Jimmy's Ward Report - Sunday, February 3, 2008

Parking Issues In Downtown Mt. Rainier: A representative from the County Redevelopment Authority came to the last Council meeting to discuss working with the City on paved parking in our downtown area. They have some funds to help out and they wanted to make sure we were all working together. (Previously the Redevelopment Authority had purchased a house on the 3800 block of 34th St., which they were going to physically re-locate somewhere else in Mt. Rainier and use the space for parking. They had not informed the City or the neighbors about this and most people did not want to see a house removed from the street. Now they are trying to sell the house. Unfortunately they paid $400,000 for the house and do not want to sell it at a loss.)




The representative discussed a number of possible lots for parking including the Antioch Church lot on the 3800 block of 34th St., a lot at 33rd and Perry St., the lot belonging to Chuck’s Liquor, and a parking lot on the 3500 block of Perry St. There was a good deal of discussion on the pros and cons of each of the locations. The Council mentioned some other properties that might be good for paved (surface) parking, including some shared parking behind the stores on the 4000 block of 34th St. (across the street from Glut). The City also has some funds (around $200,000) from a Federal grant for parking. If we do not use the funds we will lose the money. There will be a follow-up meeting between the City and County to actually get some additional parking done in the downtown area.



Eminent Domain Discussion: Some of the Council members have proposed a resolution that would declare certain properties to be blighted (north side of 3200-3300 blocks of Rhode Island Ave., Eastern Ave. to the circle). The reason for passing such a resolution is that it is required in as a first step in order to exercise eminent domain - the right of a government to appropriate property. The resolution will have a first reading on Feb 5th and there will be a Public Hearing on the resolution on Feb 26th.



A number of the property owners were at the Council meeting, as well as Dallas Evans from Landmark Atlantic, which is in partnership with the City.



Here is the current status (to my best knowledge) of development on Rhode Island Ave. Bob Holland (the developer who wants to build a hotel/retail/residential project) has at least two of the properties (Bass Liquor and Thrifty Car Rental) under contract. Landmark Atlantic has written letters to all the owners with offers to buy the properties. None of the owners have responded positively to Landmark Atlantic because either they want to develop the properties themselves or the offers were below what they were offered by Holland (or think is fair).



The proponents of the resolution hope that the threat of eminent domain will get the property owners to sell Landmark at a lower price. The exercise of eminent domain entails a legal process and a lot of legal fees. I do not feel that the current resolution designating the blocks as a blighted area is itself harmful, but I hope we can avoid the exercise of eminent domain, and at this point I would not support it.



Council Budget Priorities: The Council has started the process of discussing and voting on a budget for the next fiscal year. The final vote on next year’s budget will be on June 17th after a series of meetings and public hearings. Last Tuesday, we began to discuss some of the Council members' priorities. Obviously the ability to work on some of these priorities will depend on the expected revenue for the next year.



These were some of the priorities I put forward at the meeting: a public works employee (part-time or full-time) exclusively assigned to clean up the downtown area; legal resources to go after some of the vacant houses in town; tax relief; and money for needed curb repair (we are getting less Federal and State money for this). Other Council members mentioned a new trash truck; money to get the new fire truck operational; youth and vocation programs; money to prepare for Mt. Rainier’s centennial; a comfort station downtown; more money for the tree budget; and keeping the police station open 24/7.



Joe Robbins, from the City’s Environmental Protection Board, has suggested that the city offer an additional service of collecting electronic and hazardous waste twice a year.



I would be interested in hearing about what you think should be the priorities for next year.



Skate Board Park: Plans are moving ahead for a skateboard park at Otis and Wells Avenues. There is approximately $160,000 from the county for the development of this park. Some initial designs and a scale model have been developed, and there will be a meeting to get community input on Thursday, Feb. 21st at 7 PM at City Hall. If you’re interested in seeing the initial plans, please let me know.



Dog Park: County Councilman Will Campos is working on a dog park in our area. He wrote the following:


”The plans for the dog park are moving forward. We are looking at locating the dog park at the corner of Ager Road and Nicholson Street. Currently, Park and Planning is putting together plans for the layout of this dog park. While it is still preliminary, the plans will most likely include a fenced in area for larger dogs, a smaller area for smaller dogs, a shed for maintenance equipment, parking spaces, as well as a source of water for the dogs and their owners.

”We picked this location, in consultation with the City, because of its central location to the 2nd Councilmanic District, the great visibility it provides (for safety reasons), the easy access provided to the site from major roads in its vicinity, and the fact that this is one of the few suitable areas (with size as a key criteria) in our developed area.

”One thing we are looking for from folks who are interested in using this park is a commitment to assist in its operation and maintenance. While we are discussing the maintenance and operation of the dog park with Park and Planning and the City, we also need people who will use the dog park to help us make sure it is in tip top condition and that it is used responsibly. If you are interested, please contact my office and we will take down your information.”



New Business Opens Downtown – Strictly Business has just opened in the Artspace building (next door to H&F Fine Arts) at 3311-C Rhode Island Ave. They do copying, faxes, signs, banners, computer repair, CD/DVD Service and numerous other services. They plan to open Mon – Fri from 9 to 9 and Sat from 10 to 6.



Upcoming Meetings:



Feb 5th: Regular Council Meeting:

1) Ordinance on amending the city code for recreational vehicles (discussed this at a previous report)

2) First reading on Urban Renewal/Eminent Domain Resolution

3) First reading on Importance of Immigrants to the Community



Feb 12th – Public Hearing on Resolution On Importance of Immigrants to the Community



Feb 19th – Public Hearing of Tax rate and Work Session on FY 09 Budget



Feb 26th – Public Hearing on Urban Renewal/Eminent Domain Resolution