Urban renewal panel narrows finalists, recommends purchase of downtown parcel

The Phoenix Urban Renewal Advisory Committee on Nov. 20 heard presentations from three applicants vying for a downtown parcel at Bear Creek Drive and Fourth Street and voted to recommend purchase of "subject property number one" after an executive session, while narrowing finalists to two: Pollinator Project Rogue Valley (PPRV) and a proposal presented by Brian Hall.

Committee members pressed applicants on ownership, operations and community benefit during roughly an hour and a half of presentations and questioning. Mayor Muhoffer said the committee had "a very strong discussion" and emphasized the importance of gathering more information before a final decision.

PPRV, represented by Christina, volunteer executive director, requested that the city donate the land so the group could build an eco-education center and butterfly house. Christina told the committee the project "will bring thousands of out of town tourists, local visitors, schools, and families to Phoenix" and that PPRV has hundreds of letters of support and potential funders in its application packet. PPRV said many potential grant funders require ownership rather than a lease; Christina said ownership would make some funders more likely to provide matching money and cited a prior sale price for the parcel of about $250,000 as a reference point.

Brad Russell of the Rogue Valley YMCA spoke in support of PPRV and the nonprofit partnership model, telling the committee that municipalities and nonprofits had collaborated successfully on similar projects elsewhere.

Brian Hall presented a financially robust proposal tied to a single medical practice. Hall said the practice currently serves about "1,600 patients a month" and described a mix of local and out‑of‑market patients; he said negotiations to transfer the doctor’s practice were ongoing and that the applicant expected to disclose the doctor’s identity by early January. Committee members repeatedly asked who the buyer would be and what type of medical service would be offered, with one member saying they were reluctant to proceed without that information. Hall also discussed site selection, explaining the doctor preferred the Bear Creek/Forest Street site for staff walkability and that he was aware of alternate properties, including one on Main Street listed at about $299,000.

Members raised zoning and parking concerns. Committee members noted the proposal referenced 24 shared parking spaces while planning staff reminded the committee the code maximum for the site is 13 spaces; committee members asked applicants to clarify how parking and public parking credits would be handled in any negotiated deal.

A third applicant, appearing remotely, described a wellness-oriented concept with engineered modular saunas and associated facilities. Daniel said the project was designed to meet Oregon building, plumbing and electrical codes and intended to use a PropCo/OpCo financing structure, with land purchase and development self-funded.

After moving into executive session pursuant to OS192.6602E to deliberate with designees negotiating real property transactions, the committee returned and recorded a roll-call vote recommending purchase of the subject property at the price discussed in executive session. The recorded affirmative votes were Mayor Muhoffer, Member Gonzalez, Member Guthrie, Member Quit, Member K and Member Vulpert; the committee chair said no final decision had been made and that negotiations would continue with the two finalists.

The committee scheduled a follow-up meeting for Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. to reconvene after applicants provide additional information on ownership structures, tenant identity for the medical proposal and options for leases versus outright sale. The committee signaled it would focus on clarifying outstanding items — particularly the medical tenant’s identity and whether funders for PPRV would require city ownership — before taking final action.