11-10-03 Public Works & Property Vacation

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Public Works and Property Vacation Committee November 10, 2003 Page 3 Ms. Greene stated that TIF bonds will also be involved. She added that none of the agreements are in final form and that she believes that they should not be given to the Council at this point since they are still being negotiated. She anticipates that the MOU will be completed later this week. Council President White inquired about the two (2) homes which may be involved. Ms. Greene stated that one is independent and that old Planned Parenthood building will be moved. It was noted that three of the Studebaker Board Members were present. Council Member Kirsits asked if there would be one admission fee. It was noted that this would be a staff level decision. Dr.Varner noted that there are many lose-ends for a building which will be ongoing for the next 30-40 years. He noted that the costs of operations catches up with you, not the costs of the Y 1� p Y building itself. He voiced concern that much of this seems premature, noting that costs of operations may be $200,000 or as high as $600,000. He stated that at the present time there is not enough information made available to know the City's risk. Dr. Varner noted that the city should know where they are going and the costs associated with it. Dr. Varner inquired about what the County's obligation would be. Mayor Luecke stated that a business plan was presented to the Council which sets forth a wealth of information, Dr. Varner noted that the ERA of 1994 study was "terribly flawed" when it came to the College Football Hall of Fame,and when it was mentioned in the business plan it raised a"red flag". Dr. Varner thanked everyone for their update and asked that the Council be updated. Dr. Varner then asked for an update on the proposed demolition of St. Joseph/Jefferson Street Parking Garage. City Engineer Carl Littrell made the presentation. He noted that originally the cost to rehab both garages was estimated to be $4.2 million. The garages were built in 1970 and opened in 1971, with both being the first generation of pre-stressed concrete with post tension wires. In the Spring of 2003 a consultant was hired to follow-up on the 1993 study on the garages. The latest study shows that many of the pre-stressed tendons are broken. He noted that the garages were constructed of light-weight concrete which was very porous. During the 1980's rehabilitation to both garages took place. The Jefferson garage is used more and has more traffic. The Jefferson garage does not meet the strength test due to flaws in construction and aging. As a result the 3rd, 6th and 7th levels have been closed which effectively closes the 4th and 5th floors also. Only the 1st and 2nd floors are currently open. All parkers have been accommodated in other parking garages and the city is paying the costs for such parkers in the first month. Mr. Littrell stated that the prognosis for the Jefferson garage is "grim". The cost to rehab is $3.1 million, but they cannot save the slabs, with the cost to rehab being more than the cost of a new garage. They propose that in early 2004 that the Jefferson garage be demolished, with the area being used for surface parking as a "stop gap measure". A study of downtown parking needs shows that there is currently a surplus. The best site will be reviewed and the study is still ongoing.