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Home My WebLink AboutJUNE 30, 2009 SPECIAL MEETINGSPECIAL MEETING - )une 30, 2009 I. INVOCATION, PLEDGE & ROLL CALL Councilmember Henderson gave the invocation followed with the pledge to the flag. The City Council of the City of Port Arthur met in Special Session on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Deloris "Bobbie" Prince; Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth "Liz" Segler; Councilmembers Jack Chatman, Jr., Morris Albright, III, John Beard, Jr., Dawana K. Wise and Thomas J. "Tom" Henderson; City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons, City Secretary Terri Hanks, First Assistant City Attorney Valecia Tizeno and Sergeant At Arms Chief of Police Mark Blanton. Councilmember Robert E. "Bob" Williamson joined the Special Meeting at 4:58 p.m. Councilmember Martin Flood joined the Special Meeting at 5:09 p.m. II. PRESENTATION Presentation by IEDC Regarding Downtown Redevelopment International Development Council President and Chief Executive OfFcer Jeff Finkle, 734 15"' Street NW, Washington, DC, appeared before the City Council to present the IEDC Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization and Implementation Strategy as shown in Exhibit "A" of the Meeting Minutes. III. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING Upon the motion by Councilmember Williamson seconded by Councilmember Wise and carried unanimously, the City Council adjourned their Special Meeting at 5:42 p.m. An audio-tape of this meeting is on file in the office of the City Secretary and is made a part of the official minutes of this meeting. MAYOR DELORIS "BOBBIE" PRINCE ATTEST: CITY SECRETARY TERRI HANKS END OF SPECIAL MEETING HELD: June 30, 2009 APPROVED: EXHIBIT' A° Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Port Arthur, TX Downtown Revitalization & Implementation Strategy Jeff Finkle, President & CEO Swati Ghosh, Sr. Associate (Project Manager) •~.:~« ~~ IEDC Team • Lamont Blackstone G. Lamont Blackstone & Associates • Kurt Weigle New Orleans Dowm[otim Development District • Dave Wilcox Independent Consultant • Louise Anderson and Swa[i A. Ghosh International Economic Development Council +` ... Presentation Outline • IEDC Overview • Project Background • Key Observations • Detailed Recommendations - Organizational Development Recommendations - Physical Development Recommendations Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy About IEDC • Largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals worldwide • Conferences & Professional Development Training • Advisory Services & Customized Reseazch • Certification & REDO • Publications, Newsletters • Legislative Tracking Background • City wants to capitalize on regional investment to develop sustainable economy with high quality workforce and services • Desire to attract investment to downtown; steps being taken to revitalize Westside at the same time • Connect downtown to larger economic development strategy for the city -. ®~r.-s. ... Background • IEDC Team of Expert Panelists • Site visit: February 25'" - 2T", 2009 and preliminary recommendations • Feedback and Comments • Written Report (including Background Report) • Final Presentation-TODAY 6 Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Key Observations by Team Assets and Strengths - Investment by industry -Assets -waterfront, historic properties, lamer State College - Strong regional economic base - Confluence of commitments - Significant regional and local festivals vKey Observations by Team • Challenges and Constraints -History of disinvestment and resulting blight - Geographically constrained market area - Population loss - Public safety perception - Move of School Board administrative offices from downtown District Boundaries Do-:mtoNn Concept Plan Port Arthur, Texas Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Recommendations 1. Establish a Downtown Revitalization Org 2. Designate downtown as TIRZ 3. Develop a Downtown Revitalization Plan 4. Undertake Aggressive Marketing Efforts 5. Attrnct Retail Activity 6. Increase Housing Opportunities 7. Improve Quality of Life ~a Establish a Downtown Revitalization Organization • Revitalizing downtown will be a long process • Need [o have an organization dedicated to the cause • Setup as aPublic-Private Partnership (Downtown PPP) -Independent entity outside of city government - Can be setup as a no[-for-profit entity - Work closely with city and PAEDC .~ . . Downtown PPP Leadership Board of Directors from Public and Private sectors - Provide strong leadership to the organization - Establish clear vision & strategic planning -Fund raising -Policy development -Monitoring and evaluation -Financial oversight -Community relations Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Board of Directors Cisy'of POn Mhm ToW:3s••., nominesal6y Me Cirv CowW -Regpved NazlsW be flltA b)'smmmma¢ ml fr®majw pdsmc scan cmplmm. Sevim mwegemem Sam Ne purochemicil indusm'. R*MRS do Pon NsWv IvdmmiN GsauO. should be appoimW fm lnea®sirg of she( bwrd -fi's.' Cowcil members cm self-mmiw~e; me sem un be filleA bvcin council member Pms.Mbm EnC ToW: SSm0. nominated b.'Ne Exxusive Dbemm and We nnma oroi2mma -r anima Ibl l mnl x nlad bs' am~or mwagamanl amn mnor pnvYe sctm emplolvs Swim mmugemws fmm the petraLemiul ivdustry. FMW Ik Pcm Mhw Ndvso-iel Cnwp, .nmda ne eppnimW rm me.mmg armer [hmd -E~~a Dirssu m Ibmd dDvwors ov sat-oominmc LTmbn of toW'. 1 ze( nomwmW by E<aodw Dvtty¢ wd 0oerd of Commerce Dueerms { 're Dimmm9oerd aflTmuma my stlf-oominmc Lmm Style ToWa.~as, mmimtril by Unism'm Prtsidem wtl BOmd of College Pan MShm Trnvsm -Univmiry P~dmsm Boma MTmnem mn self-mminue s Board of Directors • 3 nominations to be submitted for each board seat; City Council will confirm appointments • Areas of expertise [o be represented on the board - Real estate development -Finance Business - Retail /Commercial attraction Leadership - Government relations • Staggered 3 year terms yam': r. '~~ Organizational Mission • Revitalize downtown by engaging the public, private and not-for-profit sectors: - Rea estate development and redevelopment (infrastructure improvements, building rehabilitations, beautification, fapade improvements) - Tenant attraction through marketing, incentives - Event programming [o attract people downtown Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Organizational Management • Two approaches -Management by PAEDC for a negotiated management fee - Separate Executive Director and Staff, housed at PAEDC for greater efficiencies 1. Management by PAEDC • Downtown PPP and PAEDC will work closely togeUter • Build synergies through common interest in downtown, relations with key local and regional economic development stakeholders, ability to achieve economies of scale through combined operations • Executive Director of PAEDC acts as the Exec. Dir for Downtown PPP ~~ ~. Management by PAEDC • Shared Executive Director for PAEDC and Downtown PPP -Capitalize on existing PAEDC relations & capacity - Undertake critical strategic planning, board development and organi>ational capaciTy-building • Share staff resources e.g. legal counsel, administrative support, accounting, etc. • Management fee paid to PAEDC IB Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Management by PAEDC [IN CAUrMI Clty Manager PAEDC guard d ODectors OPwrrtown PPP Board d Directors PAEDC FaeatFre Director PAEIX StaN Dor~ntown PPP gbN ~-°` 2. Separate Executive Director & Staff • Board of Directors launch an extensive search for Executive Director • Establishes city commitment to downtown revitalization • Ability of the organization to focus better on downtown with Executive Director focused only on downtown revitalization • Co-located with the PAEDC M y..vn~.- '_~.... -' Separate Executive Director & Staff CISt' CGDOCD tlly Manager PAEDC Board dDirettors Doam[vwn PPP eoardddrecmrs PAEDC FxeoM•+e Direcor Dowdnwn PPP Eaecvdve Direttar PAEDC gtaff Dowritoam PPP SGff Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Budget & Funding Sources • Budget for initial years: $300,000 - $400,000 • Funding sources - Public sources: CiTy's revenue from payment-in- lieu-of-tax agreements from the petrochemical industry, PAEDC funds from recent approval of Proposition - Private sources: Petrochemical industry, other major employers - Taz lncremem Reimertmenr Zone (TIRZ)funds -,y, may,-.. -. g ..