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COUNCIL CHAMBER - December 2, 1991 <br /> <br /> Council met in regular session on this date with the <br />following members present: Rev. Edwards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. <br />Toscano, Mr. Vandever, Ms. Waters. <br /> <br />MINUTES <br /> <br /> On motion by Ms. Waters, seconded by Mr. Vandever, the <br /> minutes of the November 18th meeting were unanimously <br /> approved as presented. <br /> <br />PUBLIC <br /> <br /> Mr. Tom Hill of 1204 Rugby Road, repeated concerns made <br />at the previous meeting about the price of gas and again <br />recommended that the City put the management and maintenance <br />of the gas system out to bid, with the City maintaining <br />ownership. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: CREATING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR LOCAL <br />IMPROVEMENT - U. VA. CORNER AREA <br /> <br /> Mr. Satyendra Huja, Director of Community Development, <br />reviewed the proposed improvements to the Corner area. Mr. <br />Huja explained that the initial idea for renovation of the <br />Corner came from the 1988 Urban Design Plan and since that <br />time the City and Corner merchants have been working together <br />on the concept phase. A 50/50 cost share arrangement will be <br />necessary to cover the $1.1 million cost of the project, with <br />the method of share based on the property assessment as was <br />done with the construction of the downtown pedestrian mall. <br />Mr. Huja noted that State law allows the property owners to <br />pay their share over a ten year period if approved by <br />Council, <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Ms. Ann Albright, owner of six buildings on Elliewood <br />Avenue with 13 tenants, strongly supported the creation of the <br />special assessment district on the condition that the <br />payments be allowed to be made over a ten year period. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Crafaik, owner of The Jazz Club and <br />Littlejohn's Deli, supported the assessment district, adding <br />that the Corner area has gone too long without improvements <br />and such improvements are necessary because of the importance <br />of the Corner to University and City. <br /> <br /> Mr. Rudy Beverly, spokesperson for the Corner Merchants <br />Association and manager of the Lucky 7 on the Corner, stated <br />that the Association has some reservations about assessing <br />the businesses on the Corner since the City is financing <br />the downtown mall extension, but does support creating the <br />assessment district and feels that the project will be the <br />start of connecting the Corner area and downtown. <br /> <br /> Mr. Chris Farina, operator of a parking lot on the <br />Corner, supported the assessment district, noting that the <br />Corner has been neglected during a time that the University <br />has seen tremendous growth. <br /> <br /> Mr. Mitchell Newman, Vice President and operator of the <br />Lucky 7 on the Corner, stated that in principle he is in <br />favor of the improvements but has concerns about the economic <br />feasibility of the project. Mr. Newman stated that he felt <br />the City should bear more of the costs since property <br />assessments and sales taxes are likely to increase after the <br />improvements. Mr. Newman added that rents are also likely to <br />increase as a result of the assessment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robin Lee, representing Piedmont Virginia Property <br />Group, owner of five properties on the Corner and two parking <br /> <br /> <br />