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Mounds View EDA March 11, 2019 <br />Regular Meeting Page 2 <br /> <br />reported the City has been contacted by several developers with proposals for the site. He 1 <br />explained one of those developers has requested to come before the EDA. He noted this 2 <br />developer was proposing to construct a hotel. 3 <br /> 4 <br />Mike Sowers, Commercial Investors Group, introduced himself to the EDA. He provided the 5 <br />EDA with a PowerPoint presentation on his company and his proposal for the Skyline Motel site. 6 <br />He explained he would be one of the general partners for this project and provided further 7 <br />comment on how a hotel would be developed on this property. He stated he liked the visibility 8 <br />and access available for this site. He described the regional job growth in the healthcare industry 9 <br />in Ramsey County and noted there was a strong demand for a hotel in this area. 10 <br /> 11 <br />Jaden Ghylin, Choice Hotels, described the market and demand for hotel rooms in Ramsey 12 <br />County noting at this time there was a demand that outweighed the supply. He explained he was 13 <br />proposing to construct a mid-scale hotel in this market. He stated he appreciated the visibility 14 <br />and access available on the Skyline Motel site and believed that a hotel would be the highest and 15 <br />best use for this property. 16 <br /> 17 <br />Mr. Sowers indicated he was proposing to construct an 80-room hotel with 40 regular rooms and 18 <br />40 extended stay rooms. He discussed the due diligence he would be completing for the project. 19 <br />He provided the EDA with a 3D video of the proposed Choice Hotel and further reviewed the 20 <br />hotel site plan. He commented on the timeline he would be following to close on the property. 21 <br />He estimated the hotel would take eight to twelve months to construct. 22 <br /> 23 <br />Commissioner Meehlhause asked how the hotel would change if it were changed to an upper 24 <br />mid-scale hotel versus a midrange hotel. Mr. Ghylin reported a different hotel brand would be 25 <br />pursued, such as a Marriot or Hilton. 26 <br /> 27 <br />Commissioner Meehlhause questioned if Medtronic’s visitors were staying in hotels in 28 <br />downtown Minneapolis. Assistant City Administrator Beeman stated this may be the case and 29 <br />described how Medtronic booked its extended stay hotels for visiting personnel. 30 <br /> 31 <br />Commissioner Meehlhause inquired what zoning changes would be required for this project. 32 <br />Community Development Director Sevald indicated the site was currently zoned Industrial and 33 <br />would have to be rezoned to B-3 Highway Business. He explained this would require an 34 <br />amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. 35 <br /> 36 <br />Commissioner Meehlhause asked how many jobs would be created by the proposed hotel. Mr. 37 <br />Ghylin estimated the hotel would generate 15 to 20 jobs long-term jobs. 38 <br /> 39 <br />Commissioner Bergeron recommended the hotel have meeting rooms. 40 <br /> 41 <br />President Mueller requested further clarification on how an extended stay hotel was defined. Mr. 42