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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda CC 06.07.2021 WorkshopN otice of M eet ing of the Governing B ody of the C ity of Georgetown, Texas J une 7 , 2 0 2 1 The G e orgetown City Council will meet on J une 7 , 2021 at 11:30 AM at at the Georgetown P ublic Library, Friends Ro om, 2nd Floor 402 W. 8 th Street, Georgetown, Texas 7 86 26 The City o f Geo rgetown is committed to c ompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (AD A). If you re quire assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the AD A, re asonable assistance, adaptations, o r acco mmodations will be provide d upon request. P lease contac t the City Secretary's Office, at le ast three (3) days prior to the sche duled meeting date, at (512) 930-36 52 or City Hall at 808 M artin Luthe r King J r. Street, Georgetown, TX 78 62 6 for additional informatio n; TTY users route through Re lay Texas at 711. Policy De ve lopme nt/Re vie w Workshop - A This is a special work/study session o f the Georgetown City Counc il. This wo rk/study session is related to C ouncil G oals and S trategies for D owntown, including: 1 . B ackground/history on planning and projects completed in the past, 2 . C urrent projects related to city plazas and parks, parking and trash collection, and 3 . F eedback from C ouncil on the development of a future plan of work related to D owntown No o fficial action will be taken at this meeting. Any official adoption o f items discussed at this workshop will be formally approve d as an item on a later scheduled City Council Regular me e ting. Adjournme nt Ce rtificate of Posting I, R o b yn Dens mo re, C ity S ec retary fo r the C ity of G eorgetown, Texas , d o hereb y certify that this No tic e of Meeting was posted at C ity Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. S treet, G eorgeto wn, T X 78626, a p lace readily ac ces sible to the general pub lic as required by law, on the _____ day of _________________, 2021, at __________, and remained s o posted for at leas t 72 c ontinuous ho urs p receding the s ched uled time o f said meeting. __________________________________ R o byn Dens more, C ity S ecretary Page 1 of 45 City of Georgetown, Texas City Council Special M eeting June 7, 2021 S UBJEC T: This is a special wo rk/study session of the Georgetown City Council. This work/study session is related to C ouncil G oals and S trategies for D owntown, including: 1. Background/history on planning and projects completed in the past, 2. Current projects related to city plazas and parks, parking and trash collection, and 3. F eedback from C ouncil on the development of a future plan of work related to D owntown No official actio n will be taken at this meeting. Any official adoption o f items discussed at this workshop will be formally appro ved as an item on a later scheduled City Co uncil Regular meeting. I T E M S UMMARY: City Council identified 5 go al areas during its Spring go al setting session, including: 1. Governance 2. Growth 3. Economic Develo pment 4. Downto wn 5. Housing This is the first of several study sessions to provide additio nal time fo r the Council to discuss the plan of work fo r the goals that were ide ntified. This study session is intended to provide council with the City’s ro le in past downto wn development and the initiatives and work that have been recently completed and/or are in process so that the Council c an direct staff on the prio rities and plan of work relate d to Do wntown. F I NANC I AL IMPAC T: N/A S UBMI T T ED BY: Shirley Rinn on behalf o f David M organ, City Manager AT TAC HMENT S : Description Downto wn S tud y S es s io n P res entation Page 2 of 45 Council Study Session |Downtown June 7, 2021 Page 3 of 45 Today’s Meeting Purpose Council Goal: Develop learning and training opportunities for current/future City Councilmembers Action Step: Quarterly Informal Study Sessions with Council Meeting Purpose: Take a holistic view of downtown and discuss actions steps to address the priorities identified by the City Council and develop a plan of work for the upcoming year •Parking –7 Dots •Sidewalks –4 Dots •Downtown Master Plan –3 Dots To be discussed In The Future: •County Engagement –4 Dots •Trash Collection –3 Dots Page 4 of 45 Agenda •Past | Downtown by the Decade •Present | Current Projects •Future | Council Goal & Action Steps Review and Planning Page 5 of 45 Past | Downtown by the Decade Page 6 of 45 Past What are 3-5 words that describe your first experience in our downtown? Page 7 of 45 Background The City of Georgetown’s commitment to downtown over the last 40 years has been key to its success today. Since the 1980s the City Council and stakeholders have consistently recognized that the City has a role in the development and preservation of downtown. •City provides infrastructure that supports private development •An infrastructure plan and overlay demonstrates to pr operty owners and developers that the City will provide well planned infrastructure that will support a higher level of development •City owns a significant amount of property in downtown •Downtown is recognized as one of the major assets that identifies our community Page 8 of 45 1980s •1982 |Georgetown is designated a Texas Main Street