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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.10.2003• COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 10, 2003 4:30 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Kincaid, Welper, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty. Members absent: Greenwood. Moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried. Brian Vanderwalle, from Vanderwalle & Associates, updated the council on the Riverfront Renaissance Plan. Don Temeyer, City Planner, explained that the city is working on the U.S. 63 to Donald Street improvement project looking at the traffic configuration and the effect on the neighborhood, we have started on the CMC project, Rath Brownfields Plan, 18th Street Bridge Project is under design, Community Development has selected the Targeted Neighborhood, and the bicycle trails are coming along. Mr. Temeyer stated that staff is working on the master plan update for the Riverfront Plan as everyone emphasized the Cedar River as part of the Vision Iowa Plan. Bryan Vanderwalle, from Vanderwalle & Associates, reported the 2000 Master Plan must be modified and updated because some of the items have shifted. Mr. Vanderwalle stated that the reason for the super block projects is because of what happened when the highway came through and exposed a land use pattern that doesn't function any more. Mr. Vanderwalle stated that there are isolated, deteriorated buildings that don't function any more, and these buildings are the Gateway to tying the east and west river together. Mr. Vanderwalle stated that initially three blocks were identified for potential uses when Vision Iowa came along, such as the expansion of the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center and the Sports Complex. We now know what the downtown project is and need to rethink the plan. The Highway 63 Corridor emerged and the Agri -Tech Incubator is no longer part of the plan, but the city now has an opportunity to rethink Commercial Street. Some of the new items such as the Rath Neighborhood, Riverfront housing, housing and mixed use are related to the River Walk and will be part of the implementation. This is a joint project with the Waterloo Development Corporation and some of the project included in the Vision Iowa application. Mr. Vanderwalle stated that the Riverwalk Project really has the capability of being really large in allowing the community to be involved, and that tying both sides of the river will focus the energy of the whole community. It needs to be more than a Riverwalk, it needs to have things that work. The Master Plan needs to be updated and decisions need to be made regarding the items approved for funding by Vision Iowa. Councilperson Clark stated that some citizens oppose the Ansborough/Highway 20 Interchange and asked if there would be a negative impact on developing the interchange. Mr. Vanderwalle responded that he does not believe there should be a moratorium on fringe development. More appropriate areas for a moratorium might be when the city is trying to build the land. Mr. Vanderwalle stated the city needs to try to knit all the development. Councilperson Welper noted that the Sports Complex was defeated because citizens did not think tax dollars should be used for this type of project. Councilperson Welper asked if private dollars would invest. Mr. Vanderwalle responded not in that complex because the original thinking was we had a cluster of arts, government, building and sports. The original project started as a wellness center and grew into baseball and other things. Mr. Vanderwalle stated the framework does not change that the area should be family oriented. Mr. Vanderwalle stated that some of the phases could be developed by the private sector but not in the size originally designed although we will still want to do something related to sports. Councilperson Hurley stated we have an immediate need for parking for Young Arena and The Center For The Arts. Mr. Vanderwalle responded that the focus would be on those three blocks, and that structural parking in downtown is a hard way to start. Council Work Session March 10, 2003 Page 2 Mr. Temeyer reported that the Riverfront Plan is in the design phase for the Riverwalk Loop, the dam and amphitheater. Next would be the construction phase with that phase planned to start in 2004. The project budget is pretty well set, we need to do the design phase this year with construction next year. Mr. Temeyer stated that the National Cattle Congress Plan is not part of this plan, but we will be connecting with the National Cattle Congress as the bike trails go that way as well as by the Art Center. Mr. Temeyer reported significant things are happening with the Deere project and with the funding of the Cedar River and we need to get citizens involved. The Highway 63 project has been funded, we are working on the CMC property and the city has asked for funding for the Chamberlain site to keep with the Rath area development. Mr. Temeyer stated we need to work on the Master Plan and be flexible to continue to adjust to changing global situations. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the meeting be adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •