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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/2016 00 Misc Distributed at the MeetingDistributed at the - Meeting 91 Dear Council The Yakima Central Plaza Committee, assembled under the Downtown Association of Yakima, is announcing its commitment to raise $8,500,000 for the Gustafson Guthrie Nichol designed Yakima Central Plaza Funding sources can include private donors as well as state and federal grant funds The Committee's fundraising efforts over the last eight months are based on the knowledge that the Yakima Central Plaza is the first and most important step in the larger City of Yakima Downtown Master Plan to create more vitality, business and revenue for our community We have had many conversations with some council members about the Plaza, and we do understand that the City's current project load and fiscal pressure presents challenges It is part of what has motivated today's announcement We believe the momentum of the $5 million dollar current pledge total will carry us onward to the $8 5 million dollar goal We look forward to working with you to establish a timeline, a manageable fiscal and fundraising plan We hope the project can be approved as soon as possible so that we can officially begin our work together to bring this long- term City asset, the Yakima Central Plaza, to fruition The Yakima Central Plaza Committee Distributed at.t e Meeting 3 City of Yakima Potential Borrowing /Debt Service for Downtown Central Plaza Scenario Half of Total Project- Reimburse Design Half of Total Project -Don't Reimburse $1.1m Design Half of Total Project- Reimburse Design -Addl $1.5 Donation Don't Reimburse $1.1m design- Addl $1.5m Donation for 3/8/2016 Special Meeting Annual Debt Service- 20 yrs Total Repaid - Principal & Interest Amt Borrowed Low -3.2% High -5.0% Low -3.2% High -5.0% $7.0 Million $ 480,000 $ 560,000 $ 9,600,000 $ 11,200,000 $5.9 Million $ 405,000 $ 475,000 $ 8,100,000 $ 9,500,000 $5.5 Million $ 380,000 $ 445,000 $ 7,600,000 $ 8,900,000 $4.4 Million $ 300,000 $ 355,000 $ 6,000,000 $ 7,100,000 Distributed at the Meeting Plaza Comments received copied from general council email March 8, 2016 Dana Dwinell — dana@_d2cmu.com The Yakima Central Plaza Committee, assembled under the Downtown Association of Yakima, is announcing its commitment to raise $8,500,000 for the Gustafson Guthrie Nichol designed Yakima Central Plaza Funding sources can include private donors as well as state and federal grant funds The Committee's fundraising efforts over the last eight months are based on the knowledge that the Yakima Central Plaza is the first and most important step in the larger City of Yakima Downtown Master Plan to create more vitality, business and revenue for our community We have had many conversations with some council members about the Plaza, and we do understand that the City's current project load and fiscal pressure presents challenges It is part of what has motivated today's announcement. We believe the momentum of the $5 million dollar current pledge total will carry us onward to the $8 5 million dollar goal We look forward to working with you to establish a timeline, a manageable fiscal and fundraising plan We hope the project can be approved as soon as possible so that we can officially begin our work together to bring this long -term City asset, the Yakima Central Plaza, to fruition Judy DeZarn — yakizarn@yahoo.com MAYOR GUTIERREZ, BEFORE YOU VOTE ON REMOVING PARKING PLEASE CONSIDER THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD NOT OR CAN NOT WALK BLOCKS TO THEIR DESTINATION IN ANY WEATHER. THANK YOU ----- - - - - -- MAYBE ALTERNATE PLAN? George Newman — newmange(a)_yahoo.com Please consider with all your heart and mind before approving downtown plaza, think what it will look like in ten to twenty years Plus the cost of up keep and maintenance through the years, if we have a short fall in the budget now look at what another $400 000 00 or $500,000 00 will add to it each year Terry Meloy — terrymeloy(aD-gmail.com Please don't sell your soul to a downtown park design People will not shop retail if it is not served by adequate accessibility Without convenient parking the public will not participate A multi - million dollar gamble is not a good use of public or private funds The Olive Garden, the Mercy's, nor the Snider's would have ever invested millions of their own dollars in the downtown without the parking that was there when they did it. Don't follow O'Rourke's policy of " you can't make an omelette Without breaking a few eggs" The citizens that have helped build the downtown don't deserve to be treated with such disdain STOP ALL THIS SILLINESS NOW, PLEASE!!!! fvAai ch �' w 1 V Susanna Bee — susannabeeCD_gmail corn I was hoping to be able to attend the city council meeting tomorrow night regarding the proposed downtown plaza, but I unfortunately won't be able to make it, as I volunteer on Tuesday nights with La Casa Hogar I do hope