Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-06-24 91-256 ORDER0 Date Item No. 91-35E Adopting Municipal Development Program and Budget Item/Subject: for the Bangor Center Development District Responsible Department.. Community and economic Development Commentary: (See Attached Memorandum) HEARING - Prior to voting on this Order, the Council is required to hold a Public Bearing on the Municipal Develop- ment Program and Budget for the Bangor Center Development District. The purpose of this Order is for the City Council to consider the Program to be implemented for the Bangor Center Development District. The Program has been prepared by the Municipal Development District Advisory Board, Na N. s PUSLIC mrver E Oen v INWVUCien, mwMeuremo my a%m mom, o yefi�nw�st°+xar•I iwYR /wrlr xl /ImA An manager's Comments: .rupdt an INr w�"e omur.... wo1i aerm. fd'mfb[ial Associated Information: az pp we Dirc Legal Approval Car sxrdro. Int mirmd Far ® posse& dklnt Reaaipg page —of— ❑Ref¢nal 91-256 Asgnp w Co mato. Sullivan. June 24, 1991 CITY OF BANGOR Adopting Municipal Development Frog ram and Budget for the Bangor Center Development District By aw CUY OZONE of 04 coy of Ba mn. ORDRRRD', THAT WHEREAS, by action of the City Council a certain area in the downtown area has been designated as a Municipal Development District known as the Bangor Center Development District in .accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. S 5253(1); and WHEREAS, 30-A M.R.S.A. S 5253(2) requires that the governing body of a Municipality shall adopt a development program for each development district; and WHEREAS, the Municipal Development District Advisory Board has recommended a proposed development program to be adopted by the City Council, NOW, THEREFORE, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR: ORDERED, THAT in accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. 5 5253(2), does hereby adopt the "Bangor Center Management Corporation Program and Budget, 1991-1992° as the development program for the Bangor Center Development District. In City Council June 24.1991 Public hearing was held along with council orders 91- 2574 91-258, 91-259 Council voted No conflict for the following Councilors Brankel.Baldacci.5ullivan. Cohen for the following Councilors Sawyer.Stone 91-256 ORDIR Title, Adopting Municipal Development Program ............. I........................ ?{ and Budget for the Bangor Center Anfe¢d to .. G. . .s ... !.......... Councilman Vote for Passage 5 yes .2ND 2 Abstained voting Yes Bragg,Frankel.Saz1, Sosnaud,5ullivan yp M voting No Beldaccl,Cohen, A Abstaining - Sawyer , Stone Order Passed City Clark u J MEMORANDUM Jose 13, 1991 91-256 T0: City Council �q PROM: Rodney G. McKay, Community Development Director A,y� RE: Bangor Center Development District 0 Four City Council Orders and two public hearings required to continue funding of the Bangor Center Management Corporation. are scheduled for the June 24, 1991 City Council meeting. The purpose of the first public hearing is to consider adoption of the proposed Development Program (the means and objectives, including the proposed budget, to be implemented within the Bangor Center Development District). Notice of this hearing was published in the June 13th edition of the Bangor Daily News (copy of Notice attached). The Becond public hearing will be to consider implementation assessments. To comply with extensive statutory notice requirements, a public notice was published in the June 13, 1991 edition of the Bangor Dally News which included a list of all affected properties, estimated assessments for each, and a maximum rate of assessment of $0.99 per thousand dollars of assessed value. (A copy of the Notice, reduced in size, is attached.) The City Council Agenda sequence for the required public hearings and four Council Orders should be as follows: HEARING - Public Hearing on the Municipal Development Program and Budget for the Bangor Center Development District 91- ORDER - Adopting Municipal Development Program and Budget for the Bangor Center Development District HEARING - Public Hearing on Establishment of implementation Assessments for the Bangor Center Development District 91- ORDER - Bangor Center Development District - Establishment of implementation Assessments 91- OMER - Establishing the Amount of the Tax Rate and Overlay for the 1992 Fiscal Year for the Bangor Center Development District 91- ORDER - Authorizing Execution of Contract with Bangor Center Management Corporation. The budget proposed by the Municipal Development District Advisory Board and the Bangor Center Management Corporation i $84,892.00, all of which is proposed to be raised from implementation assessments on property owners within the district. The special assessment rate needed to fund the $84,892.00 district budget from implementation assessments ants in the coming year is $0.9499 per $1,000 of assessed value based on an estimated total district assessed value of $89,365,000. An overlay rate of $0.0401 (4 cents) per $1,000 of assessed valuation is recommended, resulting in a total implementation assessment rate of $0.9900 per $1,000 of assessed value, the amount indicated in the public hearing notice as the "Maximum Rate of Assessment" for the period commencing on July 1, 1991 and ending on June 30, 1992. A comparison of prior years assessments and funding of the Bangor Center Management Corporation is attached. RGM/lg Attachments: AS PROPOSED FUNDING BANGOR CENTER DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT_ CITY FY 1902 ;PECIAL ASSESSMENTS I CITY PARTICIPATION JULY 1, 1991 to J UNE 90, 1992 06/1851 08:57 AM PROPOSED % CITY FY 1992 CITYFY1991 CHANGE BUDGETS SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS I CITY PARTICIPATION JULY 1, 1987 b June 50,1992 FILE:DEVDIS92 19 -Jun -91 91-256 BANGOR CENTER MANAGEMENT CORPORATION Program and Budaet 1991-92 As we look at the downtown during this period of economic downturn, we find that most of the businesses are