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REGULAR MEETING September 28, 2015 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />street program, and it really ties into what our experience has shown that these two-way streets in <br />an urban project really enliven the downtown of urban area. <br /> <br />The planning exercise and this client was very interested in sort of enlivening streets. We are <br />taking away the old drive-thru so on the far left hand is some expanded retail. The center with <br />the canopy is actually the residential entrance. It’s a dedicated lobby. In the two corners is a <br />signature retail or signature restaurant. The client is envisioning a larger sort of destination <br />restaurant. Many of you remember that the facility used to have a restaurant in it in the lower <br />level. We are preserving that entire lower level for this type of restaurant use. There are great <br />assets there is a bank valet down there, you can imagine great private dining area. On the far <br />right hand side is the entrance to the hotel. A Loft as a brand because it is part of the Starwood <br />family of brands, the A Loft is the midlevel of a full service “W” Westin. It targets a wider <br />range of clientele, from a young up and coming professional to sort of people who go by their <br />own beat. <br /> <br />On the far right side you will see it drop off and the signature swoop. We are removing the bulk <br />or sort of the weight of the building. Those large concrete block panels that are somewhat <br />deadening to the eye sight. Making it a little more alive with color and texture, opening up the <br />garage. In the upper left corner you will see the brand new windows. Those are actually the <br />expanded ballrooms that are currently on that floor. To take advantage of views that currently <br />have no views to overlook the city. This next view is of an overall view of the property, the <br />renovation is top to bottom and we have to replace the windows. <br /> <br />To give you a sense of why there was a longer duration, it’s simply the physical time it takes to <br />renovate the space. The goal is still to be completed in 2017 it’s just trying to protect from <br />unknowns. As we are diving into this building more and more things have been discovered as <br />problems. At this point, we have recommended and the client has taken the advice and began <br />some early phases of construction. No construction has begun but the plan is to begin demolition <br />abatement very shortly. A permit has been granted and also we are doing a window replacement. <br />To give you a sense of the value the window replacement is a 2.4 million dollar project in itself. <br />The demolition abatement in itself is 1.4million and that is just simply removing the stuff that’s <br />in there. Our firm is completing the complete construction document. There is a separate local <br />firm who is involved as structural engineers, structural rehabilitation of the parking structure and <br />will be working with us on the rest of the facility. Currently the project is planned with eighty- <br />six (86) residential units the top third of the property. The balance of the tower is one-hundred <br />and eighty-three (183) hotel rooms, effectively what was there at one point. The top floor of the <br />parking deck area is actually ball rooms, a pool, and such. The top of the parking deck, the roof <br />level is going to be a great community space for the residents including a dog walking area. The <br />next two views are sort of evening views. It is really important to us to design both the day time <br />and the evening. The key to revitalization of a downtown is making it feel safe, being safe, <br />making it feel signature and upbeat. We took a lot of effort to try and not create something that <br />was obtuse. Certainly this building by itself is much taller than anything around but we wanted <br />to highlight its features through clever lighting and bring some excitement. The final view is a <br />street level view at night. You can see the light and space that make it unique. Every single wall <br />of dry wall in the tower is being moved down to its core structure. From an energy efficiency <br />perspective we are replacing every single light fixture, the phone systems are being replaced. <br />The mechanic system is a 100% replacement. We are pretty excited about the whole thing. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis- I talked to you about the issues, about completing the hotel and <br />apartments at the same time could you share about that? Talk about the synergy between your <br />hotel and the double tree. Is there anything you are doing to make the place more energy <br />efficient? <br /> <br />Petitioner- The A Loft is what you call a midservice hotel. The Doubletree by definition is a full <br />service hotel. The most significant difference is the restaurants and ballroom space. We have <br />very limited ballroom space probably seats one-hundred and fifty (150) versus true conference <br />center space. From a competitive standpoint its closest competitor are the two new buildings that <br />you see when you come off the highway. That is what we consider the normal market. From a <br />hotel perspective often times the demographic you look at is major brands the Hilton brand or the <br />Starwood brand. Each have their frequent flyer return guest program. Those drive a lot of the <br />36 <br /> <br /> <br />