Agenda Item # 1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
12/10/2013
Agenda Report # 55
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Property Exchange with W.C. Bradley Company - Front Avenue,
11th Street, and Bay Avenue
INITIATED BY: David Arrington, Deputy City Manager
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute a property exchange with
W.C. Bradley Company conveying approximately 3,416 sq. ft of right of way on
the south side of 11th Street between Front Avenue and Bay Avenue and
approximately 1,531 sq. ft. of property on Bay Avenue adjacent to the Riverclub
for approximately 1.295 acres of property formerly the 1300 block of Front
Avenue right-of-way.
Background: The City conveyed the Front Avenue right-of-way from 13th
St. to 14th St (1300 Block). to Fieldcrest Mills in 1996 for the required right
of way to construct the 13th Street bridge. This section of Front Avenue is
part of the original street grid for the City of Columbus. The estimated value
of the property at the time was $178,000. Adjusted for inflation the property
value today is approximately $265,000. The property was later purchased by the
W.C. Bradley Company along with the rest of the Fieldcrest property. The
majority of the road bed remains in tact on this section of Front Avenue. The
roadway has been closed to the public but has been utilized for construction
staging for the Whitewater project and 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge project.
The area is occasionally used by the public for special events. The property
will continue to be utilized for staging purposes for the Riverwalk Extension,
14th St. Pedestrian Bridge Plaza, and Mott House Renovations.
Analysis: The City desires to reopen the 1300 block of Front Avenue at some
point in the future for public use as a matter of public safety and improved
traffic flow. The property is adjacent to three major construction projects;
13th -14th St. Riverwalk extension, 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge Plaza, and
the Mott House Renovations. Property on the east and west side of the road is
projected to be developed and critical infrastructure remains in the former
road bed. The City does not intend to open the 1300 block of Front Avenue to
the public until all of the current constructions projects are complete except
for special events. The construction projects are projected to take 18-24
months to complete. Upon completion of these projects the City would plan to
make improvements to the roadway to bring the block in compliance with the
typical street section for the remainder of Front Avenue and in compliance with
current UDO requirements. In consideration of the conveyance, the City will
agree to W. C. Bradley reserving the right to make minor adjustments in the
future to the alignment of the road at their expense based on final development
plans for the adjacent property. Any adjustments will have to be consistent
with the typical road sections attached. Should development plans be finalized
prior to the City improvements being designed, the City has committed to work
with W.C. Bradley on incorporating the alignment changes in the City
improvements. This accommodation is not anticipated to impact the cost of
improvements since the typical sections would be maintained. All easement
recorded and prescriptive will remain in effect for all utilities and other
purposes.
W.C. Bradley Company is planning to redevelop two locations on 11th Street and
Bay Avenue. The proposed redevelopment will require expansion of the existing
buildings at both locations. The 11th Street development proposes utilizing
approximately 3,416 sq. ft. of property currently considered right-of-way for
11th Street. The exact square footage will not be determined until a survey is
done of the property. This location consists of a small grass area and the
remnants of an old loading dock for a warehouse. The second location is a
proposed expansion of the Riverclub located on Bay Avenue. The proposed
expansion will extend the building line approximately 50+ feet south and result
in a relocation of the current outdoor patio area. The expansion will require
approximately 1,531 additional sq. ft. on the southwest corner of the existing
building. The exact square footage will not be determined until a survey is
done of the property. The majority of this area is on the bank of the
Riverwalk and has limited public utility. Riverfront property in the area has
been recently appraised at $8-10 per sq. ft. Using these values the land value
for these two properties would be approximately $40,000-$50,000.
Financial Considerations: The City would incur the cost for legal expenses and
surveying of the properties. The cost is anticipated to be approximately
$2,000.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The projected advalorem tax on the
property conveyed by the City to W.C. Bradley is $1,710 per year. This is
only an estimate of the tax and not based on an formal assessment. The
advalorem tax on the 1300 block of Front Avenue property is $2,135 per year.
Until improvements are made to the property being convey by the City to W.C.
Bradley, there will be a net reduction in advalorem tax revenue of $425 per
year.
Legal Considerations: Council must approve all real estate transactions.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the City Manager to execute a property
exchange with W.C. Bradley Company conveying approximately 3,416 sq. ft of
right of way on the south side of 11th Street from Front Avenue to Bay Avenue
and approximately 1,531 sq. ft. of property on Bay Avenue adjacent to the
Riverclub for approximately 1.295 acres of property formerly the 1300 block of
Front Avenue right-of-way.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROPERTY EXCHANGE
AGREEMENT WITH THE W.C. BRADLEY COMPANY, CONVEYING APPROXIMATELY 3,416 SQ. FT.
OF RIGHT OF WAY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF 11TH STREET BETWEEN FRONT AVENUE AND BAY
AVENUE, AND APPROXIMATELY 1,531 SQ. FT OF PROPERTY ON BAY AVENUE ADJACENT TO
THE RIVERCLUB TO W.C. BRADLEY COMPANY AND ACCEPTING APPROXIMATELY 1.295 ACRES
OF PROPERTY FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE 1300 BLOCK OF FRONT AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY.
WHEREAS, in 1996 the City conveyed to Fieldcrest Mills the right of way to the
1300 block of Front Avenue in exchange for the right of way and construction
easements to construct the 13th Street Bridge project; and,
WHEREAS, the redevelopment of the UpTown area has resulted in increased traffic
in the area and numerous special events attracting thousands of participants.
It is desirable for the City to re-open the 1300 block of Front Avenue for
public safety purposes, improve traffic flow in the area and promote further
economic development in the area; and,
WHEREAS, the W.C. Bradley Company is planning to develop several properties for
commercial purposes in accordance with the Riverfront Masterplan and requires
additional property adjacent to existing building to facilitate the
development; and,
WHEREAS, the City owns the property adjacent to the W.C. Bradley buildings and
the property has limited public utility; and,
WHEREAS, it is advantageous to the City to convey the City owned right of way
property consisting of approximately 3,416 sq. ft. located on the south side of
11th Street between Front Avenue and Bay Avenue, and approximately 1,531 sq.
ft. of property adjacent to the Riverclub on Bay Avenue to W.C. Bradley Company
in exchange for approximately 1.295 acres of property formerly known as the
1300 block of Front Avenue right of way; and,
WHEREAS, the City desires to re-open the 1300 block of Front Avenue for public
use upon completion of ongoing construction projects and make certain
improvements to the roadway to bring it in compliance with the Front Avenue
typical section and current Unified Development Ordinance requirements; and,
WHEREAS, the acceptance of the 1300 block property by the City is conditional
upon W.C. Bradley reserving the right to make future alignment modifications at
their expense if the adjacent property is development in the future and after
the City improvements are completed.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute a property
exchange agreement with the W.C. Bradley Company, conveying approximately 3,416
sq. ft. of right of way on the south side of 11th Street between Front Avenue
and Bay Avenue, and approximately 1,531 sq. ft. of property on Bay Avenue
adjacent to the Riverclub to W.C. Bradley and accepting from W.C. Bradley
approximately 1.295 acres of property formerly known as the 1300 block of Front
Avenue right of way.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________ day of _____________ 2013, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of
_____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_____________________________ ________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
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