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Home My WebLink About55-16 RESOLUTION113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Resolution: 55-16 File Number: 2016-0034 WEST AVENUE PARKING LOT - DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATION: A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE CITY COUNCIL'S INTENT TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE CITY'S 2.8 ACRE PROPERTY AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF WEST AVENUE AND DICKSON STREET CURRENTLY USED AS THE WEST AVENUE PARKING LOT WHEREAS, the West Avenue Parking Lot was identified in the 2004 Downtown Master Plan as a "strategic location for infill development... with a parking garage and mix of uses lining the structure"; and WHEREAS, interest has been expressed to the City by multiple parties for the development of this property and the City desires to conduct an open, transparent, and equitable process for considering development proposals. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its intent to consider proposals for the development and improvement of the City's 2.8 acre property at the southwest corner of West Avenue and Dickson Street, which is currently used as the West Avenue Parking Lot. �r►r►��r�� PASSED and APPROVED on 3/1/2016 `* C,1� Y w : FAYETTEvii-Lr Attest: . Is" ANIle X *�If 3 of Sondra E. Smith, City Clerk Treasurer Page 1 312116 Printed on City of Fayetteville, Arkansas 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 -'" Text File - File Number: 2016-0034 Agenda Date: 3/1/2016 Version: 1 Status: Passed In Control: City Council Meeting File Type: Resolution Agenda Number: C. 5 WEST AVENUE PARKING LOT - DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATION: A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE CITY COUNCIL'S INTENT TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE CITY'S 2.8 ACRE PROPERTY AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF WEST AVENUE AND DICKSON STREET CURRENTLY USED AS THE WEST AVENUE PARKING LOT WHEREAS, the West Avenue Parking Lot was identified in the 2004 Downtown Master Plan as a "strategic location for infill development... with a parking garage and mix of uses lining the structure"; and WHEREAS, interest has been expressed to the City by multiple parties for the development of this property and the City desires to conduct an open, transparent, and equitable process for considering development proposals. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its intent to consider proposals for the development and improvement of the City's 2.8 acre property at the southwest corner of West Avenue and Dickson Street, which is currently used as the West Avenue Parking Lot. City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Page 1 Printed on 31212016 Jeremy Pate Submitted By City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form 2016-0034 Legistar File ID 2/2/2016 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only N/A for Non -Agenda Item 1/15/2016 Development Services / Development Services Department Submitted Date Division / Department Action Recommendation: A Resolution expressing the City Council's intent to consider the development and improvement of the City of Fayetteville's 2.8 -acre property at the southwest corner of West Avenue and Dickson Street, known as the West Avenue Parking Lot Budget Impact: Account Number Fund Project Number Project Title Budgeted Item? NA Current Budget $ Funds Obligated $ Current Balance i Does item have a cost? No Item Cost Budget Adjustment Attached? No Budget Adjustment Remaining Budget V20140710 Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Original Contract Number: Comments: Approval Date: CITY OF ille ARKANSAS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 02, 2016 TO: Fayetteville City Council THRU: Mayor Lioneld Jordan CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMO FROM: Jeremy Pate, Development Services Director DATE: January 14, 2016 SUBJECT: West Avenue Parking Lot — Development Consideration RECOMMENDATION: A Resolution expressing the City Council's intent to consider the development and improvement of the City of Fayetteville's 2.85 -acre property at the southwest corner of West Avenue and Dickson Street, known as the West Avenue Parking Lot BACKGROUND: In the early 1990s the City developed a 290 -space surface parking lot at the southwest corner of Dickson Street and West Avenue, with the primary goal of providing parking for the new Walton Arts Center that opened in 1992 and the reviving Dickson Street entertainment district. According to Tony Wappel's Once Upon Dickson, the property was first developed in 1885 as a wholesale grocery store. After several expansions, changes of ownership and the addition of private switch yards and loading docks along West Avenue, the business changed from Fayetteville Grocer Company to Ozark Grocer Company. Eventually the Ozark Grocer Company closed in 1968. Following its closure, the building was used for storage and transfer along the railroad. The historic grocer building burned in 1974. In the 1970's and 80's the lot, which contained a portion of Town Branch creek traversing the site flowing from the northeast corner to the southwest, became overgrown with vegetation and according to reports was a place for unsavory characters and "mischievous deeds." After the Walton Arts Center was completed the City made the decision to clear the site, fill it in and construct the parking lot. Dickson Street was a very different place before the Walton Arts Center began to transform the Entertainment District into what we know it as today. The site today is much like it was last developed in the 1990s; it contains 290 parking spaces, a large underground storm drain system, and is accessed via both Dickson Street and West Avenue. Along the western boundary is the Arkansas -Missouri railroad, still an active freight and excursion passenger line, and the Scull Creek Trail, part of the 36 -mile Razorback Greenway. A small stone grotto with fish ponds was developed when the parking lot was constructed, using stone from the ruins of the Ozark Grocer building. The water for this pond system is piped from natural springs occurring east of the property underneath the Walton Arts Center. It is also the site of multiple festivals and outdoor performances throughout the year, the largest of which is the annual Bikes, Blues and BBQ festival, drawing thousands of citizens and visitors to the Entertainment District each fall. Parking today in this lot draws an annual revenue of Mailing Address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 approximately $433,000 from daily paid parking, tickets and event parking associated with large Walton Arts Center performances. This property was featured and discussed extensively during the