MADEIRA TRAIN STATION Public Meeting Summary September 18, 2013 Thomas W. Moeller, City Manager

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1 MADEIRA TRAIN STATION Summary Thomas W. Moeller, City Manager INTRODUCTION City Manager Tom Moeller welcomed those in attendance and opened the meeting with the following comments: City Council is in the process of determining the best course of action to lease the Train Station for commercial purposes. The City has owned the building (without the land) since the mid- 1970s and owned the entire property (land and building) since The Train Station is arguably the most historically significant structure in the community. It was one of the first buildings on Miami Avenue and became the focal point of the Village during the early years of Madeira s development as the railroad provided transportation to the region. City Council created the Muchmore Historic Area (MHA) through the approval of Ordinance No in The purpose of this legislation was to re-state and emphasize the City s commitment to retain and preserve the historic structures (Train Station, Muchmore House and Hosbrook House), while recognizing the need to actively pursue economic development options to improve the Muchmore Historic Area along with the Central Business District. This is an ongoing process to collaborate these issues within the MHA. The building has been leased commercially since the mid-1980s. The first tenant was a gift shop until When the City began construction on the new Municipal Building in 1991, the Station was occupied by the Madeira Police Department. In 1993, the building was leased first as an ice cream/sweet shop. Subsequent tenants changed the business into a restaurant with the most recent tenant occupying the space since When a fire occurred in the building in May 2013, City Council terminated the lease of the existing tenant. Shortly thereafter, it was determined that leasing the property to another tenant was a priority. City Council solicited proposals for a new tenant through a competitive process at which time we received eight (8) proposals. During the course of evaluating those proposals, City Council developed a series of preliminary goals and criteria for leasing the building. While discussing these goals and leasing criteria, it was suggested that the City take a step back and, because of the significance of this property to the community, allow the residents an opportunity to comment on the goals and leasing criteria as to what they, as residents, would like to see happen with the area. MEETING SUMMARY At the meeting held on, approximately 60 people (not all were residents of Madeira) attended to participate in the discussion and ranking exercise. The participants were instructed to review City Council s preliminary goals and leasing criteria and comment as to whether the stated goals/criteria were appropriate as stated or should they be modified. Participants were divided by tables (6-7 people each) and were asked to write down their comments and suggestions related to the goals and criteria. Each table summarized the individual comments and reported to the entire audience. The comments were recorded onto newsprint in order to display the comments to the entire audience. The newsprint pages were taped to the walls. After all of the comments and suggestions were recorded, all of the

2 Page 2 of 5 participants were given 5 dots to place beside their top priorities as they related to the comments/suggestions on the goals and criteria. They were instructed that they could use the five dots individually, or place as many dots as they desired on any one comment or suggestion. The following are the preliminary goals and criteria as determined by City Council which were used in the discussion process. Preliminary Goals and Criteria for Leasing the Train Station 1. Protect the train station s historic integrity Little to no outside building addition or alterations Modifications should match or be compatible with existing building Style of interior should be compatible with existing character of train station Intensity of use should not produce wear and tear on the building that could be damaging 2. Preserve and enhance the development of the Muchmore Historical Area (MHA) Type of businesses should be compatible with MHA 3. Enhance the overall vitality of the Business District Hours and times of operation (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and year round or seasonal) Regional draw v local draw Affordability Unique nature of business 4. Help to attract new business into the City of Madeira beneficial to the residents Does the new entity provide incentive for other new businesses to locate in Madeira 5. Make sure the business will be able to generate direct and indirect revenue for the City and the school district Track record of business pro forma data Terms of lease favorable to City Cost to the City v income to the City The following is a summary of the public comments and recommendations which were generated by the table discussions along with the number of dots/votes each received by the participants. The dots/votes are shown in parentheses. The comments and recommendations have been grouped into each of the five goals for the ease of comparison: 1. Protect the Train Station s Historic Integrity (57) Allow Flexible Use of Interior Space (6)