to share my utmost support for the plaza plan via this email I am a young professional who moved to Yakima two and a half years ago from San Diego Yakima is a promising, sunny, beautiful city close to mountains and just far enough away from the big city life that I was avoiding It has so many wonderful qualities Its current downtown infrastructure, however, is not one of them Every time I turn around, trees are being cut, fast food chains are being built, and any progressive initiative for biking infrastructure is being voted down or put on hold This plaza would give me a reason to stay here in Yakima instead of moving to another city where the public planning gives people a reason to get out of their cars, walk around, talk to other people, and stay awhile My partner attends the osteopathic school (PNWU) and we are considering making Yakima a long -term home But with lack of progress in the city planning, it will not be an alluring place to live, work, raise children, or enjoy downtown with friends This plaza would really help make the city a more livable place for this generation of Yakima transplants Thank you for considering my voice in support of the plaza I hope to see my views represented in your vote, and I hope to have a good reason to stay awhile Patti Thomas — geopafti@charter.net Thank you for holding a special meeting for discussing the proposed downtown plaza I would love so very much for this to be built!!! I know that it would be so good for this community Thank you for your time in reading my reasons for thinking thus The downtown needs a gathering space like this Yakima has few public places In front of the Capitol Theatre is perfect! It will give people a reason to go .downtown, which has been decaying ever since the mall closed, and will continue to die unless something like this happens The millennium plaza is very popular and a plaza would offer greater opportunities for more events The farmer's market needs a covered space There was concern over lost parking places when the millennium plaza was built. Those parking places were never replaced, but it hasn't been a problem The parking places taken up by the plaza are replaced nearby, with more spaces created than are being taken away A water feature downtown would be so refreshing on hot summer days People from Western WA drive past Yakima to visit Tri- Cities and Walla Walla, spending money in those communities instead of here Money that if spent in Yakima, could be used towards our infrastructural needs The plaza concept has worked in similar sized cities across the country The designers are proven and experienced at what they do There is a lot of momentum towards this, as weil as money already spent researching and planning If we turn this down, there will never be another chance Once we turn down state funds they won't be available again Private donors won't pledge their funds again, as they won't be able to trust that the plans will "be followed through Please don't do as earlier Yakima City Leaders and give up an opportunity for prosperity by not investing in the future In the past, Yakima had the choice of having the State Fair or Central Washington University! Ellensburg has both Yakima lost. When the Capitol Theatre burned down in the 70's the decision was made to rebuild, at great cost. What a tremendous asset it has become Seattle wanted to tear down Pike's Place Market at one time, but a few visionaries fought to keep it, now it has become a destination landmark, and good for business Police chief Rizzi says that criminals avoid places like this Aileen Monahan — aileentn _charter.net am a 20 year city resident and mother of 2 teenage daughters We are downtown every day, at Davis High School and St. Joseph Marquette My family frequents downtown establishments and takes great pride in what our city and county have accomplished, created and maintained Our hope is to continue the momentum and create a community space where all of our community can share and thrive and gather A place that generates more pride for the residents of this great valley We will continue to attract northwest tourism with our growing ag industries and be a destination for national tourists due to our unique grape growing and hop growing region But most importantly I see a great need to the multicultural community to come together and celebrate in a unifying, equalizing venue, for shared picnics, musical entertainment, farmers markets and general enrich ICC:ICdLIUII Please seriously consider this unique opportunity and reflect on the short term investment for of long term gain for generations Thank you Jenifer Parsons — jeniferparsons jhotmail.com I reside in the 4th district, and would like to voice my opinion on the issue of a downtown plaza I support the idea of expanded areas for public gathering downtown, however, I feel that the current plaza plan is too much It is too expensive, takes away too much parking (even though new parking spaces have recently been