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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/20/2017 16 Yakima Central Plaza Second Quarter 2017 UpdateBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDASTATEMENT Item No. 16. For Meeting of: June 20, 2017 ITEM TITLE: Yakima Central Plaza Second Quarter 2017 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 memo includes updates from the Yakima Central Plaza fundraising committee, an update on the plan for ongoing maintenance and operations, as well as an overview of downtown parking capacity. City of Yakima staff will be on hand during the Council meeting to answer questions upon request. ITEM BUDGETED: STRATEGIC PRIORITY: APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: -City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type D niew 6/1512017 Cor Merno Memorandum To: City Manager and Yakima City Council From: Sean Hawkins, Economic Development Manager Date: June 14, 2017 Subject: Yakima Central Plaza Second Quarter 2017 Update Fundraising Update As of June 8, 2017, a total of $5,373,792 has been pledged for the Yakima Central Plaza project by 86 community donors, businesses or family trusts. This is an increase of $34,151 in pledges from ten new donors since the April 11, 2017 update to the Yakima City Council. The plaza committee is working with a list of 200 community donors and foundations to complete the goal of raising $9,000,000 in private funds by the December 31, 2017. The City's plaza donation account currently has a balance of $878,480.71 from donors who have submitted payments. Downtown Plaza Programming and Maintenance Looking ahead, the Downtown Association of Yakima is the organization prepared to handle the day to day maintenance and programming oversight for the Yakima Central Plaza. City staff recommends a revenue sharing model where future rental fees from the plaza would be broken into four parts: 1) Downtown Association of Yakima fund to assist in paying labor cost to providing staffing for daily maintenance including landscaping, littler removal, power washing and more; 2) Capitol Reserve Fund to pay for capital repairs in the plaza on an as needed basis; 3) Plaza Utility Fund to cover the City's cost of water and electric utilities and any incidental services provided by City staff; 4) Debt Service Fund for the overall project cost paid back to the City of Yakima until debt is retired. The final percentage amounts of each fund will receive would be determined through the negotiation of an agreement between the City of Yakima and the Downtown Association of Yakima upon construction of the project. Parking In Downtown Yakima Supporting the Business Community, Visitors and Residents As part of ongoing efforts to revitalize Downtown Yakima, and in anticipation of construction of the Central Plaza, in recent years the City of Yakima has developed and implemented strategies to increase the availability and convenience of parking opportunities in the downtown core. These efforts have resulted in 544 new, free all day parking spaces, all within a 3 to 5 minute walk of the Capital Theater. (sum of 1 & 2 below) In addition, the City has entered into agreements with downtown businesses which has opened up 345 parking spaces for night-time and weekend use of their parking lots. The City has created and distributed a map detailing available parking opportunities in the downtown core, and partnered with the Downtown Association of Yakima ("DAY") to install new signage that clearly identifies available downtown parking opportunities. The information below summarizes the steps the City has taken to update downtown's parking system: DOWNTOWN PARKING New on street and private lot parking spaces currently available for residents, visitors and employees a. 320 All day free parking spaces available -Chestnut from 1St Street to 4th Street -A Street from 4th Street to 1 st Street -2nd Street and 3 d Street from Chestnut to Walnut -4th Street lot across from Yakima Herald (180) 320 New Free All Day Additional Parking Spaces 2. Converted public lots into "No Time Limit/Free" all day parking for residents, employees and visitors and added additional lighting to improve safety and security a. 78 additional parking spaces (South 3 d Street across from police station) b. 22 additional parking spaces (South 2nd Street behind YCTV) c. 60 additional parking spaces (North 1St Street Barrel House lot) d. 64 additional parking spaces (Front Street & Yakima Avenue) 224 Parking Spaces Dedicated for Free Employee Parkinq 3. Private Lots that have agreed to allow free general public parking after hours & weekends a. 152 spaces added (Yakima County lot behind County Courthouse) b. 120 spaces added (City of Yakima parking lot and behind Vineyards Church) c. 73 spaces added per agreement with banks Yakima Federal — 29 US Bank — 44 345 Additional Parking Spaces For Nights and Weekends 4. Parking lot west of Capitol Theatre (proposed Plaza location) a. After construction of the Plaza, the site will retain 68 parking places designated for seniors and the disabled. With the addition of the new parking spaces outlined above, the needs of local businesses, visitors and residents are well addressed. 5. In addition, as resources become available, the City plans to add 60 new all day parking spaces by restriping areas from parallel parking to angle at: -4th Street (Walnut past Chestnut) -Front Street (Yakima Avenue to Chestnut) -Chestnut Avenue (Front Street to 1St Street)