PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee Meeting was held on
January 10, 2006 at 1:01 p.m. with Chairman Sadusky presiding. Members present were
Mr. Ruane, Mr. Long, Mrs. Russell, and Mr. Truitt.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Long moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Ruane and unanimously carried.
PRESENTATION - NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY
Mr. Paul Lakeman, President for Main Street Dover program, provided information on the Needs Assessment Study for the downtown area (Attachment #1). This presentation was also presented during the Downtown Dover Development Corporation meeting of December 14, 2005. The main purpose of this study is for downtown revitalization and what can be done differently or better to achieve that purpose. The observations in the study were made by Mr. Donovan D. Rypkema, principal of Place Economics, which is a firm that specializes in downtown revitalization and the reuse of historic structures.
During Mr. Rypkema’s short visit, he met with numerous downtown businesses and noted various items such as perception problems and rules for downtown housing. Mr. Lakeman stated one of the ways to revitalize the downtown area is to bring people to live in that area. A few of the negatives found are the amount of vacancies and that the asking prices of some downtown buildings are way too high relative to rent levels. Mr. Lakeman also noted one of the ways for the revitalization of the downtown area to succeed, and what he has been working on personally, is to have Main Street, the Downtown Dover Development Corporation, and the Greater Dover Committee come together and work on a single focus, as opposed to their individual agendas. A couple of the perception problems are parking and the safety of downtown Dover. Mr. Lakeman stated that the Greater Dover Committee is in the process of hiring a consulting firm to assess the downtown Dover area.
Mr. Lakeman noted the five (5) policy priorities mentioned were to increase inspections of unoccupied buildings, selective code enforcement, major public priority to add downtown housing both in upper floors and new construction, keep the library downtown, and encourage proposed Wesley College student-orientated development to move to Loockerman Street. During the month of January and February, programs on Strategic Planning by Rick Ferrell and Tactics for Success by Rick Segal will be given to downtown merchants.
Responding to Mr. Sadusky, Mr. Lakeman stated Mr. Rypkema felt that the Bayard Hotel should be inspected by an engineering firm specializing in restoring historic buildings to see what the potential is for re-development, such as living quarters on the second and third floors and retail on the first floor. Mayor Speed suggested that the person to evaluate the building should be Mr. Paul Law, since he has re-developed a number of homes on State Street, as well as the offices located at
34 The Green. Mr. McGinnis stated he believes the building has not yet officially been put on the market for sale, however, it is his understanding that the owner will entertain offers.
Mr. Ruane felt it should be known which mandated agencies would carry out the recommendations noted in the study under the “Five Policy Priorities”. Mr. Ruane noted the City appeared to be responsible for the first two (2) of the five (5) recommendations. He asked what the current practice is for inspecting unoccupied buildings, what could be done to improve this practice, and what selective code enforcement is and if the City has the staff to implement it. Mr. Ruane suggested that the committee send a followup request to staff to review the public agency recommendations and see what it would take to implement them, such as, are the resources currently available, are the policy ordinances in place, what modifications should be made, and what additional financial resources and manpower might be needed.
Mr. DePrima concurred with Mr. Ruane’s suggestion and noted that there are currently sufficient laws on the books for inspecting unoccupied buildings. Mr. DePrima stated that he would like to see support from City Council and that code enforcement should be prioritized according to
street location.
Mr. DePrima stated that the City is currently working on a draft vacant building ordinance and, once drafted, meetings will be taking place with various parts of the community, such as property owners and businesses, to help finalize the ordinance.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. DePrima noted that there are a number of incentives such as the
Main Street’s Facade Grant Program, Downtown Dover Development Corporation Loan Program, Historic District Tax Credit Program, waiver of impact or building fees, and property tax waivers and abatement; however, promotion of these incentives is slow. Mr. DePrima stated that due to the City’s property tax rate being low, there really is no incentive to get income out of vacant buildings to help pay the property taxes.
Mayor Speed stated he agreed with the first two (2) of the five (5) priority items and the City should focus more on the residential areas that are a part of the downtown area. According to the Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted by City Council, the City should have a mixed use downtown zone. Because the City currently does not have a City Planner, this ordinance has not been developed.
Mayor Speed suggested that the City develop incentives to encourage all business owners in the downtown area to have standard operating hours, similar to those found in retail malls.
