10-21-2016 Cancelled - Laserfiche WebLink

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Reports of Staff October 21, 2016 Page 3 of 5 Empire House: Empire House had intentions to build a new building in Mounds View and decided to stop any and all negotiations on the land north of Bio Life because the land owner has many shell companies and their attorneys were busy trying to determine who actually owned the property. Once it was determined who owned the property, the land owners decided that they wanted to sit on the land in case Bio Life needed it for future parking. Coordinator Beeman connected the Owner of Empire House to a decision maker on the Baxter Board of Real Estate. They indicated that they would be in touch. To date, Empire House has not notified the City of any immediate plans to build on the property and they are actively looking for other locations. Mermaid Event Center: Business Coordinator Brian Beeman talked to the owner of the Mermaid a few months ago about the idea of putting in a coffee shop or similar business on the corner of County Rd H & 10. This was initially an effort to find Dunkin Donuts another option since they were not allowed to move into the Edgewood Plaza space. Since that time, the owner has indicated that he is in discussions with one or more businesses that may be interested in the corner site. Staff will be meeting with the owner on October 13 to discuss his ideas for that area. C. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) Development Update Construction on Rice Creek Commons and Mounds View Boulevard & County Road H is nearing completion and is expected to be open in December with final completion in early 2017. The building construction, development process, and County Road H & I roundabouts are on schedule for construction to begin in 2017. Alatus has been chosen as the master developer who has indicated that Phase I construction will consist of 200 homes. In addition, Alatus will begin its search for a business anchor with the idea that it will spur more commercial development interest. In talking with the Mounds View School Superintendent, he has indicated that they are in the preliminary stages of determining how to handle the influx of new residents translating into more students. As I understand it a freeze on open enrollment is in force. D. Mounds View Project Updates Website: On September 5, the City Council authorized setting up a Website Task Force. The first Task Force meeting was held September 28. The Task Force is actively hearing presentations from each of the preselected companies , in addition to researching and evaluating the companies. The Task Force is expected to make its final recommendation to hire one of the website companies to the City Council December 5 at a Council Workshop with the expectation that the Council will approve by Reso lution the recommended company at its December 12 meeting. The initial kick-off meeting and design phase could start as early as January 2017 an d would take approximately 6 months to launch the final website.