3 Page 3 of 5 Research authentic historic colors and repaint exterior (3) Maintain basic exterior but allow compatible exterior additions (16) No outside alterations (11) No equipment outside building (11) Interior should complement exterior (3) More intense use OK if upgraded appropriately/do not limit cooking (1) Tenant to be responsible for fire suppression (2) Has the proposed tenant maintained their other properties (2) City must partner to maintain building (2) 2. Preserve and enhance the development of the Muchmore Historical Area (28) Business with broad appeal (11) Consider choices besides restaurants (1) Consider family centered business (15) No Chain restaurant/businesses (0) Large scale restaurant will not work (0) Small space = small business (1) 3. Enhance the Overall Vitality of the Business District (76) Regional draw to enhance existing businesses (2) Destination point (19) Keep local focus (1) No liquor service (2) Make sure they have a liquor permit (11 including two smiley faces) Hours lunch to 10 PM weekdays 11 PM weekends (1) Hours 6 AM to 11 PM weekends (1) Open year round with breakfast/lunch and dinner hours (4) Local gathering spot for families after functions/gathering place for all (31) Affordability (1) No retail with short hours (0) No hobby (needs to be profit oriented ) businesses (0) Pedestrian village green w/ snack shop (1) Healthy menu for all generations (2) 4. Help to Attract New Business into the City of Madeira Beneficial to the Residents No specific comments or suggestions to this goal

4 Page 4 of 5 5. Make Sure the Business Will Be Able to Generate Direct and Indirect Revenue for the City and the School District (28) Needs to be something that will not require City financing (3) Rent of $1,500/month or percent of gross revenue (2) Business with a good track record that will stay (21) Number of employees (good employment) (0) Initial investment can be made by City but business should be self-sustaining (high rent) (0) Tenant pays 1 years rent in advance (1) Minimum lease 3-5 years (1) Open by Light up Madeira event (0) Related Comments/Suggestions (85) Parking (2) Traffic and pedestrian flow concerns (0) Develop other properties behind historic houses instead (43) Preserving houses limits options to redevelop (move houses) (10) Hire realtor to market property (2) Need to prioritize goals (4) Better safety at crosswalk (2) Master plan needed (22) CONCLUSIONS It should be noted there were a total 274 dots placed. With the number of participants, it appears not everyone voted or used all of the five dots available to them. It should also be noted that a number of comments under Goals 2 and 3 could be attributed to either Goal. There appears to be recognition that an eating establishment is a desirable use for the property based on the number of comments related to this type of use. If we were to use the number of votes per goal as a way of prioritizing the five goals, the tally is as follows: Goal votes 20.8% Goal votes 10.2% Goal votes 27.7% Goal 4. 0 votes 0% Goal votes 10.1% Related but Not-Specific to Goals. 85 votes 31.2% There appears to be little concern as to whether it is a local or regional draw. Liquor sales win out over the no liquor vote (11 votes to 2 votes).

5 Page 5 of 5 Allowing a Minimal Amount of Exterior Expansion (16 votes) was only slightly more popular than the No Outside Alterations vote (11 votes). There were also votes for No Outside Equipment Storage (11 votes). Destination Point (Goal 3), Local Gathering Spot (Goal 3) and Family Centered Business (Goal 2) all garnered a large number of votes (65 total for the three). It would appear that having this location as a focal point for the Business District is very important. Although not specifically related to the Train Station lease discussion, as expected, there were a number of votes for Developing Other Properties Behind the Historic Houses Instead (43 votes) along with a lesser number of votes for Preserving Houses Limits Options to Redevelop (Move Houses) (10 votes). Also unrelated to the lease discussion, but relevant to the overall development of the Muchmore Historic Area, Master Plan Needed received 22 votes. Mr. Moeller thanked those in attendance. He stated that the meeting would be summarized and made available on the website. He stated it was a very good and very interesting exercise for this important issue and noted that the participants were very much involved in the process and obviously gave much thought into their comments and recommendations. He also asked everyone to make sure they gave their name and address on the sign-in sheets. A copy of the report would be sent to those who provided their address.