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02-04-2002 AGENDA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 02/04/02 AGENDA Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Monday - February 4, 2002 - 9:06 a.m. 1 . Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes: 11/13/01 3. Provide direction to staff regarding use of Station Square Park site for a refurbished "Coffee Caboose" and appropriate lease terms if approved. 4. Executive Director (Assistant City Manager) Verbal Reports 5. Other Business 6. Adjourn Community Redevelopment Agency Agenda Cover Memorandum \\'orksession Item II: 3 Final Agenda Item II Meeting Date: Feb,4,2002 SUBJECT/RECOMMEN DATION: Provide direction to staff regarding use of Station Square Park site for a refurbished "Coffee Caboose" and appropriate lease terms if approved, [8J and that the appropriate officials be authorized to execute same. SUMMARY: . On February 7, 2001 the Downtown Development Board heard a presentation regarding the caboose project and approved the project in concept. . The City of Clearwater Main Street Design Committee and The Citizens for a Better Clearwater submitted letters of support to the Commission endorsing the caboose project. . On August 30, 2001 the Purchasing Department of the City of Clearwater received one response to a Request for Proposal for a donor who was willing to provide a refurbished caboose and/or other railroad-related structures to the City. . In consideration of the funds that the RFP respondee will expend in the purchase, refurbishment, and relocation of the c~boose, Mr. Cooper requests a lease term longer than five years. The City Charter notes that "Prior to the sale, donation, lease for a term longer than five years, or other transfer of any municipal real property, the real property must be declared surplus and no longer needed for municipal public use by the Commission at an advertised public hearing." . The combined area for the caboose and attached deck is proposed to be 1,160 square feet. The attached diagram indicates the proposed location. . Staff is requesting direction regarding the use of the site and a lease term that the Commission would support. Reviewed by: OJ I Legal ~ Budget NA Purchasing NA Risk Mgmt NA Info Tech Public Works DCMlACM ' Other NA Originating Dept: (J I ~ _ Economic Devclo~~ ' User Dept. OJ ~ Economic Devcl~ Attachments Diagram Proposal Costs -0- Total Funding Source: C.llliI01111'I)ro\l'Il1t'lll Current Fiscal Year OP<"dlin8 Olher At,--- .. ~ --~ C None Appropriation Code: Rev. 2/98 ~. - -, Il"~"'I~~~i:li~l:llil!Ul~~. ~ ~ li:1 t tl~ i!l~IIII!I~~~~~'.!SE~ i ~ ~ 1:!~li H ~Hli!i~n~ ~ i ( . ~al~ Ih; !~Ih~ "U ~ ~ I'ila ~illll'~ II I ~ !U,f h",~~~IIQ!~ . Of u : I i. .Il I r~ ~ I f 1!lr;j ;1 l ~ ~ S I~ t I II~ ~ ~.... . - . ig~~~!:! : i:=J J ....~ ~I ~--- -~..., !'l.' ,l:?'- ; ..;. . t~; ..l~ il ~'bli Ie" ~t..: ~ '~I (i\ I ~ .. . . ... - ~ .. p. , ~ -. . . .i. t~ .I ~I[ '. - :) 1.- -- 0- ., Proposal to install Caboose in Station Square Park Plan: To locate a classic, reconditioned caboose at the southeast comer of Station Square park. In addition to build, immediately in front of the caboose, a deck measuring approximately 20' by 30' for seating. Background: My wife, Janice, and I have operated the coffee and cappuccino cart in Station Square park since January, 1994. This operation has since grown to the point where we serve approximately 150 to 200 specialty coffee beverages per day. Our customer base is comprised mainly of the staffand owners of businesses located in the immediate area as well as local residents and a certain amount of casual traffic from the patrons of downtown businesses and governmental services. Our current menu consists of hot and iced coffee based beverages, teas and a limited amount of baked goods. History: The idea of a caboose in Station Square park was born in the Mainstreet Design Review Committee. At that time it was a part of a larger pIan to create a railroad theme throughout the park area in keeping with the historic use of the area. The plan, however, lacked the necessary funding to purchase, restore and transport the caboose. When the larger Downtown redevelopment plans began the caboose idea was picked up by the developers. It was George DeGuardioJa who first suggested to me that we put our business in the caboose he planned to include in the park. When the redevelopment plan fililed at referendum I suggested to the mainstreet committee that I would fund the caboose project myself if I could obtain a lease from the city to