Agenda Packets - 2013/03/25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Other Economic Development Activity In addition to her activities with the EDA and the EDC, Economic Development Specialist Steinmetz coordinated a number of business retention visits with Mayor Flaherty, including Zep Manufacturing, CG Hill and Son, FedTech, and the Rydell Auto Outlet and Garage. Ms. Steinmetz also coordinated the preparation of RFPs to local contractor for the signal painting project at five County Road 10 intersection and followed that with the coordination of a lead- based paint assessment project. The consultant who tested the paint on the signals at the five intersections determined that leas based paint was present at four of the five intersections. Because the cost of the lead-based paint abatement exceeded the cost to paint the semaphore structures, the Council opted to forego the project. Ms. Steinmetz also coordinated the banner project from start to finish (refer to photo on previous page.) The City applied for CDBG grant dollars from Ramsey County and while the request was not fully funded, we were awarded $100,000 which would be enough to purchase and demolish one blighted home. The plan was to turn the cleared lot over to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. We failed to come to an agreement with the first property owner and continue to investigate properties that meet not only the City's criteria but also Habitat for Humanity's criteria. In addition to the above-cited economic development activities, Ms. Steinmetz maintains contacts within the business community and prepares a semi -regular business newsletter containing information submitted from the businesses. (See attached March 2013 issue.) She also keeps in contact with property owners and leasing agents for empty and vacated buildings on the corridor. For example, the owners of the vacant Snyder's building seem content to either wait for someone to pay their asking price or the economy and market values to rebound. A few more businesses closed in 2012 which created even more available space, which only serves to saturate an already market: KFC, Hostess Bakery store, Solid Body Guitar and MN Institute of Public Health. Already in 2013 we've had Corvette Specialties and Past to Present thrift store close their doors. Working to bring businesses into these vacated spaces is not an easy task as the properties' leasing agents can attest to, yet staff does what it can to make the right connections. Under the header of marketing, Ms. Steinmetz also coordinates the City's official communication efforts. She prepares the quarterly City newsletter, distributes the ti emineMgantrabon business to torate nt anorthsmstmmerofRamseycnontv,m, Flounds Nesyk convenknty srtuatetl a fevmks north M business news— boN i lnneapok and St. Pat Wen dydesgnatedan ME letters, and coord- inates with Clear Channel Outdoor to have City messages run on the three digital billboard faces. She also manages the City's website and our monitors social media presence. di 315 j I Monday,' F3 fit_` I� ebbti �o Page 6