HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-2016CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
AGENDA
MOUNDS VIEW CITY HALL
FRIDAY, December 16, 2016
7:30 a.m. City Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
4. APPROVE MINUTES from November 18, 2016
5. EDC BUSINESS
A. Establish EDC Meeting Calendar for 2017
B. Review Applications to the Economic Development Commission & Make
Appointment Recommendations to the EDA
6. REPORTS OF STAFF
A. Mounds View Project Updates
7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS
8. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING – January 20, 2017
9. ADJOURN
Commissioners: Chair Jason Helgemoe, Dan Larson, Jim Freichels, Gary
Stevenson, Jessica Rieland, Laurie Shoop
City Staff: Jim Ericson, City Administrator
Brian Beeman, Business Development Coordinator
Minutes of the Economic Development Commission
City of Mounds View
Ramsey County, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
November 18, 2016
City of Mounds View, Council Chambers
2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jason Helgemoe called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 a.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Chair, Jason Helgemoe, Vice Chair, Jim Freichels,
Commissioners, Dan Larson, Jessica Rieland, Gary Stevenson &
Laurie Shoop
Members Absent: Royal Dahlstrom
Staff Present: Business Development Coordinator, Brian Beeman, City
Administrator, Jim Ericson
Meeting Attendees: Gary Meehlhause
3. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 18, 2016, AGENDA
Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Shoop seconded
the approval of the November 18, 2016 EDC agenda.
Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays
4. APPROVAL OF JULY 15 2016, EDC MINUTES
Motion/Second: Commissioner Freichels moved and Commissioner Shoop seconded
the approval of the July 15, 2016 EDC minutes, as presented.
Motion Carried: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays
5. EDC BUSINESS
Resignation of Commissioner Dahlstrom
Chair Helgemoe announced the resignation of Commissioner Royal Dahlstrom.
Dahlstrom had written a letter dated November 8, 2016 to Business Development
Coordinator Beeman stating that he is sorry to have to give up his seat, but the meeting
time conflicts with his new job. In the letter Dahlstrom thanked the EDC and staff for their
hard work in moving the city forward.
EDC Minutes
November 18, 2016
Page 2 of 8
Beeman informed the Commission that no resolution or motion is required by the EDC.
Dahlstrom’s vacancy will be posted with the other EDC vacancies with one seat to fill the
remainder of Dahlstrom’s term ending December 31, 2017.
6. REPORTS OF STAFF
Crossroad Point Redevelopment Project
Business Development Coordinator, Brian Beeman provided the Commission with an
update on the Crossroad Pointe redevelopment site. Beeman provided a background
stating that he had received a note from The Beard Group that they had changed their
plans to construct 119 units to 205 based on market study demand, however their
financial consultants couldn’t make the numbers work even with their proposed Housing
Tax Credits, a land write down, and the Ramsey County Housing grant. They felt they
would not be able to meet the deadline and demands for the project and as a result, had
to back out of the project. However, they left open the possibility of doing business with
the City in the future. The Tax Credit program requires a 20% affordability aspect which
increased the cost of the project causing them to look at lessor quality materials and the
developers didn’t want to go down that road. In the meantime, Coordinator Beeman has
been talking to other developers.
A Council work session is scheduled in December to reevaluate and consider the vision
for the Crossroad Pointe site. Beeman said he has received requests for storage units,
day care, outdoor storage, and flea markets; however the City felt these types of
requests did not fit the intended use and vision for that area. If the City’s intent was to fill
the space as quickly as possible with whatever use came to the City first, then that could
have been accomplished, however the City’s vision is to use the space wisely for long -
term implications and have a product that the community can be proud of in the long-
term rather than just filling the space.
If the City would have had a project in mind when the three buildings were demolished,
then a TIF could have been better utilized. However, rather than allowing the buildings to
sit vacant for years, creating more blight in the area, the City felt that demolishing the
three buildings was the best decision at the time. The down side is that if a TIF is to be
used for that area in the future, the use of the TIF will be limited.
