CRA OKs downtown streetscape project
The Community Redevelop-ment Agency Board of Com-missioners followed the recommendations of its Advisory Board to the letter at Tuesday’s monthly meeting at the Chester Street Resource Center.
The commission approved taking the Southeast 47th Terrace Streetscape Project to the City Council for final approval of the estimated $8.5 million renovation between Coronado Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard.
“I voted no the last time on this,” said Commissioner Rick Williams. “I’m still not enthused about it. I’m not big on using the Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) system, it just makes me nervous. I’m not saying it’s not a great project, I just think doing it the full length of Southeast 47th Terrace is not a good idea. I think we should do it in three phases. That’s my preference.”
Williams, in the end, cast the lone dissenting ballot of the 7-1 vote.
CRA Executive Director John Szerlag tried to soothe Williams’ fears, noting a larger project gets better price structures over doing projects in phases. Streetscape is not as big a project as the expansion of Santa Barbara Boulevard and Del Prado Boulevard, which were in the $60 million range.
Hiring a CMAR assures all phases of the design, bid, build process will be coordinated in a timely manner through completion. Changes can be made on the spot and a CMAR coordinates with the effected businesses so that their establishment stays open and is accessible 24/7 during the project.
The project is intended to enhance the downtown entertainment district for a pedestrian friendly urban space with linked parking, improved pedestrian safety and utilize traffic calming measures
It also includes nearly $2 million in upgrades to the utilities along the roadway to be paid by the city’s water and sewer fund, reducing the cost to the city and CRA.
With the CRA using anticipated $2.7 million in 2017-18 funds, the cost of bond debt is reduced to $3.9 million.
CRA Finance Director Victoria Bateman assured Commission Chair Jim Burch’s concerns that both the city and CRA budgets were healthy enough with anticipated revenues over the coming years to cover the debt service payments.
The project’s pre-design schedule allows six months for the CRA Advisory Board to meet with stakeholders and the commission to hash out design features and address business owner issues and concerns. Approval by the CRA and council on that process are expected by March 2017.
Design features not yet determined include streetlight fixtures, hanging plants and type of palm trees, trash receptacles and placement of bike racks and street benches.
In a related matter, the commission discontinued the Streetscape Incentive and Loan Program that has been available for more than two years.
“This was my idea,” said Szerlag. “It failed, but it did morph into the Southeast 47th Terrace Streetscape project.
Szerlag indicated that when Southeast 47th is completed, businesses likely will be more willing to make improvements to their properties. At that time, some form of incentives could come back on the table.
The commission also approved the South Cape Banner program, purchase and repair of holiday decorations in the amount of $14,975. Tuesday’s approval allows for the decorations to be in use for the coming holiday season.