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8.B. - Page 1 <br /> To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br /> and the Redevelopment Agency Board <br /> From the City Manager <br /> May 23, 2011 <br /> SUBJECT <br /> Process for the Selection of Developers for Block 2 and the Winslow Street Parking Lot <br /> at Depot Circle <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> Consider background information, public comments and discussion of options as they <br /> relate to developer selection for Block 2 (which is a predominately City-owned block <br /> bounded by Jefferson, Middlefield, and Caltrain), and the Winslow Street Parking Lot <br /> and provide direction to staff. The options available for Council as they relate to <br /> developer selection for either parcel are: <br /> 1. A Request for Proposals process as outlined in the City Charter <br /> 2. An Exclusive Right to Negotiate agreement under the Redevelopment Agency <br /> The Council may elect to use different processes for the selection of developers for <br /> Block 2 and the Winslow Lot if that is their preference. <br /> BAC KG RO U N D <br /> At its meeting on April 25t", the City Council received an update from staff regarding <br /> Block 2 and the Depot Circle area. Staff brought this item to the Council at that time for <br /> several reasons. In particular, the adoption of the Downtown Precise Plan (DTPP) put in <br /> place the zoning which is necessary to make the site suitable for development; and <br /> market opportunities to develop both the City's Block 2 property and the Winslow lot are <br /> emerging and such market opportunities have not existed for several years. Staff <br /> reported that there was strong interest from developers in developing the sites and put <br /> forth several key points which must be considered before moving forward. Council <br /> provided feedback and clarification on the vision for that area of our downtown and <br /> requested that staff move forward with options for development. <br /> Since that meeting, staff has begun the preliminary steps to offer the site for <br /> development. Staff has entered into an agreement with an appraiser so that the value of <br /> the City-owned properties can be determined. Staff has begun working with an engineer <br /> so that the City-owned parcels, which do not currently reflect on-the-ground conditions <br /> or the future building site, can be reconfigured to be ready for transfer to a developer. In <br /> addition, staff is working with a real estate consultant to assist with market analysis and <br /> business points. Staff has continued to study a number of land uses based on Council <br /> comments and knowledge of the current real estate market for downtown and the two <br />