created, that parking lot where the plaza is supposed to go is always full), and destroys the current plaza and the nice artwork I would support a scaled down version that is less expensive, does more to provide convenient parking and preserves the current plaza and art. Mike Gempler — mike err ppleransn.com I wrote you a few weeks a go regarding our neighborhoods I haven't received any acknowledgement of the letter so i don't know if it was received I am hoping it was Some good people in our communities have the opinion that an investment in the plaza will show that "things work" in Yakima But things aren't working when recreational facilities including pools for kids in the summer are closed down with no plans for reopening We have large sections of the city, densely populated without recreation and summer swimming options We have lots of kids I I Um IUW income l le I dl I IIIICJ WI IU rely j/ U11 reasonably pS ±L,eU I ecl eaUU! t in, or near their own neighborhoods If we build the plaza and don't invest in our neighborhoods, the visitors will still turn off of Yakima Avenue and see urban blight and inadequate lighting and be afraid to venture there I recall in a survey of Yakima residents a few years back the number 1 concern was the poor "fit and finish" of the city A lot of the city is rundown We lack sidewalks where we need them, we have poor lighting and few parks Given the budget shortfall, it makes sense to wait on the plaza and develop a plan for neighborhood revitalization Maybe the good folks who have offered donations to the plaza would lend a hand to a neighborhood revitalization effort. Neighborhoods are where people actually live, not the plaza The plaza is a wonderful and bold idea in many ways, but in the current context of our city's situation, it shouldn't be given the highest priority If we build the plaza! and continue-to ignore our.neighborhoods,.people will still complain about kids joining gangs and getting into trouble What do they expect? I am hoping that the council will show some wisdom and leadership in this matter and put the plaza,on hold until we can first improve the rundown neighborhoods of our city - - Pat Reynolds — reynoldsp(a-)_g.com- -- - - -- - - -- - - - - -- - am unable to attend the public meeting tomorrow evening regarding the Plaza I am writing,in::support of the'plaza as it was designed I have made a small pledge for the plaza and hope: that it will go forward March 6, 2016, Steve Zien — aladin2288CaD_gmail:com My name, is Steve Zierrand] own Aladin Limousine in Yakima Thanks for. all the hard work on this project. I believe that most of the Yakima residents are in FAVOR of .a plaza. that would REVITALIZE our downtown Yakima.has�some money issues toy deal with; and I believe that if,we cut back on. some Plaza, amenities and save:some:up front costs, and with some more private. donations, think this project could work-. Yakima needs to be able to compete with other cities that already have developed their downtown areas Yakima NEEDS to do something and a scaled down version of Plan A, such as Plan B, can still be an awesome thing for our city > As Larry the Cable Guy says LET'S GETTER DONE Thank you for your time Ed Marquand — ed(cr mightytieton.com write to express my strong support for the Plaza plan as current envisioned and proposed - have a strong interest and some experience with revitalization of cores of cities large and small Yakima has suffered as a result of poor decisionmaking in recent decades Although it is tryingIhard to bring back retail, hospitality, and residential activity it'lost through neglect, it has a long way -to go to -make the city truly attractive-and functional' The Plaza is exactly'the big, bold, high quality common space that will provide the catalyst to allow Yakima to exhibit its potential to visitors and residence alike do not agree that parking is more important than a comb oris,that can be used, shared, and enjoyed .by everyone throughout the year We area city, nofa drive - in theater lot: Let's make it Work. Yes, it's a big financial commitment, but it will be worth every penny invested in it. It IS our future We hope you'support the Plaza project. Elizabeth Benefiel — eIizabeth(aD- love incyakima.org I strongly support the plaza and urge the City Council to proceed with the proposed plan I do so for the following reasons 1 My husband and I lived in Mexico for 8 years During the last 7 of those years we lived in the city of Guasave, Sinaloa Unlike most cities in Mexico, Guasave had no central plaza The city was very unattractive and seemed to have no 11 111 1 1 J 1. (��_.._ LL 11 1.. LT- 11 L�r soul Later, when we moved o Spain, even hle small city o� � rujillo where we lived, had a central plaza Yakima needs a central plaza to give all of us a gathering place, a heart, an identifying feature The design of the proposed plaza is so beautiful! It would add greatly to the appeal of our city 2 The nonprofit organization of which I am Executive