RES 1997-2168 - 22nd and Ames Fire Station redevelopment plan (.HA,
o�+ HF t J ,' } Planning Department
c�j 1 Omaha/Douglas Civic Center
04,45 n _ l ; , � 1819 Farnam Street,Suite 1100
97 J U L . 21 Omaha,Nebraska 68183-0110
(402)444-5200
0 ey~` (402)444-5150
4-En FEsik- f 1 t ¢: _i ,K Telefax(402)444-6140
July 15j; 1997
City of Omaha OMAHA,
Hal Daub,Mayor
Honorable President •
and Members of the City Council,
The attached proposed Resolution approves the 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment Plan
for the reuse of a surplus city fire station located at 2204 Ames Avenue. The Redevelopment Area
is legally defined as the south 132 feet of the west 107 feet of Tax Lot 16, Section 3, Township 15
North, Range 13 East in the City of Omaha, Douglas County,Nebraska, together with the adjacent
22nd Street and Ames Avenue rights-of-way. The Redevelopment Area is part of a portion of the
city that was declared blighted and substandard by the Omaha City Council on June 2, 1992.
The former fire station at 2204 Ames Avenue was constructed by the Federal Works Progress
Administration in 1937 and is a good example of work of that era. Although the building suffers
from deferred maintenance, it appears to be structurally sound and largely maintains its architectural
integrity. Interior walls and surfaces are in poor condition and building systems will require
replacement.
The building was retired as a fire station and the Fire Department is relocating its vehicle
maintenance and storage operation to another facility. The Redevelopment Plan proposes to dispose
of this facility in a manner that will assist City community development efforts and reuse the
building in a manner that is compatible with the historic significance and architecture of the
structure.
The Redevelopment Plan declares the former fire station to be surplus property and proposes that
the City convey the property to a financially capable developer through a request for proposals
process. The purchase price will be dependent upon the proposed use of the property and the degree
to which the proposal furthers the City's community development objectives. Proposals must be
respectful of the building's original design.
•
•
Honorable President
and Members of the City Council
Page 2
The City Planning Board recommended approval of the 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment
Plan at its meeting on June 4, 1997.
Your favorable consideration of this Resolution is requested.
Sincerely, Referred to City Council for Consideration:
I 71/-6•••" 'iol•i7 - , 6 9
Robert C. Peters Date Mayor's Office/Title ' ate
Acting Planning Director
Approved as to Funding: Approved:
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Louis A. D' rcoleAtA_... Date Thomas Graeve Date/� 7/�
nance Dir ctor ()_,e,(A__ Fir f //``
> �� (
Don W. Elliott, P.E. Date J es P. Cleary, Direct Date
Public Works Director P rks, Recreation and
Public Property Department
PUBLICATION OF PUBLIC HEARING: July 17 and July 24, 1997
PUBLIC HEARING: August 5, 1997
P:\PLN2\3147.PJM
22ND AND AMES FIRE STATION
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
Omaha Planning Department
May 1997
22ND AND AMES FIRE STATION
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
The 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment Plan provides for the reuse of a surplus city fire
station located at 2204 Ames Avenue. The Redevelopment Area is legally defined as the south 132
feet of the west 107 feet of Tax Lot 16, Section 3, Township 15 North, Range 13 East in the City
of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, together with the adjacent 22nd Street and Ames Avenue
rights-of-way. The Redevelopment Area is part of a portion of the city that was declared blighted
and substandard by the Omaha City Council on June 2, 1992.
The former fire station at 2204 Ames Avenue was constructed by the Federal Works Progress
Administration (W. P. A.) in 1937. The building is a good example of work of that era and the
structure largely maintains its architectural integrity. The original doors on the fire truck bays have
been replaced with newer overhead doors and other minor alterations to the exterior have been
made over the years. Although it suffers from deferred maintenance, the building appears to be
structurally sound. Interior walls and surfaces are in poor condition and building systems will
require replacement.
