Title
Briefing on the Draft Community Renewal Area Resolution
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Community and Economic Revitalization Committee (CERC) recommends that City Council review the draft Community Renewal Area Resolution (Attachment 1) and provide feedback and direction to staff regarding the draft CRA Resolution and the next steps in the CRA process.
City Manager Recommendation:
Consider the draft CRA Resolution and next steps in the CRA process and provide feedback and direction to staff.
Report
Issue:
On November 3, 2014 City Council voted to move forward with the CRA process as outlined in the Moving Forward With CRA memo (Attachment 2). The draft CRA Resolution makes findings of blight, establishes the CRA area by delineating a specific geographic area and outlines the next steps in the CRA process moving towards a Community Renewal Plan. In addition, the draft CRA Resolution directs the City Manager to prepare for Council review and approval a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, to identify assets and various incentives that the City could make available in the RFP process and to develop criteria and process for evaluating responses to the RFP.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department 360.753.8227.
Presenter(s):
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department
Background and Analysis:
On November 3, 2014 City Council voted to move forward with the CRA process as outlined in the Moving Forward With CRA memo (Attachment 2). This document makes findings of blight, establishes the CRA area and outlines the CRA process. In addition, the CRA Resolution directs the City Manager to prepare for Council review and approval a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, to identify assets and various incentives that the City could make available in the RFP process and to develop criteria and process for evaluating responses to the RFP.
The resolution attached (attachment 1) is a draft and will be subject to change as additional information is developed around public safety, economic and social service indicators of blight within our downtown.
Following the CRA Open House events on December 3rd and 4th, the next step in the CRA process would be a public hearing on the CRA Resolution.
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
CRA is focused on downtown.
Options:
1. Consider the draft CRA Resolution and provide staff with feedback and direction and direct staff to schedule a hearing date for consideration of the CRA Resolution.
2. Consider the draft CRA Resolution and provide staff with feedback and direction and place it on a future City Council agenda for further review.
3. Consider the draft CRA Resolution and provide staff with feedback and direction and refer to the CERC for further consideration.
Financial Impact:
Adoption of the CRA Resolution will set in motion the RFP process. This process will add approximately $40,000 to the project budget to expand ECONorthwest's contract together with additional related economic development funding for the National Development Council ($60,000) and Thurston Economic Development Council ($27,500).