Director, works with our neighbors in need every day Our philosophy is not to merely give handouts which usually leave the person in much the same circumstance as before We equip those in need with the tools and skills they need to break out of poverty One of the greatest needs here is more opportunity for employment beyond minimum wage jobs I believe the plaza would attract new businesses and improve the overall economy of Yakima A vibrant downtown is a draw to investors This would improve opportunities for our neighbors in need 3 Our organization has invested in the downtown of 'Yakima having recently purchased a 35,000 square foot building at 226 S 1 st St. But we also have a concern for those areas of the city that need improvements such as better sidewalks, lighting, and paving The need for green spaces in the east side of our city is real But I believe the best way to achieve these improvements will be by bringing in new revenue to the city The proposed plaza will do that. Other cities have experienced this It is now our opportunity And finally, I wish to speak to those new City Council members who oppose the plaza During your campaign you may not have had access to the all of the information about this proposal Now that you do, I urge you to have the courage to go back to your districts and help them see why this plaza is good for ALL OF US Sherry Sullivan — sullivanjsOD-charter.net I am writing today to give my support for the downtown Plaza project. I am unable to make it to the city council meeting and wanted to make sure my voice was heard I think the Plaza would be an amazina additon to our city and something that we must move forward on Thank you for your time Kristen Fork — kfork54(cD-live com Thank you for finally clearing up the mystery surrounding the plaza and it's intended audience I asked for clarity, if I could understand why it is geared for and by the wealthy citizens of Yakima, I said I'd drop my opposition to it. The lone councilperson who met with me and gave me the honest answer -thank you again I was told, straight up (from this long time council member) "Because the more than 50% Hispanic population of Yakima does not engage, pay taxes, spend their money here, doesn't drink a lot of wine or use the businesses in the 2 block area of downtown plus they have the gall to send their money to Mexico " Well, you should've said so in the first place Every consulting firm as well as 96% of areas we've researched adamantly say that a downtown revitalization MUST rely upon the residents of the area to survive None of the cities profiled by city propaganda reveal the following Yakima has a inordinately high Hispanic population as opposed to Rapid City (3 8 %) or Missoula ( 2 %), and lacks a institute of higher learning (MSU, College of Mines & Technology, U of SD) or Air Force Base which add 15 - 18,000 more people to their population It's not what you say, it's what you DON'T say So much for transparency in government. March 5, 2016 Colleen Malmassari — malmassari c @hotmail.com My husband and I moved here after graduating college - we are not from the Yakima Valley, nor do we have family here That said, Yakima has been our home for the past 14 years We have been encouraged by the revitalization of Downtown and the push to have a proper city center In addition to exploring the Valley, we also travel to other parts of the nation and world, and at nearly all of our destinations there is a city center for the community to gather while I am not recommending that we have a clock tower or a church to designate our city center, but I am strongly in agreement of the push for a central plaza Let's create a location that our community can gather at and not have to go through the hurdles of requesting street closure permits to do so A designated space is needed - now is the time for us to make a change Registered voter, home owner in the BCNA, former employee of Moss Adams for 10+ years and currently employed by Borton Family Companies as HR Director Thank you for your time to consider this request. Patricia Byers — letter attached John & Candice Manfredi — icmanfredi(a--)outlook.com Our middle class West Valley neighborhood includes all ages and types of singles and families We talk to many of them, occasionally, as neighbors do There is no one here who wants a newPlaza, in any form The whole thing has been a ridiculous waste of energy, time and attention There are better ways to spend council time and our tax money Yes to street maintenance, adding sidewalks and lighting to 88th Avenue, yes to parks, yes to pools, yes to improving storm drainage, yes to buses, yes to weed control, yes to full code enforcement. NO to the dam plaza! March A2, 20106 Cody Beebe — codybeebecbcCaD-gmail.com Thank you for your time I am sure you are all inundated with messages pertaining to the Plaza and other issues even more pressing, so I will keep this quick. I would like to express my support for the proposed Yakima Central Plaza Working