HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 08 09 Informational 101 Land Design Innovations, Inc. Summary Report COMMISSION AGENDA
Consent
ITEM 101 Informational X
Public Hearing
Regular
p
August 9, 2010 MGR. /DEPT.9/ F„ 4,S'
Regular Meeting Author tion
REQUEST: Land Design Innovations, Inc. (City consultant) is presenting the Summary Report for Economic
Development activities from June 19, 2010 through July 18, 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
The information in this agenda item will be verbally presented under item 301 at the August 9, 2010 Commission
meeting.
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"
il LAND DESIGN INNOVATIONS
Inwrporated
1770 Fennell Street. Suite 200
Maitland. Florida 32751
Phone: 407- 975 -1273
For 407- 975 -1278
www.landbizcom
tit e04u4G4«•
Tie Kevin Smith, City Manager
F+ww. Tracy Crowe, President
Randy Stevenson, Community Development Director
John Jones, Senior Planner
DA July 16, 2010
RA Winter Springs Economic Development Program — Summary Report
The following bold activities occurred between June 21 - July 16 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.
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.
Mr. Jones is continuing to meet with the EDC, the County and potential target industry
representatives to negotiate a potential incentive package.
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
Incentives
Mr. John Jones presented to the City Commission on June 14, 2010 regarding potential incentive
programs that the City could utilize to recruit businesses to relocate to the City. Mr. Jones and Ms.
Crowe presented the JGI incentive program, brochure and the final ED binder showing the
final products completed under this contract to the City Commission on July 12, 2010.
Mr. Jones has been coordinating with Mr. John Metsopoulos and Mr. Mike McCarthy
Fifth /Third Bank regarding the establishment of a potential micro -loan program that the
17/92 CRA would administer. A presentation will be given to the CRA Advisory Board on
the proposed micro -loan program in September.
2. Development Review Process Improvement Workshop
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 is continuing to coordinate 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
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 within the SeminoleWAY, which the County has already
adopted. A status meeting with the City Commission was suggested to bring all parties up to speed.
Prepared background analysis comparing the cities to the County. An update of the
SeminoleWAY progress and next steps will be discussed during the Oviedo Winter Springs
joint meeting.
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 m 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. LDI is coordinating with the incubator to retain local business and offering
relocation assistance as needed.
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.
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 has
been completed and two options have been presented to Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Smith. The
brochure was presented to the City Commission on July 12, 2010.
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 26th.
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`''. A write up of the business survey was in the June 10 edition of the Seminole
Chronicle.
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 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. A write up of the business survey was in the June 10 edition of the
Seminole Chronicle.
Meetings
June 21 — Meeting with City Manager and Community Development Director
June 21 — City Commission Workshop
June 23 — Meeting with Oviedo City Manager and Winter Springs City Manager
June 30 — Meeting about potential target industry
July 6 — Seminole County Chamber EDC Meeting
July 12 — City Commission Meeting
July 14 — PBAS
July 15 — Oviedo Winter Springs Chamber Luncheon
July 16 — Winter Springs ED Strategies Meeting with Chamber and UCF Corridor
July 16 — Seminole Mobility Strategies Meeting with Alison Stettner
16. Upcoming Activities in May and June
Oviedo - Winter Springs Joint Meeting
Continued Coordination with potential target industry
John Jones presenting to 17 -92 CRA Advisory Board regarding the potential development
of a micro -loan program in September
Follow up with incubator tenants