Minutes 02/26/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 26, 2019 Discussion:  In 2018 the City unveiled the Crawford Gateway Revitalization Project, with the goal of revitalizing the area surrounding Crawford Street from the Roundabout to the Elizabeth River.  The Gateway Project contemplates the removal of City offices such as City Hall and public safety offices from the waterfront area.  The Armada proposal would further the goals of the Gateway Project by demolishing the existing County Street garage, extending Middle Street, and building a new City Hall and parking garage on both sides of the extended Middle Street.  Public safety facilities could be relocated to a portion of the Willett Hall property.  Finally, properties vacated by the City such as 801 Water Street and 801 Crawford Street could be redeveloped with new private uses.  At this stage, the proposal remains flexible so that other City properties (such as the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame building) could supplement or replace the properties currently included in the project.  The PPEA requires that a public hearing be held to permit members of the public to provide comment on PPEA proposals. The Armada proposal has been posted on the City website and the public hearing will be held at the February 26, 2019 City Council meeting. In addition, a copy of the proposal is available for public review in the Purchasing Office at City Hall. At the public hearing, members of the public will also be able to comment on the potential conveyance of City property in furtherance of the project (however, no City property will be conveyed unless and until City Council has approved a detailed and binding Development Agreement).  At the February 26, 2019 meeting City Council will consider adoption of a Resolution approving execution of the Memorandum of Understanding and formally electing to proceed with Development Agreement negotiations.  Any final proposed Development Agreement will be subject to approval by City Council at a subsequent Council meeting. Financial Impact:  None at this time. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the resolution. Next Steps Following Council Action: City staff and AHP Development, LLC will enter into negotiations on a proposed  Development Agreement. 1. Donna Sayegh, 3104 Garland Drive, spoke in opposition to this item. Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Mr. Clark, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: “RESOLUTION ELECTING TO PROCEED WITH NEGOTIATIONS WITH AHP DEVELOPMENT, LLC REGARDING THE POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CITY HALL, PARKING GARAGE AND PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES, AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF VACATED PROPERTIES. WHEREAS, in May 2018 AHP Development, LLC (a subsidiary of Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc.) presented the City with an unsolicited proposal for the construction of a new City Hall, parking garage and public safety facilities, and the subsequent redevelopment of vacated properties; and WHEREAS, the City received the proposal in accordance with the Virginia Public- Private Education and Infrastructure Act of 2001, as amended (the “PPEA”); and WHEREAS, as required by the PPEA, the City gave public notice of the receipt of the proposal and provided the opportunity for other interested parties to submit competing proposals; and