with the City of Yakima over the past few years on a number of events from Roots & Vines to the Downtown Summer Nights series, my team at Chinook Entertainment is dedicated to bringing cultural and entertainment opportunities to our community It's exciting to see the "growth" in the area and it's almost as if you can feel a new energy in the air Having a central gathering spot would foster further community growth and allow event organizers like ourselves an opportunity to minimize many current logistics issues This would allow more community events, more often in the heart of our city The ripple effects of your decision to build the Plaza would be felt for generations Our kids, their kids, and on down the line would all make memories in the same place, a place of pride for our region I know there are so many other areas in our community that need our attention, but it seems that the time is now to put this plan into place and make an investment in Yakima's future If it weren't for the private donations and careful planning of revised parking in the downtown area, I would probably feel slightly differently about this topic But, as it stands, I feel we are teetering on the edge of seeing something incredible happen in our community I do not envy your position in this decision making process, as you all have so many factors to take into consideration Thank you for serving our community and keeping the best interests of your constituents at the forefront, no matter which side of the Plaza issue you might reside David Lynx — larsongallery org Never underestimate the power of aesthetics Creating beauty in a city is just like designing a space in your home You feel relaxed and comfortable in a room that is clean and organized, with objects and d LWOrk that 111dke you feel well T he concept of a central heart for Yakima, establishes a center of energy that radiates like ripples to the edges of the city and runs over Like the zocalo in Mexico, a plaza would establish a center for the city that can only enhance the downtown and serve as the starting point that would end up reaching into the surrounding neighborhoods Many examples exist of this type of central plaza, in places as close as Boise and Meridian, Idaho, where the plazas are filled with people and children running and laughing A central plaza brings people together, something that this town should be focused on as it looks towards the future The success of a community is set by the forethinking of its members The creation of a Yakima Central Plaza, and an aesthetic at the heart of Yakima, can only benefit us, and those that come after us Teresa Pritchard — twopritchards(a-D-earth link. net With all the talk about the expense of the plaza, it seems that the economic benefits to the community are getting lost. This project could serve as a catalyst for all kinds of private development and investment. We know that both Rapid City and Missoula have seen that kind of investment in the millions of dollars This translates into sorely needed jobs and tax revenue for this city This is not just a pretty decoration, but potentially an economic engine Yakima has a rare opportunity to do something positive for itself- something it can be proud of, and something it can build on for the future The fact this will have economic benefits for generations to come is perhaps the most compelling argument to proceed with it. We strongly urge the city council to vote "yes" Robb Paul — robb(a-)-hopvalleycrossfit.com I am Downtown Yakima business owner I own Hop Valley CrossFit at 302 S 1 st Street. I love this city In order for us to grow we need a gather place for large indoor /outdoor events Wenatchee recently opened a Plaza /Market Place and it is flourishing Yakima needs to follow suit. If we don't do this in Downtown Yakima then another neighboring city will, probably Union Gap Downtown Yakima has already lost enough business to neighboring cities we need to build Downtown to it's former glory Part of this issue lies with the homeless population however If you aren't going to do anything about the the homeless sleeping on the streets and intimidating hotel guests, as has been reported, then for get the plaza It would only be taken over by the transient population If you want Downtown Yakima to be great, a place where people want to come, you have to control the homeless /transient population If you are unwilling to do so Then you are asking businesses to leave Marcos Ramos — ramosmp2919(aD-gmail.com I support for the central plaza and want to see the project move forward Rick Fairbrook — rickf -johnlscott.com I am the owner of John L Scott Real Estate located at 1416 Summitview Avenue I would like to express my support for the Gustafson plaza design and encourage the council to move forward with its implementation An attractive gathering place in the center of Yakima will dramatically improve the aesthetic look and feel of downtown Yakima In my job I have the opportunity to sell Yakima to prospective employees considering relocating to our community Adding a state of the art plaza to the existing Capitol Theatre, the recent Maison Hotel and Cowiche Canyon P'1__i_....