[BoulderCouncilHotline] Re: Alpine balsam project.

[Morzel, Lisa]

One last comment, any financing of this project needs to be done in a conservative manner not draining all of our resources so that we can meet additional community needs and not put all of our funding in this project. 

Thanks

Lisa

Lisa Morzel,
Member of Boulder City Council

303-815-6723

"We interact with one another as individuals responding to a complex haze of factors: professional responsibilities, personal likes and dislikes, ambition, jealousy, self-interest, and, in at least some instances, genuine altruism.  Living in the here and now, we are awash with sensations of the present, memories of the past, and expectations and fears for the future. Our actions are not determined by any one cause; they are the fulfillment of who we are at that particular moment.  After that moment passes, we continue to evolve, to change, and our memories of that moment inevitably change with us as we live with the consequences of our past actions, consequences we were unaware of at the time." The Last Stand, Nathaniel Philbrick


On May 16, 2019, at 6:26 PM, "Morzel, Lisa" <MorzelL at bouldercolorado.gov> wrote:

> As I had long-time commitments for tonight, I will not be there tonight but will add a few comments here to which I will add next week. 
> 
> First, to staff's 2 questions: no, I would most likely not continue in option A but lean more to option B. I also do not agree that if we proceeded w option B that the city would not continue to pursue the area plan nor include the public in engagement. The city would do this whether this was held by a private developer or not. Why the statements associated in option B are there in the first place gives me pause and I feel the memo is nearly not as objective as it could or should be.  I feel like council is being led down a preferred path. 
> 
> In tonight's presentation, we are presented with 5 points that state why we cannot proceed with option B and as I've stated, we should still have a sub area plan, we must have a public engagement process, etc.  
> 
> Regarding demolition, I am still strongly in favor of repurposing the building. As one of our consultants stated, given the enormous costs (now estimated at $16M) and risks involved in deconstruction of the hospital, an alternative development scenario involving the adaptive reuse of the hospital could potentially support a higher land value than scenarios requiring full deconstruction. I would like staff to go back and look at repurposing the building, perhaps deconstructing some parts if deemed contaminated, and costs that are accurate. When the city bought this building, my understanding is that the building would be repurposed.
> 
> I feel strongly about repurposing the hospital for a number of reasons:
> 1.  As I understand, deconstruction of the hospital will take approximately 3 years and new construction would not occur until 2022.  What is the impact of all this deconstruction and construction on the immediate neighborhood?  It will be great, negative, impactful, noisy, having additional trucks and traffic and, in my opinion, is totally unnecessary. Who wants an 8.5-acre eye-sore deconstruction and redevelopment site smack in the middle of your established central neighborhoods for 5-6 years?  I would assume the immediate neighbors will more oppose deconstruction of the hospital and reconstruction of the hospital than reusing the existing structure.  Reusing the existing hospital would allow the building to be used sooner than later and not impose the severe impact on the adjoining neighborhoods to the extent as a significant 3-year-long deconstruction process.
> 
> Additionally, deconstruction, even if done sustainably, will put material in a landfill which does not exist in Boulder County so I find it a bit hypocritical to be putting our waste in another county's landfill and all the energy used to truck the waste from central Boulder to Weld?? County seems unnecessary. 
> 
> The memo states soil remediation will be necessary. Is that the case whether the hospital is deconstructed or not?  And what would the cost of soil remediation be and what would it involve?
> 
> If we reused the building, what would be the best use: is it housing or offices or?
> 
> Regarding the rest of the site, I think all of the remaining parcels should be sold for market value and if the county is interested in purchasing a corner, I am open to that be the parcel needs to be sold at market value
> 
> I am not convinced the a central hub is necessary and don't know why council is told we will absolutely have to do this.  
> 
> I still have issues with flood mitigation in the costs and determination that the creek must be piped. I'd like to understand that analysis better as well as understand more about ground water on the site which I have requested previously. 
> 
> I do think the city must rezone the properties and think it a good option to sell once re zoned.  I would rezone at high density with ample affordable housing. 
> 
> Our original intent was to consolidate our city offices at the East Bookends which I think we should still pursue in combination with a year-round farmers' market.
> 
> Ad I'm not convinced the city buildings on broadway and Arapahoe need to be demolished. 
> 
> I need to know more about the Pavillion building.  My sense is to reuse it but again want to know the cost and currently am not in favor of adding an additional floor. 
> 
> Once I am able to watch the council discussion, I will submit additional comments. 
> 
> Thanks. Good luck tonight. 
> 
> Lisa
> 
> Lisa Morzel,
> Member of Boulder City Council
> 
> 303-815-6723
> 
> "We interact with one another as individuals responding to a complex haze of factors: professional responsibilities, personal likes and dislikes, ambition, jealousy, self-interest, and, in at least some instances, genuine altruism.  Living in the here and now, we are awash with sensations of the present, memories of the past, and expectations and fears for the future. Our actions are not determined by any one cause; they are the fulfillment of who we are at that particular moment.  After that moment passes, we continue to evolve, to change, and our memories of that moment inevitably change with us as we live with the consequences of our past actions, consequences we were unaware of at the time." The Last Stand, Nathaniel Philbrick
>