M E M O R A N D U M. MRA Board of Directors FROM: Ellen Buchanan, Director DATE: November 30, 2011 SUBJECT: 2501 Catlin First Security Bank

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1 Missoula Redevelopment Agency 140 West Pine Street Missoula MT phone fax M E M O R A N D U M TO: MRA Board of Directors FROM: Ellen Buchanan, Director DATE: November 30, 2011 SUBJECT: 2501 Catlin First Security Bank First Security Bank is in the process of renovating Catlin Plaza. They are working with OZ Architects who first met with staff almost a year ago to discuss the project and possible tax increment assistance. Much of the discussion revolved around ways to improve the Catlin Street façade in keeping with the URD III Façade Improvement Program goals. The project is being executed in multiple phases requiring some of the exterior construction to be done prior to finalization of design of the Catlin Street façade. This resulted in a request to the Board that the project be allowed to proceed without prejudice. The MRA Board approved the request for the First Security Bank project at Catlin Plaza to proceed without prejudice at the April 20, 2011 regular meeting. The request before you now has two components, a request for funding for renovation of the Catlin Street facade through the Façade Improvement Program and a request for assistance through the Tax Increment Financing program for new curb and sidewalk on Catlin Street. The TIF portion of the request is in the amount of $3,522. The east façade of Catlin Plaza is located close to the property line on Catlin Street, the urban model that we are trying to encourage in URD III. The design challenge was how to make this very monolithic exterior, broken only by a recessed exterior stair, more pedestrian friendly through the addition of elements to break up the façade and give the walls more appropriate scale along the sidewalk. The original concept was to simply replace the dilapidated stair and put a new brick skin over rigid insulation on the east wall. Staff worked with OZ through a series of design iterations, each of which came closer to the goals of the Façade Improvement Program and the vision for URD III. I have included a series of renderings of the design concepts as they evolved. You will note that the design has gone from an unbroken monolithic wall with an exterior stair to a monolithic wall with an enclosed stair to the addition of light fixtures that break up the facade, a pedestrian scale canopy and trees in the area between the building and the sidewalk. The façade that will be constructed will either be the one dated or the one titled Building Sign. The landscaping if not part of the construction contract and will be installed by the owner. It is my recommendation that we strongly encourage them to plant some trees along the Catlin frontage

2 since the area will have irrigation and the trees will serve to further soften the east wall along the sidewalk. The renovation project consists of three phases with a total cost of $1,556,518. The first phase was strictly interior renovations and the second phase replaced the dilapidated stair on the east end of the building. The final phase is the exterior renovation of the building at a cost of $1,012,000. Of that amount, $209,518 can be attributed to modifications to the original concept by enclosing the stairwell and adding the light fixtures and canopy. Assistance under the Façade Improvement Program is limited to $50,000 or 25% of the project cost. In this case, $50,000 is less than 25% of just the increased cost of the FIP related improvements to the east façade facing Catlin. Construction is underway on the final phase and is expected to be completed in the spring of The improvements meet the following requirements of the FIP: Restoration or re-siding of building facades Awnings or canopies that can be both functional and visually appealing Exterior lighting that is visually appealing and appropriately illuminates signage, storefront, window displays and recessed areas of the building façade and improves safety Street grade entrances which enhance pedestrian activity along the street and improve access for disabled citizens Façade improvements which consist of permanent materials Improvements which improve energy efficiency Improvements which enhance the pedestrian environment Improvements which improve the aesthetics of the District Architectural detailing which addresses pedestrian scale In addition to the request for assistance under the Façade Improvement Program, the applicant is requesting assistance from the TIF program for the installation of curbs and sidewalks within the Catlin Street right-of-way. Curb and sidewalk assistance is probably the most common use of TIF funds in all of our districts and is clearly a major part of MRA s ongoing mission. The amount requested for this is $3,522. Recommendation: Staff recommends that the MRA Board approve the request on behalf of First Security Band for reimbursement of $50,000 for façade improvements to the east façade of Catlin Plaza located at 2501 Catlin Street represented in the owner s application and architectural illustrations and $3,522 in TIF funds for reimbursement of the cost of installing curb and sidewalk on Catlin Street with the stipulation that reimbursement will be made at the conclusion of the project upon submission of paid contractor invoices detailing the work performed and materials used.

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4 C 2011 OZ Architects First Security Bank - Catlin Plaza

5 C 2011 OZ Architects First Security Bank - Catlin Plaza

6 East Facade C 2011 OZ Architects First Security Bank - Catlin Plaza

7 C 2011 OZ Architects First Security Bank - Catlin Plaza

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