Recently, there have been inquiries from developers for restaurants, senior housing, and
affordable housing. Maybe with The Beard Group backing out, this will give the City time
to reevaluate what makes the most sense for the site. Staff will be seeking further
direction from the City Council and is encouraging the EDC to make suggestions.
Beeman will bring those suggestions forward to the Council or the EDA Members can
attend the meeting which is public. Commissioner Helgemoe asked when the TIF district
ends. Beeman said there is no longer a TIF district on that site. The City would need to
recreate a TIF district if a new project requires it. This is why an EDA levy is important.
Beeman said this is why the government gets involved in economic development. If it
doesn’t work for the private sector then government comes along side to assist the
development to help spur economic growth. Rather than having vacant lots and blighted
buildings with little tax valuation and an eye sore to the community, government’s role is
EDC Minutes
November 18, 2016
Page 3 of 8
to help the private sector developers in making the project financially feasible. Once
built, the buildings increased tax value helps to reduce the tax burden overall on the
residents and makes the area aesthetically pleasing which increases the quality of life in
the community. Ideally, the government would not need to get involved and the private
sector would create the development without any subsidies to fill the demand. In fact,
subsidies like a TIF have a statutory requirement that doesn’t allow Cities to use this
type of financial assistance unless the project passes the “But For” test. The “But For”
test essentially means the project would not occur on its own “But For” the assistance of
a TIF. Cities can also pass this type of test for tax abatements if desired. That is why
government would need to step in on a development; otherwise there wouldn’t be a
need for the government to get involved financially. Therefore, this is a good time to
reevaluate the project and define what the City envisions for this area.
Commissioner Rieland asked if there was any interest from a grocery store. Beeman
said there was not and the closest thing to a grocery store is requests from restaurants.
Beeman said the area is too small for this type of use unless there was an express
grocery store. Wal-Mart, Target, and Amazon have all experimented with the concept of
express stores and while the early stages of the trend seemed promising, the trend has
seemed to stagnate. Beeman said the City had talked about a mixed-use development
at one time but when talking to the developers on the developer tours last year, all of
them cautioned against the mixed-use idea based on their experiences in other parts of
the metro where they have vacant store fronts. They also said in a mixed-use
development what normally happens are the existing businesses in the community flock
to the new development leaving behind vacancies from their original locations. This
robbing Peter to pay Paul effect doesn’t create any new businesses for the community
and the developers felt that no new net gain is the result at the end of the day.
One of the original ideas was to create a destination down town but there isn’t enough
room for this concept. The City could require the developer to add amenities such as
ponding and landscaping to create the desired effect, however Greenfield Ave splits the
property and the water and wastewater utilities are already installed under the roadway.
Relocating those utilities comes with an added cost that some developers may find
financially unreasonable. The other challenge is the corner of County H2 and Mounds
View Boulevard. That corner is a safety concern if making a left hand turn into the
Crossroad Pointe development. Reconfiguring the intersection or only allowing a right-in
may help with the safety aspect, but if the Crossroad Pointe site is not easily accessible
then this is a deterrence to retail uses on the site. The City would need to work with the
County to come up with a road ingress and egress plan that makes sense depending on
the type of development that untimely is constructed.
Beeman informed the Commission that the City had contracted with Stantec who had
completed a concept drawing of the site and had met with the residents in a visioning
session and documented their comments. The report was completed in 2014. So, the
question is, should the City redo some of the reports such as conducting a new survey to
residents and/or holding another open house to receive comments etc. or should the
City use the existing Stantec reports. This is a question that the Council will need to
address at their next Council workshop in December. Trends and economic factors
change over time, like the recession. However, the economy seems to be improving and
the fundamentals of the report are still usable.
