Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting – September 12, 2000

7:30 a.m.

Members/Liaison Present:

Rakesh Agarwala, Bob Benke, Dennis Flahave, Carol Frey, Linda Harmon, Ann Hoffman, Ken Johnson, John Kaufhold, Mark Nelson, Steve Larson, Maxine Pierson.

Members Absent:

Eugene Delaune.

Staff Present:

Matt Fulton, Kevin Locke, David Black

Others Present:

Kent Carlson, Craig Rapp, John Shardlow, Wally Case, Jim McComb.

Call to Order

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

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the August 8, 2000 meeting were presented for approval. Johnson suggested adding that Beisswenger's had also expressed the possibility of relocating to the site at Highway 96. With this change, Flahave moved approval, and Larson seconded. All approved.

NW Quadrant Update

Master Development Plan: Black summarized the staff discussions with the developers over the past several months, noting that a detailed planning process was the next recommended step. Carlson noted that several key acquisitions had been proceeding, but the Ryan would be using the planning firm of Dahlgren, Shardlow, and Uban (DSU) to assist in refining the plan.

Shardlow, president of the firm, described DSU as the largest planning/landscape architecture firm in the state. It has worked on projects for both the public and private sectors, including the Twin Lakes project in Roseville and the Mounds View Business Park in Mounds View. DSU has completed the master plans for 14-15 major business parks. The firm also worked on a redevelopment plan for the gravel mining area in Maple Grove, the "Heart of the City" area in Burnsville, and the Owasso Hills housing development in Roseville. Shardlow indicated that he had Carlson and Rapp that several schematic layouts would be available in 30 days, in time for the next EDC meeting.

Agarwala asked about the communications plan, discussed at the August meeting. Black indicated that he intended to send a letter out to all owners in the area, informing them of the planning effort. Fulton added that the community newsletter would be sent out to all residents in early November. Larson suggested that cable programming could also be used. Harmon added that a table could be set up at Chamber events.

Financial Plan: Black summarized the preliminary financial plan, which had been developed by Krass Monroe in conjunction with the developers and presented to the Council at a work session last month. Despite conservative assumptions made in all areas, the project can be expected to "break even" over the life of the TIF districts. He noted that no outside grants were assumed, despite the strong possibility that the City will be successful in obtaining funds for cleanup, remediation, or redevelopment. Locke added that this plan showed income from the NWQ only, despite substantial funds being available as excess from earlier districts.

Acquisitions: Black reported that a resolution for eminent domain for the Midwest Asphalt site is expected to be in front of the Council on September 26th. Locke added that the bowling alley acquisition had already been approved, and that the Darling purchase is also targeted for the 26th.

Brighton Village Update

McComb distributed a portion of his analysis, showing the proposed mix of tenants with either a grocery-anchored remodeling or a mixed-use redevelopment scheme. He indicated that the grocery study was nearly completed, and that he planned to contact several possible anchors. He expressed doubt that Kowalski's would be interested, because of its recent opening in Woodbury, but suggested that GJ's, Jerry's, or Knowlan's might be interested.

McComb indicated that Kraus-Anderson has a hotel study in progress. Kaufhold suggested that Schmitt Music would be a desirable tenant. Larson indicated that he had received a call about a type of food court, with a variety of high-quality food retailers (deli, bakery, bagel, etc.). McComb suggested that a local operator would be generally more willing to experiment. Johnson suggested that the City could offer a no-interest loan in order to entice Kowalski's to locate here. McComb suggested that the City would have to participate in some way. Johnson and Benke offered to participate in the recruitment effort if needed.

Other Business

Black reported that a circulation study was being proposed for the Rice Creek Shopping Center. He showed a preliminary properties list, the intent being to make this available to any parties interested in sites in the City. The United Properties proposal for the Hubcap Warehouse site will be discussed next month. Locke noted that Rosalyn Scaff had resigned from City employment on September 1st, to move to Chicago.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.