Laserfiche WebLink
Factors Affecting Financial Condition (Continued) <br />A 12,582 square foot building was built by Schwan's in the Marshan Industrial Park on the southwest quadrant of <br />I -35W and Lake Drive was completed in 2005, further contributing jobs and adding value to the city's growing <br />commercial /industrial tax base. Construction of a two -story office building at the intersection of Lake Drive and <br />Hodgson Road was completed in 2006 and will house E.G. Rud Surveyors and several other tenants. <br />The City initiated an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) in 2005 of more than 4,000 acres in the <br />northeast quadrant of the city, which includes property in the I -35E corridor, to assess the impact of future <br />development scenarios in this area. The AUAR provides clear direction for future development regarding <br />environmental and transportation improvements that will be needed, relieving development interests of project - <br />by- project environmental assessments. The City and Anoka County, with financial assistance from the American <br />Recovery and Reinvestment Act, began reconstruction of the I -35E /County Road 14 interchange in late 2009. <br />The City's portion of the cost for this project is being financed through Anoka County, with the City issuing a <br />$4.26 million General Obligation Note to the County. The project is expected to be completed in 2011. <br />Building activity and development continued to soften during 2009 reflecting the broader market trends nation- <br />wide and the onset of an economic recession in December, 2007. Building permits for new homes in 2009 <br />numbered 28, compared to 29 in 2008. This represents about 1/3 of new home permits issued in 2007 and is down <br />• by over 85% from 2005. <br />Long -term financial planning. In 2004, the city entered into an agreement with a master developer to develop 40 <br />acres in the southeast quadrant of I -35W and Lake Drive. This mixed -use development is intended to include <br />diverse opportunities for housing, retail and office uses. To date, the development includes the Lino Lakes Civic <br />Complex (which houses the city hall, police station and school district early childhood center), the Chain of Lakes <br />YMCA, a 60 -unit workforce housing project, 13,000 square feet of leasable commercial space, and a former <br />hotel, which is planned to be converted into an assisted living facility. Anoka County has plans to build a new <br />regional library across the street from the development site, which is scheduled for 2011. However, the deep <br />economic recession has stalled housing and commercial plans in the development and has forced the remaining 26 <br />acres into foreclosure and potential tax forfeiture. The City is working with investors to be prepared to market the <br />property when the economy turns. <br />▪ Street, streetscape, water, sewer, and storm water improvements, as well as a small community park, have been <br />installed within the development area and assessed to the development. Improvements to the existing Lake Drive <br />and the construction of a new interchange at I -35W and Lake Drive were completed in 2008. This $11.1 million <br />improvement was financed through the joint efforts of MNDOT, Anoka County and the City of Lino Lakes. The <br />City has issued $4,215,000 in G.O. Tax Increment bonds and will use tax increment financing and Minnesota <br />State Aid funds to finance its portion of the project cost. It is acknowledged that this development will result in <br />additional ongoing costs involved in servicing and maintaining the streets and public areas, which will be <br />addressed in future operating budgets. <br />The city's current five -year financial plan, adopted in January, 2008, identifies street and utility improvements <br />▪ totaling $23,287,990 over the period of 2008 through 2012. These improvements are anticipated to be funded <br />through a number of funding sources, including special assessments, municipal state aid road funds, the area and <br />unit trunk fund, the stormwater management fund and voter - approved tax levies. Also included in the final year of <br />the plan is a feasibility study for a new public works facility. Scheduled capital equipment and office equipment <br />needs and the financing for those needs are also included in the plan. The five -year plan also includes funding <br />projections for operations and operating impacts for the period of 2008 -2012. <br />5 <br />