09131982 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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124 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING September 13, 1982 Page #5 would take precious time. These private sector opportunities only come once in a lifetime, and Mr. Ruiz advised selling HUD on it as soon as the community make a decision. Dr. Long asked if the City has an option to change the site prior to construction. Mr. Ruiz stated that they did. Mr. Moore advised selecting two sites - one subject to an election with an alternate if the election failed. Mr. Ruiz stated that the investors would like to have their project underway by the first of the year. Ms. Wickersham stated that one purpose of the grant was to upgrade neighborhoods, and there is no neighborhood around the Show Barn. Mr. Ruiz stated that the grant is to revitalize the community. It is designed for larger communities, and San Marcos is considered by HUD as a small town. So any location would be considered as convenient by HUD. Mrs. Norris asked if it were possible, timewise, to hold an election. Ms. Edwards stated that no local elections may be held in November in years with April official elections. Therefore, it would not be held until January 1983. Mr. Ruiz stated that the private investors will not build the hotel if there is no Center project. Ms. Wickersham stated that they need that cheap money. Ms. Martin asked if the hotel will have to comply with all City requirements, i.e. Erosion and Drainage Control Ordinance. Dr. Long asked if a federal impact study would be required as this would hold the project up for three (3) years. Mr. Gonzales stated that all City require- ments would have to be met. The site fronts on the Millrace rather than the River and is in the floodway. Mr. Dannelley presented the Old Sewer Plant site. Mr. Farr asked why the one-way traffic would be a minus as large cities almost all have one-way frontage roads. Mr. Dannelley stated that without traffic lights, the traffic is not well controlled. Mr. Brown asked the acreage of the site. Mr. Dannelley did not recall as a portion is parkland and a portion is not and the DPS site is taken out of it. Mr. Gonzalez stated that 14 acres are parkland. Ms. Wickersham stated that the blighted area on River Road to the back of the site would be helped. Mr. Dannelley advised of the two private parcels. A letter was received by him this date from Mary Anne Hood offerring 12 acres. Her site is off Redwood Road across from the hospital and near the Show Barn. Mr. Brown asked the cost per square foot. Mr. Kreczmer stated that it comes to $0.275 per square foot. Mrs. Mendez stated that she was sure Ms. Hood would sell more acreage if required. Mr. Dannelley stated that the other private site was offered by Raycor, Inc. and was 20.42 acres for $542,000 plus utilities and streets. Mayor Craddock stated that the site is behind and to the site of Care Inn. Mr. Kraus provided a map of the area. Mr. Kraus represented the owners of the property and pointed out that in a prior letter the owners had expressed a commitment to construct up to $2.5 million privately if the site is chosen. This would allow matching funds which would allow the City to purchase the land. Mr. Shawn, owner, stated that they were not being opportunistic or trying to sell the City anything. Their plans had not included a Civic Center, but when they had looked at the City's needs, they had considered the offer. They were not sure they should offer the property. In being supportive, however, they want to make the property available to the City to be purchased with grant money. In order to have the money, they would commit to invest in San Marcos in the amount of funds allowing the City to purchase the property for nothing. He stated that he is not in the Civic Center business, but advised this be approached