The building was retired as a fire station and has been used by the Fire Department for vehicle
maintenance and storage for several years. The Fire Department is relocating its operation to
another facility and the building is surplus property. The City of Omaha desires to dispose of this
facility in a manner that will assist City community development efforts and reuse the building in a
manner that is compatible with the historic significance and architecture of the structure.
The City of Omaha plans to declare the former fire station to be surplus property and convey the
property to a developer for use pursuant to the 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment Plan.
The City will select a developer to purchase and renovate the structure through a request for
proposals process. The purchase price will be dependent upon the proposed use of the property
and the degree to which the proposal furthers the City's community development objectives.
Proposals must be respectful of the building's original design.
PRESENT CONDITIONS
Population and Demographics
The 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment Area is located in Census Tract 6, which is
bounded by Fort Street, Florence Boulevard, Ames Avenue and 30th Street. According to the
1990 U. S. Census the Tract contained 1,736 persons, which is a decline of over 22 percent from
the 1980 Census. African-Americans comprise 62 percent of the population. There are no
residents living within the Redevelopment Area itself.
The median household income in Census Tract 6 is $13,292. This amount is less than half of the
1989 citywide median household income of $26,927. Unemployment was 6.8% in 1990 as
contrasted with the Omaha average of 4.7 percent. The demographics of surrounding Census
Tracts show similar economic characteristics.
Page 1
Table 1
Area Demographics
Tract 6 Omaha.
1980 Population 2,232 314,255
1990 Population 1,736 335,795
African-American 62.0 % 13.1 %
White 34.3 % 83.9 %
Other 3.7 % 3.0 %
1980-90 Population Gain (Loss) (22.2 %) 6.9 %
1990 Median Household Income $13,292 $26,927
1990 Unemployment Rate 6.8% 4.7%
Source: 1980 and 1990 U. S. Census
Land Ilse and Zoning
The Redevelopment Area contains a 14,124 square foot City-owned property housing a surplus
fire station. The fire station is in fair condition. The Area also includes the adjacent 22nd Street
and Ames Avenue rights-of-way.
The Redevelopment Area is zoned as an R5 Urban Family Residential District. The R5 District is a
medium-density residential zoning designation that permits duplexes and townhouses, in addition
to single-family dwellings, in neighborhoods that have single-family characteristics.
The land adjacent to the Redevelopment Area on the north, south and west is zoned General
Industrial (GI). The GI District is designed to accommodate a variety of commercial and industrial
uses with moderate external effects. The land to the east is zoned R5 Residential District.
Utility Service
The public utilities serving the 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment Area are adequate to
serve the current use and future appropriate land uses. Gas and water mains and sewers are
located within street rights-of-way.
Transportation
Ames Avenue is a minor arterial street and 24th Street is a collector street providing east-west and
north-south connections to the transportation network. Three blocks to the west is the Ames
Avenue interchange with the North Freeway which provides good access to the metropolitan
freeway system. Ames Avenue and 24th Street are paved streets with curb and gutter. Both
streets are adequate for the existing transportation needs and for foreseeable future needs. Twenty-
second Street is a north-south street providing for local circulation. This street has an asphalt
surface in poor condition and does not have curb and gutter.
Public transportation service is provided northbound and southbound along 24th Street and
eastbound and westbound along Ames Avenue These routes link the area to the remainder of the
public transportation system. A new transfer facility serving North Omaha bus routes is located at
30th and Taylor Streets, approximately 6 blocks west of the Redevelopment Area.
Page 2
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment Plan provides that the City declare the fire station
at 2204 Ames Avenue to be surplus property and seek proposals for the purchase of the property
and the renovation of the building.
22nd and Ames Fire Station Reuse
The former fire station at 2204 Ames Avenue is an approximately 12,750 square foot building
covering virtually the entire 14,124 square foot site. The one story Art Deco brick and stone
structure was constructed in 1937 by the Federal Works Progress Administration. The building
originally provided living quarters for the fire fighters together with vehicle bays and storage space
for fire equipment. A partial basement is located under the southeast portion of the building. With
the exception of newer overhead doors, several bricked windows and minor alterations to the
exterior, the fire station maintains the architectural integrity of the original design. The City's
Public Facilities Plan identifies the facility as having historic and architectural significance.
