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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-11 EURA ANNUAL MEETING• • ENGLEWOOD URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY February 11, 2004 Annual Meeting I. CALL TO ORDER The annual meeting of the Englewood Urban Renewal Authority was called to order at 6:35 p.m. in the Community Development Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Center. Chairman Woodward presided . Pre sent: Absent: Staff: Burns , Gallardo , Roth, Weddle, Woodward Executive Director/Executive Secretary Simpson Bertoluzzi , Rogers (both with previous notice); Garrett Senior Planner Graham II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 14 , 2004 Chairman Woodward stated that the Minutes of January 14 , 2004 were to be considered for ap- proval. Burns moved: Weddle seconded: The Minutes of January 14, 2004 be approved as written. AYES : NAYS : ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Weddle , Burns , Gallardo, Woodward None Roth Garrett, Bertoluzzi The motion carried. III. REORGANIZATION OF AUTHORITY Election of Chair Election of Vice-Chair Designation of Executive Director/Executive Secretary Mr. Simpson stated that this is the Annual Meeting of the Authority, and the Authority tradition- ally elects new officers for the ensuing year at this meeting. Mr. Simpson welcomed Mr. Gallardo as a voting member of the Authority . Mr. Woodward called for nominations for the position of Chairman. • Ms . Weddle nominated Mr. Woodward as Chairman . Mr. Roth seconded the nomination . H :\GROUP\BOARDS \URA\M inutes\M inutes 2004\EU RA 02-11-04 .doc l • • • Roth moved: Bums seconded: Motion carried. The nominations be closed, and Mr. Woodward be elected Chairman of the Authority by acclamation. Mr. Woodward then called for nominations for Vice Chairman . Ms . Weddle nominated Mr. Bertoluzzi as Vice-Chairman . Mr. Bums seconded the nomination. Bums moved: Roth seconded: Motion carried. Mr. Bums moved: The nominations for Vice Chair be closed, and Mr. Bertoluzzi be elected Vice-Chair by acclamation . Ms . Weddle seconded: Mr. Robert Simpson be designated as Executive Direc- tor/Executive Secretary of the Authority. Motion carried. IV . SOUTH ACOMA STREET PROPERTY Update and Request for Proposal (RFP) Mr. Simpson stated that the EURA and City of Englewood own property at Broadway and Englewood Parkway . This site is approximately three acres in size, and is zoned B-1, Business. The property has been vacant for a number of years, and the proposed RFP is a beginning step to market the property for development. Mr. Simpson noted that the economy seems to be improv- ing in recent months, and it seems appropriate to explore development opportunities. He stated that staff hopes that a 15,000 to 20,000 square foot total development could occur on the site . An anchor development on the comer of Broadway and the Parkway is envisioned, and a second possible anchor at the comer of West Hampden and South Acoma with structured parking would make an attractive development in the long term future. Mr. Simpson stated that staff is looking for a strong commercial generator-the City wants to have a development with a strong activity factor. Staff also envisions a two-story development -offices or residential units could be lo- cated on the second level. Mr. Simpson stated that the proposal sets forth "expectations" of de- velopment -the property should not be purchased and held for speculative purposes. A 24 month build-out period is proposed. Other requirements included in the RFP is that of "self- parking" -all parking to serve the development must be accommodated on the site , which may result in a reconfiguration of the parking area. All businesses in the immediate area must be no- tified of the proposed RFP and whatever developer is chosen for the site . Mr. Simpson stated that a 2001 appraisal of the site indicated a $1.l million value; the sale p1ice may be a negotiable issue. The appraised value was for the total site including the parking lot used by merchants in the 3400 block of South Broadway. There are not plans to sell the entire site, but only the north- ern portion along Englewood Parkway and the Broadway frontage . H:\GRO UP\BOARD S\URA\Minute s\Minut es 2004\EURA 02-1 1-04 .doc 2 • Mr. Woodward asked if development of the second level for office use rather than residential would be beneficial. Mr. Simpson stated that residential usage would generate activity in the area during late evening/early night-time hours. Mr. Simpson noted that the 2004 Broadway Plan , as proposed, includes residential development along Broadway as an important component of Broadway revitalization. Mr. Simpson briefly discussed two proposals that were received for the Acoma site development last year. Neither proposal was acceptable for that location. The site was removed from the market following the submittal of those proposals. Mr. Simpson stated that the current RFP contains design guidelines for the site. Mr. Simpson discussed the importance of keeping adjoining business owners aware of marketing efforts for the site, and that the status of the parking lot may change to include a parking struc- ture dependent upon future parking demand and requirements. Mr. Simpson stated that discuss- ing the proposed RFP with the EURA is the first step in beginning the marketing for the site; a neighborhood meeting will be scheduled in March to get input from the business community, and the proposed RFP will then be taken to City Council. Staff hopes to release the RFP to de- velopers in April, with proposal response in late May or early June . Previous development discussions regarding the Acoma Site were reviewed. Discussion fol- lowed . • Ms. Weddle asked if Miller-Weingarten had any interest in development of the site. Mr. Simp- son stated that he didn't know whether they were interested or not. • Mr. Woodward cited the paragraph