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Home My WebLink AboutR26-Economic Development Agency ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO FROM: Ann Harris, Director Business Ret, Recruitment & Revitalization SUBJECT: DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENTS DATE: January 29, 2001 OR""""'~L it ~;l i ~ Ii ------------------------_._--------------~-----------------------------------------------------------------------------.--------------------- Svnopsis of Previous Commission/Council/Committee Action(s): On January 25, 2001, the Redevelopment Committee recommended that this item be sent to the Community Development Commission for approval ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------._.----------------------.- Recommended Motion(s): (Community Development Commission) MOTION: That the Community Development Commission approve the plan and funding for downtown improvements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contact Person(s): Gary Van asdel/Ann Harris Project Area(s) Central City (CC) Phone: 663-1044 One (I) Ward(s): Supporting Data Attached: 0 Staff Report 0 Resolution(s) 0 Agreement(s)/Contract(s) 0 Map(s) 0 LetterlMemo FUNDING REQUIREMENTS Amount: $ 200,000 Source: Dollar ($) House Sales Revenue SIGNATURE: Budget Authority: //'4 ~ ~ ~,~flOLL Business Retention, Recruitment & Revital .________________________________________________________________n___________________n___________.__________----.------------.------ Commission/Council Notes: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.------------_.----------------------- GVO:ABH:lag:02-05-01 Downtown COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Meeting Date: 02/05/2001 Agenda Item Number: ~ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY STAFF REPORT --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Downtown Imurovements BACKGROUND Downtown revitalization has been and continues to be a priority for the City. Over the past ten years, several plans have been adopted and implemented, to revitalize downtown and create economic activity, The City and Redevelopment Agency have invested a great deal of resources into the downtown area. In order to continue the revitalization process and protect the investments that have already been made, there is a need for funding for capital improvements. In June of 1992, the Community Development Commission adopted the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) Downtown Plan. PPS, a consulting firm, was hired to conduct studies and hold community meetings to get input from all the downtown stakeholders and citizens on a long range plan for San Bernardino Downtown Revitalization. After months of study the plan was adopted. The capital improvements were started immediately following the adoption of the plan. The capital improvements that were developed as part of this plan were: Court Street Square, an amphitheater, Court Street Square parking lot, Planters were added to Court Street and angle parking was installed. Court Street Square was developed as a community square to hold special events, host weekly activities and create an attractive green space in the downtown area. The Square is an economic development tool. Once the square was developed Main Street! EDA became responsible for the programming and management of the square. In August 1998, San Bernardino Downtown Main Street Inc., was folded into the Economic Development Agency and the responsibilities for downtown such as maintenance, scrubbing streets, tree trimming, banners etc., were given to other City departments. Mainstreet/EDA continued to program and manage Court Street Square. On April 5, 1999, the Mayor and Common Council adopted the BIG plan, in which Downtown revitalization was included as a priority of the City February 22, 2000 a discussion of the Court Street Square tent was discussed by the Commission, at that time a committee was set up to study this issue. The committee has had several meetings, A University student conducted a study and submitted a report on the use and benefits of Court Street Square. The committee recommended that the tent be replaced with a more efficient permanent stage. In November 2000, the Mayor requested that EDA take the back the responsibility of coordinating and overseeing the maintenance, cleaning, and revitalization of downtown. In order to carry out this request, funding is needed to make necessary Capital Improvements. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GVO:ABH:lag:02-05-0 1 Downtown COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Meeting Date: 02/05/2001 Agenda Item Number: R "''' Economic Development Agency Staff Report Downtown Improvements January 29, 2001 Page Number -2- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CURRENT ISSUE In the past seven years, the Square has been an economic development tool, many events have been held on the square such as weekly concert series, book signings, community rallies, festivals, music festivals, and Route 66, to name but a few. These events have achieved the goals set out in the Downtown plan, to bring people, life and activity to downtown, and stimulate economic activity in downtown, The green tent had a three-year guarantee and was expected to last no more than five years. With regular maintenance, the tent has lasted seven years, however as one can see it is time to replace the tent. The weather and elements have deteriorated the tent, it is faded and is starting to split. The advanced deteriorated conditions of the tent fabric make it impossible to repair. In order to make the operation of the square more efficient we are suggesting that the tent be remove and replaced with a permanent trellis stage that is more attractive, much more efficient in the operation of the square and require less maintenance. In order to protect the investment that has already been made in downtown and to continue the revitalization efforts of downtown staff is proposing that $200,000.00 from the proceeds of the $ house sales, be set aside to be spent in downtown for capital improvements such as: I. Construct a permanent a more efficient trellis stage. 2. Paint Court Street Square office, storage, restroom, and repair roof. 3. Reseal the Court Street parking lot. 4. Purchase Furniture & Fixtures for Square. 5. Plants and Shrubs. 6. Improve and add additional lighting to downtown. 7, Tree lights on "E" Street. ENVIRONMENTAL The project is a Class 2 categorical exemption under CEQA Section 15302 - Replacement or Reconstruction. This exemption allows for replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. FISCAL IMPACT $200,000 from Dollar House funds. -------...---------------.--------------------------------------------------------------------.---------------------.----------------------- GVO:ABH:lag;02-05-0 1 Downtown COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Meeting Date: 02/05/2001 Agenda Item Number: Alto Economic Development Agency Staff Report Downtown Improvements January 29, 2001 Page Number -3- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECOMMENDA nON That the Community Development Commission approve the plan and funding for downtown improvements. ~~~ Ann arris, Director Business Retention, Recruitment & Revitalization ------.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.------- GYO:ABH:lag:02-05-01 Downtown COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Meeting Date: 02105/2001 Agenda Item Nnmber: ~