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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-13 EURA MINUTES• • ENGLEWOOD URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY October 13, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Englewood Urban Renewal Authority was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Vice-Chair Bertoluzzi. Present: Absent: Staff: Gallardo, Garrett, Rogers, Roth, Weddle, Bertoluzzi Simpson, Executive D irector/Executive Secretary Bums (with previous notice) Stitt, Senior Planner A quorum was declared present. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 11, 2004 Vice-Chair Bertoluzzi stated that the Minutes of February 11 , 2004 were to be considered for approval. Roth moved: Weddle seconded: The Minutes of February 11, 2004 be approved as written. AYES : NAYS: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Gallardo, Roth, Weddle , Rogers None Garrett, Bertoluzzi Bums The motion carried. III. RE-ORGANIZATION OF EURA Election of Chairman Executive Director Simpson stated that Mr. Jim Woodward was recently appointed to City Coun- cil to fill a vacancy on the Council, and submitted his resignation from the EURA upon his ap- pointment to the Council. Mr. Woodward was serving as Chairman of the EURA at the time of his resignation; therefore, the Authority needs to select a new Chairman. Mr. Simpson also stated that Ms . Laura Rogers was appointed as a voting member of the Author- ity, having served as an "alternate " member since February, 2004. Vice-Chair Bertoluzzi declared nominations for the position of Chairman opened. • Roth nominated Mr. Bertoluzzi as Chairman; Ms. Weddle seco nded the nomination . H :\GROUP\BOARDS\U RA\Minutes\M inutes 2004\EURA I 0-13-04 .doc 1 • • • Roth moved: Garrett seconded: The motion carried. Nominations for Chairman be closed, and Mr. Bertoluzzi be elected Chairman of the Authority. It was noted that the Authority now needs to elect a Vice-Chairman. Ms . Weddle nominated Mr. Roth as Vice-Chairman; Mr. Bertoluzzi seconded the nomination. Garrett moved: Bertoluzzi seconded: The nominations be closed, and Mr. Roth be elected Vice-Chairman of the Authority. The motion carried. IV. SOUTH ACOMA STREET PROPERTY Up-date Executive Director Simpson stated th at staff wanted to bring the Authority members up-to-date regarding the property in the 3400 block of South Broadway/South Acoma Street that is owned by the Authority. Mr. Simpson provided a background on the property , and noted that an RFP was prepared by staff early in the year. Three proposals for development of the site we re re- ceived in response to this RFP; the development committee that was designated to review the proposals has chosen two of the proposals for further evaluation. Mr. Simpson noted the possi- bility of two or more developments occurring on the site, which has frontage on South Broadway as well as the entire street frontage on the east s ide of the 3400 block of South Acoma Street. Mr. Garrett noted that this same development review committee also critiqued proposals for the South Elati Street property (former City Hall site at 3400). He pointed out that the first round of proposals that were submitted for that site were not satisfactory, and the committee and staff is- sued a seco nd RFP and ultimately chose the medical office building that is under now construc- tion . Mr. Bertoluzzi asked who is on the development review committee. Mr. Simpson stated that EURA members Burns , Roth , Weddle, City Council/EURA member Garrett, ACE member McDermott, and City staff members Flaherty, Stitt and himself sit on the development review committee. Mr. Stitt displayed a "plat" of the site, and indicated the ownership of the EURA and City of Englewood. Mr. Stitt noted that the EURA owns approximately 28 feet of frontage on South Broadway at Englewood Parkway, and the City of Englewood owns another 50 feet of Broadway frontage immediately adjoining the EURA site on the south. The EURA also owns the entire 3400 block South Acoma Street frontage (east side of the street). Mr. Stitt noted there has been interest in developing the South Broadway/Englewood Parkway corner for a number of years, and in fact, Mr. Steve Schalk, owner of the Gothic Theatre , had previously proposed a night H :\GROUP\BOARDS\URA\Minutes\Minute s 2004\EURA I 0-13-0.