HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/18/2017 11 Yakima Central Plaza UpdateBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
Item No. 11.
For Meeting of: April 18, 2017
ITEM TITLE: Yakima Central Plaza Update
SUBMITTED BY: Sean Hawkins, Economic Development Manager, 575-6274
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The City Council requested a Yakima Central Plaza update at theirApril 4, 2017 business
meeting. The attached short memo includes updates from the Yakima Central Plaza fundraising
committee as well as the City initiated SEPA process. City of Yakima staff will be on hand during
the Council meeting to answer questions upon request.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Economic Development
APPROVED FORcllv�
SUBMITTAL: ~City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
D Plaza update memo 411312017 Co r Merno
Memorandum
To: Cliff Moore, City Manager
From: Sean Hawkins, Economic Development Manager
Date: April 11, 2017
Subject: Plaza Update —April 2017
SEPA Process
On March 22, 2017, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process for the Yakima Central
Plaza project was completed by City staff without any public appeals. The next step will be for
the City of Yakima planning and codes staff to conduct a Type 1 site plan and building review
before a building permit will be issued. Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, the project architect,
completed the construction plans in December 2016.
Conley Engineering is finishing up the design of how the businesses north of the proposed
plaza will be fed with underground power. Plans detailing the portions of the Pacific Power lines
and Century Link lines that will need to be undergrounded have been sent to Pacific Power and
Century Link to provide them the information needed in order to make their modifications.
Fundraising Status
As of April 13, 2017, a total of $5,339,641 has been pledged towards the project by a total of 76
community donors, businesses or family trusts. Below is a breakdown of the pledges.
• 24 donors have paid in full; did not require a contract to be issued. Payments range
from $25 - $9,800 and total $35,828.
• 7 donors have multi-year contracts which are still being reviewed (representing
$25,000)
• 45 donors have multi-year contracts that have been signed and returned
(representing $5,278,813)
The City's plaza donation account currently has a balance of $769,580.71.
Notes from Plaza Committee
The plaza fundraising committee has been active working on a variety of tasks to raise funds
and awareness for the project's construction costs. The committee is currently working through
a list of 197 prospects for gifts in the $5,000 to $500,000 range.
A privately funded public information campaign began in March with a Facebook awareness
program. Print ads have been designed and a placement schedule in the Yakima Herald
Republic will begin during the week of April 10th. Additionally, local radio and TV Stations have
signed up to air Public Service Announcements in May and June.
The plaza committee has established a relationship with a local 501c3 organization to apply for
grants from organizations who will only give to registered non -profits. The established non-profit
partner organization will then provide the funding to the City of Yakima.
Grant applications have been submitted to a local bank and a regional foundation for additional
funding.