~ Timeline •~.~~. bN~•M~ n•bb~0'rm m~ rvwG ~~~n~: S/m~nvi NvwwgYXN vn ~s~manPwn CYamr N.oY ) a amw~ Dwlq Bhn mmn~e, u1vvp Fmve~~ dTleYn~X >vngv M1~tr m~n~•Rnb Ce.~mn d. .~ ¢i. Recommendations 1. Establish a Downtown Revitalization Org 2. Designate Downtown District as TIRZ 3. Develop a Downtown Revitalization Plan 4. Undertake Aggressive Marketing Efforts 5. Athact Retail Activity 6. Increase Housing Opportunities 7. Improve Quality of Life I ~I Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Designate Downtown District as TIRZ • Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone for downtown and Westside • Board of Directors needs to be appointed by [he Ci[y Council and other taxing wits within downtown - School Dist[ict - letterson County - The Port of Port ARhur - Drainage District • Downtown PPP board members that are appointed by the city should serve as board members for the TIRZ board ~~ Recommendations 1. Establish a Downtown Revitalization Org 2. Designate Downtown District as TIRZ 3. Develop a Downtown Revitalization Plan 4. Undertake Aggressive Marketing Efforts 5. Attract Retail Activity 6. Increase Housing Opportunities 7. Improve Quality of Life ~~ Downtown Revitalization Plan Plan dealing with specific downtown issues does not exist Downtown revitalization efforts need to be part of city/regional economic development strategy, especially given the unprecedented amount of investment by the petrochemical industry :, Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Downtown Revitalization Plan • Components -Vision, goals and objectives, strategies and performance measures - Supported by detailed market analyses -Strategy to redevelop and reuse existing buildings - Opportunities for fostering green development & smart growth - Implementation Plan: organizations, responsibilities, potential sources of fords, timeline - Ways of engaging the private sector l8 ~.y~.~ ~" ~ ~ Recommendations L Establish a Downtown Revitalization Org 2. Designate Downtown District as TIRZ 3. Develop a Downtown Revitalization Plan 4. Undertake Aggressive Marketing Efforts 5. Attract Retail Activity 6. Increase Housing Opportunities 7. Improve Quality of Life .:. yx~y,.k. Marketing • Proactively counter public safety concerns - Spread message and statistics about safety in downtown - Local media - Police department - Forwn(s) for existing businesses to talk about experiences - Churches - Civic and business groups m Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Marketing Campaign • Mayor should promote Port Arthur and spearhead mazketing efforts • Conduct tours of rehabilitated buildings during regional and local cultural festivals • Partner with Lamaz State College to showcase downtown in university tours to students and investors • Showcase plans for future developments at local events • Wine [as[ing(s) a[ newly built housing and retail n ,.' ~,,q,_...,_ Recommendations 1. Establish a Downtown Revitalization Org 2. Designate Downtown District as TIRZ 3. Develop a Downtown Revitalization Plan 4. Undertake Aggressive Mazketing Efforts 5. Attract Retail Activity 6. Increase Housing Opportunities 7. Improve Quality of Life ,: y-.: • Attracting Retail • Build on existing assets -Boardwalk, land around Boardwalk and water views • Attract a mix of retailers - Small to medium size format • Dtug store • Small format grata or 30,000 sq. ft. farmer's market operation o£retail along • Dollar store Ptoeter Street and Boardwalk • Small format restaurants Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Attracting Retail • Identify parcels for land assembly (1.5 to 2.0 acres) at street intersections for potential locations for chain drug store - Supplemented by other small shops and restaurants Q,SOD - 2,500 sq. ft. range) to enable small strip center or retail cluster • Initiate conversations with private owners of