+.doc 2 • • • club/restaurant development. The City was not ready for that type of development at that time, but now that the South Broadway Plan has been updated and revised, there is interest in attract- ing activities that extend beyond the typical business hours. A restauranUentertainment venue would be favorably received. Mr. Stitt noted that development proposals were received from Drake Real Estate Services, from Sequoia Investments, Inc., and from JPS Development Group, LLC, in response to the latest RFP. The development review team has chosen to do further evaluation of proposals from Se- quoia Investments, Inc. and JPS Development Group, LLC. The Drake Real Estate proposal was for development on the Broadway/Parkway corner, with parking for the development on the Acoma/Parkway corner. Mr. Stitt stated that the City is interested in achieving a "street edge" of development along Englewood Parkway. Mr. Stitt pointed out that the South Acoma Street property has been used for the past 16 years or so to provide off-street parking for the merchants in the 3400 block of South Broadway. Mr. Stitt discussed studies conducted by Walker Parking Consultants regarding parking needs and sufficiency in the subject area; it has been determined that there is enough parking in this area to meet the parking requirements for exis t ing uses -but it is a matter of distribution/location of the parking spaces. Mr. Stitt pointed out on the plat a "landscaped" area in the center of the parking lot along Acoma Street. There are, at present, 133 parking spaces -many of which are used by employees of the South Broadway merchants. If this landscaped area was to be removed, and the parking area reconfigured, another 60+ spaces could be developed. Mr. Stitt stated that there has been some consideration of constructing a second parking level on a portion of the parking lot. This could provide at least 300 par king spaces for new development and existing downtown merchants. Ms. Rogers inquired whether consideration had been given to construction of a three-level park- ing structure. Mr. Stitt stated that an option that has been briefly considered is construction of retail on the ground level of the structure, with parking above the retail. Mr. Simpson noted that interest in condo/townhouse development on the South Acoma frontage has been expressed. He noted that the western view for residents of such a condo/townhome development would be spectacular. Ms. Rogers noted that construction of a parking deck could work quite well with the residential development. Ms. Rogers raised the issue of possibly closing South Acoma Street. It was noted that it appears Acoma provides "service" access for businesses in the Englewood Marketplace. Mr. Stitt discussed a proposed "parking agreement" among the downtown merchants. He indi- cated that this is a 30-page legal document that he received via e-mail. Mr. Simpson emphasized that the downtown merchants want to make sure they have off-street parking for their customers and employees. Mr. Stitt discussed the plans for South Broadway improvement; some of the features to be con- sidered are development of design guidelines, and new and improved lighting in the downtown H:\GROUP\BOARDS\URA \Minutes\Minute s 200.+\EURA I 0-13-04 .doc 3 • • • area. The current light standards along the downtown sector of Broadway were installed in the mid-1980s, and are no longer available. Mr. Stitt noted that the medians have been constructed in the downtown area as well as other efforts to improve the appearance and character of the street. Mr. Simpson noted that some businesses interested in improvement of their property have proposed siting new buildings to the rear o f the property with parking to the front of the property accessible from Broadway. Mr. Garrett recalled the parking structure that was constructed in conjunction with Trolley Square; this parking structure was not functional, and in fact there were quite a few problems caused by the parking structure. Design of the Trolley Square development ensued; it was noted that split-level retail development is not successful, and shoppers using King Soopers wanted to park at ground level. The fact that the split-level retail frontage was not successful contributed to the problems with the parking structure. Mr. Bertoluzzi asked if the Acoma Street site is zoned to allow residential use such as condo or townhouse construction. Mr. Simpson stated the B-1 Zone Dist1ict does allow multi-family resi- dential development -townhouses and condominiums would be allowed. Further discussion regarding possible land uses for the Acoma site and parking implications of those uses ensued. Mr. Simpson emphasized the need to look for restaurant and entertainment venues , and the need to generate activity in the downtown area after 5 or 