Center Block downtown redevelopment
Redevelopment Agency plan to demolish buildings and build the Center Block Plaza with a stage, portable ice rink and splash pad, funded from RDA reserves, with 41 and 45 North Main to be sold. In March 2021 the agency appropriated $4,347,905 and $1,575,157.
- Where it stands
- Approved
- Type
- Site plan
- Location
- Center Block, downtown Logan
- Homes
- 124
- Applicant
- Logan Redevelopment Agency
Every hearing and vote
February 18, 2020 · City Council
Redevelopment Agency workshop: downtown Center Block and Emporium Block alternatives
Discussed
Each presenter had 15 minutes. Mayor Daines presented the city's Cowboy Partners plan, chosen through a request for qualifications: 124 housing units (20% affordable) above Main Street retail, a plaza with a winter ice rink and summer water feature, about $2.4 million in acquisition, $1.2 million in demolition and a $2 million plaza, RDA incentives of $1.5 to $1.95 million from general reserves and $2.5 million from restricted housing funds, $2.5 million in city equity, $19 million in private investment and roughly 10 net new parking stalls. James Clawson, speaking for Center Block owners, proposed a Center Street alternative with a public plaza, a Theatre Block parking terrace of about 425 stalls (city funding about 70%), demolition of two buildings for about 80 public stalls and a revised Emporium and Plaza plan. Gene Needham III criticized the Emporium demolition and the Cowboy Partners selection and proposed ten alternatives. Finance Director Anderson put the comparison at about $10.1 million versus about $8.6 million after credits; Mayor Daines disputed the difference and said the figures were not vetted. City Attorney Housley said the city owns the property and the question is what owner consent is needed, and that litigation was possible. Questions were deferred to a March 3 hearing.
- City plan: 124 housing units, 20% affordable
- Estimated annual new tax revenue: $150,000 (mayor's figure)
- Center Block approvals proposed by May 1, 2020 and Theatre Block by July 1, 2020 (alternative)
March 3, 2020 · City Council
Redevelopment Agency public hearing: Center Block and Emporium Block proposals
Continued · 5-0
The hearing took input on three proposals: Gene Needham's scattered-site alternatives including a library or museum concept; business owners' plan for a multistory parking garage, plaza and transfer of city-owned buildings to private ownership; and the city's Cowboy Partners plan with a plaza, ice rink, affordable housing, retail and parking terrace. Figures cited included a developer incentive of $4.5 million on a $20 million investment, $2.5 million in city equity, a city proposal total of $12.2 million against $10.8 million for the alternative, a parking terrace of 525 stalls and 124 housing units. About two dozen people spoke, including Michael Ballam, Rachael Willis, Keegan Garrity and Gail Yost, and speakers disagreed on property ownership and parking rights. City Attorney Housley said the city holds clear title and litigation might be needed if owner support is insufficient; Mayor Daines said no development agreement is signed. Members reported email support of roughly 60% for the city plan and 40% for the alternative (Anderson and Bradfield) and about two-thirds for the city plan (Simmonds, Jensen). No design or resolution was approved; the discussion was continued to March 17. Council Member Mark Anderson said he is a property owner on Center Block; no recusal is recorded.
- Hearing 6:46 p.m. to 9:12 p.m.
- City plan: 124 units; parking terrace 525 stalls
April 7, 2020 · City Council
Redevelopment Agency: downtown Center Block alternatives (continued from March 3)
Discussed
No decision was made. City Attorney Housley said a recommendation from an outside law firm was being formalized and would go to the council, block owners and the public in two to three weeks. Mayor Daines said funding had been identified for a parking terrace if the council later approves it, and Housley said litigation was a likely outcome.
July 7, 2020 · City Council
Redevelopment Agency workshop: $920,000 carry-forward to acquire downtown Emporium block property (Resolution 20-27 RDA)
Discussed
Economic Development Director Kirk Jensen proposed carrying $920,000 of FY2020 demolition funds into FY2021 to buy property on the downtown Emporium block. The first property, at 46 North 100 West and owned by Larsen Family Holdings, has a negotiated price of $650,000 with closing set for the end of July; a second is still under negotiation. Both include lease rights on a strip along 100 West. Action was set for July 21.
- Resolution 20-27 RDA
February 16, 2021 · City Council
RDA workshop: Center Block Plaza budget adjustment, Resolution 21-11 RDA
Discussed
The Redevelopment Agency heard a proposal to appropriate $4,347,905 for demolition and construction of the Center Block Plaza and $1,575,157 for building improvements at 41 and 45 North Main (Plaza 45), which the city intends to sell by public bid. The downtown RDA fund balance is $10.4 million and the district expires in December 2022. A companion resolution (21-12 RDA) would transfer funds from other project areas to cover plaza costs.
