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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-06-24 - Minutes - Archive• MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY • OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS The Housing Authority of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas met in Special Session at 8:30 a.m., Friday, June 24, 1977, in the Library of the Adult Community Center, Hillcrest Towers, #1 North School, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Upon roll call, the following were present: Commissioners Present: Endress, Underwood,. Taylor, Gould Commissioners Absent: Morgan Others Present: Chad Kumpe, Pat Warford, representatives of the Washington County proposal, representatives of the Cultural Center proposal, representatives of the Morton and Associates proposal, and others The Chairman ordered that the following Waiver and Consent be spread upon the Minutes: WAIVER OF NOTICE OF AND CONSENT TO SPECIAL MEETING We, the undersigned, do hereby accept notice of this SPECIAL MEETING, waiving any and all irregularities in the service of notice and do hereby consent and agree that the Commissioners of the Housing Authority of Fayetteville, Arkansas shall meet at the Library of the Adult Community Center, Hillcrest Towers, #1 North School Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas, at 8:30 o'clock a.m., on the,24th day of June, 1977, -for the,following purposes: 1. Roll Call 2. Presentations for purchase and proposed redevelopment of the Old Post Office by Washington County, City of Fayetteville Cultural Commission, and Morton and Company. /s/ Judy Endress /s/ Bill Underwood /s/ Phillip Taylor /s/ J. W. Gould There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: WASHINGTON COUNTY PROPOSAL Mr. Peter Harkins, a peacb justice, and County Judge Vol Lester were spokesmen for the Washington County proposal for purchase and redevelopment of the Old Post Office building. Mr. Harkins stated that the county is a permanent entity and will be here "forever," which he feels makes the county • • - 2 in a better position to insure -:the future of the building rather than a private enterprise. The county proposes to maintain the building essentially in its original state and will not have to make major changes in order to use the building for their purposes. Harkins stated that the taxpayer's money, now being used to pay approximately $6,000 rent for social service agencies located in College Plaza, could go into a county owned facility. Mr. Underwood asked Mr. Harkins about the status of the $150,000 the county has spent on the Ward Building. Mr. Harkins stated the $140,000 indicated in the Post Office proposal is tax revenue from a one percent building fund and is new money with no encumberances. Mr. Underwood asked for the county's estimate of maintenance cost for the building. Mr. Harkins stated the county estimates $2,000 per month. Mrs. Endress asked about parking facilities for county employees. Mr. Harkins said the county is currently negotiating to rent space behind the Courthouse which would allow parking for 40-50 cars. The county plans to relocate about thirty social service employees to the Old Post Office building. Mr. Taylor asked if the county has the funds that are not needed elsewhere to renovate and restore the Old Post Office building. Mr. Harkins stated the county feels there is very little work needed on the exterior, and cleaning up and removing paneling is the major part of the interior renovation. Mr. Underwood asked if the county has a traffic count of the number of people using the social service agencies which would be located in the building. The county representatives had no count available CULTURAL CENTER PROPOSAL Spokesmen for the Cultural Center were Cyrus Sutherland, architect, Mrs. Linda Welch, and Lynn Wade, Attorney. Mr. Sutherland spoke concerning the history of the'Old Post Office building and pointed out that the land upon which the building is located has never been privately owned. He stated that he feels the Cultural Center would retain the Old Post Office as a public building. Mr. Sutherland stated that the building has a:variety of versatile interior spaces and that the Cultural Center services and functions would require virtually no remodeling. except to -revert the building as much as possible to its original state. Mr. Sutherland further stated that the Cultural Center basically would not be a place of performance, but of preparation for cultural activities throughout the community, and would generate traffic to the Square. Mrs. Welch presented drawings and discussed the. Cultural Center uses of the building which will allow for classrooms, public restrooms, a gallery space, dance studio, and offices for community and civic organizations. Mrs. Welch stated the Cultural Commission will allow the Community Development offices, which are presently located in the building, to remain for two years or until the program expires. The Community Development Agency would pay rent for this space. The Cultural Center will have space allowed for public meetings and hearings as needed by the City or other organizations. As much as possible, the Cultural Commission plans to allow community oriented programs and meetings at no charge. Mrs. Welch stated that the Cultural Commission wants to use the present heating system and does not plan to use air conditioning. She stated that by removing partitions and the false ceilings that the building was designed for air flow and should remain reasonably cool. Mr. Wade pointed out that the Northwest Arkansas Cultural Center Commission represents the City of Fayetteville and that the title to the Old Post Office building • • will remain in the City. Mr. Wade stated that the Cultural Commission feels that the Center would generate an active traffic flow to the downtown area and would be a stimulus to the Square. Mr. Wade acknowledged that the Cultural Commission does not have the funds for purchase and renovation of the building presently and asked the Housing Authority Board to consider the public ownership and defer their decision to allow the Commission the opportunity to show the ability to raise the needed funds. The Commission feels that an operating budget can be raised through membership, dues and active fund raising activities., Mr. Underwood asked about the funds the Commission presently has. Mr. Wade stated that between the representatives making this presentation they have come up with the earnest money, and they have pledges of $2,000. Mrs. Welch stated that there has been a good response to the appeals for funds. It was pointed out that if the Cultural Commission could not raise funds for the building purchase and/or operation that the building would be the responsibility of the City. MORTON AND ASSOCIATES PROPOSAL This firm is composed of W. C. Morton, Jr., J. W. Murphy and Marshall Carlisle. Spokesmen for this proposal were Mr. Morton, Mr. Murphy and Warren Segraves, architect. Mr. Morton stated that he feels the Square, as it is being reconstructed, is almost totally financial He stated that the building will be restored, but not to exactly its original state, because the original use of the building was a post office. Their plans include decking the top floor of the building to increase the square footage of that floor from 2,200 to 4,700. This would make the total square footage of the building approximately 15,000 square feet. The ground floor would be offices for Morton and Company, with the building plans including the construction of an elevator and fire stair being installed in the east part of the building. If possible, there may be an outgoing mail drop and stamp machine installed in the building lobby as a public service. The Morton and Company computer room will be housed in the basement of the building. Mr. Morton stated that Morton and Company now needs 6,000 square feet and that their projected growth calls for 8,500 square feet in five years and 11,000 square feet in ten years. They feel this building will allow this projected growth. Mr. Morton stated the firm feels that a foot traffic of approximately one hundred people per month will be generated to the Square by their use of the building, in addition to out of town business people being drawn to the Square by this firm being in the building. Mr. Morton also commented that this usage of the building will not be in competition with any other business or planned development in the Square area. The top floor would be leased office space with Murphy and Carlisle occupying approximately one half of the space. Mr. Murphy stated this use of the building is properly financed and will be a blend of public and private use as well as putting the building onnthe tax books. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 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