EDC Minutes
November 18, 2016
Page 4 of 8
Commissioner Helgemoe asked about the current zoning and uses. Beeman said the
site is currently zoned B-3 which is a highway business use however the plan is to
rezone the area to a Planned Urban Development (PUD) which will allow more flexibility
in the uses. An overlay district was also approved allowing buildings to be constructed
closer to the street to maximize the space. This is what The Beard Group was planning
with the front porch and steps of the apartments to be located close to the street and
proposed sidewalk. The south side of Mounds View Boulevard near the Crossroad
Pointe site already has much existing residential, so it may make sense to complete that
side of Mounds View Boulevard with more housing then focus on the north side for more
business use.
There has been interest in developing the southeast corner from BelRae Senior living for
retail. If the City desires a downtown destination then potentially all four corners of
Mounds View Boulevard and County Road H2 including Crossroad Pointe, Moe’s
restaurant, Vino’s Stogies, and Rydell Auto, may allow for enough space to create this
type of development. However, the City doesn’t own those properties and this is where
an EDA levy would be able to help in purchasing more land for development. We could
potentially put another business in the movie theater parking lot and look at the entire
area as a downtown destination rather than limiting ourselves to only one corner on 4.25
acres. Having a more long-term vision may make some sense rather than waiting for a
developer to tell us what they want to put there.
Commissioner Larson asked if the developer for the TCAAP development had been
contacted. Beeman stated that he did in fact contact Alatus, the master developer for the
site and sent them all the current marketing materials and information about the
Crossroad Pointe site. Beeman was told that the information had been sent to the
appropriate people at Alatus and they will be reviewing the materials and will contact
City staff if interested. Beeman also stated that he had contacted several developers this
week trying to renew some interest in the site and gauge what types of development
they may have in mind before going back to the Council work session in December.
Beeman said he had a sophisticated senior housing developer who was interested in the
site with the market studies showing a high demand for senior housing, however at the
time the RFP’s were sent out, the developer had several other projects and couldn’t
meet the deadline for submitting their proposal. Beeman said this raised another
question. The Council will need to decide if the City should be setting firm formal
proposal deadlines or if the Council will do a wait and see approach and consider each
project as they come forward. The good thing is that the City controls the site, so a
decision can be made on the best fit and benefit to the community.
Commissioner Stevenson stated that the workshop has been set for December 5 and he
will be attending. Helgemoe asked how Commissioners should get their
recommendations to the Council. Beeman stated that they can express their opinions
and suggestions to him directly and he will pass those along to the Council or they are
also welcome to attend the meeting.
EDC Minutes
November 18, 2016
Page 5 of 8
Business Retention & Expansion Visit (BR&E) Updates
Next Beeman updated the Commission on the business retention and expansion efforts.
Beeman informed the Commission that most of the near 150 businesses have been
visited. The most recent visit was with Western Bank. Commissioner Stevenson and
Beeman conducted that visit and the person interviewed had several good suggestions
that Beeman passed along to the appropriate people. Western Bank seems like they are
doing a stable business. They were bought out by a bank in Omaha about four years
ago and have six employees.
Beeman provided an update on Snap Market stating that the person who was looking at
the building for an off-sale liquor use had conducted a market study and found that the
location was not a good site for his type of business. As a result, he backed out of the
deal and the space is available. Bioclean is still looking for a site, Mounds View Square
has 7 vacancies with El Loro closing its business. El Loro is consolidating and spreading
their employees to their existing businesses. Helgomoe asked about the many
vacancies. How are they going to address those vacancies? Beeman said a Tap Room
Ordinance was passed by the City and he had contacted Pastor Enterprise and informed
them about the new Ordinance. At one time they had a tap room prospect looking for
space but have since moved on. The main issue is that Pastor doesn’t negotiate its
leases. Many businesses have contacted Beeman and said that is the reason they have
left and that the lease rates for Mounds View Square are too high.
