Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting - February 10, 1998

7:30 a.m.

Roll Call

Present:	Bob Benke, Carol Frey, George Gregori, Ann Hoffman, Ken Johnson, John Kaufhold, Maxine Pierson, Dean Tollefson

Absent:	Rakesh Agarwala, Eugene Delaune II

Also Present:	Rod Bernu, Developer

Paul Fournier, Higher Grounds

Jill Bishop, Economic Development Specialist

Kevin Locke, Director of Community Development

Cary Teague, Planner

Meeting Called to Order

Ken Johnson, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:36 a.m.

Introduction of New Commissioner

Commissioner Ann Hoffman was introduced and welcomed to the Commission.

Election of Chair

Ken Johnson was reelected Chair of the Commission. John Kaufhold was elected at Vice-chair.

Ken's Market Project

Rod Bernu has proposed a 12,000 square foot office project on the site currently housing Ken's Market and the Higher Grounds Coffee Shop. The building would be placed toward the northwestern edge of the site closer to the freeway. The new facility could be completed and occupied before the current building is demolished. Ken's Market and Higher Grounds would be relocated to the new facility. The owner of Higher Grounds, Paul Fournier, was present to support the project. Kaufhold suggested that the parcel directly to the north could be used somehow to enhance the project. The project would be brought before City Council for authorization to create a TIF District and to begin negotiations for a development agreement. Tollefson moved, Pierson seconded, for approval of the EDC's recommendation for the project to the City Council. Motion carried.

BCP III Neighborhood Retail Project

Staff provided an update of the project to be located at 5th Ave NW and County Road E-2. John Ordway, Gary Vogel, the architect, and staff met with the University of Minnesota Design Team. Ideas were discussed for the project including layout and design elements as it relates to an urban atmosphere. A revised site plan will be brought to the March EDC meeting for discussion.

Old Highway 8 Name Change

Carol Frey explained the results of the recent survey of property owners along Old Highway 8, 8th Avenue NW and 5th Ave NW and the public meeting held at the Family Service Center. The issue had been brought forward as a result of the Old Highway 8 Corridor Vision process. The consensus was that the Old Highway 8 name be kept, but that the entire corridor should go by one name and the NW and SW directional be added for clarity radiating from County Road E. That would include dropping 8th Avenue NW and 5th Avenue NW. To ease the transition, these changes could be timed to start with the new changes in telephone area code scheduled for July 1. The Post Office will allow twelve months of double addressing for transition to the new addresses. This issue will be brought before City Council this month for their consideration.

1998 Work Plan Preparation

The 1998 work plan was tabled and will be discussed at the next meeting. Bishop will send out a rough draft for discussion purposes.

Other Business

George Gregori commented that he received a letter from a resident asking for consideration of the types of stores at the Rice Creek Shopping Center. Those suggestions were: photo finishing, florist, restaurant, video store, card shop, bakery, and a book store. It was added that these types of facilities could also be considered for the Ordway retail project in BCP III.

Staff is currently updating the City's Comprehensive plan. The EDC will be invited to be involved in the process.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.