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Home My WebLink AboutLettersL. OPEN HOSPITALITY PARTNERS 8/16/07 Mr. Robert A. Katz Vail Resorts, Inc. 39 Interlocken Crescent Suite 1000 Broomfield, Colorado 80021 Re: Lionshead Redevelopment Project Dear Rob: This letter is a follow-up to our most recent discussion about the Lionshead redevelopment project, and related issues involving Vail Resorts. In particular, Vail Resorts indicated as part of its consideration for releasing the deed restriction on the Lionshead parking garage site, it wanted control over design and quality elements related to Open/Hillwood's redevelopment of that site. As I indicated, Open/Hillwood is in the final stages of negotiating a development agreement with the Town of Vail. In the draft agreement, Open/Hillwood makes certain commitments and representations, which seem to address directly the kinds of issues about which Vail Resorts has concerns. With regard to the issues of particular interest to Vail Resorts, such as quality and design, Open/Hillwood is prepared to make the commitments to Vail Resorts. Further, Open/Hillwood will agree to seek Vail Resorts' approval for any changes from these commitments. The purpose of this letter is to detail these particular commitments, and to have Vail Resorts agree with such commitments, and further agree that Vail Resorts will review any changes to such commitments, which must be submitted to it by Open/Hillwood, for its approval. The following is a list of the commitments in the areas of design and quality that Open/Hillwood has agreed to make to the Town of Vail, and is willing to agree to make to Vail Resorts directly. Open/Hillwood is agreeing to construct the following public improvements: • a new parking structure that will replace the existing Lionshead parking garage with approximately 1,450 public parking spaces (which include short-term/local day skier drop-off parking in a location consistent with the current project description as described 2525 McKinnon Street Suite 750 Dallas, TX 75201 214.750.0011 Fax 214.750.0060 in the attached Exhibit A), plus additional parking as may be required by the Zoning Regulations in order to support the overall project (any private parking will not be considered public parking) • a new fully integrated transportation center with five ECO Bus/Town Shuttle Bus bays, located in the new parking structure • a new conference center with approximately 30,000 total gross square feet of ballroom, breakout, pre-function and "back of house" space, as may be amended and supplemented pursuant to a Conference Center Agreement to be entered into between the Town and Open/Hillwood • a new roundabout, improvements to South Frontage Road and improvements to East Lionshead Circle, including the area commonly referred to as the "chute" • a new Town information center, to be located next to short term parking in the new parking structure • on-site replacement, in the new parking structure, of certain public-benefit facilities currently located in the existing garage Open/Hillwood is agreeing to construct the following private improvements. The private improvements will be sited above the new parking structure and abutting or adjacent to other public improvements: • two hotels, one of which will be in the Smith Travel Research "Luxury" category, and one of which will be in the Smith Travel Research "Upper Upscale" category, which, collectively will have not less than 240 guest rooms, and in addition, not more than 130 residential units, and not less than 25 fractional fee units allocated between the two hotel buildings • approximately 60,000 square feet of retail space, including the retail oriented pedestrian street envisioned as a public oriented extension of the Lionshead core area streetscape improvements; and • the private parking spaces (in such minimum quantity as required by the Zoning Regulations) and related areas located in the new parking structure, for which the Parties intend to have ingress, egress, maintenance and control that is separate from that of the new parking structure (It is intended that the private parking will be located in the new parking structure, but that the private parking will be owned by Open/Hillwood With regard to design and overall quality, Open/Hillwood commits to abide by the Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan and to work with the Town of Vail as it carries out its regulatory and oversight responsibilities. In addition, Open/Hillwood commits to a design and quality that is first class, and in keeping with new developments such as The Arrabelle, the Ritz-Carlton 2525 McKinnon Street Suite 750 Dallas, TX 75201 214.750.0011 Fax 214.750.0060 Residences, and One Willow Bridge. Open/Hillwood agrees that should it seek to deviate from such standards, in addition to whatever Town regulatory approvals would be required, it would obtain the approval of Vail Resorts. Open/Hillwood further commits not to demolish any existing parking in the existing Lionshead parking garage until the replacement parking situation has been addressed to the satisfaction of the Town of Vail and Vail Resorts. In consideration of the commitments by Open/Hillwood, Vail Resorts will agree to release the deed restriction on the property, which is the site of the existing Lionshead garage upon project approval and entitlements by the Town of Vail. Open/Hillwood is suggesting that Vail Resorts execute this letter agreement, in the signature block below, indicating it is in agreement with Open/Hillwood's project and commitments, and acknowledging that should Vail Resorts sign this letter agreement, Open/Hillwood agrees to submit to Vail Resorts any material deviation from the project as described above and as will be committed to in the Development Improvement Agreement with the Town of Vail. Sincerely yours, Mark Masinter Agreed to by Vail Resorts, Inc. By: _ Name: Title: Date: CC: Stan Zemler Town Manager Town of Vail 2525 McKinnon Street Suite 750 Dallas, TX 75201 214.750.0011 Fax 214.750.0060 .7 1 i \ \ ~ I 1 / 1 1 0- ~ v , 1 1 p 1 / ~ - 1 I 1 1 I ~ 1 _ I ' I 1 ' 1 1 1 i / 1 t I I I 1 t 1 I 1 1 I 1 1 i i 1 1 $ ~ 1 = 1 I I 1 ' t ' ' l i ' 1 I 1 1 _ o I 1 I 1 1 i ' 1 I 3 5 'I 6 1 s 1__ 1 ~ I I 1 1 1 ! 