6 p.m. Mr. Garrett reviewed proposals that the former Englewood Downtown Development Authority (EDDA) had regarding use of the Acoma Street site for parking and limited development. The EDDA area had proposed "taxing themselves" to provide funding for improvement of the park- ing lot. Brief discussion ensued. Staff assured members they would provide additional up-dates as pro- gress occurs. V. REVENUE REPORT The latest report on sales and property tax revenues, included in the packet, were reviewed and discussed. Sales tax revenues through the month of September 2004 total $643,109.35 compared to $536,415.11 through the month of September in 2003 . Property tax revenues are not available for September 2004; however, through the end of August 2004, property tax revenues total $1,339,533.53 compared to $961,711.22 at the end of August in 2003. Mr. Bertoluzzi asked where these revenues will go upon dissolution of the tax increment dis- tricts. Mr. Simpson stated that once the tax increment districts are dissolved, all revenues from those districts will go into the general fund of the City. Mr. Bertoluzzi asked what plans the City has for this revenue increase to the general fund. Mr. Garrett stated that the City is projecting use of these funds for public improvements in out-lying years. He pointed out that the City is currently operating at a deficit, and has done so for the last several years . VI. LEGAL COUNSEL H \GRO UP\BOARDS\URA \Minutes\Minutes 2004\EURA l 0-13-04 doc 4 • • • No legal counsel was present. V. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Mr. Garrett discussed the budget process, noting that the first reading of ordinance adopting the 2005 Budget is scheduled for November 1. This budget reflects deficit spending in the neighborhood of $600,000. Mr. Garrett also briefly discussed negotiations with the three em- ployee unions, the fact that negotiations with two unions went to impasse, and arbitrators were brought in to reach determination on the issues. Mr. Garrett also brought EURA members up-to-date on other issues before the Council, noting that the Denver Seminary PUD was approved recently. Ms. Weddle asked when construction will begin. Mr. Simpson stated that the Seminary is relocating to Littleton in early 2005; demoli- tion of existing structures will begin shortly thereafter, and then construction of the new devel- opment can begin. Mr. Simpson noted there is a new Sushi Restaurant on Broadway at Bates A venue. Staff is also working with prospective developers on the old Fratelli 's restaurant property. This site is now out of tax court, and is being marketed to restaurateurs. Ms . Weddle asked how Pirate 's Cove did during its fir st year of operation. Mr. Garrett stated that this project did extremely well; revenue exceeded expectations, but expenses were also high. The City did experience employee problems during the last two weeks of August; most of the staff is high-school students, and school begins in mid-August. Therefore, Pirate's Cove could not be open week-days during the last two weeks of August. Mr. Bertoluzzi suggested that the EURA needs to meet on a more regular basis -at least every two months. Discussion ensued. Mr. Garrett suggested that rather than setting an every two- month schedule, to consider a quarterly meeting schedule. Mr. Bertoluzzi stated that he pro- posed a more frequent meeting schedule only for consideration . Ms. Rogers asked how much property EURA owned on South Lincoln Street. Mr. Simpson stated that the Authority does not own any property on South Lincoln Street. With the exception of the property on South Acoma Street and the comer of Broadway/Englewood Parkway , the Authority "owns" no property. Activity generation for the EURA was briefly discussed. Mr. Simpson stated that the EURA has a "narrow focus", that focus being those areas that have been included in an "urban renewal area". An urban renewal area is an area determined to be in need of improvement and/or rede- velopment. Mr. Simpson cited the General Iron site/area as an example. The General Iron prop- erty and redevelopment efforts were discussed by Mr. Simpson. He noted that there have been contacts from developers regarding the site recently, and some of the property owners in the area have also indicated an interest in moving forward . No further business was brought forth for consideration . H :\GRO UP\BOARDS\U RA\Minutes\Minutes 2004\E URA I 0-13-04.doc 5 • The meeting was declared adjourned . - Gertrude G . Welty, Recording Secret • • H:\GROUP\BOARDS\URA \Minutes\Minutes 2004\EURA l 0-13-04.doc 6