Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting – July 11, 2000

7:30 a.m.

Roll Call

Present:	Rakesh Agarwala, Bob Benke, David Black, Carol Frey, Dennis Flahave, Matt Fulton, Linda Harmon, Ann Hoffman, Ken Johnson, Steve Larson, Kevin Locke, Maxine Pierson, Rosalyn Scaff

Guest:	Jim McComb

Absent:	Gene Delaune, John Kaufhold, Mark Nelson

Call to Order

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

NW Quadrant

Jim Casserly, of Krass Monroe, continues to fine-tune the financial analysis for the NWQ. Kevin Locke and David Black met with Kent Carlson and Craig Rapp to discuss completing and securing a Development Agreement, and hiring a planning firm for the project. Craig and Kent will supply information on various planning firms in the area but are leaning toward the firm DSU.

Kent Carlson suggested creating a task force to assist in the planning process. Kevin and David stated that the EDC would be the appropriate group for this task. EDC members were interested in this idea but also expressed concern over the time commitment for this additional project. Kevin relayed to the group that he thought task force agendas could be added to the monthly EDC meeting when necessary.

The communication plan for the NWQ was discussed. David emphasized the importance of matching the NWQ and I-35W transportation plans. Matt mentioned that the City is considering producing a communications piece that would outline the history and redevelopment time line for the NWQ. City officials explained that they wish to avoid monthly meeting that historically have low attendance. Instead a news letter will be sent out regarding significant events. Other ideas discussed included a monthly news letter and a NWQ web site.

An update was given on the relocation needs of the following properties:

Midwest Asphalt: A team is assembling information and assessing the cost of relocating the Midwest Asphalt site.

Dahlke: The owner came in a few weeks ago to discuss relocation options and timing.

Beisswenger: The owners have concluded that they need a bigger facility. They could expand on the existing site but believe it would be more efficient to build a new store. They are potentially interested in the Bowling Alley site in the southern portion of the NWQ, or the vacant site at the southeast corner of Old Highway 8 and Co. Rd. 96.

Bowling Alley: The City is working with Cathy Miller to acquire the bowling alley site. She has an offer from another party to buy the site, thus the City is working quickly to come to an agreement.

Brighton Village Update

David Black has been working on a grant application to Metropolitan Council under the SmartGrowth program. The grant money would aid in urban design and redevelopment efforts for the site and the surrounding area.

Jim McComb spoke to the group about his report findings. He suggested that there is a potential for a grocer but that Brighton Village has perhaps gotten a bad reputation from the failing Lunds store. McComb emphasized that the Brighton Village tenants are receiving some of the largest market shares he has seen. Also, the sales per sq ft are above the industry average. Nonetheless, Supervalu did contact McComb to say that they are not interested in placing a grocer on the site. If a grocery store can not be secured then senior housing, office space or a restaurant would be feasible uses on the site.

McComb believes that K-A is interested in a long-term approach and total redevelopment of the site. Putting tenants on 30-day leases is indicative of a developer interested in flexibility. The City will continue to work with McComb and meet with KA to discuss the future of the site.

Other Business

The Main Street Village project continues to move forward. The latest proposal includes flat and not slanted roofs on the two business offices on the western side of the site. It was concluded that the slanted roofs would be costly to build and that the flat roof approach would be as aesthetically pleasing as well as cost effective.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.