AgdaPkt 2003-04-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote by those present. 8. STAFF REPORTS A. Design of Jefferson Garage Underground Parking Structure. Community Development Director Liedstrand explained that the project involves approximately 85,000 square feet of retail and restaurants on the first floor and a 20- screen movie multiplex cinema on the second floor located on the block bounded by Broadway, Jefferson and Middlefield (Block 1). This would be above a two level public parking garage with about 500 spaces. The project has been worked on for several years with various negotiations, coming together with a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) in December of 2002. The developer has been proceeding with commitments for leasing the spaces, obtaining financing, and working with architects and engineers for the design of the project. Because the parking garage will be the foundation for the private project above it, it is really a single integrated project and is being constructed by the developer working with staff and the design team. Mr. Liedstrand stated that on March 27, 2003 a suggestion was made that the design of the Jefferson parking garage be reopened. Staff evaluated that suggestion that involved three major elements. The first element was to change to one level of parking. In review, this was determined to be unworkable in not being able to meet the required number of parking spaces. The second element was to change the construction method to a long span structural system. A suggestion was for the garage entry to be moved from Jefferson to another location. He stated there is a staff report and extensive staff analysis that includes the staff recommendation to not reopen the design of the garage at this stage for several reasons. Reason include that reopening the design is not consistent with the City's contractual obligations, there are cost implications, changing the location of the entrance such as proposed will have a harmful effect on the overall project and overall development of downtown. (A graphic was used to illustrate these concerns.) In conclusion, Mr. Liedstrand stated that reopening the design has the substantial risk of endangering the existing leases and possibly the equity financing of the project placing the entire project at risk. Public Comment. Rudy Luca stated he was quoting the Council as stating, "when the finalization is approved, any changes would motivate that they drop the whole project". He referred to a newspaper article stating Mr. Irmer's frustration with opposition to the project. He asked who is running the City, staff or the developer and that there will be an unbelievable traffic jam with no way to repair it once built. Ray Wang stated he shares some of the sentiment previously expressed in that we are in the midst of a budget crisis, we have a project where even the project manager and one of the top parking engineers in the country is saying that this is REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 14,20W MINUTES PAGE 5