DISCUSSION OF DOWNTOWN TRANSFORMATION PLAN
Mayor Behnke opened the workshop at 6:00 P.M.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated the purpose of the workshop was to provide information regarding the downtown transformation plan The plan was developed by BCU as a economic development/retention effort to create growth in the community. He turned the meeting over to Karl Dehn.
Karl Dehn, President and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited, stated Michigan's economic condition has challenged growth in Battle Creek. The proposal is the result of thoughtful marketing and data trends, and the result will bring not only economic development but quality of life benefits. Karl Dehn provided a video presentation that envisioned the Battle Creek downtown transformation.
The new vision highlighted Battle Creek as a food science, innovative growth community with sustainable infrastructures that nurture family, friendly, healthy, and educated lifestyles.
Kellogg Company will be completing their research and development expansion, a $54M investment in October 2009. A 2010 six story office structure is also planned by the company. The Department of Agriculture and BCU shared their health and food safety idea to establish a national center for food protection to a number of groups. The vision includes a global food system that provides a safe and nutritious food supply, produced and distributed in a manner that protects consumer health and environment. The Kellogg Foundation has helped to move the plan forward and allocated a portion of the overall downtown grant to support the startup and initial operations of the center in Battle Creek. The three functions of the national center are: 1) a food testing center of excellence, 2) an international food protection training institute, and 3) a technology accelerator program that will focus on research and commercialization of food packaging detection technology. Both WMU and McCamly Plaza Hotel will host training sessions. The national center will provide great economic development opportunities to attract new companies to Battle Creek such as:
*Michigan Aerospace has completed the fabrication and assembly of a bio spectral instrument( bsi) to measure the spectral signatures and cross sections of biological stimulants and agents.
*Expanding STEM education county-wide.
*Exploring the expansion of the Battle Creek Math & Science Center with a potential downtown location where it can become a signature asset and a symbol for community commitment to education.
BCU anticipated connecting innovation and education with a food protection research and training institute. St. Phil and Battle Creek High School renovations will help BCU connect with neighborhoods downtown.
As blighted properties continue to be a concern of business investors, BCU anticipated evaluating blighted properties for potential renovations, viability, historic value, and market sustainability. BCU will continue to work with Battle Creek Community Foundation to establish a historic building preservation fund that will help create additional financial resources to employ preservation where it is viable. BCU will also work with the City to assemble an inventory of historic properties throughout the downtown and create priorities.
BCU was hopeful to enhance the M-66 gateway and streetscape, and plan a new park at Michigan and MCamly to hold special events and festivals.
Karl Dehn showed some design concepts of improvements to the Battle Creek gateway, lighting and streetscape enhancements, a new park at the corner of Michigan and McCamly, and new retail opportunities.
The Full Blast/Y Center collaborative project will help the transformation effort and is planned for 2012.
Jim Hettinger stated energy saving lighting will aid in citizens feeling safe downtown. WMU Aviation has pledged to conduct all aviation schools downtown. In June, Albion College Chemistry Department will visit Battle Creek and has shown an interest in the plan. The youth art initiative will help kids participate in urban design and kindle community involvement.
Recess: 6:55 P.M.
Reconvene: 7:02 P.M.
Joe Zeigler questioned how many design firms will be contacted and stated he would like to see several design ideas. Mr. Zeigler suggested training youth to install solar panels downtown.
John Kenefick, 234 South Avenue, suggested placing the information on the city's website. He spoke of the downtown mall effort and McCamly Plaza. He did not feel that the Kellogg Foundation or the Kellogg Company has revitalized downtown.
John Cash, 121 Academy, expressed that the plan was designed to make the downtown a campus and asked if the renovations are necessary as money is tight.
Ed Scheinfeldt, 1 Brisze Avenue, expressed his experience in a town in Germany and stated there must be a mass of people to make the downtown concept work, and it must be approached as an all encompassing operation.
Mark Jones, 46 East Avenue North, felt it was an excellent presentation and was proud of Kelloggs being here. He supported the idea as a corporate downtown. Mr. Jones stated that BCU knows how to convert Fort Custer into manufacturing; however, downtown is the heart of the people and he felt they were using the heart of eminent domain.
Laura Adams, 71 College, relocated from Boston to Battle Creek, and stated the City crime problem changed her mind to develop a business here. She is working on a business which will be a magnet for youth.
Laurie Sullivan, Frelinghuysen, asked if Battle Creek has zero tolerance now. She would like to see the downtown cleaned up regardless of the plan. She asked who decides what is historic and what is worth keeping. Ms. Sullivan asked how crime would be addressed. She did not think building a screen is a good idea to hide Franklin Iron and Metal.
Helen Vanvalkenberg did not support taking down buildings downtown to create a park.
David Nielson appreciated the efforts of encouraging professionals to come to Battle Creek; however, he did not advocate destroying one third of the business block. Mr. Neilson did not think a park would be at the top of young professionals' priorities. He suggested expanding the Math and Science Center rather than having it move downtown.
