HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-06-24 - Minutes - Archive• MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY
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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
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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
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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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