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Home My WebLink About2021-08-04 Council Packet - Work SessionKenai City Council - Work Session - Kenai Waterfront Revitalization and Economic Development Incentives Page 1 of 1 August 4, 2021 Kenai City Council - Work Session - Kenai Waterfront Revitalization and Economic Development Incentives August 4, 2021 ꟷ 5:00 PM Kenai City Council Chambers 210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska www.kenai.city *Telephonic/Virtual Information Below* Agenda A. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE B. INTRODUCTION – Paul Ostrander, City Manager C. COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND COMMENTS D. PUBLIC COMMENT (limited to 3 minutes per speaker; 20 minutes aggregated) E. ADJOURNMENT Join Zoom Webinar https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81168359551 OR Dial In: (253) 215-8782 or (301) 715-8592 Meeting ID: 811 6835 9551 Passcode: 784457 Meeting ID: 811 6835 9551 Passcode: 784457 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Gabriel and Council Members FROM: Paul Ostrander, City Manager DATE: June 29, 2021 SUBJECT: Discussion Item – Introduction of Kenai Waterfront Revitalization and Economic Development Incentives and Request to Schedule Work Session In January of this year, Administration provided the Council with two programs currently under development – the Storefront Improvement Program and the Property Tax Incentive Program . Since that time, Administration has continued to evaluate and develop a framework for a number of programs focused on the long -term health of our business community. The intent of these programs is to strengthen the economic vitality of Kenai and best serve the citizens of Kenai with responsible management. The City of Kenai Imagine Kenai 2030 Comprehensive Plan includes goals and objectives to promote projects that create workforce development opportunities, implement business -friendly regulations, taxation and incentives, and encourage the adaptive reuse of vacant commercial buildings in the City Center and alon g the Kenai Spur Highway. It further states that the City should develop land use strategies to implement a forward -looking approach to community growth and development and specifically identifies the waterfront adjacent to the Bridge Access Road beginning at Millennium Square to the City dock as an area for revitalization. One of the greatest potentials to attract significant investment in Kenai is the waterfront area. The untapped potential and importance of Kenai’s unique, defining natural asset near t he mouth of the Kenai River has catalytic possibilities for large -scale waterfront development on vacant or abandoned sites previously utilized by commercial fishing processors. The City is in a position to provide strategic investments in infrastructure o n our waterfront through public – private partnerships to facilitate redevelopment. However, it would be premature to propose a specific project or respond to an opportunity to promote a project should one arise without confirming that existing ownership, infrastructure, planning, and zoning will support the revitalization of the area. Administration supports a feasibility study that would consider all aspects of the waterfront area and provide recommendations for a revitalization initiative, including any regulatory or code changes and partnership models necessary to support a revitalization of the area. This study would also look at the economic incentive programs that are under development to gauge the effectiveness of these programs in coordination with any revitalization effort. 2 Page 2 of 2 Included as attachments to this memo are two documents that give a broad overview of programs that administration is working on, as well as a timeline that , with Council approval, we hope to follow over the next eight to nine months as we work through the process of development, public participation, and Council consideration. As proposed, the Kenai Waterfront Initiative would follow a separate process and legislation from the other economic development incentive programs, however, providing the information on all of the programs that are under development was important to demonstrate how the programs would work in concert to achieve the larger Council directed vision of creating an environment for both new and existing businesses in Kenai to thrive. In order to engage residents in developing plans for the waterfront , given the potential to transform the area and attract large -scale investment in Kenai, Administration recommends sch eduling a work session in early August and invite property owners and the community to gauge support for the program and to help administration refine the scope of work for a feasibility study for the area. Your consideration is appreciated. Attachments: • Kenai Waterfront and Development Incentive Timeline • Proposed Incentive Tools for Economic Development or Redevelopment in Kenai 3 KENAI WATERFRONT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES TIMELINE DISCUSSION ITEM: KENAI WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT / SCHEDULE WORK SESSION JULY 7 WORK SESSION: KENAI WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT EARLY AUG KENAI WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE Revitalization of Kenai Waterfront through public/private partnership INTRODUCTION: ORDINANCE FUNDING KENAI WATERFRONT FEASIBILITY STUDY AUG 18 PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE FUNDING WATERFRONT FEASIBILITY STUDY SEPT 1 KENAI KENAI PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT KENAI STOREFRONT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM KENAI COMMERCIAL BUILDING FEE WAIVER PROGRAM KENAI TAX EXEMPTION FOR DEPRECIATED PROPERTY Incentivizes significant capital investment to create revenue and local jobs to sustain and grow Kenai’s economy Incentivizes