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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Packet - 12/12/2016BUILDING & GROUNDS COMMITTEE December 12, 2016 4:25 PM Harold E. Getty Council Chambers Members Chairperson Steve Schmitt Vice Chairperson Pat Morrissey Ron Welper Roll Call: Approval of Agenda, as proposed. New Business 1. Recommendation to sell lot acquired by City of Waterloo from KWWL to First United Presbyterian Church at 505 Franklin Street for $58,500. Submitted By: Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director Adjournment Kelley Felchle City Clerk CITY OF WATERLOO Council Communication Recommendation to sell lot acquired by City of Waterloo from KWWL to First United Presbyterian Church at 505 Franklin Street for $58,500. City Council Meeting: 12/12/2016 Prepared: 12/7/2016 REVIEWERS: Department Reviewer Action Date Planning & Zoning Even, LeAnn Approved 12/7/2016 - 4:40 PM Clerk Office Even, LeAnn Approved 12/7/2016 - 4:41 PM ATTACHMENTS: Description Type ❑ Church offer Cover Memo SUBJECT: Submitted by: Recommended Action: Summary Statement: Recommendation to sell lot acquired by City of Waterloo from KWWL to First United Presbyterian Church at 505 Franklin Street for $58,500. Submitted By: Noel Anderson, Community Planning & Development Director Recommendation of sale As you may recall, the City of Waterloo has been working with KWWL for the historic renovation of their building at 500 East 4th Street. Through that process, the City of Waterloo and KWWL wanted to make a huge impact not only through their individual building renovation, but through the redevelopment of the approximate 1.5 block area surrounding their campus. The City worked with the American Legion to help them find a new location with relocation costs to keep them as a vital part of Downtown Waterloo. The City also agreed to acquire "extra" parking and building areas not needed by KWWL for their immediate and long term needs (parking lots, and extra floors). Approximately a month ago, KWWL exercised their option for the City to acquire the lot in question (at northwestern corner of East 4th Street and Franklin Street). The City acquired for $58,500. The First United Presbyterian Church has been working on a renovation of their entire church building and site. As a result of that, their new main entrance setup and parking lot improvements would be better served if they acquired this same lot from the City of Waterloo. The church is offering the $58,500 for the lot, as they do not pay property taxes, and this would make the sale and conveyance an even slate for the City of Waterloo. Expenditure Required: NA Source of Funds: NA Policy Issue: Economic Development, Property Management, Downtown Development Alternative: Not sell, but keep for development purposes Background Information: In going back to the overall goal of the KWWL agreement, the idea was to redevelop the 1.5 block area surrounding the KWWL building. Originally, this lot was envisioned as a potential infill commercial lot or perhaps a brownstone type residential infill site. But the redevelopment can also be achieved through the continued investment and improvements by the First United Presbyterian Church working to improve their site, congregational commitment, and energy into this urban area of the community. Staff has had several conversations with different developers about the site. The church also suggested a potential land swap for land behind the church, but the research by staff did not support that "back lot" having a great deal of success for redevelopment. This lot has frontage on East 4th Street and Franklin Street, which increases its viability for reinvestment and interest by other private developers. So it has redevelopment opportunities. In the end, staffs recommendation was to support our existing business in the First United Presbyterian Church. The church is not only offering the funds to repay the city acquisition, but they are investing funds back into the church for redevelopment. So this is not only a sale, but a redevelopment project. They say 75-80% of economic development activity comes from existing businesses reinvesting in their areas. The church is currently reinvesting in their site, and we would like to support that action. NOEL ANDERSON From: Jim Christensen <Jim@single-source.net> Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 10:22 AM To: NOEL ANDERSON Cc: amy@lstpresby.org Subject: RE: parking lot Noel, We would be interested in purchasing the lot from the city. Ideally we would like the KWWL lot as it sits well with the new entrance. If we get the KWWL lot we would not need the back lot but would still maintain it. If we do get the lot from the city, we would entertain the idea of allowing use of the lot for events downtown or at Lincoln Park. I do know the WDC will support the land swap. We would also be willing to meet with whomever. Buildings & Grounds, etc. to discuss the various possibilities. Thanks for the update. Jim James P. Christensen Chief Financial Officer Director of Sales & Marketing e t.E_S009. Office: 319-232-6554 Cell: 319-269-1171 112 W. Park Lane Waterloo, Iowa 50701 www.Single-Source.Net From: NOEL ANDERSON [mailto:NOEL.ANDERSON@WATERLOO-IA.ORG] Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 9:37 AM To: Jim Christensen Subject: RE: parking lot Jim — we have looked at the idea of the land swap with our downtown consultant and internally and are not receiving great feedback on the viability of redevelopment of the back part of the lot. The City Council did approve the sale of land under the Sale of Property Policy last night to a couple for cash. Would the church be interested in buying the land for what the City just paid for it? I am not saying the swap is not able to move ahead to Building & Grounds, but I believe it will be difficult if there is not a good chance for redevelopment of it and no cash. 1 Thanks, Noel Noel Anderson Community Planning & Development Director City of Waterloo Community Planning & Development Department City Hall 715 Mulberry Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703 Phone: 319.291.4366 Fax: 319,.291.4262 Cell: 319.290.6357 Websites: City— www. cityofwaterlooiowa. com Brownfields: www.thenewwaterloo.com "Can't fail is arrogance. Won't fail is confidence."— Lord John Roxton From: Jim Christensen [mailto:Jim©single-source.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 4:27 PM To: NOEL ANDERSON Subject: parking lot Noel, What is the process for purchasing the parking lot next to First Presbyterian Church? We owned it years ago and out of courtesy to KW WL sold it to them for their convenience. It was a nice arrangement with them as they used it during the day during the week and we could use it at night and on Sundays. We were not privy to their plans to dispose of the lot or we would have purchased it back from them. Let me know the process as it makes sense for us to maintain it and let others use it when we are not needing the space. Thanks, Jim James P. Christensen Chief Financial Officer Director of Sales & Marketing reis MSA1POs Office: 319-232-6554 Cell: 319-269-1171 112 W. Park Lane Waterloo, Iowa 50701 www. S ingle-Source.Net 2 Noel Anderson City of Waterloo November 9, 2016 RE: KWWL Parking Lot Noel, First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Franklin and Park Ave. would like to propose a land exchange to the city. We are adding a new elevator and entrance to the parking lot on the east side of the building. It will make the east parking lot the main entrance to the building. Adjacent to that parking lot is the parking lot previously owned by KWWL. This lot had been previously owned by the church and sold to KWWL as a favor to the station. The station allowed the church to use the parking lot when needed. It is primarily used by the church on Sundays and other large church events during the week. We would like to trade land in the back of the church for that parking lot as it fits perfectly with our new entrance. Attached is a site plan showing a potential land exchange. We are concerned with the use of the KWWL parking lot for possible commercial or residential use and feel the land in the back of our church would lend itself to a better residential use. It would be across the street from other residents as opposed to in the middle of businesses. Church representatives, including myself, would like to meet with your department, the mayor or council members to discuss our wishes for this land. Thanks and let me know if you need anything else or when we can meet. Jim Christensen Building & Grounds Chair First Presbyterian Church 505 Franklin Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703 55VdAe OH 3H 3H i N � ///////// z 2 zte_ ~� Y X a Wo 1 L w wo / F \ IIIVIII%111+ o '3AV NHVd FRANKLIN ST. SITE PLAN SCALE: 1" = 40'0"