HomeMy WebLinkAboutA043 - Letter from Jeffrey Fenimore in favor of tax abatement 12%19ioo TUE 17: 11 FAX 515 232 8529 RUDI LEE DREYER
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December 19, 2000
Dear Council Members:
I would like to comment on the Somerset urban revitalization resolution.
The original intent of bringing the City and Somerset Developers together was to determine if
there is enough common ground in the success of Somerset to combine efforts and assist in the
resurrection of the development.
It is my belief that Somerset is not a successful development, which is causing many difficulties.
Left unchanged, I believe these difficulties will be devastating to the project.
To summarize, i believe the reasons for the difficulties are:
1_ Poor marketing by the developers, not understanding the product being sold.
2, Poor Public Relations:
Due to increased responsibilities, being uninformed, and unwillingness to
• change. The Realtors have been the strongest group against Somerset_
• Minimal effort by City and the developers to educate the community on the
values and benefits of a neo-traditional subdivision.
3, Uneconomical execution of the development due to ill conceived attempts to demonstrate
the different elements of the plan.
4. Minimal attempt by the developers to understand the design requirements and the value
of them.
5. Increase in costs due to additional design fees_ Additional construction cost due to high
densities and high land cost. Additional infrastructure and additional public amenities.
I believe these reasons and others are producing devastating effects to Somerset because:
1. Lack of enthusiasm for the project by the developers_ Willingness to terminate a
subdivision.
2. Increasing frustration with the design outlines.
3. Reinforcing of the Realtors belief that a neo-traditional is a product the public is not
interested in buying,
4. A confused public and lack of confidence that the project is a serious development which
will be a wonderful place to live with mixed uses. In addition, the public is not aware of
how this development will affect the future growth of Ames_
The issues mentioned above must be addressed for Somerset to succeed_
I believe the best tool for the developers is knowledge. Knowledge for the Realtors, knowledge
for the execution of the development, knowledge for the public and knowledge for the city. The
most powerful tool is an executed marketing plan. In addition, the enthusiasm of the developers
and realtors are critical for Somerset to proceed.
... .. .. .. .
ARCHITECTS RUDI / LEE / DREYER
Phunc; (;1.5) 268 5155 Fix: (.51.'i) Y)B :)IhB
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12/19/00 TUE 17:12 FAX 515 292 8529 RUDI LEE DREYER Z 003
With these goals in mind, I would be an advocate for tax abatement in Somerset. I believe
detached single family housing is the engine that runs neo-traditional projects_ However, the
design guidelines for the apartments and commercial are critical to the success of mixing
building types. These requirements have been demonstrated to increase the cost of construction,
If a method could be implemented to insure that tax savings are used to offset the increased
construction cost I believe the incentive is appreciated by Somerset and not the developers.
However, tax incentives are not what I feel will save Somerset. It is only a tool to put in place
the items needed for Somerset to have the best chance to succeed. If the marketing plan and
enthusiasm can be achieved in a better way, I would advocate that due to the negative political
fall out for tax incentives designed for a specific group. In the end, the market will drive the
success of Somerset and that can only happen with the community embracing Somerset.
My comments are not requested by the city or the developers. I believe the original intent of a
combined effort to resurrect Somerset has been lost over the battle of tax incentives. The goal is
to produce a package to give the neo-traditional experiment the opportunity to demonstrate its
value. The project is not to a point that anyone can evaluate the success based on the original
objectives of the city.
My hope is to refocus the dialogue, by bringing to light a few facts as I see them. It is important
to bring back the original intent of having the city and developers work together to make our
community a better place to live. This was the original intent and this should be the intent today.
Thank you for your time and good luck with your decisions.
S' 4Fmmore
J ey
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