development of the Downtown Master Plan adopted in 2004. This site was identified as a "strategic location for infill development.., with a parking garage and mix of uses lining the structure." Concepts were developed to complete the street edges along Dickson and West, and to "create an urban street scene" along the southern edge of the lot which faces Nadine Baum Studios and the mixed -use Metro District buildings. In 2007 the City issued a Request for Proposals for a public -private partnership to develop the subject property. A proposal was selected and a development agreement negotiated to construct two parking structures and a mixture of retail/commercial liner buildings. However, the construction of the development agreement did not pass legal review tests for a variety of reasons. About this time, the "Great Recession" hit our region along with the rest of the nation, and talks on this project ceased. In 2014 and 2015, two major expansions impacting this property began. The City broke ground on a 235 -space parking deck serving the Entertainment District, along with an administrative office building replacement and expansion for the Walton Arts Center. In 2015, the Walton Arts Center began a $23 million expansion and renovation project. The parking deck project was completed in October of 2015, and construction on the expansion and renovation is scheduled for completion near the end of 2016. DISCUSSION: In December the Mayor communicated that he would be bringing to the City Council a Resolution of Intent to determine if the Council is interested and willing to consider development proposals on the property. As you are aware, the opening of the Spring Street Parking Deck in October has provided additional parking capacity in the downtown entertainment district. Because of the successful completion of this important piece of infrastructure in the Dickson Street area, the City has received renewed interest from multiple parties in the potential for re- development of the West Avenue Parking lot at the corner of Dickson and West. The Mayor's Office has spoken to a number of interested parties whose proposals vary dramatically in impact to the property, scale of.development, and financial consideration. A primary factor in all of these conversations, from the mayor's perspective, is to not reduce parking capacity. Rather, if the property is to be developed in accordance with the adopted Downtown Master Plan and continue to support the growing arts, entertainment, retail and residential uses now occurring in our thriving downtown, proposals need to find a way to replace and/or expand public parking. In an effort to conduct an open, transparent, and equitable process, the Mayor decided to bring forward this item to get the Council involved in the conversation early; after all, Dickson Street's influence and impact is greater than its physical area, for residents and visitors alike. Long considered the heartbeat of the region, Dickson Street and the surrounding area is a valuable asset to the City, and the development of this property should be taken deliberately with all due consideration. Should the Council be interested in considering private development proposals, we are recommending that you pass a Resolution of Intent thus beginning a Request For Proposal process with a clear schedule and questions to be answered, such as: how parking is proposed to be replaced or enhanced, how a proposal fits with the Downtown Master Plan, how current festival and event venue space is to be managed, proof of financial feasibility, purchase/lease proposals, and a timetable for development, among other items. We welcome the Council's input in this process and look forward to the public dialogue on the future of this important property in our Downtown Entertainment District. BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT: At the direction of the Mayor, staff will develop a Request for Proposals and advertise for responses. Jeremy Pate will lead this process with the assistance of appropriate staff as needed. A selection committee of the Council as a whole is proposed to be developed to consider valid proposals, and to make any final decisions to move forward on parts of, all of or none of the proposals received. Attachments: Downtown Master Plan documents ti '!• 1 Li 7 tea. t � '_v4re+d ILI = U... L: f irlC'FfSQ,ry ST i// Lj[44' r. , i i -_i/7411 r L//.1k, L' ----- I ---iJ LL F s '11, /t �+ = Legend ris Shared -Use Paved Trail x: ..9; w Box Culverts �v ~• �I Railroad Fire Hydrant . Y' sMain �''� `� '� / Water Main •7r` j ' `' _• a 1 inch - 100 feet fi� " � ' ��_ Parcel (city data) Dickson Street is the social and entertainment backbone of Downtown. A mix of shops, restaurants, bars, and civic institutions are located along the street. The area has experienced recent reinvestment with the construction of the "Three Sisters" Building and other new developments and rehabili- tation projects. In addition, the completion of recent street and infrastructure improvements have improved the street's physical form and character as a pedestrian -friendly area. The Downtown Master Plan provides for continued infill development and location of entertainment activities along Dickson Street. The portion of Dickson Street from West Avenue to Block Avenue is highlighted in the plan as a centerpiece of the Cultural and Entertainment Overlay District, Specific sites for infill development are noted. The buildings arc to front the street and are to create a walkable environment that connects the destinations north and south of Dickson Street. Parking is to be located both along the street and behind the buildings in parking garages. Walton Arts Center Liner bulldincg structure Train IJepvt Possible Walton Arts Center expansion _ caa q-I-i .L Parking structure Possible location for movie theater I TK. I' 1 f r ,iR - i Aµ•— t� ' i4 � �! � — .. YL Tye *i Jpf+ l t� l-�.. } � lZJ a , j !•� l l� a Y, (rte—_ I ` '" �,.0 {—`1 �' � 1 �� i �� r, • 1 • 1� � • iir.�i ,'l Y LEA • 1 Ir 1 i Change Over Time Page 3.5 April 30, 2004 A Parking Lot Transformed The City parking lot adjacent to the Walton Arts Center is a strategic. location for infill development. The nat- ural spring is to be preserved and protected and the lot is to be redeveloped as a parking garage with a mix of uses lining the structure. By doing so, the street edges are to be completed along Dickson Street. In addition, the southern edge of the lot which faces the Nadine Baum Studios, and recently developed mixed -use building, will create an urban street scene where buildings face buildings. West Spring Street will become whole again. W. Spring Street (at Nadine Baum Studios] today. W. Spring Street [at Nadine Baum Studios] tomorrow. Page 3.6 FAYETTEVll1E DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN April 3O, 20O4