Title
Resolution to Accept Donation of Center City Park
Body
Department: Parks and Recreation
Council District: 3
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Wade Walcutt, 373-2964
Contact 2 and Phone: Terri Jones, 373-2320
PURPOSE:
City Council approval is being requested to accept the donation of Center City Park, consisting of two parcels, #0000231 and #0000236, and to be under the management of the Parks and Recreation Department.
BACKGROUND:
Center City Park first opened in 2006 and is located downtown, directly adjacent to E. Friendly Ave, N. Davie St. and N. Elm St. The 1.9 acre park, which is currently exempt from taxation, encompasses two parcels that are privately owned by: 1). CFREMF Real Estate Holdings I, LLC and 2). Downtown Greensboro Renaissance, LLC. The CFREMF parcel was acquired on June 15, 2002 for $1,200,000 and has an assessed tax value of $782,900. The Downtown Greensboro Renaissance, LLC parcel was acquired on June 15, 2004 for $1,250,000 and has an assessed tax value of $2,193,400. The central location of the park complements and builds on the strengths of the nearby cultural assets of the Cultural Center, Historical Museum, Children’s Museum and LeBauer Park.
The location and design of Center City have provided residents a passive downtown park to rejuvenate health and wellness, enhance quality of life and gather to celebrate and participate in countless events. With the ownership of Center City Park and the addition of the adjacent LeBauer Park, the City will own two assets which will be operated as one, and serve as a vehicle to change the landscape of downtown and spur City-wide economic development.
Dialogue regarding this gift acceptance with City Council began as early as March 13, 2014 at a Work Session, and again at a City Council Meeting on April 1, 2014 when Council passed a Resolution agreeing to accept the gift of LeBauer Park. Continued dialogue surrounding the acceptance of Center City with City Council occurred when Council adopted the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a lease agreement with LeBauer Park, LLC to construct LeBauer Park on December 16, 2014. Since then dialogue has continued with both the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Operation costs for Center City and LeBauer are covered through a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the park operator, Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc. (GDPI). Whereas the City will maintain the amount of funding previously budgeted for Center City Park maintenance. Any revenue derived from the operations shall be deposited in an appropriate fund and used to off-set operating and maintenance costs of the park.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Parks and Recreation Department requests and recommends City Council approval of the attached resolution that accepts the gift / donation of Center City Park, consisting of two parcels, #0000231 and #0000236, and to be under the management of the Parks and Recreation Department and operated with LeBauer Park.
COMMITTEE ACTION: This item was referred to Council by the Community Services Committee.