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Downtown Development Steering Committee Minutes - 07/28/2017 MINUTES OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT STEERING COMMITTEE (DDSC) July 27, 2017 PRESENT: Mayor Stephen Santellana, Chair § Members Councilor Jesse Brown, Vice Chair § Councilor DeAndra Chenault § Danny Ahern § Dave Clark § Rick Hatcher § Scott Poenitzsch § Dusty Potter § Darron Leiker, City Manager § Jim Dockery, Deputy City Manager § City Staff R. Kinley Hegglund, Jr., City Attorney § Davis Powell, City Engineer § Tracy Norr, City Clerk § John Burrus, Director of Aviation, Traffic and Transportation § Cynthia Laney, Downtown WF Development § Henry Florsheim § ABSENT: Ripley Tate § Members Bobby Whiteley § Mark Chase § ______________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. 2. Bus (Trolley) Tour Dave Clark said the purpose of the tour was so everyone can see the downtown area. John Burrus explained that the travel center and areas between the railroad, river, Lamar Street, and 5th Street are included in a Transit-Oriented Development study. He said that most of this area is within the 100 year flood plain. He noted that federal transit dollars can be used with proximity of the travel center. Action on the study has been put on hold until the Downtown Development Steering Committee finishes its plans. DDSC – Minutes of July 27, 2017 2 The tour proceeded to 6th and Indiana, where Danny Ahern talked about plans for the old gas station he and his partners recently purchased. The overgrowth on the opposite corner was discussed. It was pointed out that code enforcement cannot do much with the trees and bushes, but there will be follow up on an abandoned vehicle. It was also noted that the city does not have a property maintenance code requiring painting of the buildings. Discussion was held about removing or trimming overgrown trees, the efforts the city made for placing trees, tree maintenance, or a tree replacement program. Getting an arborist involved was suggested. The derelict Backdoor Theater Building at 5th and Ohio was pointed out. Street width versus sidewalk width were noted along Ohio. Mr. Dockery explained that the 20/20 plan called for bulb-out and streetscaping, with parking on a different angle. The road width would be reduced to two lanes instead of four. New or rehabbed buildings were pointed out along Ohio and 7th. LaSalle Apartments, Holt Hotel, Gidgets, Littlest Skyscraper, and The Yard were highlighted. The members left the trolley at the Farmer’s Market to look at the streetscaping and at trees. Will Tucker talked to the members about the former Magnolia Building and his plans for it. Cynthia Laney told the board that there are over 17,000 people who have attended the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays this year. She explained plans for the Zales Building, wh ich was recently rehabbed. The new mural on the Zales Building was viewed. Discussion was held about improvements needed at the private parking lot. As the trolley tour continued, members viewed the Iron Horse Pub and heard from Mr. Ahern about the historic tax credits that are available in some areas of downtown. Mr. Dockery noted the awning which encroaches on the city’s right of way due to an agreement with the city. He said that is a new type of agreement that the city has put into place to allow outdoor dining areas for businesses. The trees and fence around the parking lot across from the pub were installed through finding from the TIF #1, which provided $73 million for improvements before it expired. TIF #4 has been established and is starting to accumulate funds. The City Center Apartments were noted for their residential developments. It was also noted that there are plans for the Maskrat Shrine to be converted into residential units. Future development plans, including water features, public art, and an amphitheater, for Park Central were discussed. The Wrestling Hall of Fame and improvements in Big Blue were noted. The improvements for the Highlander were discussed. It was noted that it is the property owner’s responsibility to ma intain the concrete planters at the building. A building at 713 Indiana was pointed out as a target for demolition. Mr. Dockery said the city may be able to demolish it with CDBG funds that were not used for residential demolition this year. Certain support piers must remain standing because of the shared walls and support for the buildings on either side. Repavement along Indiana Street was noted, and discussion was held about the cost for preserving the brick road versus the cost for the overlay. John Burrus also pointed out that a DDSC – Minutes of July 27, 2017 3 traffic study is being done in the area of Travis to Ohio and 5 th to 12th streets. Traffic signals and four-way stops will be considered. The proposed site for a new city hall/police station was viewed. Mr. Dockery said discussion needs to be held about new buildings because of the plumbing, structural, and mechanical issues at Memorial Auditorium. The tour finished by viewing the site for the proposed full-service hotel at MPEC. Pedestrian connection to the downtown area is something that needs to be considered so visitors at the hotel will flow into the downtown area for dining and shopping. Mr. Dockery said the hotel project is 65%/35% private/public funding, with the revenues from the hotel to pay both the public and private debt. The trolley returned to the travel center. 3. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:54 a.m. ______________________________ Mayor Stephen Santellana, Chair Downtown Development Steering Cmte.