Mr. DePrima stated that he received a letter from the Greater Dover Committee asking for a donation of $25,000 to help fund a study of the downtown area. The projected cost of an effective study is between $50,000 - $100,000 and currently the Greater Dover Committee is looking at the $50,000 range. This study is an effort of both the Greater Dover Committee, Dover Parking Authority,
Main Street, and the Downtown Dover Development Corporation. Mr. DePrima also noted that the full amount of the $50,000 has almost been raised.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend that the Committee support this report and the Policy Priorities Item #1, #2, #3, and #5 with the exception of Item #4, Keep Library Downtown, until “downtown” is better defined. The motion failed for the lack of a second.
Responding to Mr. Long, Mr. Ruane noted that the downtown area is not being defined in the report. Mayor Speed noted it would be negative to exclude the Library. Mr. DePrima noted, that according to ordinance, the downtown area is defined and the Site Selection Committee has stated that there is value in keeping the library in the downtown area. Mr. Lakeman stated that the Library attracts people; therefore, if the Library is in the downtown area, it is assumed it will bring people to that area.
Responding to Mr. Sadusky, Mr. DePrima stated that before the Bayard Hotel’s structural integrity is determined, a meeting with the owners regarding either the sell or rehabilitation of the building should take place.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend that the report be accepted as stated. The motion failed for the lack of a second.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend that the Committee support this report and the Policy Priorities Items #1, #2, #3, and #5, with the exception of deferring Item #4 until further information is received, seconded by Mr. Long. The motion failed by a vote of two (2) yes, two (2) no
(Mr. Long and Mr. Truitt), and one (1) abstention (Mrs. Russell).
Mayor Speed stated that it is the responsibility of the Library Site Selection Committee to determine the location of the new library and not the responsibility of this Committee at this time. Responding to Mayor Speed, Mr. Sadusky stated that this was the reason for leaving out Item #4, due to the statement reading “keep the library downtown” because the new building may not be in the downtown area.
This item will be forwarded to Council without a recommendation.
Update on John W. Pitts Recreation Center
Mr. Carter, Parks and Recreation Director, advised members that during the Regular Council Meeting of January 9, 2006, Council authorized the City Manager to sign a contract with
Becker Morgan Group, Inc. to complete the necessary documents to prepare the John W. Pitts Recreation Center Project for bid. Construction is estimated to begin in March 2007 and completion time is estimated at nine (9) to thirteen (13) months.
During the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Meeting of August 23, 2005, it was noted what organizations were donating funds to the development of the John W. Pitts Recreation Center. Mr. Carter stated that the total pledge amount from Dover Downs is $100,000 and the first of four (4) payments of $25,000 has been received. The balance of this amount will be paid out on June 2006, December 2006, and June 2007 in $25,000 increments each. Mr. Carter also noted that a check in the amount of $50,000, which is the pledge amount from the Welfare Foundation, Inc., has been received.
Update on the Garrison Tract Commission Report
Mr. Ruane stated that since the completion of the Garrison Tract Commission Report a number of statewide meetings have been held regarding an economic development strategy for the State of Delaware, which Kent County is to be a part of, and the City of Dover has already requested that the Garrison Tract be included in that strategy. The County has also commissioned a study to update all the data and inventory of land for economic development, which the City is a partner of.
Mr. Ruane noted that this report should be seen as a State economic development strategy and a County economic development strategy. He suggested that members support the report’s recommendation and that no action be taken until the recommendations of the State and County studies are received. Mr. Ruane also noted that members should participate in the planning of the economic development strategy with the State and County.
Responding to Mr. DePrima, Mr. Ruane stated that no further investment in the property should be made until the results of the State and County economic development strategies are completed.
Mr. DePrima mentioned that the City is participating in the County and State study meetings and also agreed with the recommendation of splitting off and marketing the first 150 acres but disagreed with the report stating the tract is not ready for exploitation. Mr. DePrima stated that the City is poised to react quickly if a large company shows interest in this acreage and funding is also available in this fiscal year’s budget.
Mayor Speed recommended that members follow the suggested steps listed in the report and design a timeline for each step. Mayor Speed noted it would be a benefit to have a general design of the first 150 acres to present to interested parties.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend acceptance of the report as presented and that no further action be taken at this time. The motion was seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Mr. Long moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 2:27 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Sadusky
Chairman
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S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20061-10-2006-PR&CE.wpd
Attachments to Original File Copy
Attachment #1 - Needs Assessment Study Presentation