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EDC Minutes August 16, 2002 Page 3 United Natural Foods, a Connecticut-based corporation was planning to acquire Blooming Prairie. The buyout does not threaten the M.V. facility and could lead to more local jobs than the initial 65 employees. 6. EDC BUSINESS A. Community Center & Mermaid Collaboration Discussion: At the previous meeting Backman was asked to look into facilitating greater cooperation and coordination between the Mounds View Community Center and the Mermaid Event Center. Backman discussed this matter with Dabney Bradley, Community Center caterer, Shannon Roepke, YMCA, and with Cindy Winegarner, Director of Sales for the Mermaid. All three were open to additional collaboration efforts. Ms. Winegarner suggested having a meeting about this in September. The intent of initial meeting would be to discuss current marketing activities, current collaboration, and what could be done. Backman will followup. B. Abbey Carpet—Development Activities: The Mounds View EDA approved on July 22nd up to $25,000 for demolition of the old Perkins. Since that time several developments have occurred. Mr. Kopas, Abbey Carpet, and Mr. Carlson, Rob Carlson Builders, have been working with Lampert Architects, a Ham Lake architectural firm, on the building site plans for a 22,000 sq. ft. commercial building. Mr. Kopas and Backman viewed several buildings that Lampert designed. Yesterday, Jim Atkinson and Backman met with Kopas and Carlson to review the initial site map or footprint of the building on the irregular-shaped parcel. Backman showed the current map to the EDC members. Carlson expects to submit more detailed building drawings and plan application by the end of next week. Their goal is to go before the Planning Commission at the September 4th session and present to the City Council on September 23rd. Barring any changes, demolition would occur shortly thereafter. C. Colonial Craft—Prospect Activities: Colonial Craft is one of the world’s largest producers of wooden door and window grills, mouldings, and picture frames, and about a year ago was purchased by Quanex, a large building products company based in Houston, Texas. As was mentioned last month, Colonial Craft is the prospect interested in Building I in the M.V. Business Park. Over the past month the company has been reviewing the proposed lease. On August 12th when Backman talked to John Boich, the RREEF broker interacting with Colonial Craft, he indicated that at this point it looks good, that it’s out of Colonial Craft’s hands, and that Quanex lawyers are talking to the building owner’s lawyers. The terms of the lease (as relayed to me) are attractive. Hopefully in two weeks we will have some indication of the decision. D. Culver’s Restaurant—Prospect Activities: Backman worked out a meeting time this week between Wendell Smith, broker for the property owner, and Steve Sparks, the Culver’s franchise owner. The hour and a half meeting, which Jim Ericson and Backman attended, was productive. Both sites near the Carmike Theater were considered and discussed. (Backman distributed to the members a copy of a map showing Outparcels A & B. Anthony Properties has readjusted its pricing on the properties from $10 to $8 per sq. ft. The more attractive pricing has increased Sparks interest. At the June meeting it appeared that just the Long Lake Road site would be considered. At this week’s meeting, both parcels were looked at. Sparks and his partner continue to interact with St. Anthony on adding a restaurant there, however, the process there has not been smooth. Depending on what happens with St. Anthony, Mounds View could be the third or fourth location for Sparks. Backman inquired if the Commission would want to provide other financial assistance for this project. Johnson stated that given both sites' other advantages (no redevelopment required, 1 ½ acre of buildable space along Hwy 10, utilities on site, PUD