Submitted By: Tye Chighizola
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Presentation By: Peter Lee
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve a contract and addendum to purchase six parcels in Downtown Ocala owned by Mt. Moriah Church for a future parking garage in the amount of $1,765,000. Tabled from February 1, 2022, City Council Meeting.
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: After analyzing seven downtown sites for a new parking garage, staff recommends that the City purchases 1.62 acres owned by Mt. Moriah Church that fronts on SW Broadway, SW Second Avenue, SW Third Avenue, and SW Ft. King Street (Parcels: 2853-026-004, 2853-026-003, 2853-026-001, 2853-027-005, 2853-027-002, and 2853-027-001).
The purchase includes all buildings and land owned by the church downtown. Mt. Moriah will be relocating to a larger parcel located on SW Fifth Street east of SW 27th Avenue. The proposed contract allows the church to occupy the property one year after the closing, which will take place on or before March 31, 2022. The proposed addendum changes the closing date to June 1, 2022.
At the February 1, 2022 meeting, City Council tabled the agenda item to allow staff time to schedule public meetings with the downtown property owners and merchants. On February 16, 2022, the City of Ocala held public meetings to provide additional information and obtain feedback about the future location of Parking Garage #2. The City held two public meetings at 15 SE Osceola Ave, IHMC (Institute for Human and Machine Cognition) at 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Both sessions were well attended, with approximately 40-50 attendees at the first meeting and 30-40 attendees at the second meeting.
The City Manager and staff presented a PowerPoint presentation that outlined the site selection methodology for selecting the proposed Parking Garage #2 location. After the presentation, questions and feedback were encouraged. The general feedback was positive concerning the location, but some citizens raised concerns about existing vagrancy issues and the impacts on the site's historic nature. Staff explained that the future construction of the garage would provide added infrastructure improvements that would enhance visibility and safety. Mt. Moriah has been in existence for more than 150 years; however, the current sanctuary building was reconstructed in 1966. A suggestion was made that a monument/plaque be worked into the parking garage design to reference the site's historic nature, similar to the existing parking garage honoring the original fire station.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The location will support parking needs for the existing businesses south of SR 40 between South Pine Avenue and South Magnolia Avenue, plus any redevelopment in the area. The most recent appraisal was for $1,640,000. Staff and church officials agreed on a price of $1,765,000, which is 7.6% over the appraised value. The overage considers some site and administrative costs related to the church relocating to their new location.
Currently, the staff is working with another owner concerning property (.28 acres) at 222 SW Broadway St. The property is being used as a parking lot. If purchased, the proposed garage would occupy the entire block. The proposed garage will be similar to the first garage, with an estimated construction price of between 8 and 10 million dollars for a precast structure.
FISCAL IMPACT: The General Fund Reserve for Projects will be used to purchase the parcels. The account has a balance of $5,000,000 and the purchase of this land for a second parking garage in Downtown Ocala is an appropriate use of the project funding. A concurrent budget resolution is provided on the March 1, 2022, agenda for adoption by Council.
Source:
001-099-999-513-81-99810 General Fund Reserve for Projects ($1,765,000)
Use:
001-020-328-545-69-65010 Construction in Progress $1,765,000
Staff will address the funding for the construction of the garage in the FY 2023 budget.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: Once all the parcels are purchased, staff will be working on a solicitation for constructing a precast parking garage. Staff intends to schedule a contractors’ workshop with the private sector to discuss the type of construction bid method recommended by local industry parties.
LEGAL REVIEW: The contract was reviewed by City Attorney, Robert W. Batsel, Jr.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve
• Approve with changes
• Deny
• Table