By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council approved many mayoral appointments at the Tuesday, Jan. 14 City Council meeting.
The approved appointees are:
- Six new members to the Music, Events and Entertainment Commission (MEE). The appointees are: Curtis Wilson, Robert De Maria, Francis Lopez, Ashley Dingle, Ginaly Rocha, and Elizabeth Rupp.
City government of Aurora documents show the Music, Events, and Entertainment (MEE) Commission was created to support and amplify live performers in the city of Aurora. This group will work to identify performers, locations, and create a calendar for all City events to support and promote citywide performances.
This 11 member advisory board will be housed under the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) and staffed by a member of that department.
Candidates for a one-year term are: Curtis Wilson, Ward 5; Francis Lopez, non-resident; Ginaly Rocha, non-resident.
Candidates for a two-year term are: Robert De Maria, non-resident; Ashley Dingle, Ward 2, Elizabeth Rupp, Ward 4.
Candidates for a three-year term are: Nina Arem Rosa, non-resident; Aaron Lechuga, Ward 4.
•A video of approval of all of the appointees can be viewed on the city government of Aurora’s YouTube page after the 13-minute mark by clicking here.
•A video of the Mayor’s Award of Excellence presentation to Reverend Tammy Scott from Wesley United Methodist Church can be viewed on the city government of Aurora’s YouTube page after the 6-minute mark by clicking here.
- Approval was given to a Resolution appointing six members to the “Sister Cities Commission” (SCC).
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this item is to make an initial round of appointments to the SCC, leaving three spaces open.
The City announced its intention to establish a “Sister Cities” program in April 2024. One of the recommendations in the process is to establish an advisory board to support the ongoing relationships when the program is up and running. The creation of a commission was approved by the City Council in June 2024.
The appointees are: Cory Whitehead, Ward 7, vice-president of mission advancement at Christianity Today; Cynthia Gamboa, Ward 7, director of development at Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry; Calendaria Moreno, Ward 7, law firm intake specialist; Lizbeth Borunda, non-resident, human resources manager at Hotel Indigo Riverwalk; Mary Tarling, non-resident, director of global engagement at Aurora University; Christopher Faber, Ward 4, director of business attraction and financial services at Invest Aurora.
Approval of the initial members will allow the SSC to begin the process of establishing relationships while continuing to recruit additional members.
- Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing the appointment of Richard Todas to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Commission.
City government of Aurora documents show the nomination brought forth represents one new candidate, a non-resident seeking a first term.
- Approval was given to a Resolution approving the reappointments of David Tellner, Michael Carrasco, and Joshua Pfeuffer to the Aurora Veteran’s Advisory Board.
City government of Aurora documents show the nominations brought forth represents all veteran candidates. David Tellner is a non-resident who serves at the treasurer; Josh Pfeuffer is a resident of Ward 5, and Michael Carrasco is a retired Marine and a retired APD Officer.
- Approval was given to a Resolution authorizing the following:
The assignment of the redevelopment agreement, contractual rights and responsibilities of Frontier Development LLC to 7 South LLC for the redevelopment of property at 7 S Broadway approved with resolution R24-185;
A modification of the project timeline set forth therein;
An assignment of collateral from the developer to its lender for construction financing purposes.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to authorize the assignment of all contractual rights and responsibilities of Frontier Development LLC to 7 South LLC, under the Redevelopment Agreement, to revise the timeline for the completion thereof, and to permit the assignment of collateral for financing purposes.
Approximately 6 years ago, the City purchased the 3,200 square foot one-story building at 7 S. Broadway from Gary Brown who continued to maintain his art studio on site. Following the art studio’s departure, the City entered into a redevelopment agreement with Frontier Development, LLC to repurpose the building into a restaurant with access to the area known as “Skinny Park” immediately to the south.
Under the agreement:
Frontier Development, LLC (“developer”) will be required to contribute, with equity and/or third-party financing in the amount of $827,455. Frontier’s obligations are guaranteed by Conrad Hurst and Curt Hurst.
The City will provide a forgivable loan in the amount of $413,547.00.
The City will provide a grant of $413,547.00.
The City will sell the real property at 7 South Broadway to the Developer for $100,000.
The Developer has established a new legal entity, 7 South, LLC for the special purposes of performing the work required to redevelop the property in accordance with the agreement. The Developer is now asking the City to allow it to assign its rights and responsibilities under the agreement to 7 South LLC. The redevelopment agreement specifically contemplates the possibility of an assignment of the agreement, conditioned upon the consent of the City. The Hursts will continue to act as guarantors of the obligations assigned to 7 South LLC.
There is no impact to the City in permitting the assignment and staff members recommend the City consent to the Developer’s request.
In addition, the Developer is requesting a modification of the original timeline for project completion set forth in the RDA.
The original timeline as approved per R24-185 provides the following schedule:
Real Estate closing targeted by end of June 2024
Schematic designs submittal by end of June 2024
Building permits submittal targeted by the end of July 2024
Building permits approval targeted by the end of September 2024
Skinny Park redesign targeted between September 2024 and February 2025
Construction commencement no later than the end of November 2024
Project end of construction targeted by the end of February 2025
Grand opening by the end of March 2025The proposed revised timeline is as follows:
Schematic designs submittal by end of June 2024 (complete)
Building permits submittal targeted by the end of November 2024 (complete)
Downtown Review Committee for approval of Historic Certificate of Appropriateness by the end of December 2024 (complete)
Real estate closing targeted by end of January 2025
Building permits approval targeted by the end of March 2025
Skinny Park redesign targeted between September 2024 and April 2025 (per City) construction commencement no later than the end of January 2025
Project end of construction targeted by the end of May 2025
Grand opening by the end of June 2025
City government of Aurora documents show the timeline extension of approximately 2.5 months in total is necessary to accommodate the City’s review of the proposed redevelopment. The FoxWalk Design Committee approved the project’s elevations on December 18, 2024, and the approval of a license agreement for the use of City property in “Skinny Park” was obtained on December 17, 2024.
The redevelopment of the property is an integral part of the downtown renaissance. Adjacent properties have been subject to a request for proposals that has attracted qualified development proposals under staff member consideration.
By authorizing the Assignment of the Redevelopment Agreement, Contractual Rights and Responsibilities of the Redevelopment Agreement previously entered into between the City of Aurora and Frontier Development, LLC to 7 South LLC, the developer will be enabled to start construction and the City to fund the project as deemed necessary per contractual obligations contained in the RDA. Also, consenting to the collateral assignment, as required by the RDA, will enable the Developer to obtain construction financing for the Project.