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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-10 EDDA MINUTESENGLEWOOD DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 333 WEST HAMPDEN AVENUE, SUITE 602 BOARD OF DIRECTORS September 10, 1997 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Duemke, Kaufman, Oxman, Sanchez, Waggoner, Close, Collins, Coleman MEMBERS ABSENT: Powell, Kientz, Pfannenstiel Celva, Doyle STAFF PRESENT: GUESTS/VISITORS: None I. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND VISITORS No visitors were present. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. Chairman Close asked if there were any additions or corrections to the July Board meeting minutes. One correction was noted and made by Karen, to add Bill Coleman's name to members present. A motion was made by Steve Collins, seconded by Bill Coleman and passed unanimously approving the minutes as presented. III. TREASURER'S REPORT Gary Oxman asked if there were any additions or corrections to the June and July, 1997 Treasurer and Revenues and Expenditure reports. There being none, a motion was made by Connie Sanchez, seconded by Emmett Duemke and passed unanimously approving the reports as presented. IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Chairman Close distributed copies of his letter of resignation to the Board, informing them that he had recently relocated his business to the area of south Santa Fe Drive and Oxford, that he was now outside of the EDDA District and therefore ineligible for participation in the organization. , v. Director Celva stated that he knew he would miss working with Gordon since for the entire 6 years that he had been employed by EDDA Gordon had been the Chairman. Celva presented Chairman Close with a plaque, thanking him on behalf of the Board for his recognition of leadership and dedicated service to the EDDA Board of Director's, June, 1982-1984, September 1988-1997; Chairman, September 1990-1997. Chairman Close thanked Director Celva and the Board for the plaque and told them that it had been a pleasurable experience to serve on the Board of Director's, and that he felt that EDDA had the opportunity to become a stronger entity in the Englewood distriot. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Election of EDDA Chairman Director Celva told the Board that at the behest of the Executive Committee he had spoken to several people on the Board about assuming the Chairmanship of EDDA, one of those being Ron Kientz. Celva added, that everyone on the committee looked at Ron as having good standing in the community and felt that Ron would be a good person to have as the new Chair for EDDA. Celva offered Kientz name in nomination and added that it was appropriate to have nominations from the floor. Steve Collins asked Connie Sanchez if she would reconsider the position. Connie thanked Steve but declined the nomination. Director Celva told the Board that Ron would accept the position as Chair of the Board. Director Celva asked if there were any more nominations. There being none, a motion was made by Emmett Duemke, seconded by Gary Oxman and passed unanimously electing Ron Kientz as Chairman of the EDDA Board. B. Update on Activities CRNA Process Director Celva told the Board that Ron Straka and Jean Townsend, of Coley & Forrest were finishing up their work on the Downtown Plan, but were also awaiting some results from the CRNA/Compass process for the Cinderella City property. Jean Townsend has been conducting interviews throughout the downtown area with specifically identified businesses, The Broadway Grill, The Casual Lounge, The Ingelnook and Julie Hall with Ultra Legs. Julie has a fashion shown scheduled at 5:00 p.m., September 24th at The Broadway Grill and everyone is invited to attend. Ron Straka is working on finalizing all the documentation that will go into the expanded Downtown Plan. EDDA sent out a special letter to the Board members with clippings informing them about the CRNA compass effort to review the Cinderella City development. The CRNA {Center for Regional & Neighborhood Action) is a group composed of volunteers. When the CRNA groups were scheduled for a transportation conference in August, 1996 at the University of Denver, they made it quite clear that while there was a great interest in transit oriented design in this region. From the various reports taken at the conference there was a wide spread belief that pedestrian friendly, mixed use, retail, office, entertainment and housing activities centered around transit stations on major transit corridors would enhance the ability of the region to meet several critical regional objectives in the area of transportation, air quality, sprawl reduction, housing affordability, etc. This is what generated the founding of the CRNA. At the present time, they are focusing on the Englewood area as a potential model, regionally and nationally, for the location of a light rail transit station on the fifty plus acre site at Cinderella City. The cities of Arvada and Aurora are also going through the same process as Englewood, but with different teams. The participants attended an orientation meeting September 