operate my business from it. The concept has since received the endorsement of several individuals and groups involved with downtown Clearwater including the Downtown Development Board, Citizens for a Better C1ealWater, the Mainstreet Design Review Committee and area business owners. Benefits: In addition to augmenting the natural benefits of the existing park setting, this caboose would create an attraction to the downtown area and draw attention to the historic aspects of both the park and the city of Clearwater. Also, it would allow our business to remain open for longer hours in the evening and on weekends as weB as extend our menu to include a greater variety of biked goods, specialty desserts and ice cream. I expect that the caboose wiD draw curious visitors to the area as weB as allow our regular customers to visit more often. ,The location is also ideal as a m-.tkug and resting place for travelers on the PineUas Trail and the Amenities which our business will provide should increase traffic from there. These factors, I believe, would resuIt.in increased foot traffic to the area which wiD benefit the greatm: downtown business comnqmity. Project: I have located and purchased a railroad caboose built circa 1940. I have also received a promise of assistance from a local railroad equipment expert who will help with the technical and logistic expertise necessary for the tnnsport and restoration of the equipment. I have some experience myselfin a mnilar area in that I have personally restored, among other things, . 1969 GTE phone company truck which I use for my current business operations. The caboose would be first moved to a remote industrial location for restoration while the park site is prepared. Once these steps have been completed the caboose will be moved to this site and the deck will be buih. When the Proposal to install Caboose in Station Square Park project is complete I will then donate the caboose and its structures to the citizens of Clearwater as consideration for the lease to operate my business from it. I estimate that my expenses in materials and labor for the project wiD be approximately $50,000. This estimate does not include costs of equipment necessary for the operation of my business such as remgeration, coffee & cappuccino equipment, etc. Appearance and signage: In the interest of maintaining an authentic appearance, the color scheme and signage on the caboose wiD consist only of that which would be found on a caboose in the 1940's era. The only exception would be to include a location on one of the car platforms at which visitors can have their pictures taken which would have signage indicating that the photo was taken at ''Station Square Park, Clearwater, Fla." I feel that this will provide advertising for the area and could generate further tourism interest. I will also have placards and artifacts highlighting the history of the site and railroad line in the area. The Mainstreet Design Review Committee has also expressed interest in obtaining other railroad style accessories such as a clock and wrought iron entryway and having them located in the park. Licenses and insurance: I wiD obtain aD necessary building and business licenses from state and local agencies. My business opentions are regulated by the Florida State Department of Agriculture. My business insurance is obtained through The Connelly Insurance Group and I will seek their advice on insurance issues concerning construction and operations. Lease: The City Charter states that the leasing of City owned land for a period longer than five years requires the Commission to first declare the land surplus. As I feel that my investment in this project exceeds the value of a five year lease I am bringing this matter before the Commission for consideration and advise regarding the extent of the lease period. It is my hope that we can obtain a mutually agreeable term which would provide maximum value to both the City and my business. Kim Cooper Espresso E""-press STATION SQUARE PARK CABOOSE PROJECT ESTIMATED COSTS Caboose purchase (actual) Transportation Exterior surface prep (labor & materials) Interior surface prep (L & M) Counters & cabinets Track,ties,ballast & hardware Electrical (L & M) breaker panel,outlets & light fixtures Plumbing (L & M) Air conditioning & heating, Deck area (20' X 40' approx) (L & M) Misc. fees & permits TOTAL $10,000 6,000 5,000 5,000 4,000 1,000 4,500 3,000 4,000 6,000 2,000 $50,500 Note: This estimate does not include costs of equipment or fixtures used for business operations only.