STATEMENT OF ISSUE
In 1974, the Tallahassee Regional Airport was designated a Development of Regional Impact (DRI). With the development planned and already approved by the City Commission for the Airport in the near future, the DRI has reached build out and further development is not possible. The Economic Development Council has identified the Airport as a strong candidate for economic development in the community and has selected aerospace/aviation as one of their targeted industries. Airport staff, the City’s Economic and Community Development Department, and other interested economic development stakeholders in the community met with the Economic Development Target Issue Committee on December 10, 2008 and all parties supported the concept of expanded development at the Airport. At the March 25, 2009 City Commission meeting, the Commission transferred vested rights to 2,710 trips from the Delta Industrial Park to the Airport to allow for future development. To capitalize on those trips, a Substantial Deviation to the Airport DRI must be completed. The City Commission is requested to establish a project for the DRI Substantial Deviation, appropriate $600,000 to that project from Airport Undesignated RR&I funds, and authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (KHA), one of the Airport’s General Consultants, for coordinating the Substantial Deviation for $298,592. In an effort to expedite this project, the balance of the appropriation is budgeted to fund any studies (i.e. Stormwater, Affordable Housing, etc.) that may result from the pre-application conference.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Option 1. Establish a project in the Airport’s Capital Improvement Program for the DRI Substantial Deviation, appropriate $600,000 to that project from Airport Undesignated RR&I funds, and authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for $298,592 to coordinate the Substantial Deviation.
FISCAL IMPACT
Appropriation of $600,000 from Airport Undesignated RR&I. The offices of Budget and Policy and Procurement have reviewed this item and concur it meets City budget and procurement guidelines.
Kenneth M. Austin, Director, Aviation Department
Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager
For information, please contact: Michael Clow, Airport Capital Program Administrator at 891-7530.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES
Tallahassee Regional Airport was originally designated a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) in 1974. The original DRI was approved by the Leon County Commission as the Airport at that time was in the County. In 1985, the City annexed the Airport property and assumed responsibility for the DRI. Since inception, there have been seven amendments to the Airport DRI. The City Commission approved the latest of these on February 25, 2009. With the development planned and already approved by the City Commission for the Airport in the near future, the DRI has reached build out and further development is not possible. This approved development included the existing infrastructure of the Airport, the new Flightline Regional Maintenance Hangar, the HondaJet Sales and Service Facility, the Eagle Aircraft Group, LLC Fixed Base Operator (FBO) facilities, and the General Aviation hotel.
The Economic Development Council has identified the Airport as a strong candidate for economic development in the community and has selected aerospace/aviation as one of their targeted industries. Airport staff, the City’s Economic and Community Development Department, and other interested economic development stakeholders in the community met with the Economic Development Target Issue Committee on December 10, 2008 and all parties supported the concept of expanded development at the Airport.
At the March 25, 2009 City Commission meeting, the Commission transferred vested rights to 2,710 trips from the Delta Industrial Park to the Airport to allow for future development. To capitalize on those trips, a Substantial Deviation to the Airport DRI must be completed. The Substantial Deviation will provide for future development to include approximately 2.7 million square feet of business and/or industrial park, retail, and future aviation uses. The Substantial Deviation is expected to take approximately 18 to 24 months to complete. (See the Potential Airport Substantial Deviation Schedule in Attachment 1.) Completion of the DRI Substantial Deviation is necessary to identify the required mitigation needed before development can occur.
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (KHA), one of the Airport’s General consultants, has been assigned the task of coordinating the Substantial Deviation submittal. They have an extensive background in Development of Regional Impacts studies statewide. The staff assigned to the Airport DRI was part of the team that recently concluded the Substantial Deviation for the expansion of state offices at the Capital Circle Office Complex (CCOC). This team is also one of two that review DRI submittals for the Florida Department of Transportation. An independent cost estimate was performed by HSA Consulting, Inc. and costs were found to be reasonable.
The task assignment to KHA will provide the framework for the Substantial Deviation submittal. Further studies may be required as a result of the pre-application conference. This conference is the first step in the completion of the Substantial Deviation and includes: the Florida Department of Community Affairs; Department of Transportation; Department of Environmental Protection; Fish and Wildlife Commission; Northwest Florida Water Management District; Appalachee Regional Planning Council; Tallahassee/Leon County Planning Department; Leon County and City of Tallahassee Growth Management Departments; the counties of Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla, and other review agencies.
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
Charitable Contribution language was not included in the original solicitation 0064-06-KR-TC - Airport General Architecture/Engineering Consultant, which was approved by the City Commission on May 24, 2006. This award was not based on Charitable Contributions, as solicitation was issued under FL Statute 287.055 (Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act) exempted by Charitable Contribution Ordinance.
OPTIONS
Option 1. Establish a project in the Airport’s Capital Improvement Program for the DRI Substantial Deviation, appropriate $600,000 to that project from Airport Undesignated RR&I funds, and authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for $298,592 to coordinate the Substantial Deviation.
Pros:
• Provides for future development at the Airport, including aviation related uses as well as business/industrial park and retail uses.
• Enhances growth at the Airport and economic development in the regional market.
• Provides potential for additional lease revenue to the Airport.Cons:
• Does not provide for future development at the Airport, restricting growth at the Airport and economic development in the regional market.
• An initial planning and evaluation upfront cost of $600,000 with no guarantee of future development.
Option 2. Do not approve a Substantial Deviation to the Airport DRI.
Pros:
• Retains $600,000 of Airport Undesignated RR&I in the Airport budget for other projects.Cons:
• Does not provide for future development at the Airport, restricting growth at the Airport and economic development in the regional market.
• The Airport will also lose the possibility of new revenue sources.
ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES