HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 06 14 Informational 101 Land Design Innovations, Inc. Providing Summary Report COMMISSION AGENDA
Consent
ITEM 101 Informational X
Public Hearing
Regular
June 14, 2010 MGR. /DEPT. pd
Regular Meeting Authorization
REQUEST: Land Design Innovations, Inc. (City consultant) is presenting the Summary Report for
Economic Development activities from April 24, 2010 through May 14, 2010.
SYNOPSIS: As part of their contractual economic development efforts for the City, Land Design
Innovations (LDI) makes monthly reports to the City Commission summarizing and detailing their efforts
on behalf of the City relative to economic development
CONSIDERATIONS: LDI has summarized their efforts relative to their economic development efforts
in the following areas:
• Potential New Businesses
• The Development Review Process Workshop
• The Town Center
• The City's opportunity sites
• Seminole Way
• Chamber of Commerce activities
• Branding/brochure efforts for the City's Economic Development Program
• W -Team real estate professional for non - residential properties
• Meeting summaries
• Upcoming Activities
• Other specific areas /projects aimed at economic development
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item.
COMMUNICATION EFFORTS: No communication efforts beyond the advertising of the
Commission agenda are necessary in conjunction with this agenda item.
RECOMMENDATIONS: The City Commission is being asked to review and accept the information
in this agenda item.
ATTACHMENTS:
"A" — LDI Economic Development Program — Summary Report
ATTACHMENT A
LAND DESIGN INNOVATIONS
11
iii
190 North Orlando Avenue. Suite 295
Winter Park Florida 32789
Phone: 907- 975 -1273
Fax: 907- 975 -1278
www.landbiz.com
Memorandum
To: Kevin Smith, City Manager
From Tracy Crowe, President
CC: Randy Stevenson, Community Development Director
John Jones, Senior Planner
Date: May 17, 2010
R.e: Winter Springs Economic Development Program — Summary Report
The following bold activities occurred between April 24 - May 14 of the Economic Development
project:
1. Potential New Businesses
Sent a request to four major realtors in the City and Realvest to assist in locating a site in
Winter Springs. Sent requests to the EDC to use their Costar database for potential sites.
Meet with the potential tenant twice to gather details on their five year growth plan from 8
employees to 32 employees. Contacted County to determine what current incentives may be
available, began recommendations for City incentives. Contacted the Town Center Property
Manager to provide an overview of the tenants future needs prior to their walk through.
Followed up with tenant after meeting and provided additional sites.
John Jones prepared a list of questions for an evaluation of the potential for incentives for a
potential new tenant in the Inwood building with Mr. Partyka and Mr. Stevenson.
Tracy Crowe met with a potential new tenant for the Lifeway Building near the town center.
Reveiwed the new companies proposed business plan, established date for follow -up
meeting. LDI helped draft a Jobs Growth Incentive package for a healthcare services
company creating eight (8) new jobs and submitted to the County.
John Jones had a meeting with the Metro Orlando EDC to discuss leads that they are trying
to locate in Winter Springs. Mr. Jones has followed up with the EDC regarding how we can
offer assistance providing information about attracting these leads.
LDI is currently evaluating available office space for the possible relocation of a financial
services company, which will relocate potentially 30 jobs.
LDI is also evaluating potential facilities for relocating /expanding industrial site users.
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Memorandum to Mr. Smith
May 19, 2010
Page 2
We are also in discussions with a media type company for opening a branch office in Winter
Springs. Mr. Jones is continuing to negotiate potential incentive packages with their
CFO.
SOARing Plaza Activities
LDI has been providing on -going one -on -one meetings and briefings with Ms. Heidi Goff
of SOARing Plaza. LDI has assisted Ms. Goff through her information gathering and
capital funding and grant funding search and we stand ready to assist her project at
the permitting and development stages. We are continuing to provide on going
referrals and notification of appropriate training, counseling and funding
opportunities as they become known. The following events catalogue the
coordination with Soaring Plaza.
3/17 J. Jones meeting with Heidi Goff, CEO SOARing Plaza project. Introduced to
project.
3/17 Referred Ms. Goff to Wayne Hardy (Seminole State College, SBDC) to review
Business Plan
3/18 -4/14 Prepared Seminole JGI Application for SOARing Plaza review
4/15 Revised JGI Application as per SOARing comments
4/16 Submitted JGI Application for Seminole County Jobs Growth Incentive Fund
program
4/19 Met with Seminole County staff to discuss JGI Application and funding options.
SOARing Plaza application for JGI grant funds not recommended for consideration by
County Staff because it is not a targeted industry, corporate headquarters or locating in
targeted area.
4/26 Instructed by WS Mayor Bush to meet with Ms. Goff.
