Information Items:
Last March, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities presented to City Council future wastewater capacity needs and upcoming expansions. Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (located at the corner of Park Road and Tyvola Road) is starting the design process to expand from 20 million gallons per day (mgd) capacity to 28 mgd by 2012.
Utilities invited local neighborhood associations, other city and county departments, regulators, and local environmental and retail organizations to participate as members of a stakeholder
group. This group will participate with Utilities during the two-year design phase to provide input as to concerns about the projects and possibilities to incorporate community-friendly features into the overall site development.
The first meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 9th, in the Family Life Center at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church located at 1900 Emerywood Drive in Charlotte. At that meeting, Utilities will provide information about future wastewater treatment needs, the planning process and the Stakeholders Group's role in that process.
On August 8, 2007 Greg Gaskins presented a financial update to the Board of Directors for the Charlotte Regional Visitor's Authority. Following are highlights of the report:
1. Revenues from the Occupancy Tax were up 11.3%, Food and Beverage Tax 8.2% and Vehicle Rental Tax 14.0%.
2. The City has been able to meet the funding needs of the CRVA including over $10 million in marketing money for FY08, extension of the Ovens Auditorium loan repayment period and addition capital money to make Ovens Auditorium ADA compliant.
3. The financial picture for the NASCAR Hall of Fame is strong with revenues at expected levels and land appraisals coming in higher than expected. To date, $16.2 million has been spent on the $156 million project.
4. The combination of very strong revenue growth, restraint on expenses and the elimination of the $2.6 million annual hotel management fee provide a potential $100 million in debt capacity for the Convention Center by FY2010.
The responses to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the Johnston and Mecklenburg Mill Apartments were received on Friday, August 3, 2007. Proposals were solicited through a combination of sending information to developers on Neighborhood Development's standard Housing Trust Fund list, developers that have expressed an interest in the RFP and advertising on the Neighborhood Development website, and notification in the Charlotte Observer. Four proposals were received. Below are the developers and a general description of their proposals:
Winter Properties, LLC - Atlanta, GA - Proposes a total of 167 units (92 market rate and 75 affordable). The affordable units will be contingent on Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. If tax credits are not awarded, all units will be market rate. The developer proposes to renovate the existing mill buildings.
Atlantic Development, LLC - Richmond, VA - Proposes to build a mixed-use and mixed-income development. The proposal includes 204 residential housing units. Up to 82 affordable units are offered with various affordability periods dependent upon the property's sales price. The developer proposes to renovate the existing mill buildings.
NoDa Mills, LLC (Tuscan Development, Bank of America Community Development Corporation and The Housing Studio, PA) - Assumes the existing building can be preserved. The first option is to develop 75 affordable units. The second option is to develop 174 units of rental and for sale at market rate with no affordability requirement. The developer proposes to renovate the existing mill buildings.
The Conformity Corporation and The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership - Proposes to develop 185 units (90 units of for sale condominiums and up to 95 units of affordable rental housing but no fewer than 85 units). Proposes the demolition of the Johnston Mill Apartments and Boxing Academy due to site challenges, risk and market issues and renovate Mecklenburg Mill.
The proposals will be reviewed by a Selection Committee consisting of representatives from the NoDa Business and Neighborhood Associations, the Belmont and Villa Heights communities, a private developer and City staff (CATS, Planning, Real Estate, Neighborhood Development and Economic Development). The schedule for the RFP process is as follows:
Review Proposal for Completeness - August 6 - 17
Proposal Cure Period** - August 20 - 31
Proposal Presentation to Selection Committee - Sept. 17 - 21
Selection Committee Recommendation - Sept. 25
City Council Dinner Briefing - October 2007
H.A.N.D. Committee - TBD
City Council Approval - October/November 2007
** Staff will review the proposals for completeness and allow developers to respond to any clarifications regarding their proposals.
1. City's return on investment.
2. Ability to meet City affordable housing goals.
3. Ability to meet City Policy Goals (including but not limited to Transit Oriented
Development, Draft 36th Street Concept Plan and other City policies).
4. Proven ability of the development team to successfully develop and manage higher-density residential projects. Proven ability shall mean successfully completed and managed at least three multi-family developments.
5. Ability to secure construction and permanent financing for the project.
6. Commitment and ability to bring developer equity to the project.
7. Quality of the design proposed and ability of the development team to implement a high quality project.
8. A Management plan for the project that maintains the affordability goals of this project.
9. Proven ability and experience in managing higher-density residential properties.
10. Connectivity between site and light rail station.
11. Proposed Density.
12. Consideration of a development plan that compliments and bolsters the existing artistic and historic character of the neighborhood. Concepts could include but are not limited to: an architectural design that complements the mill buildings and the surrounding mill town; housing that addresses the needs of the existing diverse community, or residential retail and commercial and diverse that meld with the existing NoDa arts and entertainment district.
