GILROY
– Nothing’s set in stone, but the City Council has expressed
formal interest in several ideas and concepts – including some that
have been bandied about for years – to help revitalize the city’s
downtown.
GILROY – Nothing’s set in stone, but the City Council has expressed formal interest in several ideas and concepts – including some that have been bandied about for years – to help revitalize the city’s downtown.
At a Wednesday night study session before a crowd of at least 40 citizens, officials, business leaders and merchants, Council directed city staff to study the feasibility and ramifications of several ideas for the downtown area, ranging from waiving fees for remodeling projects to extending a major suite of streetscape improvements down side streets from Monterey Road.
Although they noted there’s no financial commitment yet, downtown watchers expressed optimism over the discussion and actions.
“I think downtown business and property owners should be encouraged with the outcome of last night’s meeting,” said David Peoples, president of the city’s downtown association and owner of the Nimble Thimble store.
“It certainly points out the need for (them) to put aside the past and start looking at what’s in store for the future.”
With a decision on whether to go into debt for a marquis downtown project – $4.1 million in streetscape renovations – already delayed until next spring at a previous study session, Council’s task Wednesday was to review a soft list of supporting ideas and concepts suggested by councilmembers, business owners and community leaders and assembled by Councilman Al Pinheiro.
However, Council did revisit the streetscape issue briefly, deciding to direct City Manager Jay Baksa to return with a final definition and phasing of projections for the project that includes an analysis of extending it a half-block – or up to a full block down side streets in the “core” area between Eighth and Fourth streets – from Monterey Road. The current project calls for the improvements to end just after they turn the corner from Monterey.
Council also directed Baksa to re-examine the prospects of resurrecting some kind of Business Improvement District for the downtown area. The city had such a district – where businesses pay periodic fees to support an organization for marketing and other purposes – in the past, but it was disbanded by its voting members in the early 1990s.
Different versions could emerge from that analysis based on ideas from different councilmembers. For example, Pinheiro has expressed interest in exploring a BID with mandatory membership and an assessment – such as the City of Pleasanton’s – that’s tied to a business’s location and size within the downtown area. However, he said the city should set up a committee of stakeholders to come back with suggestions and proposed models.
“I would certainly think that’s a model that’s been in place that’s working,” he said of Pleasanton’s district. “But anything you can develop that has the feel of people involved, you’re way ahead than implementing something there might be questions on.
“There has to be a meeting of minds to participate for an amount that would not be that hard but a gesture of participation. We would not be asking for enormous amounts, but amounts that make sense – and they reap the benefits. It’s a very small price to pay.”
While the legal structure for an assessment district is still on the city’s books, officials need to examine whether resurrecting it would need to meet state provisions.
Meanwhile, Mayor Tom Springer expressed support for a “partnership” concept that could use revenues from existing business licenses and the General Fund to support the district, rather than a new assessment on businesses. The district could take over responsibilities for some minor actions such as streetsweeping and minor sidewalk repairs, he said.
That’s also something that would need to be studied within context of provisions on the city’s books.
“It doesn’t necessarily need to be an assessment …” he said. “We spent ($100,000) on the RDA consultant, so we should be able to find it,” he said.
Council also directed Baksa to analyze what the financial impacts to the city would be for waiving certain construction and impact fees on renovation projects of categorized commercial designations.
But the group decided to hold off on support for waiving impact fees for new construction or projects involving more complete demolition until after development guidelines can be formulated through a new downtown Specific Plan.
Because the city has to legally reimburse its own internal funds for the “waived” fees in some cases, such projects could also potentially mean a much larger financial obligation than a facade improvement.
Springer also told Council Wednesday that it should consider looking to pedestrian- and transit-oriented land-use guidelines favored by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, noting the agency has set aside money for pilot projects incorporating such principles.
Meanwhile, Council will address other downtown-related concepts and actions at upcoming meetings. A discussion on fastracking the downtown plan and other specific land-use plans is already scheduled for next Monday’s regular Council meeting, while the body is slated to hear about progress on siting a new arts and cultural center in early December.
