06-18-08 Community and Economic Development Committee

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COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JUNE 18, 2008 Committee Members Present: Councilmember Ann Puzzello, Councilmember Karen L. White, Catherine Andres, Citizen Member, Mark Smith, Citizen Member Others Present: Councihnember Tom LaFountain, Mayor Luecke, Jamie Loo, Catherine Fanello, Jeff Gibney, Marguerite Taylor, Paul Phair, John Phair, Marco Mariam, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, John Voorde UPDATES ON COVELESKI PARK PLANNING AREA AND EAST BANK DEVELOPMENT AREA Chairing the meeting in Chairman Dieter's absence, Councilmember Ann Puzzello, called the meeting to order at 4:49 p.m. She introduced Bill Schalliol of the Community & Economic Development Department to do a power-point presentation on the city's vision for the Coveleski Pazk area. However, before proceeding, Jeff Gibney, Director of Community & Economic Development provided some background context on the city's stake in the area. He also praised the work of Bill Schalliol who he had appointed to oversee the planning process. Jeff told of Gates Automotive having made the decision to relocate to city-south presented a great opportunity for the city to direct redevelopment around the ballpark. Bill proceeded to walk everyone through a 43 slide presentation that covered awide-spectrum project overview. The presentation covered land acquisition, budgeting, the improvements to the ballpark itself and the city's vision for the entire area. This presentation is attached. After the presentation Mazguerite Taylor asked if the plan affected the nearby public housing. Jeff Gibney, in response, spoke to the city's partnering with the S.B. Housing Authority to the benefit of all. Martha Lewis asked about the fate of the synagogue nearby the ball park. Gibney responded stating the city had no intent to demolish it, but was in fact in preliminary discussion with the Center for History on its possible re-use or re-location. Jitin Kain, of Community Development and DTSB was then introduced by Councilmember Ann Puzzello to begin discussion of the "East Bank Village" (EBV) development area. Jitin illustrated the connection of the CBD (Central Business District to the EBV plan. He emphasized the EBV plan was part of a strategic development plan with fact finding, collaboration among stakeholders, establishment of objectives for the concepts agreed upon and finally realistic timelines for the development process. Jitin then introduced John & Paul Phair of the Holladay Corp. who have played the key role in developing the East Bank Village Master Plan (see handout)