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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/24/85 MINUTES RA MINUTES BAKERSFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Regular Meeting, July 24, 1985 The Regular Meeting of the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency was called to order by Chairman Rockoff on Wednesday, July 24, 1985, at 5:05 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The Secretary called the roll as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT: James Barton James Childs Chris Christensen Mark Dickerson Rollie Moore Art Rockoff MEMBERS ABSENT: Donald Ratty MINUTES Upon a motion by Agency Member Moore, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 26, 1985 were approved as presented. REPORTS 1. Action Plan 1985/86 Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency: Executive Directors Report 1-85. George Caravalho, City Manager, summarized the report sub- mitted to the Agency. He emphasized that the report was an out- line of the major activities proposed for the coming year. Councilman Christensen made a motion that when a project is presented to the agenc~ staff should insure that it has already been throughly researched to the point where it has the qualities and the backing that will make it a success and allow it to move forward. After discussion Councilman Christensen with- drew his motion. Councilman Childs asked for an update on the present status of any development projects we have now, before any additional motions are made. George Caravalho responded that as far as the status of the Downtown Center the staff does not feel that a regional shopping center is viable in the near future and therefore suggest that the resources allocated for that project be shifted to other areas. The Beale Library is still viable. The Hotel is moving forward and we are hopeful that a package for financing the project will be presented at the next meeting. The office pro- posal that was discussed with Mr. Mosesian is not moving for- ward at this time. They have submitted another proposal which was a departure from their original concept. The Request for Proposal discussed in our report, may include that area as a possible competitive project. The County Administration building proposal has been submitted and they have refered it to their Capital Improvement Task Force for evaluation and we have not heard from them. Councilman Childs asked how far the proposed shopping mall project got. George Caravalho stated that staff effort was substantial. Twenty-two packages were sent to developers and eleven to retail department stores. We made contact and met with many of these people. We did research on the one complete proposal that was submitted by a developer, visited their office, and checked them out. They came here and were less than enthusiastic about the success based on the expansion of Valley Plaza. They expressed concern about the Agency's ability to deliver and make the necessary commitments. The staff went through a process where we could make an assessment regarding the success of the project Redevelopment Agency, July 24, 1985 Page 2 The project appears marginal, that is why it is suggest taking this action. The developer might be interested in doing some- thing less than a full regional shopping mall. Councilman Childs asked why staff recommended that they kill the project. George Caravalho replied that they didn't necessarily want to kill the project, but maybe put it aside. The reason is because we don't have any department stores that are willing to go into the downtown area, without department stores you don't have a center. Councilman Childs wanted to know how much money has been invested in projects that were not developed since 1980. George Caravalho indicated an estimate to $80,000 for the Galleria, and $50,000 to Retail Center. of around $70,000 $60,000 for the Councilman Childs commented that he felt there should not be another parking structure built unless there was a project as- sociated with it. Councilman Childs also asked what area on 19th Street would be developed. J. David Kennon, Economic Development Director, responded that the area would be 19th St. between "H" and "L" in terms of initial planning. The basic issue is planning for the necessary improvements to upgrade that environment in conjunction with other major developments. The Downtown Business Association (DBA) has also indicated that this is a primary interest of theirs. Councilman Childs asked if the DBA would have exclusive rights to the property. Mr. Kennon responded that the DBA would have no development rights and a private developer wishing to something on 19th St. would be treated like any other developer. Councilman Childs asked if an individual is not a member of the DBA would that exclude them from developing or submitting a project to develop in that particular area. Mr. Kennon replied that any qualified individual or company could submit a proposal. Councilman Dickerson stated that he was in favor of the parking structure. He also suggested having a net work of small satellite parking lots through-out the downtown area. Secondly, there should be an over all plan for the development of downtown. It should be thought out, well developed, and followed through. Councilman Christensen suggested having contracts with the business people who will be using the parking structure, and have the contracts signed before the structure is built. Mary Strenn, Deputy City Manager, pointed out that there is an adopted Downtown Redevelopment Plan. They are still following that plan and what has been presented to the Agency fits with that development plan very well. Councilman Moore asked if there was an over all plan proposed for 19th Street and the four block area between "H" and "L". Mary Strenn indicated the DBA's role would be as a lead Agency in talking with individual business owners and property owners along 19th Street to come up with some kind of specific design for the area. They will also work with our design consultants in that process. The design might include street scaping, sidewalks, Redevelopment Agency, July 24, 1985 Page 3 trees, facade treatments, and other activities that will clean up the visual image of that particular street. The planning and design for all this will be done at one time, rather than doing one block at a time. Councilman Dickerson asked if we were approached by a developer who stated that they were now interested in a retail center would we have to go again for requests for proposals? Mr. Caravahlo stated that several reputable and prominent developers have shown an interest in doing something in the down- town area. They should be able to have the opportunity to compete and give us a concept that we may find different, more economicly sound, and in so doing, we may find something that is very at- tractive and can be a catalysis for another project. In the past we have not had the opportunity for this when we enter into an Exclusive Right To Negotiate, without some type of competitive selection process. Mr. Ken Read, President of the DBA, explained the DBA'S role for developing the downtown. He said that presently the DBA is working with the Redevelopment Agency Staff to undertake a planning effort in the area on 19th Street between "H" and "L". The role we wish to play is one of helping to come up with a concept to provide landscaping, parking, facade rehab, new light posts, etc. The DBA would like to work on many of these things at one time; as one major project. Upon a motion by Councilman Moore, item 1, A motion directing staff to proceed with the development of a Request For Proposals (RFP) to develop a major office/commercial complex at 19th and "K" Street, was accepted. Upon a motion by Councilman Barton item 2, A motion directing staff to complete the necessary engineering and economic studied to determine the feasibility and cost of constructing a major parking structure near 19th and "K" Street, was accepted. Upon a motion by Councilman Moore, item 3, A motion directing staff to commence development of an agreement with the DBA to act as lead in the development of a Specific Improvement Plan for 19th Street, was accepted. AGENCY ACTION Consent Calendar (a) Design Review Board recommendation: Alley Facade Improvements - Simpson & Van Curen Engineering, 2210 Chester Avenue #C, Approval 2. Facade Improvements - YMCA, 900 22nd Street Approval Facade Improvements - Bakersfield News Observer Bob Owen's Art Studio, 1219-1221 20th Street Approval (b) Approval of voucher nos. 295-304 totaling $21,183.30 Upon a motion by Agency Member Barton, items (a) and (b) of the Consent Calendar were approved with the following roll call vote: AYES: Barton, NOES: None ABSENT: Ratty Childs, Christensen, Dickerson, Moore, Rockoff Redevelopment Agency, July 24, 1985 Page 4 New Business (a) Termination of Moreland Development Company's Exclusive Right to Negotiate for a Downtown Shopping Center. Comment: On August 1, 1984 the Moreland Development Company was granted an Exclusive Right to Negotiate for a Downtown Shopping Center. They have failed to meet the re- quirements of that agreement. Councilman Christenson moved that the Exclusive Right to Negotiate be terminated with the Moreland Development Company. The roll call vote: AYES: Barton, NOES: None ABSENT: Ratty Childs, Christensen, Dickerson, Moore, Rockoff ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Redevelop- ment Agency, Agency Member Childs made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:26 p.m. /Ge~o~/~fko/~ecretary Bake~'~Field/Redevelopment Agency ARTHUR L. ROCKOFF, Cha~m/~n Bakersfield Redevelop~t Agency