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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />APRIL 14,1999 <br />upscale business campus sites, or industrial hybrid that includes office, <br />warehousing and production uses. Allen felt there was a demand for this <br />type of use in the area given the close proximity to both downtowns, the <br />labor force in the area, as well as the ease of access. <br />Allen reported that his proposal is to construct 54,000 square feet of <br />office/showroom space on the southern Country Drive piece. Allen <br />described the site in addition to displaying a diagram showing the <br />development concept. He noted that docks and drive-in doors would be <br />located in the back of the building. The building facade would consist of <br />brick and glass, the site would be landscaped, and the building would be <br />laid out to provide the maximum flexibility for tenants with the docks and <br />drive-in doors at the back. The site is well parked with over 130 parking <br />stalls proposed. <br />Allen reported that his f rm is experienced in doing redevelopment. He <br />also noted that the firm is not a merchant building, and retains their <br />projects as a part of their portfolio. The company's intent would be to <br />hold the building for the long-term. <br />Allen reported that they are interested in developing more than one <br />building in Little Canada. Their hope would be to redevelop the northern <br />Country Drive site as well as the south. <br />Fahey noted that another developer is presently looking at the northern site <br />for a possible office building. <br />Allen pointed out that developing the northern site would given his <br />company the flexibility to move tenants around. They would prefer the <br />opportunity to redevelop both sites and would propose to do it within a <br />relatively short period of time. Allen indicated, however, that he <br />understood the Council's need to pursue the other office proposal at this <br />time. <br />Fahey indicated that the office use is a higher use and would add more tax <br />base to the City than would an office/showroom space. However, if this <br />office development proposal does not proceed, than the City would be <br />interested in discussing the development of the north site with Mr. Allen. <br />The City Administrator indicated that if the Council is interested in <br />pursuing Mr. Allen's office/showroom concept, then the next step would <br />be to meet with the property owners to determine their interest in selling <br />as well as asking price. The City would also begin working on a <br />development agreement with Mr. Allen. <br />