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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA022 - Letter from Campustown Action Association dated November 12, 2013 campustown action association Honorable Mayor Campbell and City Council Ames City Hall 515 Clark Avenue Ames, IA 50010 November 11, 2013 RE: Kingland Systems Redevelopment Project Dear Honorable Mayor Campbell and City Council, Campustown Action Association (CAA)would like to reiterate our excitement and support for the redevelopment project proposed by Kingland Systems for the buildings currently located between 2412 and 2430 Lincoln Way and 114 Welch Avenue in Campustown. Throughout the process, representatives from Kingland Systems' project team have worked with our organization to integrate our vision for Campustown into their plans. The changes made to the exterior fagade of the new building and the additional retail spaces are just two examples of the Kingland team taking our concerns and incorporating solutions into their design. After reviewing the Tax Increment Rebate Development Agreement with Kingland Systems with City staff,Campustown Action Association would like to encourage City Council to consider two specific recommendations on our behalf, based on our 10 Criteria List of Priorities created to encourage redevelopment that follows the mission and vision of Campustown Action Association and maintains the character of the district. Below is the list of 10 Criteria submitted to Council in August 2013. 1.The proposed project will add a missing service to the mix of businesses currently offered in Campustown. 2.The proposed project will improve the aesthetics of the business district while maintaining the current scale and feel of the district as a whole 3.The proposed project will preserve structures of historic significance to the district. 4.The proposed project will include incentives to retain small, unique businesses to retain the distinctive shopping experience of the district 5.The proposed project will include a percentage of rentable ground floor commercial space at lower market rates for local, independent businesses 6.The proposed project will include high-density uses in penetrable retail street-level spaces 7.The proposed project will enhance the cultural experience in Campustown 8.The proposed project will include spaces for university students/faculty/staff with the opportunity for different university departments to interact off campus. 9.The proposed project will include considerations for parking capacities in Campustown 200 Stanton Avenue Si ite 102 Ames, IA 50014 515.450.'8771 director(e)amescampustown.com campustown action association 10.The proposed project will consider reimbursement of depreciated leasehold improvement values to displaced tenants. CAA asks City Council to consider that for the duration of the tax abatement, retail rents east of the stairwell(currently proposed retail suites B,C,and D)not exceed the current market average on equal space in the district,adjusted as the market changes. This supports Priority #5: projects including a percentage of rentable ground floor commercial space at lower market rates for local,independent businesses. CAA strongly supports the staff recommendation that proposed retail suites B,C,and D remain retail even after the tax abatement ends. City staff recommends that ground level uses should be restricted to"Retail Sales and Service Uses"and"Entertainment, Restaurant, and Recreation Trade Uses." This supports Priority#6:proposed projects including high- density uses in penetrable retail street-level spaces. We feel that the Kingland Systems project has become the catalyst to further development in our district and are encouraged that they included our vision for Campustown in their process. Keeping a strong retail presence in street-level spaces throughout our business district will maintain the character of a strong, unique and viable business district as we continue to improve the customer experience for both Iowa State University students and Ames residents. Sincerely, Anne Taylor Kim Hanna CAA Board President CAA Executive Director Dogtown University CC: Todd Rognes, Kingland Systems Kelly Diekmann,City of Ames Brian Phillips,City of Ames Dan Culhane,Ames Chamber of Commerce 200 Stanton Avenue Suite 102 Ames, IA 50014 • 515.450.8771 dire ctorOeamescampustown.con)