4th, atop the roof of the Bank One building. After the presentation everyone broke into individual groups to discuss the financial (Marilee Utter-group facilitator), design and planning {Charlie Zucker-group facilitator) aspects of the process. Three objectives were identified in the initial meeting and they are: 1) identifying market assumptions and test those assumptions against development options for the site and community goals, 2) identify site developments options and achieve transportation and oriented development and mixed use goals, 3) identify a preliminary status for implementation for a future vision for the city site, finance options and a description of the next step required by both the public and the private sectors. Also discussed was the premises, that mixed use development is possible for the site. The two main emphasis points from the EDDA perspective will be the surrounding context, what happens to the site and the connections made to Broadway. Discussion ensued. Board member Coleman inquired as to who completed the initial hiring of the group and if the Board members would be able to attend any of the scheduled meetings. Director Celva told the Board, that there was an initial defined process completed by City Council, at which time they appointed specific people for the Englewood team, and that any of the Board members are welcome to attend the meetings. Steve Collins inquired what will the final process be and how will the final defined decision occur. Celva stated that a report would be made to City Council, who would then proceed with the decision regarding implementation. Concert Series Director Celva told the Board the concert series was a success with the completion of twelve concerts. At the beginning of August EDDA passed out a survey at the concert, requesting that the people attending the concerts complete the survey and as an incentive EDDA gave away one $100 gift certificate to be redeemed at any business of their choice in the Downtown Englewood district. There was a wide spectrum of all ages who attended the concerts and who also completed the survey. Celva read the Board a letter from an Englewood citizen complimenting EDDA on how great the concerts were and what a service this is to the citizens of the community. SCFD Grant Director Celva told the Board that the Scientific and cultural Facilities grant for 1998 was approved for $9,000 plus, double from the previous year's grant. Arapahoe County Certificate of Valuation Director Celva told the Board that EDDA received the 1997 Arapahoe County certificate of valuation, which was increased minimally (current year's net total of valuation or assessment of the property in the Englewood district) $25,364,000.00, last year's total valuation, $23,000,000.00. The certificate also shows new construction for $123,460.00 in the district. Facade Program Director Celva told the Board that EDDA has used Conner Construction in the past for the facade program and while there was always a delay this year it has proved almost impossible to obtain any bids from them and to have any faith in their word. The El Tepehuan building was scheduled to occur six weeks ago. The RAS Builders contacted Connie Sanchez, after which time Celva contacted RAS and RAS responded with bids for the completion of five different projects at five times the cost of Conner Construction. Also any names of contractors that the Board members submitted would be greatly appreciated. Other contractors have been approached for bids without any success at this time. New Businesses Director Celva told the Board that the Walt Tomooka building had a new occupant, Lilium Florist replacing sunset Flowers who closed their doors at the end of June. EDDA has completed a grant to the florist for $1,500.00 for any awning and signage. George Tomooka, Walt's brother, informed EDDA he would like to paint his building on the outside with the agreement that work to be on a continuing basis on his building overall. The Casual Lounge may also have some interest in signage. The overall grant totals approved are: $1,500.00 grant to Lilium Florist, $3,400.00 to Tomooka for painting and outside construction on the patio, $2,200.00 grant to Glass Warehouse for work on the back of the building (approved two years ago). Also on the facade program agenda, El Tepehuan, Moss Rock Shop and Lee's Mens Store which needs to be completed as soon as possible, and then Ted's Custom Clothiers and Ultra Legs. Mel at B & B Conoco has also completed an application for the facade program for additional landscaping, Celva recommended that the Board approve a grant of $5,000.00 for this project. After a brief discussion the Board unanimously approved this grant to Mel's for $5,000.00. A Real Estate matter was discussed. Board Member Election Director Celva asked the Board members to submit any potential names for a new member to replace Gordon Close and then an election for a candidate will be held at the next Board meeting. VI. BOARD MEMBER'S CHOICE Director Celva thanked everyone for attending the Board meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectful }Y /2 '. I _v-, ,;, /. . /,,, <-\ Bill Coleman Secretary