holding steady with some experiencing a slight growth. There are some, however, which have found that they could not maintain their overhead costs and have closed. Fortunately these have been very few. Everyyonescutting back, trimming costs and hoping for a better market to emerge in the near future. This seems to be occuring for some stores as many are reporting better spring sales. It should also be noted that, even as some stores have found it difficult to continue, others are moving into the downtown. One store on Central Street doubled its size, another antique shop opened on a second floor and Nr. Paperback has opened another, slightly different, branch. Bett's Bookstore, although closing under present ownership, has been sold and the new owners are interested in remaining downtown. A small restaurant on Hain Street has unfortunately left the downtown but, at least ismoving to larger quarters elsewhere. - In such times Bangor Center management Corporation, ever mindful of the increased burden of escalating property taxes, has given great consideration to its budget with the intention of eliminating any expenditures possible and minimizing others. We have researched the possibility of expanding our boundaries but have received many indications that this i not an appropriate time to do so. We will be looking at this action again some time in the future. It is a part of our philosophy that we should serve as a catalyst for Vetting things started to develop ideas and take the initiative. We are taking the approach this year, now that many projects are firmly in place, to let others se responsibility for their continuation. This frees us up to undertake new projects. we are also very pleased to have been approached recently by three major organizations who would like to be co-sponsors in new events. As it is our major goal to "reawaken interest in downtown", this is a measure of success. To speak briefly to the "reawakening of interest in downtown... if every event, every new development occured solely because SCMC generated the action it would be a sign that we were the only ones who were interested in the downtown and its economic health would be suspect. The fact that overall interest is increasing in the area is exactly what we are aiming for. The vitality of the Central Business District is afunction of the number of persons and businesses who feel that it is the place to conduct their business, do their shopping, find entertainment and to live. Major renovations to the Tarratine Club will provide a w home for an existing new business, the total rehabilitation and restoration of the Cyrus Clark double house at 128-110 Hammond Street are all signs that an optimistic outlook has returned to Downtown Bangor. It is important that BCMC continue, particularly during difficult economic times. It is during this kind of an economy that we are having success in pulling retailers together to work for the common good. Joint advertising ventures and plans to promote the downtown as a whole can only benefit everyone. The emergence of the feeling that each business is a part of a greater whole is an important step and one which is resulting in an emphasis on the "downtown community". -2- 1991-1992 PROGRAM OF NO" T� IMVrOVe Downtown Bangor A. Design 1. In order to demonstrate the viability of renovating upper story spaceinto living quarters we will undertake a -demonstration project which will .take .existing pace and design an apartment and develop approximate cost figures. 2. As an element in our up -coming campaign to emphasize the historical content of downtown we will develop a series of placques for each building. It is planned that with each property owner's participation, these will be mounted on each structure of historical significance,. thus providing identification for those interested in exploring the area from an historical perspective. B. Technical Assistance Program 1. We will continue to make technical assistance available to any property or business owner suggesting to them sources of financing, design ideas or 2. We will provide assistance in the application for Historic Tax Credits for building renovations. This may consist of assisting them with research or in actually filling out all required documentation.. 3. A major item on our program agenda will be the development of a Retail Market Analysis. This will be done in-house with the cooperation of the City's Community Development Black Grant Program. Information gained from this will provide us with solid information with which to attract w businesses to the area. This value of this will be broad- based, as the resulting information will be of use in developing the waterfront area as wall. - C. Promotion 1. In aneffortto maximize the advertising dollars pent in the downtown we will work with the retail committee to develop n on-going program of joint advertising.In this wax will be able to promote the downtown as a whole, while individual stores each contribute, thus creating the mass necessary to make an impact. -3- 2. A continuous effort will be made to promote the downtown to residents of the Maritime Provinces in the up- coming year. As the result of a recently increased sales tax in that area, many more Canadian people will be shopping in the Bangor area and it is important that we attract these people to the downtown for shopping , dining and lodging. 3. we will be pramoting special sales incentives which are necessitated by the weak economy and coordinating this effort among the many businesses so that it becomes evident that the downtown as a whole becomes an attractive shopping opportunity. 4. To promote the historical value of downtown, we will develop and distribute a brochure about the history of the individual buildings and specific sites to attract more visitors to the area. D. Communication 1. Continue to seek opportunities to speak to civic and community groups to generate interest in the downtown. 