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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15-13 Downtown Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) Minutes / Downtown Tax Increment Finance Board Meeting Minutes January 15, 2013 Attending: Bobby Bear, Shannon Haish, Bob Hietala, Vonda Laird, Scott Lee, Bill Stoddart, Carson Taylor, Chris Naumann Absent: Bob Lashaway Public Comments None Disclosures None Minutes ACTION: B ill Stoddart moved to approve the December minutes as presented. Bob Hietala seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Financial Report Chris presented the financial report indicating that he had received some income figures from the City of Bozeman Finance Department as follows: Increment: $428,400; Entitlement: $22,718; Interest: $3774. For expenses, Chris highlighted paying the 3rd quarter management fee to the Partnership and less than one thousand dollars in street furniture maintenance. Bob H asked if there are ways we could jump start several programs that don’t seem to be getting any traction such as the Residential Incentive and Hotel Incentive programs. Chris replied that the residential program was the most frustrating as it is very dependent on the private development market to take an interest in downtown housing. He said that he is planning to devise a new strategy to draw more attention to the need for downtown residential development similar to the approach that proved fruitful with a downtown hotel. Regarding the Hotel incentive program, Chris said he anticipates the Armory Hotel group to apply for that grant very soon. He also said there is two other downtown hotels being considered. Bobby B asked is the Explosion Impact Fee MOU was still in effect and if any projects were planned at the remaining two vacant properties. Chris replied that Chris Pope has indicated that he has a building designed and is trying to assemble the necessary financing. He said he would review the MOU as it may need to be reinstated. There were no questions regarding finances from the board members. Executive Director’s Report Technical Assistance Program Update As you can see from the chart below, 6 grants have been awarded so far this year. The total committed funds for these projects total $36,000 of the $125,000 budget. Keep in mind that the committed grant amounts are only tentative since the actual reimbursement amount will be determined as a one to one match upon completion of the grant work. As a reminder, the Planning grants have a $7500 cap and the Façade grants are capped at $3000. **Grants listed in bold have been completed as the applicant has submitted all materials and been reimbursed (3 of 5 projects). 2013 Downtown Technical Assistance Program        Project Name Project Address Applicant Professional Grant Type  SWN Creekside 317 East Mendenhall Susan Neubauer Weirich & Greenspace Facade  Rialto-SRO Live 12 West Main Stephen Michael CTA Planning  30 3 East Main 303 East Main Helori Graff Van Bryan Planning  303 East Main 303 East Main Helori Graff Van Bryan Facade  Lindley Park Hotel 712 East Main Anthony Renslow Works Partnership (OR) Planning  SWN Creekside 317 East Mendenhall Susan Neubauer Hyalite Engineers Planning         Downtown Parking Updates The Parking Commission’s ad hoc “Armory Hotel Committee” reconvened and made revisions to the preliminary Armory Hotel parking proposal. Most notably, the number of “staging permits” has been reduced from a quantity of 30 down to 15. The committee met with Cory Lawrence of the Armory Hotel group to discuss the revisions. The Parking Commission will be releasing an RFQ in the coming weeks soliciting professional firms to develop redevelopment plans for all four public parking lots. The plans will include: parking lot reconfiguration to meet code and maximize efficiency; pedestrian-scale amenities such as lighting and sidewalks; landscaping and hardscaping to meet code screening requirements; and stormwater mitigation measures. The designs will utilize the preliminary design work already completed for the lot at Rouse and Babcock. On the back is the most recent parking garage usage data. / / / Discussion and Decision Items Board Appointment Chris informed the board that Shannon’s appointment to the TIF board as a non-voting member was scheduled for the January 28th City Commission agenda. DURT Project Phase 1 Chris presented the following report outlining the basic components of the project: DURT Project Phase 1: Mendenhall Street The primary objective of the Downtown Urban Route Transformation (DURT) Project is to upgrade Mendenhall and Babcock Streets into “complete streets”. These urban routes which flank downtown’s historic Main Street need to be transformed into modern complete streets so as to better serve all modes of transportation. In current form, Mendenhall and Babcock lack the pedestrian amenities found along Main Street and many of the north-south side streets. There is also an opportunity to service the downtown district with bike lanes along Mendenhall and Babcock. Phase 1 of the DURT Project will focus on making strategic improvements along the Mendenhall corridor. Improving the Babcock corridor will be Phase 2 but is not scheduled at this time. BACKGROUND The DURT Project will address one of the key objectives in the 2009 Downtown Improvement Plan that was adopted by the City of Bozeman in January of 2010. The Downtown Plan states: The city must create a neighborhood-friendly environment through the form and character of the streets. Currently, Mendenhall acts more as a major through-way, getting people through downtown, than moving people within downtown. Both Mendenhall and Babcock have a very poor pedestrian environment, with narrow or inconsistent sidewalks flanked by long stretches of surface parking lots. In order to attain the future vision downtown, the city should provide pedestrian amenities such as wider sidewalks, street trees, and safe, comfortable crossings. [page 28] The Downtown Plan repeatedly emphasizes the need to implement “Complete Streets”. Issues Lack of Vitality on Key Streets The amount and quality of sidewalks, street trees and street furniture varies throughout downtown. Some areas are appealing, while many others do not encourage and support getting around on foot. [page 10] Opportunities “Complete Streets” Most streets downtown are in need of improvements. Design streets to make it safe, easy and enjoyable to get around on foot and bicycle. [page 11] Guiding Principles No. 2 All streets and sidewalks in downtown should be designed to make the experience of pedestrians and bicyclists safe, comfortable and visually appealing. [page 12] The DURT Project is in essence a Complete Streets project and The Greater Bozeman Area Transportation Plan (2007 Update) established Complete Streets guidelines: A complete street is one that is designed and operated to safely accommodate all users, including but not limited to: motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, and people of all ages and abilities. A complete streets philosophy causes transportation agencies to design and operate the entire right of way to encompass users of all types and to promote safe access and travel for the users. A complete street is comprised of many different elements; these elements may include, but are not limited to: sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, wide shoulders, medians, bus pullouts, special bus lanes, raised crosswalks, audible pedestrian signals, sidewalk bulb-outs, and more. [page 6-1] The Transportation Plan also recommends installing a bike lane on Mendenhall between Wallace and 11th Avenues. / PARTNERSHIPS and STAKEHOLDERS The City of Bozeman and the Downtown Bozeman Partnership have collaborated up to organize and implement Phase One of the DURT Project. The City and Downtown Partnership will work in conjunction with the Montana Department of Transportation and the Transportation Coordinating Committee. The City and Downtown Partnership will work with the Downtown Business Improvement District, the Downtown Tax Increment Finance District, and the Downtown Bozeman Association. The City and Downtown Partnership will seek significant public involvement from downtown property owners, downtown business owners, downtown residents and Bozeman community members. PROJECT AREA The project area extends along Mendenhall Street from Broadway Avenue to 7th Avenue. The different components of the scope of work will be performed along specific stretches of this roadway corridor as designated below. / SCOPE of WORK The scope of work for the DURT Project will include the following components over the course of two years: Utility Upgrades The sewer and water lines located under Mendenhall Street will be replaced between Broadway and 7th Avenues. Roadway Resurfacing Mendenhall Street will be milled and resurfaced between Broadway and 7th Avenues. Restriping will include thermoplastic inlaid intersection crosswalk markings and a single, one-way bike lane between Rouse and 7th Avenues. Streetscape Replacement The streetscapes will be replaced between Rouse and Grand Avenues. The new streetscape design will replicate those in place along Main Street and many of downtown’s north-south side streets. Streetscape elements will include new concrete sidewalks; “historic” streetlamps; street or boulevard trees; pedestrian benches; trash receptacles; and bike racks. TIMELINE June-August 2013 Underground Utility Work May-July 2014 Streetscape Improvements July 2014 Pavement Resurfacing FUNDING SOURCES COB CIP Funds (City of Bozeman Capital Improvement Projects) The utility upgrades and roadway resurfacing have been approved for municipal funding as designated Capital Improvement Projects. SID Funds (Special Improvement District) The majority of the streetscape replacement will be funded by establishing a Special Improvement District. Downtown TIF Funds (Tax Increment Finance District) The Downtown TIF District has designated funds to help with the planning and implementation of Phase One of the DURT Project. CTEP Funds (Community Transportation Enhancement Program) Community Transportation Enhancement funds could be used to finance certain components of the streetscape replacement such as the purchase of the historic street lamps. NEXT STEPS Meet with Kyle DeMars to clarify MT Dept of Transportation’s role Work with Dave Crawford from TD&H to develop initial cost estimates (Feb 1, 2013) Property Owner Door-to-Door Property Owner Meeting Update TCC (Transportation Coordination Committee) RFP for Preliminary Streetscape Engineering (Feb 15-March1, 2013) Streetscape SID Petitions (April, 2013) Streetscape SID Creation (May-August, 2013) Final Streetscape Engineering and Design Work (Sept-December, 2013) Streetscape Construction BIDs (Feb 2014) Economic Profile Survey Chris reviewed the latest draft of the three surveys comprising the Downtown Economic Profile report. He said he would be making the same presentation to the BID Board on January 16th and to the DBA Board on February 5th. Chris said he would ask both boards to join the TIF board in funding this project. Bob H said that once complete we need to develop a strategy to really leverage the data compiled. Chris said he would bring back some ideas about how best to do that and seek board input. Shannon asked if it would be possible to for business and property owners to simply update previously submitted information rather than retaking the survey every year or every other year. Chris said he would ask Rob of Solution Mountain that same question. With no further new or old business to discuss, Bobby adjourned the meeting.