08/29/1978 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I' I . . . . BARRIO SELECTION OF APPLICANTS FOR MEAD PROGRAM Agency member Yamamoto stated that action had been taken in the past regarding the selection of applicants for the Mead Housing Program, and was concerned that now, a new group of people were being chosen. He also felt that the selections were being made too far in advance and that by the time the homes were ready for occupancy, "these people may be picked over again". The Executive Director reported that the Barrio Committee makes the selection of the applicants for the Mead Program, and stated that some of the people previously chosen for the Mead Program had dropped off the list because their situations changed: some have moved or purchased other homes. The Executive Director further explained that the Barrio preselects families in advance to take care of the lengthy paperwork involved in qualifying them. Mr. Yamamoto was satisfied with the Executive Director's response. A motion was made by Mr. Ward, seconded by Mr. Yamamoto and carried (Mr. Evans voted NO) to approve the Barrio Selection Committee's list of 10 applicants for the Mead housing. DENNIS & BURKES PROPOSAL The Executive Director reported that the Redevelopment Commission has been discussing the potential of the block bounded by Ross, Birch, Fourth and Fifth Streets with the interested developers, Dennis & Burkes, for approximately the last three months. At the last Commission meeting, a recommendation was made to recommend to the Redevelopment Agency that Dennis & Burkes be granted a six month exclusive right to negotiate and to authorize the Executive Director to conduct a feasibility study. The Executive Director handed out a copy of the developer's site plan for the area, and informed the Agency that a representative from Dennis & Burkes was present to explain their proposal. Mr. Dennis, one of the developers, stated that their proposal would include several convenience food and fast foods operations, a large restaurant, and several small shops that would meet the needs of the people within the Civic Center and surrounding area. They are also proposing a four story office building and a three story parking structure. Mr. Joseph Gilmaker, businessman and property owner in the downtown, objected to putting in more restaurants in the area because of the competition it would create for the other restaurants in the downtown. Mr. Gilmaker is thinking about having a restaurant in his proposed office building development on Broadway and Birch, and feels that if there are too many restaurants in the Civic Center area, people won't want to go to the restaurants in the downtown. Mr. Gilmaker further stated that he did not feel the Dennis & Burkes proposal was economically feasible: that it would require a large expenditure of the taxpayers money and take many years to recoup the money. Mr. Gilmaker also stated that, being a real estate broker, he had entered into escrow with a buyer for a piece of property in the subject area, but when the buyer was informed by the Planning Commission that the City was going to take some of the property (free right of way) for the widening of Ross Street, he backed out of the deal. Mr. Gilmaker was concerned and questioned why the Planning Commission told the property owner he would have to dedicate property for Ross Street free of charge; does the owner have to bring the building up to seismic code; and will he have to bring the rest of the building up to code? The Chairman requested that the City Attorney follow-up and answer Mr. Gilmaker's concerns. -2-