Loading...
Min 04/13/1982 313 Wichita Falls , Texas Memorial Auditorium Building April 13, 1982 Items 1 & 2 The Board of Aldermen of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas , met in called session on the above date in the Council Room of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8:30 o'clock A.M. , with the following members present. Gary D. Cook Mayor Gene Shearman John W. Hampton Carol G. Russell Aldermen Craig A. Wilson Howard M. Morris Horace 0. Boston Stuart Bach City Manager H. P. Hodge, Jr. City Attorney Wilma J. Thomas City Clerk Fred Werner Chief Accounting Officer The invocation was given by Alderman Wilson. Item 3 Mayor Cook announced that the purpose of this meeting is to review the general development plan for the Depot Square Historical District. Roger McKinney, Director of Planning, stated that the general development plan is divided into four components; survey and inventory, preservation plan, economic feasibility and marketing study, and historic structures report for the Route Building. He discussed each of the components. The historic report on the Route Building provides recommendations for restoring that builidng. He stated that this has had a broad amount of citizen input. It is recommended that it be used as a general guide for the restoration of the historical structure. Alderman Shearman asked about the $200,000 mentioned in the paper? Mr. McKinney stated this amount was allocated three years ago to restore the Route Building. Also, off-street parking facilities in that area. Funds came from the Community Development Block Grant program. Alderman Wilson asked aobut estimates of the Route Building, and how this would relate to the $250,000? Mr. McKinney stated that the plan provides those measures necessary to restore this building to its original condition. We have been waiting for recommendations from the consultant to see what needs to be done to this building. Alderman Wilson asked if we adopt this plan, will these funds be released? Mr. McKinney stated they would not. Plans and specifications would have to be prepared, bids advertised, awarded, etc. Adoption of the plan does not automatically release funds. Alderman Shearman mentioned the property tax on the owners of old and new buildings alike. Mr. McKinney stated there have been some kinds of tax abatement. Localities may adopt an ordinance which would provide some type of abatement. RESOLUTION NO. 68-82 A RESOLUTION RECEIVING THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE DEPOT SQUARE HISTORICAL DISTRICT AND ADOPTING THE PLAN AS A GENERAL GUIDE FOR REDEVELOPMENT. WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen adopted Resolution No. 2474 authorizing a consultant contract for the General Development Plan for the Depot Square Historical District; and, WHEREAS, the City of Wichita Falls, through its Design Review Commission, encourages the redevelopment and revitalization of the City through the restoration of historical landmarks and districts within the City; and, 314 Item 3, cont'd. WHEREAS, the Design Review Commission has received the General Development Plan with a modification setting aside the expansion of the Historical District at the present time; and, WHEREAS, the consultant, Richard MyCue & Associates , has agreed to incorporate the suggested modification. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT: The General Development Plan for the Depot Square Historical District is hereby received and the plan is adopted as a general redevelopment guide for the Depot Square Historical District. Moved the Alderman Hampton that Resolution No. 68-82 be passed. Motion seconded by Alderman Russell , and carried by the following vote. Ayes : Mayor Cook, Aldermen Hampton, Russell , Wilson, Morris and Boston Nays : Alderman Shearman Mayor Cook stated that they should explore the possibility of the Committee of the Whole meeting in some kind of a work session to review the revised police proposals. City Manager Stuart Bach stated that the committee report has to be made by May 1. After that the Council has 30 days in which to come up with a decision. Mayor Cook recommended a work session to make a report to the Board. It was decided to have it on Friday, April 16, at 8:30 A.M. George Adams spoke in favor of the historical district being funded by private capital . It can more likely be made successful that way. He does not feel that funds allocated to the City of Wichita Falls should be used for this purpose. He feels it should be private capital . He is opposed to any city or federal funds being used for this purpose. He has no objection to the development, but to funding from public sources. J. C. Boyd took exception to the remarks by Mr. Adams. He stated that the Midtown 2000 Plan was the result of five years of study. The American Institute of Architects made a study. When that plan was completed. Mr. Adams was very much in favor of it. He felt it important to salvage the tax base in the midtown area. It is important that the tax base be kept intact. In that plan, it proposed that a non-profit corporation carry out the plan. Two hundred fifty individuals contributed $250,000 for a three-year period to see what could be done with this plan. When that three year plan was up, they felt there was enough support to continue it for another three-year plan. Two hundred fifty people will contribute one-half million dollars of private funds to see what can be done to carry out the master plan. Congress has set aside Community Development Block Grant funds, etc. to be used for this purpose. They are giving them to an area of town that requires them to rebuild. They are used to improve the Midtown area of the City. The blighted area gives you special inducements and tax incentives specifically targeted to improve midtown and blighted areas. This is what it was done for in the first place. If we adopt it we should go forward with the plan we have. George Adams noted that Mr. Boyd is a paid employee of Midtwon Now. He stated that these funds could be used for other projects which have a higher p � g priority. It is costing the taxpayers money any way you want to figure it. He is in favor of Midtown Now, but wants private funds to be used for it. Herb Tabor, stated that Community Development Block Grant funds were made available also to benefit low income people. He is opposed to these funds being used for that project of the historical district. They should be used to benefit low income people. They money goes into the pockets of private contractors , etc. i 315 Item 3, cont'd. J. B. Featherston stated that the City has already committed large amounts of money to the downtown and Depot Square area. Downtown is a special interest group to all of us , and not to just a select few. It is a tax base. It is the strongest tax base which we have. It is probably the only part of our city that is self-supporting. Downtown is important because it is our financial and cultural activities center. It is our birthplace and where our history resides. Private contributions have paid for the staff and the studies that have brought about what we have downtown. All parts of our city are favored by public funds -- streets, water, transportation, and government subsidized financing for the homes. Schools operate in a suburban area, and public funds are spent for this. Let's look at what's good for the city as a whole. The poor or rich do not own that money. It is the property of the government, and the government is the people. What we can do to benefit the quality of life in that area will benefit the entire city. Mayor Cook stated that he appreciates the discussion by the public, and it will be used and appreciated by all members of this body. The Board of Aldermen adjourned at 9:00 A.M. r PASSED AND APPROVED this C1 w day of e ,,, 1982• Mayor ATTEST: ,A1 City Clerk �� _ �6