Jeremy Andrews, 41 N. Wabash, felt the plan has been in the works for some time and believed the public should have been a part of the process. He liked the idea of establishing a historic preservation fund.
John Hennick, Orchard Place, stated he is the city's most loyal advocate. Mr. Hennick has worked nonstop on renovating his downtown building and has not been contacted for input.
Pat Shellenberger liked the presentation; however, she was concerned about the appearance of making it safe. The City can't maintain the parks it has now and was not supportive of building a new festival park. She felt putting screens up next to Franklin Iron and Metal will not help.
Bill Schroer, Chair of Downtown Partnership, stated his organization was hopeful for a positive healthy downtown. Kalamazoo has gone through a remarkable transformation through health care and university core. He felt this was a big opportunity with Kellogg's backing.
Kathy Grosser, Principal at St. Phil High School, indicated that students are looking for a vibrant , connected community. She stated the structure and infrastructure must support the philosophy.
COMMISSION COMMENTS
Comm. Hersha asked what are the next decision points for the City Commission.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated the decisions depend on how quickly the grants and property acquisitions move forward. Efforts regarding the food protection center could not be released early and other pieces could not be made public. It now becomes a more comprehensive communication. He stated he has been supportive of the plan because it will bring more jobs into the community that will require a technological competence. It is important to look at things from other's eyes, particularly if we are gearing downtown through the young professional.
Comm. Hersha stated the Commission has a responsibility to property owners to sort out the preservation of buildings versus building a park.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated the city has had concerns about vacant buildings which are often places where less than desirable activity occurs and have a negative impact on the downtown.
Comm. Hersha stated there are a number of arguments regarding demolition of buildings and felt it presented a false set of options. Battle Creek has the capacity to have a vibrant activity; we need to start asking questions about how we got where we are.
Comm. Simmons felt the presentation was informative. It would be nice to engage some other design firms by bidding out the process.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated they considered three other design firms who expressed an interest. The art designs created by children will be designed by a professional.
Comm. Simmons felt the demolition of several properties is an issue, but suggested to preserve where it is viable and has historical value.
Ken Tsuchiyama anticipated scheduling a work session with HDC. The Heritage Tower is one example of a building that should be preserved.
Comm. Simmons did not believe in stringing along businessmen and suggested wrapping up the plan as soon as possible.
Comm. Thompson stated what people see matters and would like better gateways. She asked what the cost would be to move Franklin Iron and Metal and why the shielding makes sense.
Jim Hettinger stated scrapyards grew up in downtown areas and were located close to suppliers. He spoke about a project in Saginaw and noted the environmental cleanup and relocation would cost around $10M. The purpose of the screen is to distract passerbys and to welcome visitors. Mr. Hettinger stated we want people to have a positive experience when they approach downtown.
Comm. Thompson stated there are new trends in downtown and asked Mr. Hettinger to expound on them.
Jim Hettinger stated there is a huge rewriting of the energy equation. More people are moving near their jobs. Why not rehab more houses? Why not expand activity to the neighborhoods? The energy crisis will play a huge role in how we think in the future.
Comm. Yankama asked if the downtown transformation plan was a "done plan."
Jim Hettinger stated the City charges BCU with business development. This has been a long term plan, is far from finished, and Mr. Hettinger would characterize it as a proposal. The food science institute is a private undertaking.
Comm. Yankama asked if they are going to form a design committee and will there be use of TIFA funds.
Karl Dehn stated they had input from downtown employers to help them be successful. The DDA will have a role in the funding.
Comm. Sofia asked about Claires Tux Shop.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated the building was vacant and was not legally occupied.
Comm. Sofia stated the plan is conceptual. The park portion is not set in stone. She asked about the process used to come up with the plan.
Jim Hettinger identified the history and thought process of the plan. When BCU worked with Kelloggs on R & D, Kelloggs had indicated they had a problem with staying in Battle Creek. They engaged OJA Research to talk about urban trends and produced outlines. The Brooking Institution assisted with a urban redevelopment review. They followed up with design consultants. The input formed the plan for the future. The Kellogg Foundation was insistent on public participation. Brookings suggested creating a mass downtown. The math and science center will better link students to better opportunities. Mr. Hettinger reported that most discussions showed that the plan is doable.
Karl Dehn stated they will develop a strategy for contacting different sectors to receive input.
Comm. Thompson remarked there has been some frustration with public knowledge even though there have been some public sessions.
Mayor Behnke thanked the public for their comments and would like to see BCU do some follow-up with the concerns raised this evening. The Kellogg Company, the Research and Development Center, and the Kellogg Foundation have committed to Battle Creek. Mayor Behnke stated the City needs to treasure and protect our commitment to the Kellogg Company.
Comm. Yankama was concerned about changing the culture of downtown.
Comm. Hersha felt it important that the Commission set a clear direction to the historic downtown properties. He believed downtown is viable including the buildings being considered for demolition.
Ken Tsuchiyama anticipated holding a work session with the Historic District Council. |