4/29 Met with WS City Manager, K. Smith and Ms. Heidi Goff (SOARing Plaza) to
discuss alternate funding opportunities and how the City can assist her business
venture
4/30 Reintroduced Ms. Goff to Mr. Goetz (Seminole State College, SBDC) to
pursue alternate funding opportunities and business counseling
4/30 Referred Ms. Goff to GrowFL program at UCF
4/30 Received confirmation from Mr. Goetz that he and Ms. Goff are working
together
5/11 Referred Ms. Goff to upcoming small business funding seminar
2. Development Review Process Improvement Workshop
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Memorandum to Mr. Smith
May 19, 2010
Page 3
A workshop was conducted which included all key development review staff. The workshop
was well attended and participants were candid in their response to the facilitators. A draft
of the summary and recommendations is in process.
In conjunction with the workshop held at the City, LDI also conducted a development
community panel. The panel consisted of a representative cross - section of designers,
engineers and contractors /builders who have been through the City's development review
and permitting process. A draft report will be submitted summarizing the results to the City
Manager. A draft report has been submitted to the City.
3. Town Center
A follow -up meeting is scheduled with a Town Center property manager on March 16` A
list of potential items that the City could implement to assist the existing tenants is being
developed by LDI for presentation to the Council. Included in the list of potential ways to
attract more users of the Town Center was a signage program. LDI is analyzing the SR 434
corridor and the Tuskawilla Rd for additional directional and wayfinding signage. Also,
included in this analysis is a review of suitability of gateway features at select locations. Held
conference call with Town Center Phase II broker, Jim Mitchell, two potential tenants are
currently feasible, he can meet by the end of March (too busy right now).
LDI met with Mr. Stevenson to make recommendations for both civic and Town Center
identity signage. LDI is developing the final wayfinding concepts. Wayfinding concepts
and cost estimates for short and long term timeframes have been submitted to the
City Staff for their review. Three meetings were held with staff to discuss the
wayfinding concepts. Additional Commissioner briefings are planned.
Mr. Jones has coordinated with Mr. Gregory (with Transwestern Company) to help
relocate a potential tenant to the Town Center.
4. Opportunity Sites
Six major development sites have been analyzed based upon prior input from staff and
knowledge of the City to be the hot spot target sites for the brochure. Of the six
development areas analyzed, four targeted areas have been determined. The following has
been done for the sites to date:
• Review of the comprehensive plan related to each site.
• A review of the SEED program and incentives.
• Discussions regarding City incentives with City staff.
• Discussions with SeminoleWAY representatives regarding a Unified Land
Development Code for the SeminoleWAY corridor.
• Research all of the parcels in each of the locations on the property appraiser's
website for ownership, land use, zoning and acreage.
• Research the City's regulations for overlays and special restrictions in those
locations.
• Located vacant office buildings
• Added vacant office buildings and realtor information to Opportunity Sites
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Memorandum to Mr. Smith
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5. Private Business Association of Seminole County (PBAS)
LDI attended the monthly luncheon with the business organization. Continuing to attend
monthly PBAS meetings and announce that we are there on the City's behalf.
6. Chamber of Commerce
LDI was provided an opportunity by Cynthia Sucher to present at the February Oviedo
Winter Springs Chamber luncheon with Mr. Spaeth about what opportunities there are in
both cities along the "University Corridor" that combines SeminoleWay and InnovationWay.
LDI also presented about both cities at the Oviedo Rotary. LDI attended the public hearing
to renew the Trustee membership and thanked the Chamber for their assistance. The
Chamber is providing LDI a list of realtors for non - residential properties. Continuing to
attend monthly chamber luncheons and events on behalf of the City, and request
coordination regarding the University Corridor.
7. SeminoleWay
Ms. Crowe attended the Oviedo Council hearing that Mayor Bush spoke as to request a joint
meeting to discuss SeminoleWay. Ms. Crowe left a message for Alison Stettner regarding
her new appointment as Project Manager for SeminoleWay and is establishing a meeting
date. A meeting with Alison Stettner was attended by John Jones and Chris
Dougherty. The SeminoleWAY project was the topic of discussion. The County has
suggested to the cities involved with SeminoleWAY an expedited review process for
properties with the SeminoleWAY, which the County has already adopted. A status
meeting with the City Commission was suggested to bring all parties up to speed.
8. UCF Business Incubator
LDI is attempting to schedule a follow -up meeting between Tracy Crowe and Ms. Esther
Vargas - Davis, the Site Manager for the Winter Springs UCF Incubator. Tracy Crowe and
Ms. Vargas -Davis met on April 5, 2010 to discuss the City's commitment to retaining local
businesses and to continue the partnership with the Incubator. Ms. Crowe met with the
City Manager and Randy Stevenson to let them know that the Incubator would like
an official exhibit in the lobby of City Hall to attract "start-up business
entrepreneurs" to locate in the incubator in the City, and that the incubator, as well
as the chamber needs signage in the City. Ms. Crowe held a second meeting with
Ms. Vargas- Davis.
9. OBN (Women Business Network)
Followed -up with six businesses requested to learn about ED services and /or how to get
involved. Scheduled and met with Suntrust Bank representative on March 9 about being on
the W -Team and learnt about the services they can offer to small businesses. Spoke with the
Oviedo Winter Springs Life magazine about incorporating future press releases. More
businesses still need follow -up this month. Continuing to attend the monthly OBN meetings
on behalf of the City, recognition has been strongly established. Will display the new
brochure at the OBN luncheon as soon as it is approved.
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Memorandum to Mr. Smith
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10. Branding /Brochure
Alternate brands and slogans for the economic initiatives of the City have been presented to
the City Manager. Finalization of the brand and slogan is pending City Manager approval.
LDI is developing the narrative for the opportunity sites and incentives available to
development for the brochure. The City Manager selected the final branding concepts for
approval. The brochure is in the final stages of completion.
11. Jetta Point Analysis
Per request of the City, a quick economic impact analysis was completed for Jetta Point. A
PowerPoint presentation has been developed regarding Jetta Point to brief the Commission
at the next regular meeting. Mr. Jones presented to the City Commission on the Jetta
Point analysis on April 26
12. Business Retention Surveys
The survey deadline was March 5` Approximately 1,350 surveys were sent via mail to all
businesses within the City. To date, a great response rate of approximately 108 surveys were
received through mail and the City's website. Information received through the surveys is
currently being tallied by LDI staff. A PowerPoint presentation has been developed
regarding the business survey results to brief the commission at the next regular meeting.
An additional presentation in being drafted which discusses a comparison of incentives other
municipalities offer to expanding and relocated businesses. This presentation will brief the
commission on the different incentive concepts currently in use by other cities during the
May 10 public hearing. Mr. Jones presented to the City Commission on the Business
Retention Survey analysis on April 26`''.
13. W -Team
Contacted Laura -Leigh Wood with Exit Real Estate and she would be interested in being on
the team. Had lunch with Laura -Leigh Woods and Eddie Bauer has agreed to be on the W-
Team representing Exit Real Estate for non - residential properties. Contacted Brenda
Herron at Watson Realty and introduced the W -Team (she only does residential and had no
referrals, not a prospect any longer). Took Elizabeth Gifford with Coldwell Banker off the
list, because she is also all- Residential. Contacted Kim Coburn with Re /Max, she only does
residential properties. Ms. Coburn referred us to Cliff Collins in the Winter Springs office
(also discovered he used to be on Oviedo LPA), and he would be glad to join the team
(forwarded him the parameters of the tenants needs that I am trying to locate in the cities).
14. Guide Map
LDI met with both cities and recommended that a Guide Map be developed for the area
similar to the one developed for Baldwin Park and surrounding area that identifies the
location of shops, restaurants and recreation in the two cities. LDI will show the Chamber
the map that needs to be developed, but it is recommended that it not only highlight
chamber members, but the community icons as a whole. Therefore, the cities may need to
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participate. A meeting with Ms. Sucher has been scheduled for May 21" and a
meeting with Mr. Stevenson on May 19`
15. Press Relations
Mr. Jones has corresponded with Mr. Gary Roberts of the Seminole Chronicle to
explain the business survey results.
Meetings
April 21 — Conducted Contractors Focus Group
April 22 — Met with Randy Stevenson about signage and reviewed the upcoming
PowerPoints
April 26 — Commission Meeting (presented survey and jetta park presentation)
April 27 — Synopsis Corporate relocation meeting
May 3 — ED Breakfast
May 4 — Seminole County Chamber EDC meeting
May 6 — Meeting w/ John Metsopoulous (17 -92 CRA)
May 10 — Commission Meeting (presented Item 100 and incentives presentation)
May 12 — Meeting w/ Alison Settner (SeminoleWay)
May 12 — Seminole County Chamber ED Forum
May 13 — Meeting w/ Seminole County Staff
16. Upcoming Activities in May and June
• May 24 — Attend Commission Meeting
• May 21 — meeting with Cynthia Sucher, President of the Seminole County
Chamber to discuss Guide Map
• Schedule meeting with City's attorney to discuss annexation strategy
• First Draft of opportunity sites brochure
• Begin business recruitment web page design
• Develop indicators to measure economic development
• Schedule a meeting with Fifth /Third Bank regarding CRA micro -loan program
• John Jones presenting to 17 -92 CRA Advisory Board regarding the potential
development of a micro -loan program 6/7/2010
• Oviedo - Winter Springs Joint Meeting
• Follow up with incubator tenants
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