HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.7.23 21 S Linn Prep Cover Memo
Date:December 7, 2023
To:City Council
From:Rachel Kilburg, Economic Development CoordinatorRe:Preparation for 21 S. Linn Street Developer Selection ProcessIntroductionAt the July 11, 2023 regular formal City Council meeting,
Council approved a purchase agreement for acquisition of the vacant lot at 21 S. Linn St., Iowa City. After a due diligence period, the City closed on the property in August 2023. The
City’s acquisition of the property is intended to facilitate redevelopment in a manner that is in the best long-term interests of the community.The property is zoned Central Business
Zone(CB-10), which encourages high density, compact, pedestrian oriented shopping, office, service, and entertainment area uses. This zone is intended to accommodate a wide range of
retail, service, office, and residential uses in a manner which is consistent with the Downtown Iowa City landscape. As such, rezoning is not anticipated.The next steps in this redevelopment
process are to determine the future use of the site through public engagement, City Council goal setting, and a preferred developer/proposal selection process. High-level objectives
of the developer selection process include:Establishing transparent, predictable process; Incorporating meaningful stakeholder & public involvement throughout the process, including
engagement with the Iowa City Downtown District; andObtaining a public-private partnership incorporating significant public benefits.The 21 S. Linn St. redevelopment process will kick
off at the December 12, 2023 Work Session where staff will provide a presentation reviewing past examples of public-private development processes. The City has prior experience facilitating
private redevelopment projects through the sale of City-owned property. The Chauncey (404 E. College St.) and the RISE at Riverfront Crossings (435 S. Linn St.) are two such examples
which offer a guiding framework for the 21 S. Linn St. redevelopment process. The Request for Proposals (RFP) which was issued for both the Chauncey and RISE processes are included in
the December 7, 2023 City Council Information Packet and may serve as helpful examples in planning for the future of 21 S. Linn St.Beginning with the kick-off discussion on December
12, staff anticipate the following general timeline and next steps in the process:Phase 1: Review of Chauncey and RISE sale and redevelopment processes during the Dec. 12, 2023 work
session. Phase 2: Public Engagement Planning and Execution (February ’24 to June ’24)Staff to develop public engagement recommendations for City Council review and approval in public
work sessionExecution of public engagement and presentation of results to the City Council Phase 4: RFP Development (June ’24 to August ’24)Development of high level goals for the property
to be developed by staff and City Council in a public work session, along with discussion and determination of a proposal review processRFP draft to be approved for release by City Council
in a public work sessionPhase 5: Issue RFP (Sept ’24 to October ’24)Anticipate 45-60 days for response Phase 6: RFP Review (TBD)Review commences, with the goal to select a preferred
developer/proposal