on Parking on Page 1 of the RFP. He asked if the City is committed to provide free parking for the businesses on Broadway . If there is no commitment, perhaps some rewording is needed for this paragraph. Mr. Simpson noted that most of the South Broadway businesses within this block area were built prior to being required to provide off- street parking. Mr. Simpson suggested that the issue is one of "equity" -it may not be fair to make new development provide parking to service their use, when established businesses don 't have to provide parking for their uses. Mr. Bums suggested that the parking area on South Acoma has been used by the Broadway businesses for a number of years, and that they may have a right to continue that use. He suggested this issue be discussed with City Attorney Brotzman. Further discussion on the parking issue ensued. Mr. Bums asked about the parking lot in the 3400 block of South Lincoln Street. Mr. Simpson responded that this was developed under EDDA, but is now owned by the City of Englewood. It is free parking . Financing of parking structure construction was then discussed. Mr. Simpson suggested that there are methods to finance the construction, one of them being use of revenue bonds. Ms. Weddle asked about blocking off South Acoma Street as a travel-way and using it for addi- tional parking area. Mr. Woodward pointed out that some businesses rely on South Acoma Street for rear access to their businesses. H:\GROUP\BOARDS \U RA \Minutes\Minutes 2004\EU RA 02· 11-04 .doc 3 • • • Under-grounding utility lines was also discussed. Mr. Simpson stated that this is quite costly, and that the City exhausted the "underground fund" of Xcel energy when we did the project along Broadway from Tufts to Mansfield, and the CityCenter development -all overhead lines in these areas were placed underground, and the fund was exhausted. It will take at least 10 years for the fund to increase to a usable amount. The Trolley Square development along Englewood Parkway was briefly discussed. Mr. Simpson stated that King Sooper's has indicated an intent to upgrade the Englewood store, which would include demolition and reconstruction of the south part of the store to increase overall square footage to 65,000 sq. ft. Also proposed is demolition of the buildings along Englewood Parkway with the exception of Trolley Square Liquors and Kaufman's Tall & Big Shop. Additional park- ing will be developed along the Parkway. Mr. Simpson advised that staff will be working to as- sure an attractive pedestrian edging along the Parkway. This work will, hopefully, be underway in the very near future. The shuttle service will begin later this year, and will extend east to the medical campus , and possibly as far east as the Meridian. Relocation of signage for the 'Phar-Mor Plaza" was briefly discussed. The Elati Street development was discussed. Mr. Burns stated that tenants of the Bank have concerns that overflow parking will occur in the Bank parking lots. Mr. Simpson stated that he didn't think this should be a concern since the property owner will likely monitor the situation closely. Mr. Burns then commented on lights that have been installed in the parking lot, but have never functioned , and should be hooked up . He suggested that Xcel Energy could have some liability if someone were to be hurt. Mr. Simpson stated that he would look into this issue. Mr. Simpson asked if there were more questions or comments on the RFP. Mr. Burns stated he wanted to see the site developed. Reference was made to some of the "drawings" included in the RFP. Mr. Graham commented on utility location in the alley and the thought to maintain sufficient space to maintain them. Mr. Simpson stated that when the RFP is released to potential developers, the B-1 Zone District regulations and a map of the area will be included with the design guidelines. Mr. Burns referenced the Community Development Annual Report, and asked about obtaining a copy of the UDC. Mr. Simpson stated that it is available on CD, and he will see that one is made available for Mr. Burns. He asked if other members of the Authority were interested in the CD. V. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Mr. Simpson referenced a report on eminent domain and tax increment financing; also refer- enced was a news article regarding eminent domain. Mr. Simpson updated the Authority on progress of legislation -HB 1203 and HB 1209 -both of which address the issue of eminent domain and the definition of "blight". Mr. Simpson stated that the legislation, if approved, H:\GROUP\BOARDS \URA\Minute s\Minutes 2004\E URA 02-11-04 .doc 4 • would prohibit acquisition of property and turning it to a developer for economic gain. Mr . Burns asked if the legislation addresses the issue of "abuses" that have been publicized. Mr. Simpson briefly addressed the "abuse" issue. He also briefly discussed a possible use of eminent domain that could be made to redevelop property in the vicinity of Broadway and Belleview, as an example . VI. LEGAL COUNSEL'S CHOICE No legal counsel was present. VII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Commissioner members did not bring anything forth for discussion. Mr. Simpson stated that the Authority may not need to meet in March, but that he hoped to have additional information on the Acoma Street site available in April. He stated that proposals for development will be brought back to the Authority before full negotiations are entered into. He noted that a "review committee" with participation of designated members of EURA studied proposals for the Elati Street site. He asked if any member wished to volunteer to serve on s uch a committee for the Acoma Street site. Mr. Woodward volunteered to serve on the Acoma Street review committee . • The meeting was declared adjourned at 7:40 p .m. Gertrude G. Welty, Recording Secret • H:\GRO UP\BOARDS \U RA\Minute s\Minute s 2004\EURA 02 -11 -04 .doc 5