HomeMy WebLinkAbout13246RESOLUTION NO. 13246
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF
CITY COUNCIL TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER AN
APPLICATION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATION TO ASSIST IN FUNDING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF OUTDOOR PLAZAS AND OTHER
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO THE
PUEBLO REGIONAL TOURISM PROJECT
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
SECTION 1.
The President of City Council is hereby authorized to execute and deliver an
application for federal assistance to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic
Development Administration (EDA), in the amount of $1,500,000 to fund the
construction of outdoor plazas and other infrastructure improvements related to the
Pueblo Regional Tourism Project.
SECTION 2.
The President of the City Council is hereby authorized to execute the Grant
Application on behalf of the City of Pueblo, a Municipal Corporation, and a copy of the
Grant Application for Federal Assistance is attached hereto and a full copy of the
application is on file in the Department of Planning.
SECTION 3.
The officers and staff of the City are directed and authorized to perform any and
all acts consistent with the intent of the Resolution.
SECTION 4.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage and approval.
INTRODUCED: June 8, 2015
BY: Ed Brown
City Clerk’s Office Item # M-4
BACKGROUND PAPER FOR PROPOSED
RESOLUTION
COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
June 8, 2015
TO: President Stephen G. Nawrocki and Members of City Council
CC: Sam Azad, City Manager
VIA: Gina Dutcher, City Clerk
FROM: Steven Meier, Director of Planning & Community Development
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL TO
EXECUTE AND DELIVER AN APPLICATION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION TO ASSIST IN
FUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUTDOOR PLAZAS AND OTHER
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO THE PUEBLO
REGIONAL TOURISM PROJECT
SUMMARY:
Attached is a Resolution for City Council consideration that will authorize the submittal of an
application to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration to
assist in funding the construction of outdoor plazas and other infrastructure improvements
related to the Pueblo Regional Tourism Project.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
City Council adopted Resolution No. 12602 on February 25, 2013 approving a Cooperation
Agreement between the City, Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority, and the Historic Arkansas
Riverwalk of Pueblo Authority relating to the Pueblo Professional Bull Riders University and
Heritage of Heroes Project. The Agreement includes two sections that set forth cooperative
efforts to seek additional funding including: Section 5.3 Financing Plan for Overall Concept Plan
– states that the City will cooperate in seeking additional federal, state, and other available
financing for all aspects of the Overall Concept Plan. Section 5.4.1 Phase 1 Financing – states
that the City shall seek federal financing from the Economic Development Administration for
architectural and engineering funds that are available for the Project.
BACKGROUND:
This grant request is for $1,500,000 to the Office of the Economic Development Administration
to assist in funding the construction of utility infrastructure, access, circulation, surface parking
improvements, and site improvements to serve the expansion of the Pueblo Convention Center
building. Site improvements between the building expansion and the HARP Channel include the
development of two hardscape events plazas linked via a pedestrian mall, of approximately
15,000 square feet, at the street level and one turf grassed outdoor event space at the
Riverwalk level. These improvements will require the demolition of vacated Richmond Avenue,
between Mechanic Street and Central Main Street and a portion of the existing Riverwalk
landscaped area. Site improvements for the Convention Center Expansion have been designed
to minimize disturbance to existing street, pedestrian, parking, and landscape improvements as
much as possible, to allow their reuse in the proposed facilities. Existing utilities and storm
drainage infrastructure located within the vacated Richmond Avenue will be upgraded. The
estimated budget is $3,011,907. The successful award of this grant will allow the City to begin
the construction in March of 2016.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The applicant matching funds will come from a portion of the $14.4 million authorized by
Ordinance No. 8870, approving funding for a portion of the Pueblo Regional Tourism Project. If
the grant is awarded, staff time from the Finance and Planning and Community Development
Departments will be required to monitor and provide financial reports related to the EDA grant.
The financial summary for the Outdoor Plazas and Other Infrastructure Improvements related to
the Pueblo Regional Tourism Project are shown below:
Federal Funding $ 1,500,000 From EDA (applicant - City of Pueblo)
Applicant $ 1,511,907 Pueblo Regional Tourism Authority Funds for
2016
Total EDA Project Budget $ 3,011,907
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
None.
STAKEHOLDER PROCESS:
The Regional Tourism Steering Committee comprised of staff members from the City, HARP
Authority, Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority, and the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
conducted the following public design and review meetings between September 2011 and
January 2015. These public design and review meetings included the following:
1. September 27 & 28, 2011 - HARP Channel Eastward Extension Charrette
2. May 21 & 22 , 2014 - Project Civil Engineering, Landscape, and Urban Design Regional
Tourism Act (RTA) Grant Design Charrette
3. September 22, 23, & 24 - Pueblo RTA – Schematic Design Charrette
4. January 27, 2015 – Convergence Design; Presentation of the Final Schematic Design
for Phase I of the RTA Project
ALTERNATIVES:
Not Applicable.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of the Resolution.
Attachments:
EDA Grant Application