�.�1 II continue J beautify a 1 J give Restaurant will con roue to energize and beautify the downtown core and give it a progressive feeling This will assist our employers to recruit employees to our community, enhance tourism and create the opportunity for more community events I am over 60 years of age, a regular attendee of many Capitol Theatre productions, Orion movie goer and frequently dine downtown I will continue to walk to these locations regardless of where I have to park. Please don't waste this once in a lifetime to do something spectacular for the whole community! I also intend to contribute financially Dear Yakima City Council- Thank you for serving our beautiful city and all it's residents Most of you know that I have been a fan of and have supported the Yakima Central Plaza plan from early on I attended all of the city offered citizen implementation meetings, toured plazas in three other communities, talked with many involved persons in Yakima from city leaders and employees past and present, sports leaders, tourism experts, historical preservationists, community fine arts leaders, to everyday residents In the process I have volunteered in the ongoing process of supporting the forward movement of the plaza development. There are so very many "wins" in store for us as a city when the plaza is developed I truly believe that all the concerns expressed by others can be answered with conversation and positive solutions I hope you will truly hear this from the community advocates, local business owners, and private consultants at the March 8 planned City Council study session I hope that you will keep your minds open to hear from the many supporters of this project We are trusting you to listen, to be as transparent in the process as you campaigned to be, and provide our city with opportunity to create something phenomenal! On Tuesday, February 23, 1 attended both the joint City Council/ Planning Commission meeting related to the Comprehensive Plan Amendment process I stayed through the next hour as you the Council discussed the operating budget It was very apparent that ay that meeting that the city's operating budget is of concern You all share in the onus responsibility of planning a path to rectify the situation and to increase budget funding. From your response to the situation I believe that you all share a deep concern to be able to provide for issues of infrastructure, safety, and recreational opportunity for Yakima residents Every concern or need that I heard from street repair, to handicapped ramps, new sidewalks, lighting, and parks development I agree with That raises the question of where will the funding come from to meet and maintain all of these needs? Question Where does funding come from to pay for all the costs included in the operating budget? As I understood what Jeff Cutter and Cindy Epperson said at the February 23 meeting, a large portion comes from the tax base generated by business and development. The plaza will be tremendous means of increasing the tax base as it will be an anchor for development in the downtown business core as well as other places in our city Other communities report $15 million to $55 million in private development g- enerated for every $1 million invested in plaza projects. We can look forward to those similar developmental dollars coming into our city with the plaza project. Or we can settle for $300 thousand to $400 thousand in parking fines generated by a core parking lot How does that possibly even compare? How does that meet the fiscal responsibility for longterm economic health and vibrancy in our city? Considering either a parking lot over a plaza, or the use of development funds set aside for the plaza and 2 other projects for operating budget concerns is a losing situation All the costs of infrastructure have to come from somewhere They do not create their own source of income Neither do sidewalks and roads and lights generate their own maintenance costs They come from investing in economic development. And if those economic development dollars are not coming into our city, where will they go? To other cities! And even to places closer to home as developers look to unincorporated areas of our city to invest in This is our opportunity as a city to shine! To become problem solvers and not naysayers and critics To be positive thinkers that find solutions to meet the demands of our growing population with evolving generational styles of life I sincerely pray that you possess the vision, courage, and the political will to move Yakima forward into a vibrant future That's what All America Cities do Yakima is an Ali America City! Let's prove that — let us work together to ensure the Yakima Central Plaza becomes a reality Thank you for your service and your time Respectfully, Patricia Byers