Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 9/13/2005 - Economic Development Commission Economic Development Commission Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 13, 2005 McHenry Municipal Center `'' 12:30 p.m. Preseirt: I�ay Bates, 8i11 Bolger, Kit Carstens, David Gelwicks, Kathleen Kunzer, Susan Low, Ned Neumaru�, Joe Napolitano, Absem: Daniel Curran, Don Doherty, Phil Hintz, Alan Hoffman, Janice Jones, Kathy Marinangel, Doug Maxeiner, Dick Pag�alow,Karen Patel,John Smith, Richard Wimmer.Also in attendance: Bill Marinangel. Cbairnian Gelwicks called the meeting to order at 12:37 p.m. Approval of Minutes Motion by Neumann, seconded by Low,to approve the minutes of the July 12,2005 regularly scheduled EDC Meeting as presenited.All Ayes. Motion carried. Treasurer's Re�,ort Chairman Gelwicks nated the cunent balance in the treasury of$972.69 as indicated on the attached report. Motion by Low,se�onded by Neumann,to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented.All Ayes. Motion carried. City Report Mayor Low informed the Board the McHenry City Council at its meeting on Monday, September 12�` approved the Downtown Redevelopment Business Plan. Announcement was made of the City's purehase of the Medical Arts Building locaxed at l 110 North Green Street. It is expected with this purchase and development plan approval,the City will kick start the Riverwalk. The first phase will be from Green Street east to Rivervvalk Place and groundbreaking will be spring 2006. �, Regazding the redevelopment of the McHenry Medical Arts site, the City azrticipates retail on the gound floor with multi-family above. Council also authorized, on the advice of City Engineers Smith Engineering, final payment to VOA and Associates so that 100% construction documents can be obtained. The City plans to create Requests for Proposal(RFP)upon receipt of the construction documents which should be in the City's hands within six weeks. The RFP's will precede the spring 2006 groundbreaking of Riverwalk Phase 1. Bolger opined this is a giant step forward in the completion of the Riverwalk. Securing danations will be easier once the City has something to "show" (i.e. beginning phase of the project). Mayor Low acknowledged, although the City intends to construct the phase from Green Street east to Lanco's Riverwalk Place,the rema.ining three phases could be constructed in any order. It would depend upon whax developer comes forward and what they envision for their portion of the project. It was noted now that the City has taken this step, development of other phases would be more likely. Neumann inquired why ihe City did not brainstorm with the EDC to get this project moving forward several years ago. Gelwicks noted Riverwalk phases and possible projects have been discussed many times with EDC members; however,not to the board as a whole. In response to an inquiry, Mayor Low stated Staff will create the RFP for the Medical Arts Building site redevelopment. Carstens noted every downtown can be redeveloped but it does not happen without the City talcing the initiative to make it happen.Mayor Low stated the City is not at risk in creating the redevelopmerrt plan for this portion of the Riverwalk. Mayor Low also noted the impetus behind the City's initiation of this portion of the Riverwalk is the fact that the TIF time clock corninues to tick away. The City recognized that jump starting the Riverwalk Project through the purchase and recievelopment of the Medical Arts site might instill further and more immediate interest in other phases of the project. � It was noted the first phase of the Riverwalk would link Green Street to Riverside Drive by a pedestrian walkway. This is a natural link which should help retail in bath of these downtown azeas. It was suggested the EDC role should be as facilitator,to seek developers and encourage them to get in on the ground floor of the Riverwalk. Developers need to Page 2 EDC September 13,2005 � be made aware the City will cooperate with their proposals. The EDC can not make promises other than to assure the City s cooperation. In response to an inquiry, Mayor Low stated Council directed Staff to proceed with drafting the RFP so that ground breaking can occur in the spring. Mayor Low left the meeting at 1:03 p.m. due to a previous commitment regarding the Hurricane Katrin,a adoptive family arrangements. Napolitano provided the Board with the remainder of the City Report including the 2005 Activity R�port as of July 31, 2005. He noted Council agreed to move forward with the Gilger Property Annelc,ation. The projecC would inc�ude 180 townhomes on approximately 30 acres. Council also approved the annexation of the Budreck Property which includes 395 single family homes utilizing the City's Irne,grated Design District. Ryland Homes has presented the City with a concept plan for a 400+�xe mixed use resideutial developmeirt for the area south of 120 and along Curran Road. Same discussion occurred regarding the flurry of townhomes and lack of apa.rtineuts being constructed in the City. It was noted townhomes generally produce less school age children than apartments of detached single family homes. Responding to a question regazding the status of Municipal Drive e�ension.Napolitano stated the eartension should be completed next spring. He also responded the Justen Funeral Home will have right in/right out access oYrto Charles Miller Road. Transportatian Rgport There was no Transportation Report. �ial Proje�ts Report-RiverwaJk Carstens announced a Riverwalk Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 14, 2005 in the �..- Municipal Center Council Chambers. He noted suggestions would be taken from the floor on how best to move forward and what the committee needs to do to help the Riverwalk become a reality. General discussion followed regarding better attendance at EDC Board meetings,getting the neart generation involved in the EDC, generating more eirthusiasm for economic development, instilting desire for involvement and new leadership in the organization. The following ideas were raised and discussed: • Cazstens suggested a meeting with downtown retaalers to get them on board with the downtown redevelopment and Riverwalk. � Neumann suggested meetings between the City and District 1S6 should occur to discuss use of School District parking facilities during non-school hours for Riverwalk patrons. • Carstens stated the EDC should become actively involved in generating Riverwalk urterest in land nat immediately adjacent to the linear park (Riverwalk) but close enough to be included in the redevelopment of the entire Riverwalk azea.. • Bates will seek poterrtial new-blood young-minded(i.e. young professionals)EDC members • Gelwicks stated the Board needs to decide what to do with e�cisting EDC memberslup-does it need to change; should older members retire, etc. • Gelwicks stated the Byla.ws should be reviewed,particularly regarding goals, membership composition,terms, etc. • Gelwicks suggested agenda items for the next meeting include list of potential new members, what to do with existing membership,and review of EDC Bylaws. McHenry Cournv EDC Tourism Committee Report `- There was no Tourism Committee Report. Page 3 EDC September 13,2005 � Dowr�town Redevelonment Gelwicks commended the City on the improvement regazding tlie downtown maintenance, particularly in the Main Street area. Other Business Kunzer announced Secretary-Treasurer Jones is now employed fulltime and will be unable to attend EDC meetings as she works out of tow n. Some discussion followed regarding the Water Tower Marina redevelopment and expansion of the TIF District across the river. Suggestion was made to draft a letter to the City encouraging the e�ansion of the TIF District east of the Fox River. It was noted if the District was expanded, more TIF income could be realized which would help with the development of phases 2 and 3 of the Riverwalk. Adjournment Motion by Bolger, seconded by Neumann,to adjourn at 1:45 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Respecffully submittccl, Kathleen Kunzer, Recording Secretary � `...