HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority 2007-11-21RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 21, 2007
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the ESTES PARK URBAN RENEWAL
AUTHORITY of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado.
Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on
the 21st day of November, 2007.
Commissioners:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Absent:
Chairman Swank, Commissioners Cope, Ericson, Little,
Repola, Steige, and Wilcocks
Vice Chair Steige, Commissioners Cope, Ericson, Little,
Repola, and Wilcocks
EPURA Dir. Smith, Finance Dir. McFarland, Bob Eck,
Deputy Town Clerk Deats
Chairman Swank
Vice Chair Steige called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
None
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS.
None
MINUTES.
The minutes of the regular meeting held October 17, 2007, were approved.
2.
REPORTS ON PROJECTS RELEVANT TO EPURA ACTIVITIES.
1. Observatory - Mike Connolly, Angels Above Foundation, reported on the
construction of the Estes Park Memorial Observatory that is being built on the
Park School District R-3 campus. The facility is being modeled after the Little
Thompson Observatory in Berthoud, Colorado, and will be run by an all-volunteer
st^. observatory will complement school programs, be a vehicle to promote
critical thinking, and a catalyst to interest students in math, physics, and science-
related subjects. Construction began on August 25, 2007 and the Foundation
continues to seek out donations, volunteers, and assistance with construction
projects. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Connolly for his report, adding that
the observatory will be an asset to the community.
Performing Arts Theater - Chris Wood, Chairman of the Board of Directors for
Supporters of the Performing Arts (SOPA), provided a report on the progress of
SOPA in regard to contributions made towards the construction of a performing
arts center. The group solicits donations to the project by distributing literature,
making presentations to community groups, and hosting soirees. At this time,
donations have exceeded the $1 million mark when including the funds raised by
the previous theater group, FOSH. The project has garnered the interest of
locals and non-locals alike, with significant monies and pledges coming from out-
of-town donors. SOPA Treasurer Greig Steiner presented the Commissioners
with a virtual walk-through tour of the facility that was prepared by Thorp
Associates, providing a view of the proposed complex and its amenities. The
Commissioners had questions regarding the facility itself, how the facility will be
operated and by whom, costs involved for groups wanting to use the facility; and
thanked Mr. Wood and Mr. Steiner for their report on the project which will add to
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Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority - November 21, 2007 - Page 2
the betterment of life in Estes Park and become an additional attraction for
tourists.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT.
1. 2008 Budget Discussion - Dir. Smith stated that the Commissioners will be
approving a resolution in December to adopt a budget for 2008 and asked
Finance Dir. McFarland to provide answers to questions and/or clarifications
regarding the financial statement as needed. With final bond payment monies
already in reserve, Dir. McFarland estimates that approximately $626,000 is
currently available for projects and, by forecasting additional revenues for next
year of approximately $900,000, anticipates a total of $1.5 million to be available
in 2008. The Commissioners requested that Dir. Smith update numbers for
2007, and that Dir. McFarland provide a statement of revenue, expenditures, and
fund balance including a forecast of the 2008 budget, and estimated revenue for
2008 and 2009.
2. Design Award - Dir. Smith presented Commissioners Ericson and Cope with
copies of certificates awarded to Design Studios West by the American Society
of Landscape Architects for Design Excellence and Land Stewardship related to
their work on the Estes Park Riverwalk.
RIVERWALK CONNECTION ALTERNATIVES.
Roger Thorp, Thorp Associates, PC Architects and Planners, reviewed three options for
continuation of the Riverwalk through the Park Theater Mall: Option One being the
most minimal building a walkway as straight through the Mall as possible with an 8 ft.
wide Riverwalk providing 24 hour access and the ability to secure the retail stores in the
mall; Option Two being similar but including opening the floor of the mall to uncover the
river with no disruption to the apartment located above the mall; and Option Three being
the most elaborate, opening up both the river and the sky, and necessitating major
changes to the upstairs apartment. Dir. Smith stated that he had compiled estimated
costs for each of the options ranging from approximately $850,000 for Option One to
$1.5 million for Option Three, stating that unknown conditions, legal fees related to
easements, and design fees could alter these numbers.
Sharon Seeley/Park Theater Mall addressed the Commissioners stating that, although
she has reservations about all three design options due to the considerable expense
and inconvenience that will be incurred, as a longtime property owner she is willing to
consider what is best for Estes Park. She stated that further discussions are needed to
arrive at the best plan for the Riverwalk and that these discussions will need to include
loss of leasable space in the mall, consideration for current tenants of the mall, and
scheduling of the project to allow for the least amount of disruption for merchants during
the busy summer season.
Robin Parker/Intrigue Gift Shop stated that she had reviewed the Options prepared by
Thorp and Associates and had discussed them with other tenants in the Mall, all of
whom preferred design Option Two. She stated that she recently leased additional
space in the Mall and performed major renovations to her shop most of which will be
lost when the Riverwalk is extended giving her no incentive to continue leasing the extra
space. She asked that EPURA pay any costs connected with changes in her lease due
to the Riverwalk project.
The Commissioners thanked Ms. Seeley for her consideration of the project and the
time investment that will be necessary to pursue it, and discussed the Riverwalk
Options stating that the plan needs to be functional and affordable.
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Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority - November 21, 2007 - Page 3
It was moved and seconded (Repola/Little) that Dir. Smith continue working with
Ms. Seeley on the extension of the RIverwalk through the Park Theater Mall area
by pursuing design Option Two, and it passed unanimously.
PREPARATION OF URBAN RENEWAL PLAN - WORK SESSION.
In preparation for a work session and Town Board meeting scheduled for December 11,
2007, Dir. Smith suggested that the Commissioners approve new urban renewal area
boundaries to recommend to the Trustees. Bob Eck of Design Studios West (DSW)
presented the Commissioners with a map showing the suggested new urban renewal
area. The new area would encompass the existing urban renewal area with additions to
the north and south of Highway 34 east to include the Estes Park Sanitation property,
and extend out Highway 7 to Woodstock to include properties west of St. Vrain Avenue
and east to include Stanley Park and the Fairgrounds, ending at Community Drive.
Commissioner Ericson asked why properties in the Virginia Drive area were not
included on the map. Dir. Smith explained that currently all commercial property on
Virginia Drive is included and stated there is no need to expand the new boundaries into
residential areas. Commissioner Wilcocks expressed satisfaction with the boundaries,
but suggested the Commission consider including the parcel east of Community Drive
which would encompass the current site of the Youth Center, its parking lot, and the
adjacent restrooms. He stated that the inclusion of this property gives EPURA the
flexibility to consider a project in the area but does not necessitate it. Commissioner
Repola commented that the Estes Valley Parks and Recreation District (EVRPD) has a
master plan for this area, stating that since this is government property, no tax
increment would be generated in that location.
It was moved and seconded (Wilcocks/Little) to extend the new urban renewal area
boundaries to include the parcel east of Community Drive as described above
WRepoLed Th0Se VOtm9 YeS C0Pe’ Ericson’ Little’ and Wilc°cks. Those voting
PDi iPA>lth Stated th? 7ap Wil1 be modified and presented to the Town Board as
nrt^nti^iVlNprlJmen-de? ar!5S' The Commissi°ners continued discussion regarding
potential EPURA projects adding Bond Park as a possible project site, and once again
requesting the addition of a fagade improvement program to the projects list.
Whereupon, Vice Chair Steige adjourned the regular meeting at 10:02 a.m.
Cynthfis Deats, Deputy Town Clerk