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Home My WebLink AboutITEM VIII-B-8CITY OF -x - -~~ „¢ URN AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM WASHINGTON Agenda Subject: Resolution No. 4191 Date: May 17, 2007 Department: Attachments: Resolution No. 4191 Budget Impact: Administrative Recommendation: City Council adopt Resolution No. 4191. Background Summary: The City of Auburn has been working with private and public sector property owners in the downtown area to develop strategies to address what has been described as an under utilized and blighted (from a planning standpoint) downtown, and has developed some approaches that are intended to help promote and work with the private developers as well as to address the transformation of the downtown area to a more vibrant pedestrian friendly business area. The strategic plan which is sought to be adopted addresses a number of core blocks in what has been characterized as the City of Auburn downtown revitalization catalyst area. This is included within the general downtown area and is what is hoped to be the first step in a series of steps that will help to revitalize the entire downtown area. In addition to the strategic plan, the downtown revitalization catalyst area has identified certain points that are key to the strategic plan, included as follows: A0521-2 A3.4.1.1 Reviewed by Council & Committees: Reviewed by Departments & Divisions: ^ Arts Commission COUNCIL COMMITTEES: ^ Building ^ M&O ^ Airport ^ Finance ^ Cemetery ^ Mayor ^ Hearing Examiner ^ Municipal Serv. ^ Finance ^ Parks ^ Human Services ^ Planning & CD ^ Fire ^ Planning ^ Park Board ^Public Works ^ Legal ^ Police ^ Planning Comm. ^ Other ^Public Works ^ Human Resources Action: Committee Approval: ^Yes ^No Council Approval: ^Yes ^No Call for Public Hearing _/_/ Referred to Until _/_/_ Tabled Until / / Councilmember: Backus Staff: Heid Meetin Date: Ma 21, 2007 Item Number: VIII.B.8 AUBURN * MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION CATALYST AREA TALKING POINTS STRATEGIC PLAN FOR CATALYST AREA The City has a strategic plan for the Downtown Revitalization Catalyst Area. This plan is guided by six core elements, which collectively establish a platform for revitalization by leveraging city efforts and public investment to achieve development of multiple catalyst blocks, thereby contributing to downtown's renaissance. • Acquisitions: Acquire parcels that provide opportunities to aggregate properties and facilitate revitalization efforts. • Incentives: Provide incentives for projects that will provide appropriate long-term public benefit consistent with the City's Vision and Goals. • Regulations: Amend City regulations and standards as needed to promote development consistent with the City's Vision and Goals. • Studies: Spearhead underlying studies as appropriate to streamline future environmental reviews for developers and inform market demand for desired land uses downtown. • Design: Implement design guidelines that promote the Downtown Revitalization Catalyst Area as a unique district, promote quality development while respecting the tradition of the community, and that clearly communicate these guidelines to existing and future property owners and developers. • Public Facilities and Amenities: Identify both necessary and desired public elements within the Downtown Revitalization Catalyst Area, and implement steps to achieve them. ANNEX BLOCK • This is a public/private development. • Vision includes atwo-to-three story building with second floor City Hall Annex with sky bridge connection to current City Hall, retail on first floor/restaurant on corner of Main St. & Division, expansion of plaza at corner of Main St. & Division, and a new Key Bank at A Street & Main. • City needs more space; current City Hall built approx. 30 years ago when population half what it is now. This project will provide 20,000-30,000 square feet where City can house new Permit Center and departments such as Public Works and Planning. • Includes expansion of plaza area for additional gathering space in front of City Hall during parades and other downtown events. • Replaces row of old taverns acquired over last five years. • City putting out Request for Proposal from developers at the end of May. • Will be on new enhanced Promenade. PROJECT ACE • This is a private party development. • Phase I completed: Mixed use building with retail, hardware store, two-story parking garage. • Phase II in permitting process: Plans include 30 condominiums, 45-unit full service Ramada Hotel, conference center, spa, and two restaurants. • Potential Phase III to include water park on site of current Washington Federal Savings Bank. • New Washington Federal Savings & Loan building permits now in to the City. Once approved, they'll build on new site and move from current location. Then their current space can be incorporated into overall Project Ace development. • Developer has hired project manager and general contractor for Phase II. • City has fully and timely responded to developer proposals. • Will be on new enhanced Promenade CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BLOCK • City owns properties or has an interest in part of this block and is currently considering selling those properties for a private development with public benefits. • City currently in negotiation with Stratford Company for possible mixed-use development. • Part