HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2018-11-13COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Joint Meeting with the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency
6:00 p.m. November 13, 2018
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Alderpersons (9) Brock, McGonigal, Murtagh, Nguyen, Gearhart, Fleming,
Smith, Kerslick, Lewis
IURA Board Members (4) Proulx, Graham, Farrell, Rosario
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Controller – Thayer
Community Development Director – Bohn
Parking Director – Messmer
Deputy Director of Economic Development – Knipe
Chief of Staff - Cogan
EXCUSED:
Alderperson Mohlenhoff
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Myrick led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Green Street Parking Garage Site Urban Renewal Project - Consultation on the
Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency’s two top-ranked redevelopment proposals
Mayor Myrick explained that the City is seeking to redevelop the Green Street parking
garage and the IURA has been tasked with seeking developer proposals for the project.
Four proposals were submitted and the IURA has selected their top two recommended
projects and is seeking Common Council feedback before proceeding further.
Economic Development Committee (EDC) Chair Proulx reviewed the project timeline:
In 2017 Common Council asked the IURA to look at the site and to look for a
public/private partnership for the project.
The IURA put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) but only received one
response. After a thorough review, a decision was made to re-open the RFP
with no changes to the project requirements; however, the process was
separated into two steps. Three additional proposals were received, and all met
the minimum requirements.
The Economic Development Committee scored the proposals and sent them to
the IURA Board for review and public input. The developers were narrowed to
two recommended proposals.
Questions have been sent to the developers and responses are due by
November 30, 2018.
The IURA will make the final decision to select a developer and forward it to
Common Council for approval. The earliest this could be done is May/June
2019.
EDC Chair Proulx noted that the objective of this meeting is to ascertain whether one or
both recommended proposals are acceptable to Common Council and if not, would they
be acceptable with enhancements. He further encouraged discussion regarding
whether the level of financial investment is acceptable to City, the City’s preferences
regarding the mix of housing (ie. affordable housing, mixed incomes, etc.), and whether
a conference center is a priority.
Discussion followed on the floor with Council performing a summary comparison
between the Vecino and Newman/Visum proposals. Items of note include:
November 7, 2018
2
The highest rental housing demand is for 1-2 bedroom apartments
None of the proposals have included ownership of the eastern third of the
parking garage. The developers have agreed to renovate it but will b ack-charge
the City for the work.
Both top ranked proposals would result in an approximate parking revenue deficit
of $150,000 per year (approximately $1,800-$1,900 per parking space, per year).
Discussion followed regarding the proposed number of rental units, the percentage of
affordable units, the number of stories for each proposal, parking options, impacts to
Cinemapolis/Home Dairy Alley, the projected use of a conference center, inclusion of a
bus station, and the importance of an active use on the first level of the bui lding.
Alderperson Brock voiced her support for the mixed-income housing included in the
Newman/Visum proposal, as well expressing concerns that including a conference
center on the street level would work against the creation of an active use street-scape,
further noting that neither project shows ADA accessible parking spaces that would be
easily accessible to residents.
Alderperson Lewis stated that her top priority is affordable housing. She stated that she
would need more information on the proposed conference center and further noted that
the use of local labor is an important issue.
Alderperson Nguyen stated that his priority is affordable housing. He noted that he likes
the idea of a conference center; however, the ground floor active use issue needs to be
addressed.
Alderperson Fleming noted that she would submit her written thoughts to Council and
the IURA Board by this weekend.
Alderperson Smith stated that affordable housing is his priority. He further noted that
the Vecino proposal needs further consideration (13 stories proposed in area zoned for
12 stories) and more information is needed on the housing units.
Alderperson Gearhart stated that he is supportive of a conference center and noted that
the Phase 2 feasibility study will be helpful. He stated his support for affordable housing
units and would like additional information on how the City might be able to decrease
the parking subsidies.
Alderperson McGonigal stated that a conference center is not a priority for him, but the
use of local labor is. He further stated that he doesn’t want the project to exceed
current zoning heights.
Alderperson Kerslick stated that affordable housing is a priority him and a conference
center is not a priority. He would like the selected project to be constructed well in
terms of the internal environment.
Further discussion occurred regarding the impact the potential tax revenues from this
project would have on overall property tax rates in the City, ultimately resulting in more
affordable housing throughout the city.
Future Steps: The IURA will select a preferred developer to execute a 90-day Exclusive
Negotiation Agreement for the purpose of finalizing detailed terms of the proposed deal
to sell and redevelop the site. Once completed, it will require a future public hearing
and Common Council approval.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Svante L. Myrick
City Clerk Mayor