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Movieland site was not competitive with the top three. Discussion on each of the three final sites may be very briefly summarized as follows: The Senator Block The Senator site's strengths are its central locarion and good access to and from the local street system. Existing public ownership of the block is an asset, but the attractiveness of the Senator site depends to a significant extent on the Colinty's success at its September 19 ballot measure. It was felt that if this measure fails, the County will not be in a position to partner with the District within the timeframe proposed. The Washington Mutual Block This site moved upward in its raring as discussions went on. It was seen as well located to serve both downtown and the Capitol, had good access/egress onto the street system, and required minimal removal o~' other b~isinesses. There is a heaw impact on exist~ng parking, though, which would require a significant investment to replace. If the Senator block was dropped from consideration, this site received more votes at the committee than did the Greyhound site. The Greyhound Block This site scored well on the evaluation matrix, ranking high in minimal noise/exhaust impacts and minimal loss of parking. It was also thought to be well located to tie into the skybridge system. The site, however, presented serious problems with access and egress (being located between downtown's major arterials, Center St. and Marion St.). Trying to design a functional facility would likely require the demolition of some viable structures, at a high cost. It is my recommendation to the Board, concurred in by staff, that the District await the outcome of the County's measure on September 19 before making a final site selection. Doing so will have several benefits for us: 1) it will help to clarify the availability of the Senator site, which remains at this point a very viable location for the District; 2) it will give staff and the Board an opportunity to meet and talk with cunent tenants on the three blocks, to improve our base of information about the availability of sites and any special concerns that are held by property owners; and, 3) wairing until the Sentember Board meetine will give our new general manager time to get on board and become involved in discussions that will lead to a very important decision for the Disirict's future. The Board also needs more detailed input from the District operaring staff regarding the relarive functional merits of each site. Wairing unril September will give staff time to prepare its comments and any further recommendations to the Board. At that meeting I hope we will be prepared to identify a preferred site to serve as a basis for the next step in our process, an environmenta.l assessment. Given the Board's approval, I would suggest that we send this report, along with a note of fo~mal appreciarion, to, the members of our Advisory Comrnittee and Technical Task Force for a job well don~. ' . PREPARED BY: John Whittington, Manager of Planning & Markering , DATE: August 22, 1995