AGENDA #4j
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to a Petition from the Siena Hotel Requesting Further Discussions on a Possible Public-Private Partnership for Development of Pritchard Park
DATE: April 14, 2004
This memorandum responds to a March 22, 2004, petition from the manager of the Siena Hotel requesting further discussions concerning a proposed public-private partnership for development of Pritchard Park and the Siena Hotel. The attached resolution would authorize the Manager to enter into further discussions with the management of the Siena Hotel and form a new Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee.
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In 1996 the Town began the planning process to develop the Pritchard Park program. The process was halted in April 1996 when the owner of the Siena Hotel petitioned the Council to consider leasing or selling a portion of the park property to the Hotel. In 1997, the Council decided to postpone a decision until after completion of a concept plan for the park.
A Pritchard Park Conceptual Plan Committee was formed. On November 27, 2000, the Council adopted the Report of the Pritchard Park Conceptual Plan Committee. At that time the Council authorized the Manager to complete a plan for development of an art garden and to involve the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, the Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
On November 25, 2002, the Council adopted the Report of the Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee. The Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee consisted of 2 members each of the Public Arts Commission, the Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Committee investigated a variety of options for designing the proposed art garden including options that involved a partnership with the Siena Hotel and options that did not involve the hotel. The Committee voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend that the Town partner with the Siena Hotel in a manner that would allow a seamless transition between the designs of the two properties, provide funding for the Town’s park and art project, and allow the Siena Hotel to address its parking needs.
We believe that any public-private partnership is more likely to succeed if the concerns of all parties are addressed early in the process. We support the concept of additional discussions if the management of the Siena Hotel believes that such discussions would be beneficial.
We also believe that the best approach would be to form a new Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee to review plans and make a recommendation to the Council.
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution that would authorize the Manager to enter into further discussions with the management of the Siena Hotel concerning a proposed public-private partnership for development of Pritchard Park and the Siena Hotel and authorize the formation of a committee that would consist of 2 members each from the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Committee members would be selected by their respective boards.
ATTACHMENT
1. Petition from the General Manager of the Siena Hotel (p. 4).
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO ENTER INTO FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SIENA HOTEL CONCERNING A PROPOSED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PRITCHARD PARK AND THE SIENA HOTEL AND THE FORMATION OF A PRITCHARD PARK ART GARDEN COMMITTEE (2004-04-14/R-10)
WHEREAS, on November 27, 2000, the Council adopted the Report of the Pritchard Park Conceptual Plan Committee, which authorized the Manager to complete a plan for development of an art garden and to involve the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, the Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission; and
WHEREAS, on November 25, 2002, the Council adopted the Report of the Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee, which recommended that the Town partner with the Siena Hotel in a manner that would allow a seamless transition between the designs of the two properties, provide funding for the Town’s park and art project, and allow the Siena Hotel to address its parking needs; and
WHEREAS, on March 22, 2004, the manager of the Siena Hotel petitioned the Council requesting further discussions concerning a proposed public-private partnership for development of Pritchard Park and the Siena Hotel;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to enter into further discussions concerning a proposed public-private partnership for development of Pritchard Park.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the formation of a new Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee that shall consist of 2 members each from the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission; the members which shall be selected by their respective boards.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Manager and the Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee shall report back to the Council with recommendations for action at the conclusions of discussions with the Siena Hotel and that the Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee shall be disbanded upon acceptance of their Report by the Council.
This the 14th day of April, 2004.