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July 6, 2005City eyes parking deck optionsSale of bayfront lot looks unlikelyByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - The city isn't sure how to fund a public parking deck in a proposed West Front Street development, but is looking for ways other than selling a bayfront parking lot. Developer Michael Uzelac wanted the city to exclusively negotiate with him to sell the lot at Union Street and Grandview Parkway, where he wanted to build a hotel. The city could use lot sale proceeds to fund a parking ramp in his multi-use public and private project, he said. That plan appears less likely after residents strongly reacted against it. Now, the Downtown Development Authority is crunching numbers to come up with other ways to pay for public parking. Uzelac said he doesn't know where the city will find the funds. That task, he said, "is up to them." It's a must for the city to contribute public parking to the $70 million residential, retail, and commercial project, he said. "I think the development of the west end of downtown is definitely contingent upon public parking ...," said Uzelac, who represents Federated Properties, LLC. The DDA also wants a parking deck. "It is not being built for the developer so much as to make better use of the land, and not have unpleasant places for people to walk," said Bryan Crough, DDA executive director. The development includes the Grand Traverse Auto property on the north of West Front Street, the Gourdie-Fraser building and a lot west of it. The city hired a financial adviser to study options to fund its $10 million to $12 million share. Crough said a bond issue will be part of the package. Other ideas include a state grant for site work, which would free up brownfield funds sooner. The DDA auto parking system fund, which will have a $1.2 million balance by July 2006, could be tapped. Crough said as much as $600,000 of that is from the sale of city property. The city long ago made plans for 566 west side parking spaces. There are 170 permit parking spaces in the area, about 100 are leased spots the city has "no control over," Crough said. The development might require fewer spaces, with each to cost as much as $22,000, he said. Meanwhile, Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council wants to make sure the bayside parking lot won't be a bargaining chip. Co-chair John Nelson said it wants the city to give the lot "parkland" status, which would require a public vote before sale. City officials said ongoing planning studies will include the parking lot. Uzelac will approach the city with his plans for West Front Street within 90 days. See Related Stories: City: No exclusive rights to lot - May 17, 2005 TC officials hear pitch on downtown project - April 26, 2005 Downtown TC redevelopment plans will be unveiled - April 25, 2005 Details of downtown development project will be outlined - April 7, 2005 Developer eyes Front Street - April 7, 2005 See Related Editorials: No need for TC to link development decisions - May 18, 2005 West Front plan cannot be tied to Union Street site - May 3, 2005
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