2020.09.02 EDC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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on June 15th , the Community Development Committee (CDC) of the Met Council included the project in their recommendation for funding this year. On June 24th, the full Met Council voted to support the recommendations of staff and the CDC, and our grant was secured opening the door to completing cleanup activities (hopefully) within the next few months. Once complete, the interior and exterior of the building will be completely transformed, and Old Highway 8 in the heart of the City will have experienced a dramatic facelift between this project and Midtown Village. Gozola stated as part of the EDC email update on 6/2/20, staff alerted all Commissioners to work we had just completed on a Temporary Use Permit ordinance which opened the door for the City to take quick and nimble action on land use matters relating to COVID-19. The initial use of this tool was to quickly and cheaply approve temporary outdoor dining areas for our local restaurants seeking to reopen in compliance with State guidelines for restaurants & bars. Since approving the ordinance, seven of our restaurants have used the tool to authorize their outdoor seating: Big Louis, Pho 400, The Exchange, Acapulco, Cowboy Jacks, Brother’s Taqueria, and Adagio’s Pizza. In all seven cases, the City was able to turn around the applications in approximately one business day at no cost to the owner. We are grateful for their efforts to weather this storm, and hope our efforts to eliminate barriers to recovery are successful. Gozola explained Cardiovascular Systems Inc, one of our growing businesses in the New Brighton Exchange, currently holds an option on Block E to the north of their existing facility. The long-range plan for CSI would be to expand the existing building to the north, and shift the current parking lot north on to Block E. With their option expiring in 2021 and given COVID-19’s uncertain future, CSI has reached out to the City to discuss possible options on an extension to the option. Staff has explained to CSI that the City’s financials for the Exchange anticipate Block E generating TIF by sometime next year, so a straight up extension may not be possible. The City will be exploring options with CSI in the coming months to see what win- win solutions may be available (i.e. shifting parking expansion into Block B, CSI purchasing the land and paying increment like API does, etc.). Discussion included:  The Commission requested staff create a list of BIPOC businesses in the community and that this be distributed to the public to make residents aware of these businesses were.  The Commission thanked staff for the thorough report. VII. Adjourn Motion by Commissioner Fynewever, seconded by Commissioner Nundahl to adjourn the meeting. A roll call vote was taken. 7 Ayes, 0 Nays, Motion carried Meeting adjourned at 8:54 am