Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting - June 10, 1997

7:30 a.m.

Call to Order

Chair Ken Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m.

Roll Call

Present:	Bob Benke, Carol Frey, George Gregori, Ken Johnson, John Kaufhold, Maxine Pierson, Jeff Schopf, Roger Williams

Absent:	Mike Olson, Dean Tollefson

Also Present:	Paul Paige, Hoisington Koegler Group

Janna King, Economic Development Services

Kevin Locke, Community Development Director

Jill Hanson, Economic Development Specialist

Matt Fulton, City Manager

Approval of Minutes

The Economic Development Commission discussed the May 13, 1997, minutes. They suggested that the minutes explain that the EDC was considering making only a recommendation to the City Council for Sparta Foods, not making a decision concerning funding.

Special Legislation for the Northwest Quadrant and the MacGillis & Gibbs site was not approved by Legislature. The I-35 Corridor Coalition will be sponsoring a Tax Increment Financing session for key legislators and Coalition members to explain tax increment financing from a city's perspective.

Old Highway 8 Corridor Presentation

Janna King summarized the economic development section of the draft report citing constraints, competition and market forces that impact New Brighton.

Paul Paige presented the preferred option, Option 4. Comments on the Vision were heard from the EDC. Several Commissioners liked the use of lighting to tie the Old Highway 8 Corridor together. They suggested that the extension of E-2 across the railroad track be shown in the Vision even if it does not happen now. The extension of the downtown district down Old Highway 8 to the mobile home park should include lighting and landscaping, but at a lower intensity. The narrowing of Old Highway 8 to limit speeds was suggested. In the Brighton Corporate Park III project, retail close to the street and senior housing should be considered as the project progresses.

Motion by Kaufhold, seconded by Person, to recommend to City Council that they approve and accept the vision plan. Motion Carried unanimously.

Rice Creek Center

G & P Properties expects to submit plans for a senior housing project in the Rice Creek Center. A purchase agreement is expected to be signed with the FDJP Partnership in Omaha, Nebraska in the next few days. G & P would be buying the western portion of the Center, clearing the old building and developing 80 to 100 units of new market-rate senior housing and an Alzheimer wing. The FDJP Partnership would retain the Snyder section of the Center, relocating current tenants to that section of the project. Because of encroachment on the park, the project was also taken before the Park Board for their approval.

Donatelle Project

The latest site plan for the Donatelle Project was displayed and explained. It is estimated that the project will begin construction this fall.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m.