HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-27 03-56 RESOLVEItem No.oe-56
Date: January 27, 2003
Item/Subject: Resolve, Providing Interim Direction to the Continuing Feasibility Study of Replacing
the Bangor Audlmrium/Gvic Center.
Responsible Department: City Council
Wer the last three years, the City Council has periodically adopted various resolves relating to the
effort to replace the current Bangor Auditonum/Civtc Center. This Resolve grows out of the specific
efforts over the last nine months m develop greater information on the market ant financial impact
of a new Arena/Conference Center and the recently received information on potential locations,
design, and construction costs of a new complex. It is a companion to a separate Resolve on
mnigWs agenda indicating the Council's preference far a downtown site.
The Resolve reaffirms the Council's poor policy decision m continue m work to replace the
Auditorium/Civic Center with new facilities. It ew ouhines steps to he taken to refine and clarify
cost estimates and evaluate phased construction; leaves open the issue of the sire and nature of the
facility given the potential for further discussions with Capital Seven on development M Bass Park
and should other economic and demographic changes ocmr; directs continued work on potential
sources of financing; and commils the City to a regional information campaign.
All of these various elements were either discussed at the most recent Business and Economic
Development Committee meeting or during the recently completed Council Priority session. I
recommend your approval.
Department Head
Manager'scommenta:
City Manager
Associated Information:
Budget Approval:
Finance Director
Legal Approval:
_ xl .City Sdiciton
Introduced for
Passage
_ First Reading page_ of
Refercal
~Or Assigned to Conocilor liohmav Jauwry 27, 2003
CITY OF BANGOR
(TILE) Resolve, Providing Interim Direction W the Continuing Feasibility Study of Replacing the
Bangor Auditorium ivic Center
WHEREAS, beginning in 1999, the City has been deeply involved in evaluating the future of the Bangor
Auditorium and Civic Center due to Meir age, conduct, and design limitations; and
WHEREAS, as a part of this effort, an engineering analysis of the existing structures was performed; a
broadly representative Special Committee on the Future of Me Auditorium was established
and has recommenced that new facilities be constructed; a market, financial and economic
impact analysis has been completed; and a location and conceptual design study has been
recently received, including preliminary construction cost estimates; and
WHEREAS, in lune 2000, the City Counal adopted a Resolve indicating its preference that a new
complex be constructed to replace the current facilities and meet the area's need for a large
event venue and to move forward with a public process to determine the level of support
for such new facilities; and
WHEREAS, in September of 2000, the City Council adopted a Resolve indicating that sufficient support
existed for a new complex and formally adopting a policy that a new large event facility be
constructed; and
WHEREAS, in January 2002, the City Council reaf firmed the policy decision to replace the
Auditorium/CNic Center and to work toward a financing plan that recognizes that such a
project cannot be supported by the property tax alone; and
WHEREAS, the City is currently considering a request from Capital Seven, LLC M be designated
tentative developer for a project ai Bass Park that, should it be constructed, may have an
impact on the need for conference space In the proposed downtown Arena; and
WHEREAS, given the additional information provided by these various efforts and studies over the last
four years, it is appropriate to provide interim direction to the on-going efforts to replace
the Auditorium/Civic Center with a new structure.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED By THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CIT' OF BANGOR, THAT:
It remains the policy of Me Bangor City Council W work towaN replacing the Audte num/Gvic Center
with a new wera/confarence center. To further this goal, Council and staff will:
1. Analyze and closay review the cost estimates for the new facility, by seeking additional detall from
the Gtys consul on the proposed allocation and costs of various spaces in the complex,
including a cast breakdown far the potential for a phased development Detail and trots should be
determined separately for the arena, conference center, and other amenities/spaces.
2. Review the initial construction cost estimate for the project and compare it to the Posts for other
similar facilities recently constructed throughout the country;
3. Continuously review the proposed size and nature of the facility against the identified need and any
closely monitor any changes that may take place in chat need given other projects or developments
in the area and/or economic and demographic changes.
4. Work closely with the Public Assembly Facilities Commission to evaluate the relationship between
current and proposed pblic assembly facilities to insure that the final design of an
Arena/Conference Center meets the documented need in a cost effecdve manner.
5. to conjunction with the Public Assembly Facilities Commission, continue to explore methods and
Proposals for financing such facilities within the overall Pool of the City's financial capability, the
Council's recognition that such a project cannot be supported by the property tax alone, and
potential alternative funding sources including the private sector and resources from other
governmental entities.
6. Develop and implement a regional information campaign to share the information developed to
date regarding the importance of this project to the region and its economy and to support a
coordinated funding strategy with other interested communities.
IB CITE MUIRCM
January 27, 2003
Ilorlon N e and Seconded
for Passage
Peeaed
N 03-56
(TITLE) Bnovidiog interim Bireccioo to
he Cont ng a ty St y o
Beplacimg the Bangar Ruditorium/Civic
Peelgned to Councilor