Helgemoe said the strip mall across the street seems to be full. Commissioner Freichels
stated that is because the school district moved into nearly half of those spaces and but
for their occupancy, the building would still be nearly vacant. Beeman said the coin
laundry business recently changed ownership however it will remain and now there is
only one vacancy in that building. Beeman talked to an owner at the Minnesota Muscle
Gym and they said they were doing fine and will remain in their space for a while.
Helgemoe stated that the point is that Silver View Plaza is full and Mounds View Square
isn’t. Freichels said they have the right tenant. Beeman said that Mounds View Square
has a lot of potential but they don’t seem willing to negotiate their leases.
Beeman said he has received two inquiries on the El Loro site but nothing serious at this
time. Beeman continued, stating Tom’s Collectibles has closed and the owner has
already leased a new space in Roseville as a Business Consultant. The hobby industry
is stalling and moving to more digital and video games. Empire House is still looking for
a new site. The Mermaid is looking to construct a gas station or coffee shop. Beeman
said this is on the right side of the road so this could be a good concept for the area.
Rice Creek Commons Development Update
Beeman informed the Commission that the County has communicated that the County
Road H intersection and bridge project is on schedule and should be substantially
completed by the end of December.
EDC Minutes
November 18, 2016
Page 6 of 8
Website Update
Beeman provided an update on the website stating that it is in need of an update and the
Website Task Force has met several times to interview many companies. Commissioner
Rieland who is on the Task Force said it is exciting and the project, once approved, the
project will take about a year to complete.
Trail Projects
Beeman said the trail projects have been completed except for some minor landscaping
and few more utility poles for lighting.
Snyder Building
The Snyder building is still vacant and the owner is still unwilling to come down on price,
therefore there is no movement on this site.
Mounds View Boulevard
Since County Road 10 was changed to Mounds View Boulevard, it was found that the
USPS was delivering some of the City’s mail to a wrong address but staff contacted
them and it seems to be corrected now. Helgemoe asked about signage. Beeman said
he was told it should be installed in the next month or so. Beeman said Google Maps
was the first to change its street name in their database, but Tom Tom and Garmin and
others are slow to update.
North Metro Business Council
The Mounds View Business Council which has changed its name to the North Metro
Business Council to include Arden Hills and Shoreview met in September to hear a
presentation from Alatus, the master developer for the Rice Creek Commons
development. Helgemoe attended that meeting and stated that County Commissioner
Blake Huffman, the Mayor from Arden Hills, and Bob Lux where in attendance and
answered questions about the project. One issue brought up at the meeting was that
Arden Hills didn’t want the buildings to be as high as the developer wanted them.
However, they are working through those issues. Dec 14 is the next meeting and
someone from the Met-Council will be speaking.
Manufacturing Week
Manufacturing Week was October 2-8 and this year Quanex, a local window framing
manufacturer participated. The point is to get local high school students interested in the
manufacturing industry by providing tours and working with local high schools and
technical colleges, and government officials. Beeman presented some statistics on the
manufacturing industry stating the average manufacturing job paid $63,251 in 2015 and
contributed $48.2 billion to the state’s economy in 2015. Minnesota has 317,200 jobs in
manufacturing with an impact of 914,000 jobs when adding jobs in other industries that
are dependent on manufacturing.
EDC Minutes
November 18, 2016
Page 7 of 8
Upcoming Events/Reports
Beeman informed the Commission that there are three Resident Commission positions
open and to submit application soon if interested.
Beeman informed the Commission that he attended the Local Political Leadership
Luncheon recently and the City of Mounds View has received an award for business
retention and expansion for the second year in a row. The trophy is a symbol
emphasizing Mounds View’s aggressive BR &E program. Helgemoe said it is nice to be
recognized. Beeman thanked the Commission for participating in the program stating
that it is helpful to have Commissioners attend the visits showing their support for local
businesses and business appreciate the City expressing their interest in having them
operating in Mounds View.
7. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS
Helgemoe asked Commissioners if they had any reports. Hearing none, Helgemoe said
the next meeting is December 16, 2016 at 7:30 a.m. Talk to your friends and neighbors
about attending the North Metro Business Council meeting in December to get face time
with important decision makers.
Council Member Meehlhause added that Commissioners and residents are welcome to
attend the upcoming Council work session to discuss the Crossroad Pointe project. The
Council will also be discussing the budget as part of the Truth in Taxation requirements.
The EDA levy will also be discussed. Helgemoe asked about the use of the EDA levy.
Meehlause said it will be used for economic development purposes like the purchase of
property for redevelopment, to fund currently unfunded housing loan projects, and to
help pay for economic development staff time. The Public Works building will be built in
2017. This is a much needed building. Currently, the trucks are sandwiched into the
building and much maneuvering is required to get all of the vehicle s into the building.
The new building will be located on the same parcel; however the old building will remain
while the new building is being constructed. The Area I project will continue into next
year. Met-Council has been doing a sewer line project which has impacted the Area I
project. The trail ways have been completed and the Council is considering an additional
extension for 2017 to truly complete the trail way system in Mounds View.
Helgemoe asked for any additional updates. Beeman said that the Santa Parade will
begin soon and will be in Mounds View Thursday December 1 to pick up canned foods.
Beeman posted the event on the City’s website and Face Book and it is also in the City’s
newsletter. Beeman said the next EDC meeting will be held December 16 and the
Commission will be making a recommendation of EDC Commissioners to the EDA and
setting the 2017 EDC schedule. There will be more administrative actions needed at the
next few meetings. Helgemoe said that it is important that all Commissioners try to be in
attendance at the next few meetings so that business can take place. Helgemoe also
encouraged Commissioners to pass along any suggestions on the Crossroad Pointe
development to Beeman so that he can inform the Council at their work session meeting
in December.
EDC Minutes
November 18, 2016
Page 8 of 8
8. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING
Chair Helgemoe reminded everyone that the next EDC meeting will be held December
16 at 7:30 a.m.
9. ADJOURN
There being no further business, Chair Helgemoe adjourned the November 18, 2016,
meeting at 8:25 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Brian Beeman
Business Development Coordinator
Item #: 5A
Meeting Date: December 16, 2017
Type of Business: EDC
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Economic Development Commission
From: Brian Beeman, Business Development Coordinator
Item Title/Subject: Establish EDC Meeting Calendar for 2017
Background
Section 408.07 of the Mounds View Municipal Code and the EDC Bylaws require that
the Economic Development Commission establish a meeting calendar. The Bylaws
specify that the meetings shall occur on the third Friday of each month. The
Commission has traditionally met at 7:30 am. If there is a desire to meet on alternative
days, a new resolution would need to be adopted, per Bylaws. If the Commission
wanted to meet at a different time on the third Friday, that could be accomplished by
motion.
The following dates represent the third Fridays through 2017.
January 20, 2017 February 17, 2017 March 17, 2017
April 21, 2017 May 19, 2017 June 16, 2017
July 21, 2017 August 18, 2017 September 15, 2017
October 20, 2017 November 17, 2017 December 15, 2017
It does not appear that any of the above dates conflict with observed holidays.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends the Commission make a motion to approve Resolution NO. 16-EDC-
41 establishing the calendar of meeting dates for 2017 and confirm the time of day.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Brian Beeman, Business Development Coordinator
MOUNDS VIEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 16-EDC-41
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CALENDAR OF MEETING DATES FOR 2017
WHEREAS, The Mounds View Economic Development Commission plans to hold one
business meeting per month throughout 2017, with the exception of Special Meetings; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of a list of meeting dates provides an orderly system of
advance notification for the benefit of the EDC, City staff and the general public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Economic Development Commission
hereby adopts the calendar of 2017 meeting dates attached hereto.
Adopted this 16th day of December 2016.