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'g, a a ' \ ! n 1 b ~4 RI e Ib ~ ELI r j` i OPqN HOSPITALITY PARTNERS Greg Hall April 23, 2008 Director of Public Works Town of Vail 1309 Elkhorn Dr. Vail, CO 81657 Dear Greg, Rob Willis has informed me that you, Oscar Mertz from Elkus Manfredi Architects, Lou Bieker and he had a productive meeting on the Lionshead Parking Structure Redevelopment Project Plan yesterday afternoon. We are pleased with the progress that we have made since our Town Council presentation on March 18 and appreciate the constructive feedback that you have provided. Rob has advised me that the following is a list of some of the key points that came out of your discussion with our team yesterday: You would like for Walker Parking to clarify the issue of varied Level of Service for the various categories of design standards. Provide you with the final Walker Parking Consultants' summary report. Refine the parking garage design to identify an intake/exhaust air design strategy, provide an allowance for MEP space requirements in the garage. As we evaluate the need for additional parking to accommodate our current program we should consider the potential option of paying the Town of Vail in lieu of constructing all of the required parking. We need to have Kimley-Horn evaluate the main hotel entrance traffic flow and car stacking. You indicated that the pedestrian access between the upper retail street and the main hotel arrival level should be open and inviting to the public at all times. (Reference the Wildflower Alley.) You indicated that 160 short-term public parking spaces at the drop off area would be adequate. We need to confirm that there is adequate space for safe and efficient truck movement at the loading dock area. We need to better define the loading dock functionality and indicate path of goods delivery to all users. We would also like to report that we have made what we believe is very good progress on a phasing scheme that will reliably provide for the required number of parking spaces during the on and off season periods without depending on the Evervail garage coming on line. We expect to be able to present that plan to you during the week of May 5 at our next meeting. • M We look forward to meeting with both you and George on a regular bi-weekly basis between now and June 3 when we hope, with your support, to present the Project Plan to the Town Council for approval. n r' y ark Iasi h~ter Open Hospitality Partners CC: Stan Zemler Greg Hall Rob Willis Lou Bieker Oscar Mertz Tom Braun r • OPEN HOSPITALITY PARTNERS George Ruther April 23, 2008 Director of Community Development Town of Vail 75 South Frontage Rd. Vail, CO 81657 Dear George, Rob Willis has informed me that you, Oscar Mertz from Elkus Manfredi Architects, Lou Bieker and he had a productive meeting on the Lionshead Parking Structure Redevelopment Project Plan yesterday afternoon. We are pleased with the progress that we have made since our Town Council presentation on March 18 and appreciate the constructive feedback that you have provided. Rob has advised me that the following is a list of some of the key points that came out of your discussion with our team yesterday: - We need to be sure that Greg Hall is comfortable with the parking plan, traffic flow, and pedestrian flow out of the drop-off area. We reviewed the fire truck access. We should follow up with the Vail FD to confirm that they are comfortable with the plan. You emphasized the importance of allowing sunlight to enter the arrival experience. You emphasized the importance of pushing the townhouse roofs down as much as possible and to create the "living in the rooftop area" concept with the use of gables and dormers. Although zoning will not permit street-level living space there is an opportunity for street-level residential entrances that lead to living space on the second floor near the Southwest corner of the site. There might also be an opportunity for a variance at the Southeast corner of the site in order to provide for a transition from commercial to the more residential and civic uses that exist east of the site instead of struggling to make retail work in a challenging commercial location. The East entrance to the upper pedestrian street needs to be inviting as someone approaches it from the Dobson corridor. Need for a well-conceived design including good signage, attractive storefronts, outdoor seating and a reason for people to be active at the east end of the upper pedestrian street in order to attract people up the steps. We need to provide material that illustrates the level of architectural quality, detail, and expression that we are committing to deliver. You expressed an interest in providing for multilevel access to retail establishments from both the upper and lower street-fronts. (Reference to Horton Plaza in San Diego.) • A°.'- We look forward to meeting with both you and George on a regular bi-weekly basis between now and June 3 when we hope, with your support, to present the Project Plan to the Town Council for approval. li i r}ekasinter ark Open Hospitality Partners CC: Stan Zemler George Ruther Rob Willis Lou Bieker Oscar Mertz Tom Braun r •