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Approved <br /> Kaufhold inquired if the City and developer would allow residents to remove some of the trees <br /> that will be coming down for demolition to be replanted in their yards. Black replied that the <br /> City Forester will be arranging to relocate the trees to City parks. <br /> Housing Development <br /> Black reported that the schedule will require updating since poor soil was found in the <br /> southwestern portion of the Midwest Asphalt site and its removal will delay the grading by a <br /> month. Its removal will require digging down thirty feet and replacing it in with clean fill. <br /> Kaufhold inquired if the soil is contaminated or structurally unsound. Black replied it is peat <br /> soil, which is structurally unsound. <br /> Dump Cleanup <br /> Black reported that staff had a meeting recently with MPCA staff. MPCA has taken a position <br /> that all of the dump material would have to be removed if the City residential uses below. This <br /> would increase the cost of the cleanup to close to $20 million. Instead, staff is looking at <br /> modifying the framework plan on the east side, by moving the housing into an area where there <br /> is currently proposed office space and/or by raising the residential to the second floor, but no <br /> decisions have been made. The estimated cost of removing all of the dump material is $50 <br /> million, far more than anyone can afford. Sherman Associates did not think there would be an <br /> issue of selling the units over the dump as long as there are MPCA assurances that it is safe. <br /> Nelson inquired how long the dump cleanup will take. Black replied that it is a six-month <br /> process. Kaufhold asked if the peat that was found on the west side could be used as the cover <br /> over the dump. Black replied that he's not sure it can be used at all. The MPCA requires <br /> extensive testing on all fill and the timing of digging out the peat and when the dump will require <br /> cover may be an issue. <br /> Demolition <br /> Black announced that demolition work has been moving along as scheduled. There has been <br /> some dumping by residents at the old Mengelkoch site and the City will be doing additional <br /> patrols to help control this issue. <br /> Office Development <br /> Black announced that the City has had two or three inquires regarding office development. <br /> Staubach Co., a broker, is looking at one of the two southern sites on behalf of a 55,000-square- <br /> foot tenant. Sherman was willing to consider swapping sites for development when asked about <br /> the bowling alley site. The broker is discussing the possibility of the tenant occupying two-thirds <br /> of the building and having another tenant lease the rest of the building. The City does not want <br /> to sell the sites for development much smaller than the plan calls for. Black added that the City <br /> will hold a similar process for selecting a developer for the office sites as it did for the <br /> residential, and suggested that the commission would likely be engaged to assist in screening the <br /> developers. <br /> Financing <br /> Black reported that staff met recently with the DEED, Met Council, and Ramsey County staff to <br /> discuss possible funding for environmental cleanup. Proposals for the west side will be well <br /> received when the 2007 cleanup is a little closer. The east side is more difficult,because there is <br />