AgdaPkt 2003-01-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Alan Bygdnes made a presentation stating that two of the major responsibilities of the City Council are to 1.) Protect the financial interests and assets of all Redwood City residents and businesses; and 2.) Maintain a flat playing field for all residents of Redwood City and their businesses. He described the building on Block 1 and cited costs involved and anticipated annual net income to both David Irmer and the City of Redwood City. He described the parking rates in the three parking garages stating that during the peak shopping hours, rates are five days a week, all day Saturday and Sunday at $5.00 /hour. Customers of Mr. Irmer's building will park free at all times, seven days a week. Mr. Bygdnes stated that he believes that the parking structure rate will discourage customers from coming to downtown Redwood City to shop at the other businesses during peak hours and all day Saturday and Sunday. This would essentially convert the three City owned parking facilities into exclusive parking facilities for Mr. Irmer's project. He asked that the amended DDA not be approved, or to modify it by selling Block I to Mr. Irmer for $7.5M, let Mr. Irmer use the $20M Block 2 donation to build and operate his own garage in Block 1. Remove the amended DDA parking rate agreement and maintain the standard City parking rates for the Block 2 parking garage and the Marshall Street garage. Elizabeth Travers submitted a letter for the record, stating she is not against the concept of the theatre, but against the plan of a 4,200 seat group of theatres which she believes to be an excessive number for the location and available parking. She also expressed disagreement with Redwood City taxpayers subsidizing a proposed parking garage. Donald A. Wilson stated that for the last 30 years he has occupied the building at 928 Middlefield Road. He urged the Council to consider whether they should endorse the expenditure of $26M of Redwood City funds to fund a parking structure primarily for the exclusive use of the theatre project. Daniela Gasparini stated that she is past Chair to the Chamber of Commerce that had voted in favor of the project when the DDA was approved in 2001. Although there was not sufficient time to present to the Board and members the current DDA proposal, there were three past Chairs, at the meeting to speak in support. She further stated that she cannot wait to walk or drive to see a movie at the new theatre and utilize the retail component of the project. Ms. Gasparini stated that the underground parking access should be studied to provide more than one way in or out and monitoring of the traffic flow in the area would be helpful. Keith Bautista compared the vision and leadership, along with patience and persistence involved in the building of the 1,800 mile railroad line in the 1860's to that of the Retail /Cinema project. He stated that in the years to come many seen and unseen benefits will be realized and he strongly recommended a positive vote on the project. John Anagnostou, resident and co -owner of the Fox Theatre and the Little Fox, stated that some points in the proposal were made that need clarification. He stated that REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL, BOARD OF DECEMBER 9, 2002 EQUALIZATION AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES PAGE 6