HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Packet - 10/6/2014BUILDING & GROUNDS COMMITTEE
October 6, 2014
4:00 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Roll Call: Members: Chairperson David Jones
Pat Morrissey
Steve Schmitt
Approval of Agenda, as proposed.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Request by House of Hope for interest in 519 E. 3rd Street for future
project -Submitted by Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development
Director
ADJOURNMENT
Carol Nemmers
Deputy City Clerk
CITY OF WATERLOO, IOWA
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
715 Mulberry Street • Waterloo, IA 50703 • (319) 291-4366 Fax (319) 291-4262
CITY OF WATERLOO
Committee Communication
Building & Grounds Committee Meeting: October 6, 2014
Prepared: October 1, 2014 "
Dept. Head Signature: Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director
# of Attachments: 1
SUBJECT: Request by House of Hope for interest in 519 East 3rd Street for
future project
Submitted by: Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director
Recommended City Council Action: We ask that the Building & Grounds
Committee recommend the City work to rescind past Agreement on property and
enter into agreement with House of Hope.
Summary Statement: As you may recall, the City entered into Agreement for the
dismantling of this house. The former judge has reportedly decided to go in another
direction and will be requesting to rescind the previous agreement. With that
pending rescind, the City would then move ahead with demolition and work with
House of Hope on their future project. The City would also be working to acquire
222 Walnut for future development near the new CVS Pharmacy area.
Expenditure Required: NA
Source of Funds: NA
Policy Issue: Sale of Property/ Economic Development
Alternative: NA
Background Information: The Franklin Street corridor is a vital corridor within the
Waterloo and the City of Waterloo would like to continue to work hard to see it
improved. The partnership with House of Hope may allow for better redevelopment
opportunities.
CITY WEBSITE: www.cityofwaterlooiowa.com
WE'RE WORKING FOR YOU!
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
September 19, 2014
Good Morning Noel,
As we discussed Wednesday, this letter is to inform you of our interest in 519 East 3rd street. I have cc-
ed Chris Western and Mayor Clark ; our original discussions were with them, so we want to keep them
informed. Also, I am including all the members of our building committee.
As you know, House of Hope offers transitional housing and case management services to homeless
single -mothers and their children. We have provided a professional presence in the Walnut Street
neighborhood for 20 years, and given hundreds of families the opportunity to become productive
members of our community. Our commitment to them and the community remains unwavering; we
plan to continue to offer services at 306 Walnut, with plans for a new building in the neighborhood. We
will need a capital campaign in order to finance our expansion and, as we discussed earlier, we are
confident that local funders and the faith community support this project.
House of Hope would like to build a 12-plex apartment building to replace the 222 Walnut location.
These plans are contingent on our ability to sell that structure at a competitive price, as well as our
ability to secure adequate land in the Walnut Court neighborhood within our budget. Of paramount
concern is the programming and services we provide to 10 at risk families, including 10 women and
approximately 25 children. We must ensure our expansion provides them with a smooth and
comfortable transition to their new home.
In order to build a 12-plex, we will need to secure both the land at 515 E 3rd Street and 519 E 3rd Street.
An area realtor has offered her services to help us negotiate an offer to Pat Hayes for his home at 515 E
3rd (plot 8913-24-312-007) and the area with a billboard off Franklin (plot 8913-24-312-009). We are
requesting the city consider giving us the land at 519 E 3rd Street (plot 8913-24-006) for development.
Also, we understand the city and Mr. Hayes own undivided interest in the land directly behind our 306
Walnut location (unknown plot number). That property is necessary for us to proceed. You mentioned a
tentative plan to sell the city's interest to Mr. Hayes. We would request that House of Hope also be
allowed to bid on that property or acquire it from the city after an abstract is completed, as it is of
absolute necessity that we secure it within our budget in order to move forward with our project.
We will also require a parking variance. As you are aware, the women in our program are under-
resourced. Historically, no more than half have vehicles, so we would require only 6 parking spaces.
Thank you for your consideration. We would like to speak with you directly regarding our plans, at your
earliest convenience. You may contact me to schedule at 232-3823 or by email.
Sincerely,
Barbara Dee, MS., LBSW
Executive Director, House of Hope