The Editor's Back Fence

Council Action Items  

35. Significant Community Benefits from Five Tall Downtown Buildings
    From: Mayor Bates and Councilmember Capitelli
    Recommendation: Request the City Manager to draft a Council resolution establishing a system for Downtown building projects over 75 feet to provide significant community benefits. The projects would be assessed a fee of $100 per square foot for the residential portion of the building between 76 and 120 feet, and $150 per square foot for the residential portion above 120 feet. A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) would be required. It would include local hiring and training components. The PLA would provide a credit, equal to 5 percent of the project construction costs, which would be deducted from the fee. In addition, the fee could be further reduced by voluntary on-site benefits for arts and culture, which must be approved by the City Council. The remainder would be paid into a City fund to be used for affordable housing and arts and culture benefits.
    Financial Implications: See report
    Contact: Tom Bates, Mayor, 981-7100