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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNortheast Urban Renewal Board FY2012 Annual Work Plan and Budget NORTHEAST URBAN RENEWAL BOARD r si;;,� tp e? F nxrman • Q Bnx i230 • Bozeman, MT 59771 _ . NORTHEAST URBAN RENEWAL BOARD BUDGET FY 2012 PROPOSAL TO THE BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION In 2005, the Bozeman City Commission adopted ordinance 1655 which formally enacted the Northeast Urban Renewal Plan. The stated mission of the plan and general goals are as follows: DISTRICT PLAN MISSIONNISION "This Plan is the City's response to remedy the conditions of blight found in the August 2005 [Blight]Report. The Plan also addresses other issues important to the District. The Plan's purpose is to ensure the vitality of the Northeast Urban Renewal District(NURD) the vitality of the NURD for generations to come and to make the NURD an area in which its citizens can take exceptional pride. The Plan envisions a mixed use neighborhood that is user friendly, safe, secure and healthy. While this Plan envisions a District with diversity of housing businesses and amenities, it intends to maintain the unique ambiance and historic character of the District". Nine principals were developed for the plan for the plan. Each of the principals has one or more goals associated with the plan some of which specifically relate to this work plan others represent general objectives and directives. The Northeast Urban Renewal Board(NURB) goals are as follows: GENERAL GOALS: • Outdated or insufficient infrastructure should be repaired, replaced, or otherwise improved. • Provide public utilities to the area efficiently in ways that are not visually or physically obtrusive. • Encourage a land use pattern that facilitates all modes of transportation— vehicular, bicycle,pedestrian, mass transit, and commercial—for safe, efficient and convenient access for residential, commercial, and industrial uses. • Harmonize commercial and industrial development with residential quality of life. • New structures should be designed and built keeping in mind the public values of durability, flexibility, and simplicity. Thoughtful consideration of design, materials, and massing in the construction of new private buildings will add strength and character to the built environment. To the degree that the private sector can be influenced by a public partner in development, the community ought to strongly encourage excellence in urban design as a basis of partnership. • Promote sustainable building practices and design within the district • Procure new land for park and open space • Improve landscaping in existing public spaces • Neither the City of Bozeman nor any of its subdivisions shall use eminent domain to take private property for private use in the implementation of an urban renewal project or similar redevelopment plan. Northeast Urban Renewal Board Annual Work Plan and Budget FY12 • Encourage the City to help ensure the success of the Northeast Urban Renewal Plan by giving a high priority to the Northeast District in its capital improvements plan. • Work with neighborhoods and businesses to ensure actions taken in the district are compatible with adjacent developed areas. • Work with the City to ensure actions taken outside of the District are compatible with projects inside of the District BACKGROUND In 2010, the Northeast Urban Renewal Board began implementing plans and projects reflecting their three funding priorities: 1)Parks, Trails and Greenspace; 2) Infrastructure and 3)Neighborhood Development Plan. 2011 AT A-GLANCE In 2011, the Board continued to work on these priorities by implementing trail projects and continuing their work on the Neighborhood Development Plan. With the assistance of City staff engineer Dustin Johnson, the Board hired local engineering firm Morrison-Maierle to prepare conceptual designs for East Peach Street sidewalk improvements. The Board also provided a matching share for a Preserve America grant. The grant application, prepared by Historic Preservation Officer, Courtney Kramer,requested funding for a redevelopment feasibility study of the Northern Pacific Rail Road passenger depot on Front Street. The Preserve America grant was not awarded for the passenger depot study due to lack of interest/support from the building owner Burlington Northern Santa Fe and leaseholder Montana Rail Link. Staff assisted the Board with a Montana Fish,Wildlife and Parks Recreational Trails grant application for the Aspen Street Pedestrian Bridge. The application is pending. See attached spreadsheet for FYI expenditures. MOVING FORWARD —FY2012 Construction of trails in the N. Church and E.Aspen rights-of-way is anticipated to happen this fall.Additional funding has been contributed to the Aspen Street Pedestrian Bridge project. The Board continues to work on the Neighborhood Development Plan, and Morrison- Maierle is finalizing conceptual plans for E. Peach Street improvements. The NURB continues to support the preservation of the depot by offering funding for future preservation grant opportunities. Staff and citizen volunteer groups continue to seek a partnership with the railroad companies in order to preserve this contributing building within the NPRR District. Since the Neighborhood Development Plan (aka Visioning Document) is still a work in progress, creation of a redevelopment incentive program has been put on hold until the Neighborhood Development Plan is completed. Northeast