Renaissance Zone Review Board

Renaissance Zone Board Meeting Meeting Minutes for November 19, 2020 @ 8:30am. Public Works Building Members Present: Pete Hugret (Chair), Betty Fedorchak, Kerry Candrian, Jason Bentley, Jen Cook (via Teams), Terri Aldrich, Members Absent: Barry Clute, Michael King, Pat Baily Others Present: Brian Billingsley (Community & Economic Director), John Van Dyke (Sr. Planner), Josh Wolsky, Ryan Ackerman (via Teams), Jonathan Rosenthal (Economic Development Administrator) Call to Order: Chairman Hugret called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. Agenda: Final Approval M-92 located at 1st and Central Final Approval M-92.1, located 15 North Main Street ______________________________________________________________________ Motion by Bentley to approve the October 29, 2020 meeting minutes, second by Fedorchak. ayes: all, nays: none. Motion passes Item #1 M-92 located at 1st and Central Brian Billingsley provided a brief description of the project, noting minimum dollar amount is sufficient to qualify for reimbursement and that he has obtained receipts from the applicant. Ryan Ackerman provided images and summary of the project. Installed new period sensitive doors and windows, reinforced floors and many other renovations. Special challenges included insufficient utilities that had to be upgraded, fire suppression, releveling sidewalks and an underground fuel tank. Classified the project as a major reconstruction given the structural changes that were necessary. There is a new elevator that provides service to all six levels so the entire building is accessible. Substantial completion occurred in November 2020. Motion to approve Project M92: Jason Bentley Second: Betty Fedorchak ayes: all, nays: none Motion passes Item #2 M-92.1, located 15 North Main Street Brian Billingsley provided update on the project and indicates that the applicant has submitted receipts in excess of the 50% required. Ryan Ackerman provided an overview of the project, noting significant disrepair of the building pre- redevelopment. Water damage was prevalent in the building. Existing roof needed subsurface repairs and complete roof replacement. A new copper roof would have cost upwards of $1.7M. New roof, gutters, windows, replaced and placed new windows on the second floor, repaired loose masonry, installed fire suppression, and repainted all the wood elements. Interior included plaster repairs, ceramic tile that is historically inspired, new HVAC, new lighting, reused a lot of the old fixtures, ADA accessible restrooms were installed in lieu of the existing restrooms, and is now being used as an event space. Second floor includes new bathroom and is used as a private meeting space. New commercial kitchen, new equipment, new commercial HVAC system for kitchen. Discussion Jonathan Rosenthal – Asked question regarding historic tax credits. Ryan Ackerman– The developer reached out to the ND historic preservation office and evaluated the project. Basically, their position was that they would have to reuse the existing copper roof material. They decided that it was not feasible. Jonathan asked regarding if the credit was looked at for other projects. Ryan provided an overview of how the requirements for historic preservation applied to M92 and how it was not feasible for that project. It was not financially feasible for that project either. Jonathan – Points out that the Renaissance Zone incentive may be the only feasible one available for redevelopment, as historic preservation tax credits are not sufficiently high enough to incentivize redevelopment and rehabilitation or difficult to use. Josh Wolsky – Agreed with that point and said that the importance of this program should be emphasized as the state legislature reconsiders the whole Renaissance Zone program. Chair Hugret – Said he had rented the depot for retirement party in October and praised the remodel. Motion to approve: Jason Bentley Second: Betty Fedorchak ayes: all, nays: none Motion passes Item #3 Distribution of 2021 Meeting calendar approved at October 2020 meeting Motion to Adjourn Jason – first Betty – second ayes: all, nays: none Meeting adjourned at 9:20 am. Next Meeting: Next meeting will be January 21st @ 8:30am to 9:30am, Conference Room #4, Public Works Building, 1025 31st Street, SE.. Moved the meetings to the third Thursday.