HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-24-2011
CITY OF ,a-' x
B- y DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
y ~ " COMMITTEE
~ WASHINGTON
MAY 24, 2011
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. in Annex Conference Room 2,
located on the second floor of One East Main Street, Auburn, Washington. Committee
Members present were: Chair Lynn Norman, Vice Chair Nancy Backus, and Member Rich
Wagner.
Staff present included: Mayor Pete Lewis, Planning and Development Director Kevin
Snyder, Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub,
Project Engineer Ryan Vondrak, Economic Development Manager Doug Lien, Planning
Secretary Tina Kriss, and Support Clerk Bobbie Hodgkinson.
Audience Members present were: Executive Director of the Auburn Downtown Association
Kathleen Keator.
Il. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Meeting Minutes - April 26, 2011
Vice Chair Backus moved and Chair Norman seconded to approve the consent agenda
items as presented.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0
III. DISCUSSION
A. Local Revitalization Funding
Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain presented a list of proposed projects to be
considered for expending the remaining balance of the Local Revitalization Funding
(LRF). The Promenade bids came in approximately $900,000 less than the Engineer's
estimate which leaves a surplus of slightly more than $1,000,000.
As outlined in the May 18, 2011 Memorandum to the Committee, staff brought forward
four recommended projects to spend remaining LRF funds. A second list requests the
Committee select the top 5 options as a contingency plan in the event favorable bids
continue to result in surplus money to expend.
There are three goals outlined to accomplish with the remaining funding:
1. Projects that can be put out to bid in a relatively short timeframe with minimal design
to meet the bond required expenditure schedule of 75% of the LRF bonds by
November 13, 2011 and 100% by May 13, 2012.
2. Project Nos. 1 and 4, and to a certain extent No. 3, that continue the downtown
infrastructure improvements along Main Street connecting Historic Main Street with
the Promenade and Plaza projects by replacing street lights to our new standard and
providing additional street furniture consistent with the Promenade and Plaza.
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Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes May 24, 2011
3. Complete the northwest corner of the City Hall block to be consistent with the new
Plaza improvements.
Committee reviewed and agreed on the four Staff Recommended Options. Committee
also agreed to move No. 1 (Provide and install a signature art piece for downtown) from
the second list to the Staff Recommended Options list.
1. Replace the existing teal downtown pedestrian lighting (62 total)
2. Design and construct improvements to the City Hall North Plaza
3. Install Pedestrian Kiosks (additional 2-3)
4. Provide Additional Street Furniture in Downtown
5. Provide and install a signature art piece for downtown = $TBD
Chair Norman asked the Committee how they felt about the order on the second list, and
Committee concurred that Nos. 2 to No. 7 would be readdressed at a later time if it is
determined there are additional funds available.
IV. INFORMATION
A. Pedestrian Kiosk Walking Tour
Weather permitted and Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 4:18 p.m. for the
Pedestrian Walking Tour.
Participating were Chair Lynn Norman, Vice Chair Nancy Backus, Member Rich
Wagner, Planning and Development Director Kevin Snyder, Planning Manager Elizabeth
Chamberlain, Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub, Economic Development Manager
Doug Lien, and Support Clerk Bobbie Hodgkinson.
A mockup kiosk, 7 ft. x 2 ft., was placed at each of the following locations with
consideration given to the scale, placement (whether squared or on an angle), traffic and
pedestrian flow, safety, sight distances, obstructions, etc:
1. NW corner of B Street and Main Street.
2. At the Justice Center on Main Street west of the main entrance, partially on the
sidewalk.
3. B Street Plaza - Two kiosks, each offset with one located on each end of the Plaza,
one at the NE corner and one at the SW corner.
4. 2"d and A Street SE at the NW corner.
5. Sounder Plaza / A Street SW North of The Station Bistro on brickwork.
6. West Main and B Street on the SW,side in front of the Historic Auburn Sign.
7. SW corner of City Hall at Main Street and A Street NW.
Chair Norman reconvened the meeting at 5:26 p.m.
Following the Walking Tour, Committee and staff discussed the proposed locations.
Ms. Chamberlain requested confirmation that it will be okay to have the kiosks all located
on the one side of Main Street rather than staggered and noted that the group did not
look at the location on Main Street across from the Justice Center. Chair Norman
responded it is a valid point but it is more important to serve B Street than the other side
of the street and expressed concern that the other side is shaded by trees and might not
be visible enough. Perhaps at some point of accommodating the High School, other
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Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes May 24, 2011
locations could be considered; this can be a line item in the budget, perhaps 2 or 4 per
year.
The kiosk map details are yet to be worked out. Chair Norman stated the scale is good
but would like to see some universal signage on the map and suggested the sign at
Main Street by the Sounder Station would be a good place to mention the Environmental
Park and Interurban Trail.
B. DRC Matrix
Project Engineer Ryan Vondrak distributed a handout prepared by the consultant for the
South Division Street Promenade Project of a proposed project sign that will be placed
on Main Street by the expanded Plaza for the project. The proposed sign shows the
overall project streetscape design, anticipated construction schedule, and a contact
number if anyone has questions. The sign will be approximately 4' x 8'.
The Committee discussed adding other information to include the underground utilities,
storm drainage, and other improvements, as well as showing where the funding came
from, and indicate where the gateway arch is going to be located.
Staff will take the input provided by the Committee and revise the proposed sign
accordingly.
Chair Norman noted Item 10, Downtown Incentives, on the Matrix is moved to June 28.
Everything else remains the same.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Downtown Redevelopment Committee,
Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 5:36 p.m.
APPROVED THIS DAY OF
Lynn Norman, Chair Bobbie Hodgkinson, S pport Clerk
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