Title
Approval of Warehouse and Threatened Building Grant - City Center Motel - 600 W. Van Buren St. (Ordinance S-49564)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into necessary agreements and conveyances with Fabius Enterprise, LLC, related to a Historic Preservation Warehouse and Threatened Building Grant of up $150,000 to assist with rehabilitation of the historic City Center Motel at 600 W. Van Buren St. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The buildings at 600 W. Van Buren St. (main building) and 316 N. 6th Ave. (annex) were constructed in 1959 as the City Center Motel. The main building is a modern Googie-style concrete block structure designed with “space-age” features including a long, angular, “rocket-like” porte cochere, and an extended sign with tall spires. The two-story annex building is more utilitarian in design; it contributes to the historic character of the property but is not individually significant.
The property is currently owned by Fabius Enterprise, LLC, who is seeking to construct a new multi-story hotel on the site. Initially, both buildings were slated for demolition to allow for the construction of the new hotel. However, as a result of an agreement negotiated by the owner and Historic Preservation (HP) Commission, the majority of the main building will be preserved and incorporated as part of the new hotel, while the annex will be demolished. The owner also consented to establishing HP zoning over the portion of the property that will be preserved. The City Council approved the HP zoning overlay on Nov. 2, 2022.
Now that the property has received historic designation, the owner has submitted an application requesting grant funds for rehabilitation. Fabius Enterprise, LLC, is seeking funding assistance for the following eligible work items: preservation of the exterior historic motel structure while building out the new hotel, preservation of historic signage, preservation of the exterior awning and soffit, and repair of the foundation on the historic building. The proposed work will include reversal of previous alterations to help restore the historic integrity of the property. Work will be carried out per the conceptual plans that have been provided, with construction drawings to be reviewed and approved by HP staff. The total cost of the eligible work items, along with eligible architectural and engineering expenses, is estimated to be $490,000. The cost of the entire project, including construction of the new hotel, is approximately $26.9 million. If approved, the grant funds will be disbursed to the applicant on a reimbursement basis as work is completed. The applicant will be required to provide evidence of a dollar-for-dollar match.
Financial Impact
The requested amount is $150,000. In exchange for the grant funds, the City will receive a 30-year conservation easement on the property. The easement will require City review and approval of exterior alterations to the historic building and that the building be insured and kept in good repair. Funding is available in the HP operating budget, utilizing a portion of the funds allocated by the City Council for grants for threatened buildings.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
- The HP Commission recommended approval of this item on Feb. 13, 2023, by a 6-0 vote.
- The Equity and Economic Development Subcommittee heard the item on March 22, 2023, and recommended approval of the Historic Preservation Commission recommendation, by a 4-0 vote.
Location
600 W. Van Buren St.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Planning and Development Department.