Urban Renewal Board Annual Work Plan and Budget FY12 PRIORITIES I, 11 & III—IN DETAIL L PARKS, TRAILS AND GREENSPACE Depot Trail Pocket Park)Area $ 2,374 The original trail, landscaping and bench installation were completed in 2002. Landscaping maintenance, including mowing and weed spraying, is on-going. Water is provided, as needed, from an adjacent property. The Board proposes continuing the operation of the temporary irrigation system, weed control and general maintenance. Aspen Street Right-of-Way pen Space Improvements &North Church Avenue Trail Improvements (Aspen to Tamarack) $ 16,300 In January 2011, the City Commission approved a trail plan and related improvements in undeveloped portions of N. Church and E.Aspen Street rights-of-way within the District. The Board's intention is to preserve the rights-of-way for construction of a street if redevelopment of an adjacent parcel requires it; in the interim, the Board wishes to provide a use that will enhance the neighborhood.A bid has been awarded and preconstruction meetings are being scheduled. Trail construction should occur this fall with landscaping improvements and maintenance to follow in the spring. The Board received positive feedback from NENA and Gallatin Valley Land Trust on this project. The Board is hopeful that these trail improvements will greatly improve pedestrian connectivity in the District. Aspen Street Pedestrian Bridge $ 22,234 Board members identified the need for a pedestrian bridge at the terminus of E.Aspen Street and the N. Church Avenue trail east of N. Rouse Avenue. E.Aspen Street comes to an end at Bozeman Creek. The use along this section of E.Aspen Street is largely residential with a retail store (butcher shop) at the southeast corner of N. Rouse Avenue and E. Aspen Street. The Board feels the District's pedestrian connectivity could be improved with the construction of a pedestrian bridge to the N. Church Avenue Trail. During FYI 1, the NURB received positive feedback from the Northeast Neighborhood Association (NENA) on the project and Gaston Engineering completed a feasibility study and cost estimates. Construction of the bridge is estimated between $52,470 and $57,715. The budgeted amount is for construction. The budgeted amount does not cover the full cost of the bridge. The NURB applied for a grant under the Montana Fish,Wildlife and Parks Recreation Trails Program in hopes of acquiring financial assistance. The application is pending and dependent on the program obtaining continued funding under the Federal Transportation Bill if/when adopted. If the FWP grant is not award to the NURB, they will continue to seek additional funding resources. Prioritv I Total $ 40,908 Northeast Urban Renewal Board Annual Work Plan and Budget FY12 Priority I Rationale: The park, trail and green space improvements meet Guiding Principle 4 and Goals A& B under Principle 4 of the adopted Northeast Urban Renewal District Plan: • Guiding Principle, "Public open space is essential to a healthy and appealing urban environment" • Goal A, "Procure new land for parks and public open space" • Goal B, `Improve landscaping in existing public spaces."- to include enhancing boulevards and public rights-of-way by planting and maintaining trees where appropriate and controlling weeds The spending of TIF funds on park and open space improvements is allowed under 7-15- 4255,Authority to provide or contract for services related to urban renewal, of the Montana Code Annotated. Specifically, item (lb) states that "Every municipality shall have power to install, construct, and reconstruct streets, utilities,parks,playgrounds, and other public improvements" IL INFRASTRUCTURE Poor pedestrian connectivity within the District is well documented. Lack of street improvements including missing curb, gutter,pavement and sidewalks creates an unwelcoming and potentially unsafe environment for pedestrians and bicyclists.A lack of storm water drainage facilities leads to the ponding of water in public right-of-ways encouraging pedestrians to walk in the street emphasizing the need for street improvements. The District has a historic mix of light manufacturing and residential uses creating a more urban environment on the streets, especially during business hours. Modest improvements to pedestrian facilities to create safer more welcoming routes for pedestrians will reduce conflict between users. The lack of street delineation/improvements and storm water facilities has caused an unknown number of individuals to use some sections of the District as dumping grounds for unwanted appliances and furniture. Street improvements coupled with improvements to trails and parks and the landscaping of public spaces will improve conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists and reduce, if not eliminate, dumping in the public right-of-way. Making improvements to sidewalks on unimproved streets comes with some difficulty especially if elevation differences are present across the width of the right-of-way and if a need to improve storm water drainage is warranted as well. What seems like a rather simple project turns into a large scale street improvement project. Without additional information, moving forward on these improvements is difficult, so survey and design is the first step. Regarding design, the Board recognizes that creative solutions are needed to enhance the public right-of-way for two very different user types in the District. In support of improvements to these streets, the