City by the Texas Historical Commission. •1982-1985 |Highly visible building restorations; a low-interest loan program provided necessary funding mechanisms for property reinvestment. •In the first year of designation property reinvestment was $4.9 M. Page 9 of 45 1990s 1991 |City purchased Historic Post Office building for office space 1992 |Georgetown Public Library moves off the square allowing for building renovation to create Council Chambers & Municipal Court Page 10 of 45 1990s •1997 |Palace Theater Renovation •1997 |Great American Main Street Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation •Georgetown was the first city in Texas to receive this award and remains one of two cities that has received the honor. •1998 |City improved parking lot at 9th and Main •1999 |Main Street improvements Page 11 of 45 2000s 2005 |Redevelopment of Draeger vehicle dealership for Monument Café (P3) Page 12 of 45 2000s •2000 |First Red Poppy Festival (moved Mayfair from San Gabriel Park) •2003 |Established Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) •2003 |Main Street Façade Grant Program Established •2005 |ElMonumento(P3) •2008 |New Georgetown Public Library •2009 |First Swirl event Page 13 of 45 2010s Page 14 of 45 2010s •2013 |Historic Fire Station repurposed for city-owned Art Center, bays sold to Thundercloud •2013 -2014 |Sidewalk expansion projects for downtown dining •600 Degrees •Thundercloud •Austin Avenue Sidewalk Page 15 of 45 2010s •2012 |Visitor Center moved to current location •2015 |Texas Cultural District designation •2015 |Renovation of the Grace Heritage Center •2016 |Remodel of the Light & Water Works building •2016 -2018 | City improved County owned parking lots at 8th and MLK •2017 -2018 | City Building Sales •2018 |New City Hall & Council/Court Chambers (Downtown West) •2018 |Awarded Great Places in America –Great Neighborhood by the APA •2018 |Georgetown Public Library Awarded the National Medal by the Institute for Museum & Library Sciences •2019 |Grace Plaza (P3) Page 16 of 45 Downtown TIRZ Revenue $17,771 $57,595 $82,269 $117,974 $162,724 $222,680 $237,227 $261,301 $300,906 $332,480 - 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000 350,000 Page 17 of 45 Present | Current Projects Page 18 of 45 Present What are 3-5 words that describe your experience today in our downtown? Page 19 of 45 2007 –Present | Investment in Downtown $56,750,466 Private Sector Reinvestment $26,968,941 Public Sector Reinvestment $4,478,312 Public/Private Joint Ventures $87,197,719 Total Investment *In 2007, the Main Street Program began tracking this data Page 20 of 45 Private Investment Projects •Riverplace (WBW Engineering) •Watkins Building •Heritage Court •Lofts on Rock •Courtyard Apartments •City Post •Golden Rule •Razmataz Salon •David Love Building Page 21 of 45 Trash Ambassador Program •Pilot program –Enhanced Trash/Waste Monitoring •Covers part of Area 1 –east of Austin Avenue •Currently funded from TIRZ, transitioning cost to businesses over 3 years Without Ambassador Service Block 40 on 9.7.2020 (behind the old City Hall) at 4:00am With Ambassador Service Block 40 on 9.28.2020 (behind the old City Hall) at 4:00am Page 22 of 45 Design Guidelines Update •Changes to Format (how the document looks) •Changes to Content (what the document includes) •Changes to Requirements (criteria for approval) Page 23 of 45 City Center Public Plaza •Flexible public space in downtown connecting City buildings •Preliminary survey results •900+ responses •27 printed surveys •329 comments •Engagement Event •150 -200 Attendees •Next stepsPage 24 of 45 Founders Park & Grace Plaza Expansion (South Main Arts District) •Project Background •Downtown MP identifies need for small outdoor space for modest assemblies outside of the courthouse square lawn •Preliminary survey results •Support from surrounding stakeholders •Option 2 (top, preferred with some components from 1) •Next steps •Grant application at council for approval June 8 Option 2 (Preferred) Option 1 Page 25 of 45 Future | Council Goals & Actions Page 26 of 45 Future What are 3-5 words that describe your vision for downtown in 2025? Page 27 of 45 Top Council Goals & Actions for Downtown Enhance and manage continued growth in downtown Improve mobility opportunities:Complete a parking study (7 dots) Improve mobility opportunities: Evaluate the sidewalk master plan (4 dots) Update the downtown master plan (3 dots) Page 28 of 45 4.1 Enhance and manage the continued development of downtown •4.1.2 Improve mobility opportunities to include accessibility, parking, pedestrian access, and general •Complete a parking study to include a multi-faceted plan including: •Accessibility •Rideshare •Shuttles •Parking lot development/redevelopment Page 29 of 45 Parking Studies •Downtown Parking Study in 2015 •Phase 3 Parking Analysis in 2017 •Downtown is currently appr oximately 54 blocks •11 blocks or 20%are County-owned •7 blocks or 13% are City-owned •Progress made to date: •Parking Ambassador Enhancement •New parking lots along W. 8th Street (Across from Library) •15 -minute parking zones have been added in ROW parking areas •Parking lot branding and signage •Approximately 43% complete Page 30 of 45 Parking Garage Project Background •2015 & 2017 Parking studies identified need and