In addition, the UCIA agreed to purchase and install a tower clock on the Park-Madison plaza and open its parking deck to public use on evenings and weekends, providing the city shows proof of liability insurance and a "hold harmless" agreement. The two parties will also establish a committee to look into possible paid parking in the deck.
The tax issue dates back to June 2001, when the two entities agreed that the UCIA could make payments in lieu of taxes to the city on the Park-Madison building at Park Avenue and West Front Street. The building has offices on upper floors and commercial space at ground level The project also included.a parking deck. The resolution up for a vote tonight also refers to a dispute rising from the UCIA's role as development entity for the city, in which it negotiated with developers for nearly a dozen projects including the Park-Madison office itself. In the settlement, the UCIA is reimbursed for costs that redevelopers failed to pay the authority.
The total amount owed to the city for PILOT payments was $1,433,968.17. The UCIA claimed $342,366.18 in unreimbursed redevelopment costs. The settlement will give that amount to the UCIA and $1,091,601.99 to the city. The money is due to the city within 30 days of the execution of the agreement, which the UCIA passed on Aug. 7 and the city
The clock issue refers to a condition imposed by the Planning Board when the Park-Madison building was approved.
This historic clock was supposed to be refurbished and relocated to the Park-Madison plaza. The new agreement calls for a "free-standing tower clock" to be installed on the Park-Madison plaza at a cost not to exceed $35,000 for the UCIA's contribution.
Once the city gives the UCIA evidence of general liability insurance and signs a "hold harmless" agreement, any available space in the deck may be used by the public on weekdays from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and for weekend and holiday hours, starting at 6 p.m.of the evening preceding the weekend or holiday through 3 a.m. of the morning following the end of the weekend or holiday (i.e., 6 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Monday). The city is obligated to provide security and/or police presence during public use hours.
Public use of the deck during off-hours has long been sought, as downtown parking is limited. The only quasi-public use has apparently been by skateboarders who love the ramps, as noted in a PCTV video.
As for the redevelopment projects for which costs were owed, the status of many is murky. The UCIA promised early on to keep the City Council in the decision-making loop on all its projects, but in recent years not much has been heard from the UCIA. Besides the Park-Madison project, the agreement lists the North Avenue Redevelopment Area Project, the North Avenue Expanded Area Project, the Richmond and Third Street Project, the Madison Avenue/West 2nd Street Project, the Marino's Tract/West Front Street Project, the Tepper's Tract (Phase II) Project, the Netherwood Station Redevelopment Area Project, the Block 318 Redevelopment (Macy's site) Project, the Tepper's Tract Infill Project and the Arlington Heights Project.
--Bernice
How about the painted the lines for parking spots & cross-walks, on West Front St from Madison to Plainfield Ave? That way so we do not have to play Dodge-ball with people crossing the streets?
ReplyDeleteOn anther note: How about a "Revenue Stream" discussion on Jay-Walking tickets?
The City should probably cancel alot of the "payment" to the UCIA as they still are required by the redevelopment agreement to rebuild Park Ave between Front & Second. The City was required to contribute about $250,000 to the project for this purpose -- never happened. Was this money included in what is owed now to the city?? Don't think so based upon the figures.
ReplyDeleteWhere will the UCIA get the million to pay the City?
ReplyDeleteThe parking lot is going to cost the city to provide security and/or police presence for a minimum of 93 hours per week, almost 5,000 hours per year, plus administrative costs and insurance. I would much rather park at the 2nd Street lot and walk than deal with indoor deck parking- and I get to stay until 8am.
ReplyDelete