Board has allocated a portion of the FYI budget to the following deficient street sections in the District: Northeast Urban Renewal Board Annual Work Plan and Budget FY12 East Peach Street— Sidewalks, Storm Water control and Landscaping & Ida Avenue as a Shared Use Connector $ 105,670 Missing sidewalk sections on E. Peach Street need to be installed and some existing sidewalk sections need replacement between N. Rouse and N.Wallace Avenue. The Board hired Morrison-Maierle to complete a topographic survey and create conceptual designs. The Board and Morrison-Maierle have been working closely with the Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board (BABAB) and NENA for innovative designs which will remedy the lack of pedestrian and storm water retention facilities in the District while at the same time preserving the District character. Initial survey has been completed and conceptual designs are nearing completion. The Board wants to continue evaluating Ida Avenue as a shared use connector for all modes of transportation. The right-of-way is extremely narrow and utilized by trucks coming from adjacent and nearby light manufacturing businesses. Creative solutions are necessary to improve this street as north-south multi-modal connector to District trails, the Deport Park, and hopefully in the near future, the re-developed NPRR passenger depot. Priority II Total $ 105,670 Priority II Rationale: The infrastructure improvements meet Guiding Principle 1 and Goals A& B under Principle 1 of the adopted Northeast Urban Renewal District Plan: • Guiding Principle, "Ensure the health, safety, and security of the District" • Goal A, "Outdated or insufficient infrastructure should be repaired, replaced or otherwise improved. " • Goal B, "Encourage a land use pattern that facilitates all modes of transportation vehicular, bicycle,pedestrian, mass transit, and commercial for safe, efficient and convenient access for residential, commercial, and industrial uses." The spending of TIF funds on infrastructure improvements is allowed under Section 7-15- 4288, MCA which states, "Costs that may be paid by tax increment financing" allows the municipality to use tax increments to pay the following costs of or incurred in connection with an urban renewal project: (1)land acquisition; (2) demolition and removal of structures; (3)relocation of occupants; (4) the acquisition, construction, and improvement of infrastructure;... and 5) costs incurred in connection with the redevelopment activities allowed under 7-15-4233... III.NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLANNING Neighborhood Development Plan (aka Visioning Document) $ 2,000 Assisted by Montana State University students from the Community Design Center(CDC) within the School of Architecture, the Board put together the first draft of this document to provide a necessary supplement to the existing Urban Renewal plan. It outlines specific projects and ideas that will further the goals and objectives of the plan. The current draft Northeast Urban Renewal Board Annual Work Plan and Budget FY12 requires revisions. NURB Chair, Erik Nelson, is currently working with the CDC to complete the revisions. Preserve America Grant Match $ 14,374 If additional historic preservation grant opportunities arise, the NURB has pledged to match up to $14, 374 in funds towards a grant for feasibility studies and analysis of renovation opportunities. Matching funds may provide for a professional historical architectural and engineering team to examine the existing conditions, evaluate the architectural integrity of the building, identify potential issues with the site and study the feasibility of re-use opportunities at the site. Funds may also be used to offset the cost of Historic Preservation staff time spent managing the grant. Priority III Total $ 16,374 Priority III Rationale: Neighborhood Development Plan meets Guiding Principle 2 and the Goal under Principle 2 of the adopted Northeast Urban Renewal District Plan: • Guiding Principles, "Balance commerce and livability in the District within the mixed-use framework"AND "Honor the unique character and vitality of the District" • Goal, "Harmonize commercial and industrial development with residential quality of life" • Implementation Action, "Where historic structures are affected by public or private development, seek out the advice and assistance of local, state, or federal historic preservation professionals for opportunities to renovate existing historic structures. " The spending of TIF funds on the design of a Neighborhood Development Plan is allowed under 7-15-4254,Municipality power in the preparation of various plans, of the Montana Code Annotated. Specifically, item (la) states that "Every municipality shall have power, within the municipality to make or have made all plans necessary to the carrying out of the purposes of this part and to contract with any person,public or private, in making and carrying out such plans;" SUMMARY. FY 12 PROPOSED BUDGET Priority I $ 40,908 Priority II $ 105,670 Priority III $ 16,374 Staff time $ 5,000 Noticing and Administrative Services $ 2,000 Overall Budget Total $ 169,952 Northeast Urban Renewal Board Annual Work Plan and Budget FY12 F � W � Q 18 0 Q aW w z z W M w r r M 10 0^✓^ O N N N O vi O p 01 vi 7 F � N p O N N O vi vi W O a N W L O O O O O O O O O O C = a= W 0.. 0 N coo o N � O O ai N N y F � ai 69 N O O '6 Vl 7 7 V 0 7 �D 0 0 7 7 0 0 O � U ¢ UU u1 ,� 0 Si N p N N , � bA waQ � Qw aH v'� H � aH w �