The structure was retired as a fire station and has been used by the Fire Department for vehicle
maintenance and storage for several years. The Fire Department is relocating its operation to
another facility and the building is surplus property. The exterior suffers from deferred
maintenance and the roof is at the end of its useable life. The interior walls and surfaces are in poor
condition and the building systems will require replacement. The structure appears to be in sound
condition.
In 1992 the City removed 5 underground storage tanks from the site and soil contamination was
present. The source of the petroleum release was identified and secured and the petroleum
contaminant plume was delineated. The Nebraska Department of Environmental Control does not
foresee any threats to human health and safety and requires no further remedial action at this time.
The City of Omaha remains the responsible party should a problem arise in the future.
The City of Omaha plans to dispose of this facility in a manner that will assist City community
development efforts and reuse the building in a manner that is compatible with the historic
significance and architecture of the structure. The City of Omaha will declare the former fire
station to be surplus property and will seek a financially capable purchaser through a request for
proposals process. The adaptive reuse of the structure should attempt to comply with the Secretary
of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Proposals will include an identification of the
intended use of the facility, a description of proposed improvements, the estimated cost and
timetable for renovation and a plan for meeting parking and loading requirements. The purchase
price will be dependent upon the proposed use of the property and the degree to which the proposal
furthers the City's community development objectives. The City does not plan to participate
financially in the project.
Future Land Use and Zoning
The current use of the City fire station property will change from a civic land use to an appropriate
commercial or industrial land use.
The existing zoning of the fire station property is R5 Residential District. With the proposed
change in land use, the appropriate zoning classification for the property should be General
Page 3
Industrial District. The GI zoning will bring the property into conformance with the zoning of the
adjoining property. The City Planning Department will request rezoning to General Industrial
District zoning prior to conveyance of the former fire station property to the successful proposer.
Master Plan
The 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment Area is located within the North Omaha
Community Planning District. The Master Plan calls for expanding employment opportunities,
conserving neighborhoods, promoting commercial development, supporting the historic heritage
and mitigating environmental problems. The Redevelopment Plan is consistent with the City
Master Plan. The Redevelopment Plan conserves neighborhoods by renovating a surplus City fire
station for reuse consistent with the City's community development objectives. The project
promotes the creation of employment opportunities and preserves an historic property. The Plan
will have no effect on the environment.
Page 4
• - 22nd and Ames Fire Station
Redevelopment Plan
Zoning
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RI1I�NNG•OMAMA
c.25A , CITY OF OMAHA
• LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER
Omaha,Nebr `• 19...92....
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OMAHA:
WHEREAS, the primary objectives of the City of Omaha's Master Plan and
Community Development Program are to encourage additional investment and development within
inner-city neighborhoods; and to eliminate conditions which are detrimental to public health,safety
and welfare,by developing underutilized property within these neighborhoods; and,
WHEREAS, the 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment Plan area, located at
2204 Ames Avenue, is within an area declared "blighted and substandard and in need of
redevelopment"by the City.Council on June 2, 1992; and,
WHEREAS,the Planning Department has prepared the 22nd and Ames Fire Station
Redevelopment Plan which calls for the reuse of a surplus city fire station; and,
WHEREAS,Nebraska State Statute 18-2108 requires that the City of Omaha adopt
a redevelopment plan before taking an active part in a redevelopment project; and,
WHEREAS,the 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment Plan was approved by
the Omaha Planning board on June 4, 1997.
NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF OMAHA:
THAT,the attached 22nd and Ames Fire Station Redevelopment Plan,prepared by
the Omaha City Planning Department,be and hereby is approved as the Redevelopment Plan for the
redevelopment area located at 2204 Ames Avenue and legally defined as the south 132 feet of the
west 107 feet of Tax Lot 16, Section 3,Township 15 North,Range 13 East in the City of Omaha,
Douglas County,Nebraska,together with the adjacent 22nd Street and Ames Avenue rights-of-way.
P:\PLN2\3148.PJM APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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By
Councilmember
Adopted AUC 1997 7 - .
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