of City's objective for high-quality redevelopment consistent with Downtown Plan objectives and City design guidelines. • Will be on the new enhanced Promenade. MARVEL-SUN BREAK BLOCK City owns properties or has an interest in part of this block and is currently considering selling those properties for a private development with public benefits. City currently in negotiation with Stratford Company for possible mixed-use development. Part of City's objective for high-quality redevelopment consistent with Downtown Plan objectives and City design guidelines. Will be on the new enhanced Promenade. CRITES-HUFF BLOCK City owns properties or has an interest in part of this block and is currently considering selling those properties for a private development with public benefits. City currently in negotiation with Stratford Company for possible mixed-use development. Part of City's objective for high-quality redevelopment consistent with Downtown Plan objectives and City design guidelines. Will be on the new enhanced Promenade. ARMC BLOCK • This is a public/private development. • ARMC is the developer after being selected via RFP in 2004. • Current building plans are for at least a 302-stall, three-story parking structure on the west half of the block and atwo-story medical office building/cancer center and 13 surface parking spaces along the eastern half of the block. • City has a condominium interest in 149 of these stalls. • Will be on new enhanced Promenade (? -confirm with LMN) MEL'S HARDWARE BLOCK Developer controls all property on this block and is likely interested in near term development. City currently leases back some of the parking on this block. CITY PARKING LOT BLOCK • City hasn't formulated any development plans yet for this block. • Will be one of last to be developed. KING COUNTY TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD) AGREEMENT • City putting out Request for Proposals from developers in the near future. • Objective to consolidate bus and rail transit facilities in vicinity of Auburn Station. • Facilitate transit oriented development in downtown Auburn. • Free up space at existing 15th Street NE Park & Ride for retail/commercial development. • King County willing to acquire at least 100 parking stalls for commuter benefit, but available for ancillary uses outside commuting hours. • Development must be within one block of downtown Sounder garage. • Optimum development projected as a mix of for-purchase residential and either office or retail uses. Updated 5/15/2007 RESOLUTION NO.4 1 9 1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CITY OF AUBURN DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION CATALYST AREA WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Auburn has identified as a sub- area within the City of Auburn comprehensive plan, the downtown area, as a part of it's downtown plan/Final EIS in May, 2001 ;and WHEREAS, the Auburn downtown, over the past number of years, experienced a decline in the quality of building stock and a substantially increased percentage of building vacancies resulting in under utilized parcels in the downtown area; and WHEREAS, the City of Auburn comprehensive plan, as evidenced by the City Council's adoption of the Auburn downtown area/final EIS in May 2001 (the Auburn downtown plan) recognized that blight conflicts with the goals of establishing a high quality pedestrian oriented downtown; and WHEREAS, these factors promoted the establishment of goals and policies for the downtown area including the goal of removing or diminishing the impact of blighting influences throughout the downtown; encouraging removal of blighted influences and promoting public/private investments in the area as a catalyst for downtown area development; and WHEREAS, following public notices and public hearings, the City Council found, as stated in its Ordinance No. 6049, that a sound and adequate financial Resolution No. 4191 May 17, 2007 Page 1 of 3 program exists for financing the economic renewal projects giving funding programs, the City partnership in proposed projects and anticipated private development financing; and WHEREAS, in furtherance of these actions, the determination of blighting influences, the comprehensive plan, and the downtown revitalization plan, the City has been working to address strategic planning needs for the downtown area and these needs have been identified and compiled in the City of Auburn downtown revitalization catalyst area strategic plan; and WHEREAS, in order to move forward with the strategic plan, it is appropriate that this matter be adopted and implemented by the City. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, HEREBY RESOLVES as follows: Section 1. That the City of Auburn downtown revitalization catalyst area strategic plan, a copy of which is attached hereto, marked as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by this reference, be, and the same hereby is, approved and adopted. Section 2. That the Mayor is authorized to implement such administrative procedures as may be necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation. Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in full force upon passage and signatures hereon. Resolution No. 4191 May 17, 2007 Page 2 of 3 Dated and Signed this day of , 2007. CITY OF AUBURN PETER B. LEWIS MAYOR ATTEST: Danielle E. Daskam, City Clerk Resolution No. 4191 May 17, 2007 Page 3 of 3