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06-08-1994 Joint MeetingJoint meeting of the Downtown Development Task Force and Downtown Smyrna Development Authority June 8, 1994 A joint meeting of the Downtown Smyrna Development Authority and the Downtown Development Task Force was held June 8, 1994 at the Smyrna Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Mayor A. Max Bacon at 7:00 p.m. Those in attendance representing the Task Force were: Jimmy Smith, Mark Curtis, Chuck Madison, Eric Cash, Charyn Darby, Elsie Rape, Reverend John C. Hearst, Larry Freeman, Randy Sauder, John H. Owens, Terry Owens, Peter Stelling, Carlos Ruiz, Scott Worthy, Wayne Waddell, Don Porch, R. T. Pinyan, Murray Glass, Nancy Hancock, Pam Feazel and Ralph Templeton. Representing the Downtown Smyrna Development Authority was Hubert Black, C. J. Fouts, Jim Pitts, Doug Stoner and Jimmy Wilson. Also present was Gordon Mortin with Lex Jolley & Company, Council members John Patrick, Ron Newcomb, Wade Lnenicka, Jack Cramer, Pete Wood, Bill Scoggins and Jim Hawkins, City Attorney Charles E. Camp, City Clerk Melinda Dameron, and City Administrator Bob Thomson. Mayor Bacon opened the meeting by thanking the members for their participation. The Task Force was selected as a representative group of the City's population, to study the first phase of our downtown redevelopment and make recommendations for the next phase. Funding was secured for Phase I through the Downtown Development Authority without a referendum. Mayor Bacon said that council is pretty much committed to a public referendum for the second phase to allow the citizens to have a voice in the decision. The goal of the Task Force should be to make a recommendation back to the Mayor and Council as to what they feel are the prioritized needs for the second phase. Also related to the second phase of development is a recent offer from HUD to purchase Heritage Pointe apartments on Hargrove Road. Plans are for the City to purchase the 30 acre tract and then sell to a private developer. Because of the attractive price of the land, the developer would also agree to build, or contribute a monetary amount towards construction of Phase II. The Heritage Pointe property totals 30 acres; 20 acres will be cleared for commercial development and the other 10 acres of apartment homes will be refurbished for rental of better quality housing. Gordon Mortin stated that HUD had established the value of the property and through negotiations, agreed that the 20 acre site would be demolished for commercial development, with 10 acres of apartment units refurbished for rental. We feel that the property• has more value than what was established; approximately $1.6 million for the 20 acre site and $5,000 per apartment unit for the 10 acre site. When the city acquires the property we would t r� simultaneously sell and close to another party for development. However, because of the equity recapture policy established by HUD we have asked that, in consideration for the purchase of the land, the developer also include in their proposal an amount that they are willing to contribute towards the cost of new development in the downtown area; either a City Hall, Fire Station, Police Station or possibly a retail site. There are now three developers who are very intgrested and will make a proposal. Mayor Bacon asked that the Task Force also take time to tour the existing facilities to make their own determination as to the overcrowded and inadequate conditions, especially in the jail and court services division. Also, he would expect the Task Force tonight to appoint their own officers and meet on a regular basis and report back to the Mayor and Council with their recommendations as to how we should proceed with the next phase. Mayor Bacon said that the City would provide any information or assistance that the Task Force would require and the contact persons from his office would be Melinda Dameron or Candis Joiner. Gordon Mortin stated that Phase I was built with funding through two bond issues in 1988 and 1989. In 1993, we took advantage of the extremely low interest rates and refinanced the debt service which substantially reduced the payments. There is a time frame that we must adhere to because HUD requires that the entire transaction with Heritage Pointe be closed by September 30, 1994. The City's deadline to commit to the acquisition of the property is July 19th, with the closing no later than September 30th. The RFP's have been mailed and we are asking for proposals back by the end of June so that we can make an award by mid -July. A simultaneous closing will be arranged for the City to purchase the property from HUD and at the same time, sell to the developer who is awarded the contract. Discussion followed from members of the Council and Task Force about location of the city facilities, cost of the project, etc. The Mayor, Council and members of the Downtown Development Authority adjourned to a separate meeting. The Task Force elected as its officers Pam Feazel, Assistant Secretary; Scott Worthy, Secretary; Don Porch, Vice Chairman and Chuck Madison, Chairman. The next meeting was scheduled for June 23, 1994 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center and monthly thereafter. With no further business meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.