2. Continue to serve asa liason between the downtown business community and city staff and elected officials. 3. Continue to publish the Downtown Bugle, possibly in a simplified format. Marketing and Promotion A. Advertising 1. The continued promotion and marketing of the downtown will be a major part of our program. We have some o e group advertising this past year and will continue to do so. This has involved emphasis on the area as a place for Christmas shopping and an attraction for tourists. our emphasis will be on the total downtown of which each business is a part. This advertising will continue to promote the Parking Garage as a major element in making the downtown a convenient asset to the area. 2. we will increase o rpremotion of Downtown Bangor n the Maritime Provinces as this becomes a market with escalating potential for this area. We will develop a strategy with retailers to target these Canadian shoppers,. many of whom, although they shop in other parts of Bangor have yet to become frequent visitors to the downtown. B. Events It is our philosophy that we should serve as a catalyst for getting things started, to develop ideas and take that early risk. The risk we take when we initiate events is not always financial; success or failure is often dependent upon whether .enough people feel that it is an occasion which they wish to attend and it is difficult to make that determination in advance. Now that we have had a successful track record with some events, we feel confident that they will continue without our further participation. We have been fortunate to have co-sponsors for many of these events who will be able to continue as sole or prime sponsor. In addition, we have attracted the interest of several potential sponsors who - are anxious to become involved in new events. This will Permit us to continue to increase the reasons and occasions" to come downtown without having to undertake every event - ourselves. + Among these events in which we have played a major role is the Christmas Parade which has been taken over by WVII-TV, allowing us to concentrate on other aspects of the Christmas season. * We have instituted and sponsored the World's Largest Garage Bala and the Downtown Sidewalk Art Festival with WLBZ-TV. Both of these events have been highly successful and will likely continue to be so under the direction of WLBZ-TV. * we are having discussions with a church to take over the sponsorship of the Messiah sing -Along. * Peddleaport Weekend was a large success under the sponsorship of Old Town Canoe and the Bangor Parks and Recreation Department. Although we were called upon to assist in making this happen this year, our assistance should not be needed in the future. * Under the sponsorship of the Fourth of July Corporation, which is composed primarily of area -wide Kawanis clubs, the Fourth of Suly Celebration is increasing in scope each year. BMC plays a prime role in assisting with this event but is not called upon to provide financial assistance. For the 1991 celebration BCBC has Coordinated all afternoon concerts, venders and events, a role which we will continue. -5- Events which we will continue to Sponsor or to initiate in the .upcoming year with new co-sponsors. x Christmas Decorations + Tree Lighting Ceremony * Food Festival x Re-enactment of an Historical Event as part of a History Day. IV. Public-private policy A. Continue to work with City staff on issues which are of particular concern to the downtown. R. Develop a particular role which the downtown can pplay in furthering good relations with our Canadian neighhors. -6- BUDGET Far 1991-92 Program Proposed Item Executive Director $39,800.00 Part Tine (Christmas) 1,000.00 PICA ..3,024.00 PUTA - 60.00 SUTA 220.00 Worker's Comp. Insururance 600.00 Rent 5,400.00 Utilities 828.00 Telephone 1,600.00 Health Insurance 2,200.00 Office Equipment 1,600.00 Postage 1,000.00 Liability Insurance 3,000.00 Publications 0.00 Memberships -200.00 Bank Charges 160.00 Public Hearing Notice 3,000.00 Market Analysis 0.00 Advertising 12,500.00 Promotional Material 3,000.00 Events - 3,000.00 Conferences/Meetings 500.00 Travel 500.00 Professional services 11500.00 Bugle 0.00 Miscellaneous 200.00 Payroll Preparation 0.00 $84,892.00 A Market Analysis will be done in cooperation with the City's Community Development Black Grant Program. The Director of BCMC will complete the work and CUBG will assist in obtaining demographic materials and in the final publication of the resulting report. it should be noted that this research will be applicable to the Waterfront development. BANGOR CENTER MANAGEMENT CORPORATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS DEVELOPMENT - NCDED grant t0 study proposal for encl glass public area on Broad St. * HE Arts Commissi Downtown Design Issues * Maine Products Center Fee Rennet Cnmmifiiap * nnn�a Nmim Procnn,mMnn remm i* the Survey * On-going efforts with owner of + Assisted downtown owners with Historic ations * Assisted in finding tenants for evfisted tenants in permit process * On- elooers. realtors. orooerty owners * mile Park + ve Christmas tion of ng design Yng* ith Police + osswalks Banor +Cangidate's ONE - Numerous speaking engagements promoting * Promotion of relations with Saint John and N.B * On-going Information source * and publication of downtown newspaper "The issues) * Christmas Window Decorating contest ertising, Window Decorating, Facade s. Merchandlsina Techniques and Store Hours stations / 9 newspapers / 599aaines / 4 magazines / ng Planner's Guide / Extensive adowntown advertising sources other than our budaet * Downtown Jingle multi- Ure vvv coFiea r zru ceu) '* easonai map * co -Sponsor Historic Walking Map s Parades (2) * World's Largest Garage Sale Festival * 4th of July - Assist Kiwanis i rfront Concert / Co -Sponsor Jazz Concert * imp Concerts * Santa Claus * Blueberry Bazaar hristmas Tree Lighting * Messiah Sing -Along is * Camelot * Camelot Sunday * Carousel * Co -Sponsor voyage 2000 * CO -Sponsor eekend * Farmer's Market (upcoming)