Mesa City Council Study Session 26 Jan 2017

Mesa is NOT Escondido, California or Knoxville, Tennessee ....it is unrealistic to even think this city would accrue the same benefits.

Listen to see the action
On a presentation by Jeff McVay for "façade improvements" downtown.
Readers of this plot will not some of this discussion took place in advance of this in the Meeting Minutes of the Mesa Historical Board in a previous post on this blog site
Published 26 Jan 2017
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Time: 34:21



Some extracts from the published agenda are below

1 Presentations/Action Items:

1-a 17-0113 Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on an update of the Downtown Façade Improvement Program.
[some details follow]
 


Façade improvements catalyze revitalization efforts, encourage property reinvestment, attract and retain new business, increase property values and sales tax revenue by improving the appearance of street-facing exteriors. In downtown Mesa, the program provides the additional benefit of preserving and accentuating the historic character of the area.
DESIGN PHASE $100,000 CDBG

PROGRAM FINANCING
100% funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
 Design Consultant Selection  DMA, City Manager’s Office, Planning, Engineering, Facilities, Historic Preservation, Housing  10-15 properties

PROGRAM FINANCING
10 year easement on the façade granted to the City Respond to requests from the consultant/contractor and the City in a promptly Commit to both phases, including 15% match

PARTICIPANT SELECTION

PROGRAM FINANCING
CONSTRUCTION PHASE $300,000 CDBG - 150,000 SRPMIC
85% funded by CDBG funding
15% funded by property owner/tenant match

INTENT TO RESTORE ORIGINAL CHARACTER

PROPERTY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
All businesses between 1st Ave and 1st St., Country Club and Sirrine
 Commercial or mixed-use building
 Property owner or tenant may apply (with property owner agreeing to the terms of agreement)
 No delinquent bills, charges, or taxes due to the City
 Project meets all state and local building codes and zoning requirements

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES (The project must include significant façade improvements that enhance the visual appearance and aesthetic quality of downtown buildings)
 Colonnade replacement with awning, canopy, or other shade solution  Repair/replace/preserve historically significant architectural details  Masonry repair and tuckpointing  Storefront (re)construction  Exterior painting and stucco  Permanent exterior lighting  Permanent exterior signage integrated into the storefront design  Murals if they are professionally painted, provide an important aesthetic improvement  In addition to many other a
APPLICATION AND DESIGN TIMELINE
 February 1st Application period opens  March 1st Application period closes  March 20th Applicants chosen by Ad Hoc Committee. Selected applicants must submit formal application  April 31st Funding becomes available  May Selected applicants meet design consultants  May -June Consultants, property owners and tenants begin meeting and consultant provides example renderings  June-July Consultant returns with design owner and tenant sign-off or request revisions  Early August Ad Hoc Committee reviews designs  September Design Review approval by City
CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE ESTIMATE
Colonnade Removal  January-February 2018  Removal is intended to be 100% funded through grant funding
 Construction  January 2018-April 2018  Properties selected for design will be automatically selected for construction.  Opportunity to meet contractors and rank their preferred contractor  Construction is intended to be 85% funded through grant funding  15% match must be put in escrow before demo and construction begin