Downtown Development Authority Minutes

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Present: DDA Members: Christopher Johnson, Jim Long, Rick Shaffner, Lynda Heaton, Greg Presley, Margene Buckhave, Lou LaChance. Others: City Manager Gary Word, DDA Director Lori Ward, DPW Director Jim Gallogly, Matt Jobin of Rich & Associates, Councilmember Jerry Mittman, Planning Commissioner Marc Russell, School Board Representative Joan Wadsworth, MGM Manager Sue Scott, Bob Buckhave, Reporter Scott Spielman, Recording Secretary Carol Kasprowicz

Absent: Dave Larsen, Jim DeHaan (all excused)

Approval of Minutes: As there were no corrections or additions, the minutes of the January 14, 2003 minutes were approved as presented.

DDA Member Greg Presley, Matt Jobin of Rich and Associates, and Planning Commissioner Marc Russell introduced the preliminary design concepts of two parking facilities, both situated north of Main Street. One deck is to be constructed at Wing and Main Street in the existing Parking Lot #2. The second deck is to be constructed on Dunlap behind the Marquis Theater.

Both decks are relatively identical in design and footprint. Both decks are proposed to be translating decks versus tabletop decks. The Wing Street deck is proposed with two alternative designs. One design offered one level below ground and two levels above ground, which will generate 236 spaces. An alternate design proposed no levels below ground and two above ground, which will generate 200 spaces. Both designs propose a reconfiguration of the parking lot to generate 41 ground spaces (including 25 private spaces). Both deck designs are projected to be 25 feet high. The Wing Street deck is to be built in conjunction with two developments, one at the south end and one at the north end of the deck. When constructed, the deck will absorb the existing parking spaces and provide for the parking requirements of the new developments.

Question: Was the parking needs of a proposed Senior Center at the existing Community Center taken into account when designing the Wing Street Deck. Answer: No.

The Dunlap Street deck is to generate 220 spaces. It is proposed the deck will front at the curb of Dunlap and use the land presently used by the building housing Edward’s Catering. It is proposed that commercial/retail development take place at the curve at Hutton and Dunlap. The resulting reconfiguration of the parking lot, and the parking generated by the deck, will produce approximately 295 spaces, or a net of 85 spaces from what is presently available.

Discussion entailed the following points:

- Both decks have private development involved, which will lessen the City’s expense.

- The proposed developments on Wing Street parking lot property are projected to be 26 feet to 30 feet high. The deck on Wing Street was designed to be no higher than 25 feet.

- Costs for building below ground are more expensive than building above ground. Placing an additional level below a "basement" level is cost prohibitive.

Suggestions made:

- Cost analysis to be conducted as soon as possible.

- Meeting should be arranged with Bob Gibbs of the Gibbs/Green Group.

- Joint meeting should be planned with the Planning Commission.

- Request for a special meeting to review FY03-04 budget.

Motion LaChance, seconded by Heaton to call a special meeting of the DDA for Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at 8:00 a.m. to review the FY03-04 DDA budget, and receive an update on the Parking Management Plan. Motion carried unanimously.

It was noted that further discussion on the proposed decks will take place at the next regularly scheduled DDA meeting on Tuesday, April 8 at 8:00 a.m. and it is expected the meeting will last two to three hours.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Recording Secretary