Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Project Hometown redevelopment and parking agreement aimed at downtown revitalization
Summary
Ocala council approved a redevelopment agreement and a parking agreement for "Project Hometown," with downtown groups and developers saying the hotel and associated uses will spur economic activity and jobs in the central business district.
The Ocala City Council voted Aug. 19 to approve a redevelopment agreement and a parking agreement for "Project Hometown," a downtown infill hotel and mixed-use plan the city and developers described as catalytic for downtown revitalization.
Jessica Fieldhouse, speaking for O'Callumain Street, told council the project will fill a vacant lot and "stimulate the economy. It will produce jobs, and furthermore, it will drive tourism into our community to support our small businesses." Developer representatives, including Rob Natsil and counsel Jimmy Gunning, answered council questions about parking counts, employee parking and incentives; Gunning said city staff and the developer had negotiated protections for the city and that the developer would help fund some building improvements such as an additional elevator.
Planning staff and the developer clarified that the 6th floor will be dedicated to the hotel and that access coordination for the 5th floor is part of the parking plan for large events. Council discussed employee parking and longer-term incentive tools such as CRA/TIF adjustments; developer counsel noted the franchise requirement and that the parking plan includes spaces reserved for staff so the garage would not be clogged by employees.
Council approved both the redevelopment agreement and the parking agreement by roll call. Staff said the agreements were drafted to protect the city and that future tweaks could be made to the parking agreement separately if needed.