possible locations •Identified in 2018 Facilities and CIP plan •Included in FY 2018 Budget Process •Public engagement process in April 2019 •Advisory committee formed for additional input •Received direction regarding design in September 2019 •Professional service contract in November 2019 •Project paused in February 2020 Excerpt from June 26, 2018 Council Presentation Page 31 of 45 Questions for Council •What are the largest parking pressure points in downtown today? •What key issues need to be explored in a future parking study? •Who are the key stakeholders that need to be engaged? Page 32 of 45 4.1 Enhance and manage the continued development of downtown •4.1.2 Improve mobility opportunities to include accessibility, parking, pedestrian access, and general •Evaluate sidewalk master plan and identify additional improvements for downtown 7th Street Before 7th Street AfterPage 33 of 45 2014 Sidewalks and Facilities Public Access Audit •Updated the initial 2001 study •Inventoried existing pedestrian infrastructure •Identified design deficiencies •Evaluated future sidewalk requirements •Implementation plan for all City pedestrian facilities •Identified transformation projects •Approximately 62% complete Page 34 of 45 •$2.1M budgeted ($1.3M encumbered) of the total $3.6M allocated for Priority 1 •$200K identified and completed for ADA improvements for access to public facilities Sidewalks and Facilities Public Access Audit •Sidewalk improvements underway •E. 8th Street •Rock Street •Austin Ave. Crossings •E.7thStreet •W. 8th Street Page 35 of 45 Questions for Council •How are the sidewalk improvements meeting the needs for downtown? •How are the sidewalk improvements not meeting the needs in downtown? •What issues need to be addressed with our existing sidewalks in downtown? •Who are the key stakeholders that need to be engaged? Page 36 of 45 4.1 Enhance and manage the continued development of downtown •4.1.1 Update the master plan to address density, historic guidelines, and transition zones •Update the downtown Master Plan to include the following areas: •Vision for downtown •Land use/density •Transition zones between commercial and residential •Historic Preservation •Placemaking Page 37 of 45 Downtown Master Plan Developed in 2003, updated in 2014 Page 38 of 45 Plan Contents Introduction 1 -Existing Conditions 2 -Framework Strategy 3 -Development Strategy 4 -Pedestrian & Bike Circulation, Streetscape Design 5 -Auto Circulation & Parking 6 -Gateways, Wayfinding & Public Signs 7 -Parks, Open Space & Public Art 8 -Implementation Strategies Page 39 of 45 Vision for Downtown Downtown should remain the heart of the community, with an even more vigorous economy and diversity of offerings. It should be the center of specialty retail, dining and entertainment. In the business sector, it should maintain a key position in professional services and establish it-self as a focus of high technology firms, especially innovative start-ups. Downtown also should strengthen its role as the center of government, with major concentrations of city and county offices in the form of a Municipal Center as well as some state and even federal workers. In addition, it should be the cultural center of the city. Museums, galleries and performance venues should thrive here, and the central library should continue to be a key activity center. Conferences from the Rivery should bring regional residents to downtown, and festivals and outdoor markets should continue to add accent to daily life here. Downtown also should be an affordable place for people to live. In that regard, new housing should be developed that caters to “urban” markets. Page 40 of 45 The Downtown Master Plan is Not Page 41 of 45 Implementation "Successful implementation requires a coordinated effort between public and private entities. Economic development and revitalization of the downtown will require vision,investment and commitment from a broad base within the city—private citizens, public officials and many City departments." Page 42 of 45 Downtown Master Plan Implementation Implementation is organized into 5 parts (Approximately 10% Complete Overall) 1.New development in opportunity areas (11% Complete) 2.Pedestrian/bike circulation & streetscape design (13% complete) 3.Auto circulation & parking (12% complete) 4.Gateways, wayfinding & public (0% complete) 5.Parks, open space & public art (0% complete) Remaining projects in the plan include: Priority 2 & 3 sidewalks Bike routes and additional racks Buried electric Parking structure Pedestrian bridge across the San Gabriel River and trail connections Page 43 of 45 Questions for Council •What are the most important issues that need to be addressed as the Downtown Master Plan is updated? •What kind of private investment would Council like to see happening in the Downtown? •What public investment/infrastructure does the city need to address? •Who are the key stakeholders that need to be engaged? Page 44 of 45 Resources •Downtown Parking Garage FAQs •https://mainstreet.georgetown.org/downtown-parking-garage-project/ •Downtown Sidewalk Master Plan •https://georgetowntx.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=f8ab6 59f07944842b3919fde32023c7f •Downtown Master Plan •https://2030.georgetown.org/downtown-master-plan/ Page 45 of 45