substantial redevelopment of deteriorated commercial buildings to create local jobs and/or revenue to sustain and grow Kenai’s economy Incentivizes local business improvements and reinvestment in Kenai to enhance economic vitality in Kenai Contributes to feasibility of a development or re- development project that provides a public benefit INVITE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS TO WORK SESSION DRAFT WATERFRONT FEASIBILITY SCOPE OF WORK ADMIN. REVIEW OF PROPOSED INCENTIVE PROGRAMS (ONGOING) FINALIZE WATERFRONT FEASIBILITY SCOPE OF WORK ISSUE / AWARD FEASIBILITY STUDY ADMIN. REVIEW OF PROPOSED INCENTIVE PROGRAMS (ONGOING) INTRODUCTION: PROPOSED INCENTIVE PROGRAMS/TOOLS NOV 3 PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED INCENTIVE PROGRAMS/TOOLS DEC 1 Proposed Incentive Programs/Tools: ADMIN. WORK W/ FEASIBILITY CONSULTANT UNTIL REPORT FINAL ADMIN. REVIEW OF ARPA FUNDING GUIDANCE (ONGOING) DISCUSSION ITEM: KENAI WATERFRONT FEASIBILIY STUDY / SCHEDULE WORK SESSION MAR 1 WORK SESSION: PROPOSED INCENTIVE PROGRAMS/TOOLS MID OCT INVITE LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS TO WORK SESSION FINALIZE DRAFT PROPOSED INCENTIVE PROGRAMS 4 Kenai Property Tax Exemption for Economic Development Incentivizes significant capital investment in Kenai to create local jobs and/or revenue Proposed Incentive Tools For Economic Development or Redevelopment in Kenai City of Kenai Proposed Incentives Kenai Commercial Building Fee Waiver Program Contributes to feasibility of a development or re-development project that provides a public benefit Kenai Tax Exemption for Depreciated Property Redevelopment Incentivizes substantial redevelopment of deteriorated commercial buildings Kenai Storefront Improvement Program Incentivizes local business improvements and reinvestment to enhance economic activity and vitality Kenai Waterfront Revitalization Initiative Revitalization of Kenai Waterfront through public/private partnerships EXAMPLE 2: Significant New Waterfront Development EXAMPLE 1: Substantial Renovation of a Deteriorated Building Imagine Kenai 2030 Comprehensive Plan Objectives: ED-1 ED-2 ED-2 ED-5 ED-2 ED-2 LU-4 PF-1ED-1 ED-2 ED-1 ED-2 ED-5 LU-4 PF-1 Substantial Renovation of a Deteriorated Building Project proposes a substantial redevelopment of a deteriorated commercial building in Kenai that is non-compliant with City building and property maintenance, incentives enable the project to move forward, the economic feasibility of the project has a long-term economic viability, will create additional employment, and provide public benefit. Significant New Waterfront Development Project proposes a significant capital investment in Kenai that requires a public/private partnership to move forward and the economic feasibility of the project has a long-term economic viability, will create additional employment, and provide public benefit. Imagine Kenai 2030 Comprehensive Plan Objectives: ED-1 ED-2 ED-5 LU-4 PF-1Promote projects that create workforce development opportunities Implement business-friendly regulations, taxation and incentives to create a stable, positive climate for private investment Promote adaptive reuse of vacant commercial buildings in the city center and along the Kenai Spur Highway Review revitalization strategies for the area adjacent to the Bridge Access Road beginning at Millennium Square to the boat landing Ensure that the installation of basic public infrastructure (roads, sewer, water, and drainage) is coordinated with development and that improvements needed to serve the development are in place at the time impacts occur5 KENAI WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT KENAI Proposed Project Information for Work Session August 4, 2021 The Kenai waterfront presents a transformative opportunity for economic development and community enhancement. This study will evaluate the revitalization of the Kenai Waterfront area, including opportunities for core economic investments and incentives, public-private partnerships, and a comprehensive assessment of how the area can best serve the community of Kenai in the future. The feasibility study will evaluate constraints and opportunities for the area, along with risks and costs. PURPOSE OF STUDY Evaluate market conditions and identify opportunities for potential revitalization of the area Review and recommend any necessary changes to existing plans, zoning, and/or regulations Engage community and develop vision, core concepts, and priorities Assess infrastructure needs to support redevelopment Identify economic investments and incentives that encourage development Prepare examples of conceptual plans for potential site redevelopment alternatives Prepare financial analysis to evaluate the feasibility of redevelopment concepts ELEMENTS OF STUDY KEY OUTCOMES Understanding of risks and opportunities related to redevelopment of the area Redevelopment strategies and concepts to revitalize and incentivize development of the area to maximize the potential of the area to support a thriving business, residential, recreational and cultural community Recommendations for any necessary zoning or land and development code changes and potential economic incentive programs Implementation plan to guide redevelopment in the future KEY QUESTIONS What is the community's vision for this area? How does redevelopment of this area fit into the community's goals and objectives What types of uses are most appropriate for this area? How can the City best support revitalization of the area? For more information contact Assistant to City Manager Christine Cunningham at 907.283.8233 or ccunningham@kenai.city AREA INFORMATION Size: 160 acres Uplands: 138 acres Tidelands: 22 acres Zoning: Heavy Industrial Infrastructure: State Maintained Bridge Access Road City Water and Sewer Along Highway Natural Gas/Electric City Dock KENAI WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION AREA 6