March 2, 2021 · City Council
RDA: Center Block Plaza budget adjustment
Approved · 5-0
Acting as the Redevelopment Agency, the council approved appropriating $4,347,905 for demolition and construction of the Center Block Plaza (stage, administration building, portable ice rink, splash pad) and $1,575,157 for improvements to 41 and 45 North Main with the intent to sell. The architect gave a range and the city used the high figure. The minutes cite resolution numbers inconsistently for the two RDA hearings.
March 2, 2021 · City Council
RDA: transfer of agency funds for downtown infrastructure, Resolution 21-12 RDA
Approved · 4-0-1
The agency approved moving money from other project areas to cover Center Block Plaza costs and eliminate a deficit from buying the site. Mayor Holly Daines said the design fits a Historic Preservation Committee request to stay within the building footprint and that RDA reserves would cover costs. Speakers: Keegan Garrity preferred other projects and questioned the spending; Marty Moore, Wendi Hassan of the Cache Valley Center for the Arts, developer Tony Johnson and Chris Sands supported downtown investment; Cole Mathews of Hyrum worried about cost and the Emporium's historic value. Amy Anderson, Jensen and López supported the plaza. Chairman Mark Anderson disclosed owning an adjacent downtown property and abstained.
July 20, 2021 · City Council
Workshop: grant budget adjustments of $3.5 million, Resolution 21-41
Discussed
Controller Rueben Nelson listed 13 grants and funds, including $2,531,866 from the Cache County Council of Governments for 100 West Corridor Improvement phase 1, $197,000 for the Center Block plaza splash pad and ice rink, $201,201 for the Logan River Trail at Mendon Road, and library, police and parks grants. Parks Director Russ Akina said fireworks cost about $30,000 this year versus about $90,000 usually because of pandemic savings. Library Director Karen Clark described an electric book bike for parks and the farmers market.
August 3, 2021 · City Council
$1 million gift for Center Block Plaza
Discussed
The mayor announced a $1 million gift from the Jim and Carol Laub Family Foundation and Cache Valley Electric Co. toward the Center Block Plaza's stage, winter ice rink and summer water feature. No action.
August 3, 2021 · City Council
Grant and fund budget adjustments of $3.5 million, Resolution 21-41
Approved · 5-0
The council approved 13 appropriations, including $2,531,866 from the Cache County Council of Governments for 100 West Corridor Improvement phase 1, $201,201 for the Logan River Trail at Mendon Road, $197,000 for the Center Block plaza splash pad and ice rink, and $115,000 for Bridger Park pickleball lights. In answer to Amy Anderson, the mayor said UDOT engineering requirements for the 10th West underpass wall raised its costs sharply, so those funds go to pickleball lights while staff keep researching the underpass. No one spoke.
August 17, 2021 · City Council
Eccles Foundation $250,000 challenge grant for Center Block Plaza
Discussed
Mayor Holly Daines announced that the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation offered a $250,000 'last dollars' challenge grant toward the plaza's $2 million goal. About $1.3 million is secured and the city must raise $450,000 more from private sources to qualify. The plaza stage will carry the foundation's name.
August 17, 2021 · City Council
Unspent FY2020 appropriations carried forward, Resolution 21-44 (workshop)
Discussed
Finance Director Richard Anderson reviewed unspent fiscal 2020 appropriations to carry forward, including $21.7 million for the regional wastewater treatment plant, $5.9 million for the Center Block, $653,453 for library design and about $6.6 million in county road tax grants. The item returns for a hearing on September 7.
September 7, 2021 · City Council
Unspent FY2020 appropriations, Resolution 21-44 (public hearing)
Approved · 5-0
Carry-forwards approved include $803,500 for library design, $5,887,563 for the Center Block, $21,719,760 for the wastewater treatment plant, $3,307,599 for electric substations 9 and 10 and $5,110,963 in county road tax grants, among many lines. Craig Watts asked for clarification; Simmonds noted the budget year ended July 31. The minutes show Council Member Amy Anderson excused at about 7:50 p.m. and do not make clear whether she voted.
February 15, 2022 · City Council
State of the City
Discussed
Mayor Holly Daines's annual address covered reserves; Center Block Plaza construction starting in May with $2,150,000 in private funds raised; new library construction from mid-April with a temporary library at the Service Center for 18 months; a $150 million wastewater plant serving seven cities completed on time and under budget; a new fire station planned at 100 East and 200 North; the Kunzler conservation easement on 47 acres along the Logan River, nearly $1 million and almost entirely grant-funded; park master plans for a 150-acre legacy park on a closed landfill and a 30-acre Foothill Park; drought response including a planned 10-million-gallon water tank; an $11 million 100 West bridge over the Logan River and a $4.1 million UDOT grant for a 600 South underpass; and new substations and solar commitments.
