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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-007 Authorizing acquisition of public access easement and pmt for streetscape designRESOLUTION NO. 09-007 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF A PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT FROM THE NORTHWEST MARITIME CENTER, AND PAYMENT FOR STREETSCAPE DESIGN SERVICES 1. Since 2000, the City has supported the efforts of the Northwest Maritime Center (NWMC) to acquire, clean up and redevelop the Thomas Oil property for public benefit; and 2. Located on a two acre waterfront site in the Port Townsend National Landmark District, the Northwest Maritime Center property was designated as "slum and blight" by HUD and as a level 2 hazardous waste site by Washington State Department of Ecology. Due to its location, the property's blighted condition had effectively blocked revitalization of the abutting properties in the eastern section of the historic downtown. The City served as a co-sponsor and fiscal agent on a $500,000 HUD Brownfields Economic Development Initiative grant (City Resolution No. 2000-036) far site remediation; and 3. On July 19, 2001, the state IAC awarded the City $328,909.00 to be used to partially fund the purchase of real property interest upon the NWMC property, with the City providing a 50% grant match in cash and in-kind services (IAC Contract #00-1551A); and 4. On December 17, 2003, after cleanup of the site, the Northwest Maritime Center dedicated 41ots (Lots 1, 3, ~, and 9 of Block 4 of the Original Townsite of Port Townsend) to the City of Port Townsend in a shoreline public access easement for public recreation purposes. The azea of the easement is shown as Parcel D on the attached map. The easement is recorded under Auditor's file No. 485849 (June 17, 2004). The value of the property easement was appraised at $600,000. This agreement between the City of Port Townsend and the NWMC was instrumental in helping the NWMC to acquire .the former Thomas Oil property for use as an interpretive Maritime Center, dedicated to maritime educational and cultural-related purposes. The agreement further states that "The NWMC intends to develop the Mazitime Center as a joint venture with the City of Port Townsend, and the Port of Port Townsend"; and 5. The 2003 NWMC dedication of shoreline property connects other City and Port waterfront properties and effectively lays the groundwork to begin to implement the "Waterwalk," a key priority in the City's adopted Comprehensive Plan; and 6. The Northwest Maritime Center capital facility project ($8.1 million) represents a significant commitment of private resources toward the revitalization of the City's National Landmark Historic District and helps to expand the City's tourism infrastructure, visitor services, and employment opportunities; and 7. The City of Port Townsend, Port of Port Townsend and Northwest Maritime Center are collaborating on a demonstration streetscape project (project cost of over $1 million) that connects public and private properties and furthers the revitalization of the eastern end of the J Resolution 09-007 historic downtown. The NWMC played a key role in securing $500,000 in federal funds for the City towards this streetscape project. In addition, the NWMC paid over $60,000 toward the design and construction drawings of the portion of the Water Street and Momoe Street abutting its property, which design and construction drawings are intended to benefit the City; and 8. On June 16, 2008, the City Council approved Ordinance 2978 that provided the authorization of the sale the issuance of a $7,500,000 general obligation bond to support road and sidewalk improvements, tourism and infrastructure improvements, and waterfront access improvements in the historic district; and 9. By Resolution 08-041 (November 10, 2008), Council earmarked $1,000,000 of the $7,500,000 bond approved June 16, 2008 by Ordinance 2978 to obtain additional public access dedication and improvements and other benefits as part of the NWMC development and in support of a waterfront partnership between the City and NWMC. Resolution 08-041 authorized the City Manager to proceed to implement and construct the projects identified in the Resolution including the public access improvements at the NWMC site. As part of the public access dedication, NWMC would develop a public outdoor waterfront plaza at the Northwest Maritime Center site as a gathering spot for residents and visitors alike; and 10. The City and NWMC recognize that successful and timely redevelopment of the tourism infrastructure projects identified in Ordinance 2978 benefit the economic and social welfare of Port Townsend and Jefferson County, and represent an historic public/private partnership to shape the Port Townsend waterfront and historic district for the next century; and 1 1. As its part of the public/private waterfront partnership, the NWMC has agreed to dedicate an additional 15,745 square feet of waterfront uplands on its property to the City in a new perpetual public access easement, over parcels identified as A, B, and C on the attached Exhibit A. The appraised value of the proposed easement is $940,000. The NWMC (and successors) would construct improvements (benches, signage and public amenities) within the easement, and maintain the area, and hold the City harmless from public use of the area; and 12. The NWMC's new facilities and public access improvements will enhance and expand the annual Wooden Boat Festival. It is the largest festival on the Olympic Peninsula, attracting over 25,000 people annually and generating more than $2 million in revenues to the community. The new facility and public access improvements will enable the NWMC and its partner organizations to expand mazine trades demonstrations, educational offerings, and recreational and visitor activities on a year-round basis; and 13. The City and NWMC are working towards a Memorandum of Agreement related to the development and management of the tourism infrastructure and public access improvements that connect the two entities. The NWMC recently received a $95,000 federal grant that is co- sponsored by the City to establish a mooring buoy field between its property and City Dock. The parties intend the MOA will provide for a management agreement with the City for the NWMC to manage docks, waterfront and public access areas and the mooring buoy field to provide better visitor service on weekends and to save City operational costs; and Z Resolution 09-007 14. The City and the NWMC recognize the unique and historic opportunity for the citizens of Port Townsend, Jefferson County, and the greater Puget Sound region to provide for the redevelopment of the former "brownfield" site as a regional maritime educational and cultural center with significant public access opportunities, all of which require a higher degree of public coordination and support; and 15. The acquisition by the City for the NWMC's public access dedication recognizes the public benefit and value of the historical, cultural, educational and recreational programs and activities that the NWMC intends to provide on its property; and 16. The NWMC desires to convey the easement for public access to the City and in return the City desires to acquire it for the appraised value, on terms set forth below, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend as follows: A. The City Manager is authorized to execute all necessary documents to accept a public access easement over parcels identified as A, B, and C on the attached Exhibit A from the NWMC for $940,000, subject to: The NWMC (and successors) would construct and maintain improvements (benches, signage and public amenities) within the easement area, and maintain the area, and hold the City harmless from public use of the area; The azea shown as A and B shall remain open to the public at all times (except during closures for repairs); the area shown as C shall remain open to the public, but maybe closed for repairs, and for temporary short-term occasions for special events on terms negotiated by the City Manager. B. The City Manager is authorized to compensate NWMC up to $60,000 representing the value of services paid for by NWMC toward the streetscape design and construction drawings of the portion of the Water Street and Monroe Street abutting its property, which design and construction drawings benefit the City. ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular meeting thereof, held this 2nd day of February 2009. Michelle Sandoval, Mayor Attest: ~~ Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk Approved as to form: ~~. John Watts City Attorney Reso[uaion 09-007 WATER STREET F- W W H N W O z O D Shorelands E Tidelands G Deck J Pier D Shorelands E Tidelands Parcel Summary B __.3,575 sf '' ~ C 6,680 sf - D _ 8,580 sf E 15,350 sf 14,640 sf -_ G 2,975 sf -_ H 3,700 sf J 4,085 sf Revise005.28.08 ~` EXHIBIT A: PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT AREAS ~ / SCALE: NTS P?~JJf^ ~Gdp C'L S•= C~layn~rFxf b~:49aa ~~/ ~