Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to retain ownership of the \n \n Claflin School property located on 5th Avenue for an additional sic (6) month \n \n period.
Approval
Pending
Background
On April 8, 2014 a presentation was made to Council on the status of the
Claflin School property. The City approved taking possession of the property
from the Muscogee County School District on January 22, 2013 in Resolution
32-13 in-lieu of the property reverting back to the Federal Government. The
City?s intended use was for the proposed Opportunity Center, a resource center
to address homelessness in our community. The cost to rehabilitate the
building was a key factor in the site not being selected for this purpose.
The proposed use of the building also met with some resistance from some
members of the public. The City conducted a nine (9) month Request for
Proposal process to find a suitable developer to develop the property in
accordance with the restrictions on the deed requiring the property to be used
for educational purposes. The RFP process resulted in no viable proposals
being submitted. Based on the lack of these efforts to result in a viable use
for the property, staff recommended to Council the building be deeded to the
Federal Government consistent with the deed restrictions. Council directed
staff to conduct one more public meeting to see if there was any public
interest in developing the property.
Analysis
On April 21, 2014 City staff held a public meeting at the City Services Center
on the Claflin School property. The meeting was advertised in the newspaper,
on City website, CCGTV, and through the Planning Department email notification
system. A total of 42 citizens attended the meeting. A brief presentation
was made on the City?s efforts to find an appropriate use for the building and
the current condition of the building. At the conclusion of the meeting a
group of citizens requested the City retain ownership of the property for an
additional six months to allow them time to identify an appropriate use for the
building and identify funding for the rehabilitation and on-going operation of
the facility. The group was advised their request would be forwarded to
Council for consideration. Assuming the request is approved by Council at the
May 27th Council meeting. The deadline for submission of a proposal would be
November 26, 2014. Any proposal submitted would need to address all of the
elements previously required in the RFP process for development of the property
as listed below.
Request for Proposal Requirements
Projected Use
1. Describe your projected use(s) for the building
2. Describe your projected use(s) for the land surrounding the building,
including site plan.
Service Plan
Provide an estimated timeline for completion of the redevelopment project. Do
not
include actual dates in the timeline, rather days, weeks and months.
Deed Restrictions
Describe how the project will adhere to the deed restrictions.
Architectural Preservation
Describe how you will preserver the architectural features of the building.
Financial Strategy
Provide realistic, verifiable financial projections and sources of revenue for
the
initial rehabilitation of the building.
Financial Feasibility Plan
Provide a financial feasibility plan for the ongoing operation of the site when
fully
operations.
Proposed Team
Provide resumes of the development team members, which demonstrate relevant
experience.
Experience with Similar Projects
1. Describe your experience with historic rehabilitation and/or adaptive reuse
projects.
2. For the five (5) most recently completed historic rehabilitation and/or
adaptive
use projects, provide the client name, contact name, telephone & fax numbers,
email address, project cost and date of completion.
3. Indicate whether the respondent has been involved in any litigation/claims
regarding historic rehabilitation and/or adaptive use projects.
During the six (6) month extension period it will be necessary for the City to
maintain the property by keeping the grass cut in compliance with City Code and
keep the building secured. No other maintenance or stabilization efforts
will be performed on the building during this period.
Financial Considerations
The City will be required to maintain the exterior of the property in
accordance with City standards.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
None
Legal Considerations
None
Recommendations/ Actions
Authorize the City Manager to retain ownership of the Claflin School property
located on 5th Avenue for an additional six (6) month period.