Confirmation to hold a community design charrette.

Staff has been asked to prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a partner to redevelop the existing courthouse site.  However, staff is recommending the City hold a community design charrette first to allow the community an opportunity to share their vision for the property.  The outcome of the charrette will then be used to inform the RFP.  Results can identify desired uses, form and function of the site.

With the construction of the new Municipal Courthouse at 101 W. Cherry Avenue, the existing courthouse site will initially be developed with surface parking.  However, the City would like to find a partner that can redevelop the site with a new use while providing the necessary parking spaces to support the courthouse.  Rather than assuming what the community may not want to see in a proposal, staff believes the better process is to provide an opportunity to identify a desired redevelopment concept that can inform an RFP and the respondents.  The property is approximately 0.7 acres and is zoned Highway Commercial and Central Business in the conventional districts and T6 in the Transect zone. 

Staff is proposing a community design charrette where participants can develop what they believe is the appropriate use of the property.  Participants will be asked to consider uses, intensity, mass and scale, building materials, connectivity, and public amenities.  Staff will retain a facilitator and design professional to assist.  While we do not have a date yet, staff anticipates holding the charrette on a Saturday morning with the goal of issuing an RFP during the summer.