Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting - January 9, 1996

7:30 a.m.

Call to Order

Ken Johnson, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:40 a.m.

Roll Call

Present:	Jim Beran, George Gregori, Ken Johnson,

Mike Olson, Jeff Schopf, Jay Scott

Absent:	Robert Benke, Dennis Guldan, Neal Linnihan, 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 December 12, 1995, as written.

Report on Council Action

The Council will appoint new Commissioners at tonight's Council meeting. Maxine Pierson was recommended as the new EDC commissioner to replace Neal Linnahan . The purchase of the Brost property was approved by City Council in December. This action will trigger the acquisition of the two parcels located between the two greenhouses. Mayor Benke will deliver his 1996 State of the City Address at the second Council meeting in January.

Brighton Corporate Park II

The purchase of D & T Trucking will be on tonight's Council agenda. Johnson stated he would like to see a higher quality building on that site than the project proposed last month by Opus. He was very impressed by John Allen's new buildings and would like to see a project of a similar caliber in Brighton Corporate Park II. Locke said that Opus had received that message clearly and was reconsidering their proposal.

North 35-W Redevelopment Process

An updated set of proposed steps for the planning for redevelopment of the north I-35W area was distributed. Hanson explained that the handout included a list of the owners of approximately 70 parcels in the area. The area was divided into five smaller areas for ease of handling data. The Community Resource Partners are in the process of pulling answers to pertinent questions from the Business Retention and Expansion survey. The Arden Hills Economic Development Commission was unable to meet with us this month but would be willing to meet on February 20. Johnson and Scott both expressed an interest in attending. Notices will be sent out to all EDC commissioners.

Rice Creek Center

Locke updated the Commission on the Rice Creek Center. The mortgage company, Capital Life, was expecting a balloon payment from the Church upon the Rock in mid December. The balloon was not paid.

G & P Properties is still interested in developing the property as a "senior campus" project. Besides the existing assisted-living units, it would include independent living units, an Ahlzhiemers project and senior related support services.

Other developers that have expressed an interest have proposed reusing the facility similar to current uses. A day care facility has been suggested in part of the building.

The SuperAmerica and the Dairy Queen are interested in expanding. The owner of the building to the north of Dairy Queen is considering moving across the street to allow for expansion.

Scott suggested that because of the challenging layout and site lines of the properties, the center needed to include a list of suggested types of tenants. A movie theater or small business incubator was suggested for the site as well. Locke said he would talk to Capital Life Mortgage about their plans for the center. Erickson's New Market will also be contacted.

Other Business

Beran announced that the Chamber's regular monthly membership meeting will highlight the Internet and World Wide Web. The Chamber has also recently completed arrangements to have the Small Business Development Center counselor come to New Brighton two mornings a month. The counselor, Bob Rodine, will be available to meet with local small business people and provide assistance ranging from new business planning to financial analysis or strategic marketing.

After the legislature has opened, the Chamber will be participating in legislative updates by conference call Friday mornings. Anyone interested should stop by the Chamber offices.

Adjourn

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