela - In February 2016, the GFHC and GHA boards approved an intention to sell the NW quadrant of the former Seminary Lane site, a 2.77-acre lot located northwest of the NW 5th Avenue and NW 12th Street intersection. Proceeds will be used to finance construction of the affordable housing component of the project. The CRA is working with GFHC and GHA on drafting the Request for Proposals for selling the NW quadrant as the next step in the redevelopment plan.
Fiscal Note
None at this time
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to the CRA Board: Receive project update from Staff