March 1, 2022 · City Council
Eccles Theatre canal diversion and Center Block donations, Resolution 22-08 RDA (workshop)
Discussed
Economic Development Director Kirk Jensen proposed $65,000 for a new canal diversion for the Ellen Eccles Theatre cooling system at 50 West 100 South, required by Phase 2 of the Mill Creek apartments and covered by a 1992 easement agreement, and recognition of $2,150,000 in donations for the Center Block Plaza, about half the plaza budget. Action was set for March 15.
March 15, 2022 · City Council
Eccles Theatre canal diversion and Center Block donations, Resolution 22-08 RDA (Redevelopment Agency)
Approved · 4-0
Sitting as the Redevelopment Agency, the council approved $65,000 for a new canal diversion for the Ellen Eccles Theatre cooling system at 50 West 100 South and $2,150,000 in donations for the Center Block Plaza. Chair Simmonds explained the theatre is cooled with canal water.
June 21, 2022 · City Council
Library and Center Block construction update
Discussed
Mayor Daines said library footings are in place and steel has been delivered, but a cement shortage is slowing both projects. Center Block Plaza groundbreaking was set for June 23. No action.
August 16, 2022 · City Council
Carry-forward appropriations, Resolution 22-38 (workshop)
Discussed
Finance Director Richard Anderson presented unspent fiscal 2021 carry-forwards including $7,616,241 for the sewer treatment plant, $4,787,045 for landfill capital and $7,041,493 for Center Block Plaza. Action was set for September 6.
September 6, 2022 · City Council
Unspent FY2021 carry-forwards, Resolution 22-38 (public hearing)
Approved · 4-0
The council approved carry-forwards including $7,039,907 for Center Block Plaza, $14,634,813 for the library, $21,994,796 for water capital projects, $7,616,241 for the sewer treatment plant, $4,787,045 for landfill capital, $8,538,232 in county road tax grants, $6,781,824 and $367,344 for the fire station, $445,467 for ambulances and $3,806,781 in CARES Act funds. No one spoke.
October 18, 2022 · City Council
Eccles Foundation plaza grant
Discussed
Mayor Daines thanked the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation for the $250,000 last-dollar grant for the Center Block Plaza, which has arrived. No action.
November 1, 2022 · City Council
Center Block cost increase, Resolution 22-45 RDA (workshop)
Discussed
Economic Development Director Kirk Jensen said Center Block costs rose about 33 percent with inflation and unexpected problems in older buildings added $500,000. Mayor Daines said she secured $2.2 million in private donations. Mark Anderson asked whether proceeds from the sale of the Emporium return to the agency; Jensen confirmed. Action was set for November 15.
November 15, 2022 · City Council
Center Block project budget, Resolution 22-45 RDA (Redevelopment Agency)
Approved · 5-0
Sitting as the Redevelopment Agency, the council approved $500,000 for the Center Block project, whose costs rose about 33 percent with inflation and older-building work. Mayor Daines noted an additional $159,000 pledge to offset costs, and Chair Simmonds said unneeded funds will not be spent. No one spoke.
January 3, 2023 · City Council
State of the City
Discussed
Mayor Holly Daines reported fire and EMS calls up 10 percent, with a likely record 5,668 incidents as of December 27; a possible memorandum with the county to keep garbage collection until June 2025; $2,360,000 in private donations for Center Block Plaza and $1.5 million for the library, which she expected to open in early fall; a new fire station funded by $10 million in ARPA money; an $11 million bridge at 100 West and 600 South; a Main Street pedestrian underpass funded by a $4.1 million UDOT grant, delayed to 2024; Campbell Scientific's $40 million expansion with 268 jobs and Frulact's $75 million expansion with 131 jobs; two new substations and about 18,000 meters replaced for $3.3 million; and that the city is considering about 10 megawatts of natural gas turbines. No action.
June 20, 2023 · City Council
Redevelopment Agency: fiscal 2023-24 RDA budget, Resolution 23-27 RDA (public hearing)
Approved · 3-0
The agency approved a final budget of $2,183,075 across six project areas, with funds for the Downtown Plaza, housing programs including the Welcome Home program, and the downtown facade program. Dr. Yost asked how funds are used.
August 15, 2023 · City Council
Workshop: fiscal 2022 carry-forwards, Resolution 23-35
Discussed
Finance Director Richard Anderson listed carry-forwards led by a $23,034,402 water tank project, $6,855,181 for the library, $6,876,301 in environmental capital projects, a $6,844,781 county road tax grant, $5,982,553 for the fire station and $2,349,806 for the Center Block plaza. He said figures may change by September 5.