property and solicit cooperation - Highlight incentives - Land banking or similaz mechanism [o acquire and hold properly will be needed >a Attracting Retail -Funding • Establish fund to defray development costs by up to $100 per sq. ft. - Applied to first 30,000 sq. ft. of retail - Attract NM"I~C and other economic development resources to establish fund Destination Plaza • Develop azea adjacent [o the Boardwalk as Destination Plaza -Anchored by hotel or destination resmurant -Take advantage. of water views - Mixed-use development: mazke[ rate housing, small retail shops, outdoor recreational areas • Network and build relations with important players in the retail industry - ICSC 36 Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy Recommendations I. Establish a Downtown Revitalization Org 2. Designate Downtown District as TIRZ 3. Develop a Downtown Revitalization Plan 4. Undertake Aggressive Marketing Efforts 5. Attract Retail Activity 6. Increase Housing Opportunities 7. Improve Quality of Life ~, Housing Important to develop housing in downtown to make it more vibrant Quality of education at the Port Arthur Independent School District needs [o be addressed before demand for housing in Port Arthur can be expected to increase - People moving into the region do nat want to live in Port Arthur because of poor school district 38 ~ ' Create In-fill Housing Strategy • In-fill housing strategy exists far Westside and should be extended [o the downtown district • Partner with Lamar Stale College [o attract student housing in downtown, as part of their Master Planning efforts • Incentives - Access to developable laud with clear title and adequate infrastmclure - Expedited permitting and waiver of certain development fees - Financial assistance ro homebuyers iv the target area as well as developers Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy ~.,. »' Recommendations 1. Establish a Downtown Revitalization Org 2. Designate Downtown District as TIRZ 3. Develop a Downtown Revitalization Plan 4. Undertake Aggressive Marketing Efforts 5. Attract Retail Activity 6. Increase Housing Opportunities 7. Improve Quality of Life Via.. Improve Quality of Life • Reduce Procter Street [0 2 lanes - Narrow vehicular traffic to 2 lanes, repay and widen sidewalks, create pazking bays and provide landscaping • Initiate Beautification Program -Landscaping and streetscape improvements, street banners Crom lampposts, mural program • Create recreational spaces for children and families along Boardwalk Improve Quality of Life • Develop more frequent programming and events -Firs[ Fridays, Farmer's Markets - Engage with the wmmunity - Marketing will be essential in [he initial phases • Improve signage downtown - Clearly marked exists along major access roads to downtown and highways - Wayfinding system [o direct people [o places of interest .~ Port Arthur Downtown Revitalization Strategy ~'' Summary of Recommendations Llfner prlmlp, Nl(1r Reewtm NigM1 PivIry, XIHM1 Reamrr¢s •peapufe MCDwrlto•n •ESIMWepm:MOVnRddllxetlan Pge'IVetlon RMtafution Dirtrk[ a a TIP2 .pavebp a pvxnmxn RMNlhatlm Phn •perelop 5bnteHyfir ReM1ebilib4m •(erplaya OeYIIM Mahe[Pnalyfhlw pw'mown ®Paceof E•istvlHBUIN:rig p.yaloy..mt •~ an lnMl XOYbg Slrahry ImplmextanA~adk MCMttlry famplRn •Impmrt S@naR aM Ueate .pt,~loPS[rebrymFRtac[vaAelyolRHmkrs WayflMing SriRm ~ S •pM Mee Mjmrrlm OOarCaak apntlnatlm flan P L 6 •Raaux Pr¢m. m[ ~a Lbwv PeoXly.lbw RBbm~ Nigh RkwM1y lbx RaaWIL6 enwryFUMTgSOYm •Inrm[wylaM Perch aM PVellebk RWbirgs •POatllveYx (wmer PUGpc SifNy fnmm~s •Nelxoh EBWN Pelalbrls vkA Impat4nl Plryers In Pe011 Iml~m nmu.m pomwo x.lmemo w[~mr •Geate Reaatlonal S{as! PRM1i[IC. Ix UilOrtn alwp Boathala •perekp irtpum[ %gnmmlry & feen4 b Eovntlxni Thank You • Mayor Deloris Prince and City Council • Steve Fitzgibbons. City Manager • PAEDC Board of Directors, Executive Director Floyd Batiste and staff Krystle Villarreal • Lamar State College, Chamber of Commerce • Carl Griffith and Jeff Branick, Jefferson County • Focus group meeting participants • PAISD Boazd of Trtutees Questions and Comments