Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting - December 12, 1995

7:30 a.m.

Call to Order

Ken Johnson, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

Roll Call

Present:	Robert Benke, Jim Beran, George Gregori, Dennis Guldan, Ken Johnson, Jay Scott

Absent:	Neal Linnihan, Mike Olson, Jeff Schopf, Roger Williams

Also Present:	Kevin Locke, Director of Community Development

Jill Hanson, Economic Development Specialist

Paul Buschman, Planning Intern

Approval of Minutes

The Economic Development Commission approved the minutes of the November 14, 1995, as written.

Report on Council Action

Benke reported that the City has just completed the public hearing process for the annual budget. Most of the residents' concerns were about the County's home valuation process. He has also been working with Minar Ford regarding access to the property and signage issues. The KinderCare proposal will be brought before Council this month after being continued twice.

Brighton Corporate Park II

The purchase of D & T Trucking is expected to be completed before the end of the year. Staff has talked with several developers about redevelopment of the site. Opus Corporation has submitted a proposal for the initial building. Jim Neyer from Opus was present to discuss their proposal. Opus is submitting a plan that would feature a 69,600 square foot office/warehouse on the current D & T Trucking site. The building would have an assessed valuation of $30 per square foot. The proposed building would have 24 foot ceilings. The building would be approximately 20% office and 80% warehouse, with a precast concrete painted finish. Neyer passed around pictures of a similar project that Opus completed in Eagan. If the site was made available, Opus would begin construction this spring on a speculative basis. Completion would be in the fall of 1996.

Neyer also mentioned Opus' interested in the remaining sites after the last acquisitions are completed. The fiber optic line located under 1st Street NW is 15 feet from the center line and may dictate how those sites are completed. Staff has been working with US West on what can be done with the Cable. The last estimate received showed a cost of $600,000 for moving the fiber optic line and manholes. The line contains 12 conduits and nine cables.

Gregori asked if the rail access would enhance the site's marketability. Neyer said that a company that would use rail would need a much larger building and more land. Benke asked if the parking problems with Twin City Oxygen were being considered in this layout. Locke said that Twin City Oxygen's anticipated parking problems are over for now.

Johnson stated he would like to see a higher quality building on that site. Benke agreed, adding that the building should closely match the City's development plans for the pole yard sites. In response, Neyer suggested the use of a more creative design using more glass to enhance the project without adding cost. Users of this type of building are price-driven and the cost of construction is a major consideration. Neyer also said that this type of building finish is consistent with existing neighbors.

North 35-W Redevelopment Process

The North I-35W redevelopment process was distributed. A summary from the City's Comprehensive Plan and the Old Highway 8 Corridor Plan of the northern I-35W area was compiled by the Planning Intern. Both plans call for light industrial uses.

A discussion was held concerning the adjacent Arden Hills corner. Staff was directed to schedule a January meeting with Arden Hills to discuss the redevelopment of the two sites. The Economic Development Commission also requested staff to move the meetings with property owners farther up in the Implementation Plan.

Rice Creek Center

Due to the lack of time, the Rice Creek Center discussion and Other Business will be continued next meeting.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m.

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Jill Hanson, Economic Development Specialist