Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting - October 10, 1995

7:30 a.m.

New Brighton Family Service Center

Present:	Jim Beran, George Gregori, Dennis Guldan, Jay Scott, Jeff Schopf

Absent:	Robert Benke, Ken Johnson, Neal Linnihan, Mike Olson, Roger Williams

Also

Present:	Matthew Fulton, City Manager

Jill Hanson, Economic Development Specialist

Kevin Locke, Community Development Director

Paul Buschmann, Community Development Intern

Approval of Minutes

The Economic Development Commission approved the minutes of September 12, 1995, meeting as written.

Report of Council Action

The City Council will hear an update of 1995 Work Plan projects tonight.

MacGillis and Gibbs Redevelopment

Fulton and Locke met with the MPCA last week. The EPA representative from Chicago was also included, via the speaker phone. Mediation with the current owners continues to progress. A plan has been developed for the removal of the tanks, but they have suspended action on this due to lack of funds. The larger portion of the cleanup will cost approximately $15 million; no Federal funding is available because of budget cuts. New Brighton's master plan was presented to the two agencies so they are aware of what the City wants. Because of the suggested uses in our preferred plan, the cleanup may not need to be as extensive, as originally thought.

If the current owner were to move, the agencies may consider the development of the northern parcels numbered 1, 2 & 3 and southern parcels numbered 8, 9 & 10 on the alternative layout maps. The project will be an ongoing partnership with the State and Federal agencies.

At the September meeting, the EDC asked staff to discuss any traffic changes that may result from the extension of County Road E2. We contacted Dan Soler from Ramsey County. He said that the proposed change would reroute some traffic, which turned north off E2 to get to Old Highway 8, to go south. Approximately, 10,000 cars travel on County Road E2 daily with 8,000 of these turning north. The extension would also reroute some traffic, which may cause problems at the intersection of 5th Ave NW and Old Highway 8 turning south. The traffic that the neighborhood has been complaining about would lighten in that area. Soler had no major problems with the proposed changes and said that the County would be supportive of them.

Other items of note on the project:

We are conducting a title search on the old ZEOS building. The bank that holds the mortgage on the property suggested this to us. We will be able to see what is happening with the building.

The Williams Pipeline that runs through the property east of the railroad is being moved to assist in access for the cleanup of the site.

Jay Scott stressed that, even if the property was not able to be developed during the short term, we should pursue the extension of County Road E2 for the short term.

NSP's Area Development Service Program

Locke explained that NSP has a special program designed to encourage economic development. Specific areas of New Brighton would be designated as area development zones. New or expanding companies within the zone would receive a rate reduction on their NSP bill. The total number of allowable zones for the seven-county Twin Cities area is fifteen. The maximum number of zones in any individual community is three. Zones can be decertified and established anytime as long as there are no more than three Area Development Zones in a community at any point. They asked that staff produce a proposed map of suggested zones for the November discussion.

Other Business

The negotiation for purchase of the D & T Trucking site is moving along. The closing will be scheduled after they have removed the tanks. Many developers have expressed interest in the site. Opus Corporation has proposed an 85-90,000 square foot office warehouse along 5th and would market the second site next to I-35W. Terms of a possible agreement are being discussed. The City would also be acquiring 100 feet of railroad right-of-way as part of the project. A small commercial parcel, a residential parcel and a vacant lot will also be assembled.

The EDC held a discussion on the action steps for the northwest quadrant area. Besides the proposed steps, the Commission asked that the post office and the present owners be notified of the impending plans. Scott said that the location makes it a high profile, unique site comparable to the intersection at I-35W and I-494. His preference for development would be retail. This would attract bigger restaurants and other amenities that would support our recent efforts in the downtown. Access will still be a major obstacle. Environmental issues will be a major problem. The Phase I report from Delta is due this week. Delta will be looking at programs to assist in the redevelopment.

The Business Retention and Expansion Survey is now completed. They sent out a total of 494 letters and surveys. Four hundred fifty-five surveys were completed. The City and Chamber followed up on 151 red flag issues.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 a.m.