AgdaPkt 2003-04-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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VA I The key issues raised by the Watry proposals are: 1. Relocation of the Culvert and the Parking Entrance onto Block Two 2. Use of Theater Way as the route to the garage entrance 3. Diagonal parking instead of 90 degree 4. Line of Sight Enhancements to the Garage Entrance 5. Use of the 'long span" structural system Watry recommends 6. Cost Impacts 7. Schedule Impacts Impacts on Future Block Two Development of the Relocation of the Culvert and the Block One Garage Entrance onto Block Two The original January 2001 DDA for the Cinema Project contemplated construction on Block Two of both a 110,000 SF office building and a 1,000 car parking structure that would serve the parking needs of both the office building and the Cinema Project. With the recent downturn in the economy and the major decline in the office market, that project was no longer economically feasible, and the City and developer determined to eliminate the office building and put approximately 595 parking spaces in the Jefferson Garage under the Cinema Project. Although the elimination of the office building initially seemed to be a setback, the City soon realized that it was instead a major opportunity to plan development of Block Two in ways that would enhance the success of downtown and provide substantial financial benefits. The City has been working with urban designer Michael Freedman to develop alternative design concepts for Block Two that would use Block Two to help link Sequoia Station and the Caltrain commuter rail line into downtown. Despite the sluggish economy the City has received expressions of interest in development of both a hotel and housing on Block Two. Office development is also a possibility in the future when the demand for office space has strengthened. A key element in the planning for Block Two is preserving the opportunity for development of underground parking on Block Two that would serve Block Two as well as other general downtown parking needs. Under these development concepts the sidewalk along the northerly edge of Block Two would become a comfortable pedestrian environment and help connect to other parts of downtown. At the time of development of Block Two, the portion of the storm drain culvert that remains in Block Two would be relocated into the adjacent street in order to permit a parking structure under the development. Watry #1 would relocate the storm drain culvert off Block One onto Block Two, and also relocate the entrance to Block One parking from Jefferson onto Block Two. These two encroachments would interfere with development of an integrated underground parking structure serving all of Block Two and 3