Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Directors report TO: City of Oshkosh Redevelopment Authority FROM: Allen Davis, Community Development Director DATE: July 10, 2019 SUBJECT: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Update on Oshkosh Arena property: The RDA still owns the land. The City and Fox Valley Pro Basketball is still working through the environmental liability issues that have arisen with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and their new rules pertaining to Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) for the property. This has become a major issue for the RDA/City. The RDA/City continues to work with Fox Valley Pro Basketball (FVPB) to determine the path forward with the WisDNR to issue the VPLE which then enables the RDA to convey the property to FVPB. Staff continues to work with WisDNR and FVPB representatives to resolve these issues. Update on Healthy Neighborhood Initiative: City staff is working with Habitat, GO-HNI and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation to identify the next "Rock the Block" location. Staff continues to seek blighted, scattered sites in residential neighborhoods. Staff continues to use the following factors for these possible blight removal or rehabilitation projects: 1. Location in an LMI Neighborhood. 2. Condition of the structure. 3. Within a neighborhood association, an approved redevelopment area or area plan. 4. Code Enforcement actions pending. 5. Acquisition cost is below the assessed value. 6. Estimated rehabilitation cost and resale price. 7. The potential impact on the neighborhood as a result of the project. 8. Potential redevelopment in combination with adjoining properties. Update in South Shore Redevelopment Area: Sawdust District Planning-City staff continues to work with area stakeholders on developing a more specific redevelopment plan for the District. Staff hopes to have the redevelopment plan completed in 2019. Morgan District-The contractor has installed all the concrete and boardwalk for the Riverwalk. Lights and bollards have been installed. Pioneer Area-Mr. Art Dumke continues to work with City staff to explore multiple development options and funding scenarios. The site qualifies for New Market Tax Credits and was included in the recently approved Opportunity Zones. Pioneer Drive Riverwalk-CN Railroad signed the quit claim deed and the City has submitted the WisDNR grant application for the riverwalk. In addition, the RDA has acquired the Decades parcel that extended the length of Pioneer Drive from Main Street to 101h Ave. and the CN right-of-way. Staff is hoping the riverwalk grant award is made in 2019 with construction beginning in 2020. 91hAvenue extension to CN Railroad-Staff has prepared the CIP request for the street construction from Main Street east to the tracks at the current railroad crossing. Land acquisition and remediation will still be likely required. Undergrounding the overhead utilities has also been submitted for a CIP request. Boatworks Property-The Option with Chet Wesenberg has expired. Update on Marion &Pearl Redevelopment Area: Parcels H, 1 &J: Plan Commission recommended General Development Plan (GDP) approval and the Council approved the GDP on May 14, 2019. In addition, the City Council and the Joint Review Board have approved the TIF Plan for the 3 parcels. City staff is working on the Development Agreement. Since the RDA owns the three parcels, the Development Agreement would come to the RDA for action, prior to City Council action. Sawyer Street/Oshkosh Avenue Accu-Com building--The building was demolished in January, 2019 Repp's Bar-The building was demolished in March, 2019. Multi-modal Trail-The Lakeshore trail from 1-41 to Punhoqua will be constructed in 2019, along with the Oshkosh Corporation Global Headquarters. WisDNR has awarded the City$793,000 for the project. This riverwalk section was bid out and a contract awarded in June, 2019. Completion is planned for the fall of 2019. WisDOT awarded the City$253,000 for extending the trail east from Punhoqua through Rainbow Memorial Park to the Sawyer Street/Oshkosh Avenue intersection in 2021. The City Council recently authorized hiring a contractor engineer to work on design, engineering and permitting for the riverwalk through Rainbow Memorial Park starting in 2019.