Information items:
Manager's Referral to Housing & Neighborhood Development Committee
Staff Resource: Tom Flynn, 704-432-1396
Staff wanted to update you on the status of the First Ward Park Redevelopment.
In April, we received Letters of Interest from seven developers expressing an interest in responding to the City's RFP to develop First Ward Park. The Letter of Interest process was recommended by the Housing & Neighborhood Development Committee and approved by City Council in March 2005.
In April, we also received a proposal from Frank Martin of LandCraft, representing the parties (Ron Leeper, David Furman and himself) that control the First Ward Park out parcel at the corner of Seventh and McDowell Streets.
On May 23, 2005, Council received a presentation from the Arts & Science Council to construct the Afro-American Cultural Center expansion on the First Ward Park out parcel. This recommendation includes exchanging City-owned land around the current Center for this out parcel and using the new taxes generated by the proposed LandCraft development to fund a portion of the capital costs of the Afro-American Cultural Center expansion.
City Council direction is needed on this project. Due to other priorities, we have not been able to make a presentation to Council. The earliest we could brief the entire City Council is July 25. Therefore, the City Manager is referring this issue to the Council's Housing & Neighborhood Development Committee for discussion, presentation of the LandCraft proposal and recommendation on direction to the full Council.
Staff will update the Committee and discuss the following options:
- Option I: Postpone further consideration of redeveloping First Ward Park until Council decides on the Afro-American Cultural Center expansion and location.
- Option II: Issue a Request for Proposal to the interested developers for just the City owned portion of First Ward Park.
- Option III: Negotiate with LandCraft Properties for the redevelopment of First Ward Park and a land swap that would establish a location for the Afro-American Cultural Center expansion at the corner of Seventh & McDowell.
Taxi Rate Increase: $1.00 Gas Surcharge per Trip
Staff Resource: Joe Vanderlip, 704-398-6793
During their June 7th meeting, the Passenger Vehicle for Hire (PVH) Board approved a proposed $1.00 gas surcharge to current taxicab rates. Jerry Williams, owner of Yellow Cab, American Cab and Eagle Cab companies, petitioned the board to approve the surcharge, citing an unexpected increase in fuel costs to drivers that occurred after current rates were approved in February 2005.
A separate decal specifying the $1.00 per trip surcharge will be posted on the exterior and interior of each taxicab, adjacent to existing taxi rate cards. The new surcharge will become effective on June 27, 2005, and will remain in effect until December 2005, when the PVH Board begins its annual review of taxicab rates for the following year.
The PVH ordinance requires the board establish standard taxicab rate schedules, fare zones, and charges, which apply to all taxicabs. The ordinance also provides for a mid-year change to rates, zones or charges, if petitioned by a taxicab company owner, upon showing that such changes are required as a result of, "acts of God, substantial and unexpected increases in fuel costs or events beyond the control of the applicant."
