06/07/2001 EDAC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Ms. Carlson stated that the council would not be changing the outdated population figures in the plan, since it is the total 7,575 households planned for the future that is the important number. Ms. Carlson informed the board that she had received a call from the commercial workers union regarding the Target project. She suggested that the caller meet with her and Mr. Grochala later in the project, and that the image of a labor issue needs to be dealt with. Mr. Wessel stated that the Target project being approved will help to change the anti- development image and that a full marketing campaign for the Town Center is needed. And it is important to facilitate the Village development over the next few months. It is also important how economic development issues are presented in public forums, because the sense in the development community is there is not support for that in the community. This perception has developed over a number of years and performance will turn it around. Mr. Milbauer agreed that certain factions in the city are not eager to have people come in to Lino Lakes. The cap on housing units may eliminate the perception of a population cap. He added that the Tagg land issue is perceived as a “black hole” that will also nag this city until the deal is done. Ms. Divine said the Village project is ahead of the market, and it shouldn’t be seen as a black hole. The city is working with developers to plan a quality project for the day the market arrives. Mr. Milbauer said local banks would love to get involved in the financing of these local projects. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY Ms. Divine gave the board an overview of the Springsted study, explaining the study area, the costs already incurred in development of the Town Center, and the commitment the city made toward the YMCA. The study shows that the Village site is more expensive to develop, but will have significantly higher tax generation. The study also recommends the city taking the lead in the development of the Village. The study compares the Ryan/Target project and the Village project and shows about a 2:1 difference in tax revenue generation. The reason the values are so much higher in traditional neighborhood development is that the quality is higher and the density of development is significantly higher. The study recommends the city begin an abatement program to capture city tax revenues from these projects to assist development. She explained that tax abatement permits cities to abate the city taxes only. Mr. Rolek added that the school district and the county can participate, but it is up to them whether they will or not. In tax abatement, the city can use the abatement city-wide, not just within a particular district. Ms. Divine added that the city will ask the school district and county to participate, but historically, they have not. The city will have approximately $200,000 per year to use to assist development.