08/06/2006

Time line

West Front Street public parking deck project

Significant dates for West Front Street public parking deck project

Feb. 12, 2005: The Record-Eagle reveals developer Michael Uzelac's interest in property on the 100 block of West Front Street after the newspaper files a state Freedom of Information Act with the city to learn of downtown development plans.

April 25, 2005: Uzelac makes his first presentation to a joint meeting of the city and planning commissions and the Downtown Development Authority board. Uzelac discusses developer Federated Properties' plans for a three-story building at the former Grand Traverse Auto site on the north side of West Front and an eight-story building with public parking on the southeast corner of Pine and West Front. He also asks the city to sell parking lot T for equity in the development's public parking. He said he would build a hotel and residential complex on the Grandview Parkway parking lot.

May 16, 2005: The city commission rejects Uzelac's request to negotiate exclusively to buy the parking lot. Public comments run strongly against building on the lot.

May 25, 2005: The Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners holds a public hearing on the addition of two West Front properties to the brownfield plan, the Record-Eagle parking lot and the Gourdie-Fraser building. Both properties are to be included in the public parking and mixed-use project. The brownfield plan also is amended to move the parking ramp from the southwest corner of Pine and West Front to the southeast corner, where Federated Properties plans to build.

Sept. 7, 2005: The city planning commission approves the site plan for a three-story building at 124 W. Front Street, on the north side of the street. The project includes retail, commercial and third floor residential units.

Nov. 15, 2005: Federated Properties wins a $4.3 million brownfield single business tax credit from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Dec. 5, 2005: The city commission amends the building height ordinance to allow the top 15 feet of a 100-foot-tall building to be used for residential and other purposes. Previously, city zoning only allowed the extra height to shield mechanical equipment and elevator shafts. The decision allows Federated Properties to build an eight-story, 100-foot-tall building with an additional 24,000 square feet in the top floor for residential space.

Jan. 24, 2006: City Manager Richard Lewis and DDA Executive Director Bryan Crough receive a letter from local developer Gerald Snowden that outlined an alternative plan for a possibly cheaper public parking deck at 305 W. Front St.

Jan. 25, 2006: Snowden's partner retracts the letter describing the alternative public parking deck proposal. City commissioners are not told of Snowden's letter.

Feb. 21, 2006: City commission approves a special land use permit for the construction of Federated Properties' eight-story, mixed use building at 145 W. Front St.

Feb. 26, 2006: Record-Eagle publishes a story detailing a $20,000 contribution from Louis P. Ferris, Jr., CEO of Federated Properties, to state Sen. Jason Allen. Other Uzelac development associates contributed another $12,000 to Allen political accounts. Allen acknowledged he advised Crough that Snowden should retract the letter.

Feb. 27, 2006: City commission approves a development agreement with Federated Properties for the public parking deck proposal and adopts a notice of intent to issue bonds of up to $16 million to pay for the project.

March 8, 2006: City planning commission approves changes to the site plan for the three-story building at 124 W. Front St. The changes eliminate 14 residential units in exchange for commercial space.

April 17, 2006: Parking deck plan critics submit 1,640 signatures to the city clerk, calling for a referendum on a city bond issue of up to $16 million to pay for the project.

May 15, 2006: City commission agrees to spend almost $200,000 for parking deck design work. City officials said the design work will provide information to determine the city's project cost.

June 29, 2006: The state Department of Environmental Quality announces a $1 million brownfield redevelopment grant and a $1 million brownfield loan for West Front projects by Snowden and Federated Properties.

July 17, 2006: Lewis supplies city commission with information that shows a 529-space parking deck project could cost $12.9 million or $13.7 million for 39 extra spaces and more brick work.

July 31, 2006: Lewis tells the city commission the parking deck project will require a bond issue in the range of $12.3 million to $12.9 million.

Aug. 8, 2006: Referendum on a city bond issue of up to $16 million to pay for the public parking deck project.