1995-09-18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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235 developers have met with the designers but the City cannot require that the devdopers hire them. Ms. Slaughter stated that she feds the property requires a very innovative plan and she wants to assure that this is the right time to devdop the property. Mr. Toscano stated that community involvement is in the project is important and noted that an issue for Council is the extent to which they are willing to trade offthe price of the land for an innovative proposal. It was the consensus of council to proceed with the development of a contract with the team of Haley, Chisholm and Morris, Inc. STAFF ~PORT: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK PLAN Mr. Jim Gahres, Director of Economic Development, reviewed the recent progress of the Office of Economic Development and presented the Department's Work Plan and goals for Council's review, comment and changes. The major goals are as follows: 1) Business retention and expansion; 2) Small, minority and women owned business assistance; 3) New business attraction; 4) Tourism promotion and development; 5) Focus on central Charlottesville Ms. Slaughter said the Work Plan appears to be very ambitious. She said there appears to be some duplication in the Department's involvement in loan funds to the extent they do not relate to business. Ms. Slaughter also said she has concerns about whether the time is right for a West Main Street enterprise zone. Mr. Toscano noted that the enterprise zone issue will be discussed by Council at the October 2nd meeting. Ms. Slaughter suggested that Mr. Gahres find ways to work with the Regional Economic Development Partnership staff`to avoid duplication: Ms. Daugherty recommended that the Economic Development Task Force be reconvened at some point to review the Department's progress. Mr. Toscano questioned why downtown is priority #8 on Mr. Gahres listing, and Mr. Gahres proposed that do~vntown be moved to priority//4. Mr. Toscano said that he is not ready to force the issue of a Business Improvement District downtown without substantial support. On motion by Rev. Edwards, seconded by Mr. Vandever, the Work Plan for the Department of Economic Development was unanimously approved, ~vith the priority for downtown moved to #4. Mr. Toscano noted the increased level of economic development in the City in the past Y~6ar, a total of $36 million city-wide and $5 million in downtown. ~e were no matters by the public. OTHER BI. IS~i~ESS Mr. O'Connell announced the following activities scheduled for September 23: the Police Depa~'s "You've Got a Friend" Day at Charlottesville High School; chili cookoff` to benefit Tonsler Park in the Amphitheater; and the City employees picnic at Pen Park.