Chair
ATTEST:
City Administrator
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
2017 MEETING DATES
January 20, 2017
February 17, 2017
March 17, 2017
April 21, 2017
May 19, 2017
June 16, 2017
July 21, 2017
August 18, 2017
September 15, 2017
October 20, 2017
November 17, 2017
December 15, 2017
(All meetings will be held at Mounds View City Hall at 7:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted)
Item #: 5B
Meeting Date: Dec 16, 2016
Type of Business: EDC
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Economic Development Commission
From: Brian Beeman, Business Development Coordinator
Item Title/Subject: Review Applications to the Economic Development
Commission, Make Appointment Recommendations to the
EDA
Background:
The Economic Development Commission is comprised of seven members—three
business representatives and four resident representatives. Each member serves a
three year term which are staggered to ensure continuity of service.
The terms of Dan Larson and Laurie Shoop expire December 31, 2016 leaving two
Resident Representative openings. Both openings are for the term starting January 1,
2017 and ending December 31, 2019. In addition, there is one Resident opening to
complete the term of Royal Dahlstrom who resigned November 8, 2016 and who’s term
ends December 31, 2017.
Discussion:
After posting notice online, through social media, the Cable TV channel, and in the City
newspaper, applications were received from Dan Larson and Laurie Shoop for the
Resident Representative openings. Mr. Larson has been an EDC member since 2008
and is an employee at Environ Lab. While Mrs. Shoop has been an EDC Member since
2015 and is a real estate agent at Remax. Both applicants have provided a wealth of
knowledge and experience to the EDC.
Recommendation:
Review the applications and make a motion recommending to the EDA to appoint two
Resident Representatives to the EDC with terms beginning January 1, 2017 and
expiring December 31, 2019.
________________
Brian Beeman
Business Development Coordinator
Attachments:
1. Applications from Dan Larson and Laurie Shoop.
Item #: 6A
Meeting Date: December 16, 2016
Type of Business: EDC
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Economic Development Commission
From: Brian Beeman, Business Development Coordinator
Item Title/Subject: Reports of Staff
A. Crossroad Pointe Redevelopment Project
On December 5, 2016 the City Council held a Council work session to discuss the
Crossroad Pointe redevelopment site. Members of the EDC, Planning Commission, and
residents were allowed to provide comments in helping the Counci l develop a vision for
the site. A summary of the Council’s vision for the redevelopment is as follows:
1. They prefer 100% Market Rate Apartments, but if it is a good project with mixed -
use, they may consider up-to 20% affordable with the remaining 80% all market
rate.
2. They still like the mixed-use concept and believe the Stantec report is still viable
for today’s market.
3. They prefer one large project to utilize the entire 4.25 acres, but are open to
doing it in phases.
4. Current zoning allows 3 stories. They are willing to allow a more vertical
development 4-6 stories, but also open to a detached mixed-use development.
5. Council is willing to work with a developer if they have a very good development.
Individual Comments:
Underground parking
Do something similar to what they did around the Target HQ in Brooklyn Park
No Section 8 housing
Phases are ok
All 4.25 acres to be develops, open to developer partnerships that specialize
in different areas as long as whole project is developed
Want market rate apartments similar to what The Beard Group was proposing
with amenities, fitness center, green space, community gardening, etc.
New generation/newer housing attracting millennials and empty nesters alike
Restaurant on the Mounds View Boulevard side
One development
Vacate Greenfield Ave that divides the property so it is more flexible for one
large development
Reports of Staff
December 16, 2016
Page 2 of 4
Retail on lower level
People move here for the School District
Need low maintenance housing that offers retail and smaller restaurants,
express Target, Express Hy-Vee, moderately priced eating places
Look at Fridley on University Ave as a comparison, there is no retail there
Don’t want 80% affordability
Evaluate the entire housing stock in Mounds View
Replace older housing stock first, and have entire city plan
Assess the current affordable housing product first
Want smaller restaurants, gift shop, 24 hour fitness center, etc.
Need a downtown area concept with anchor tenant, flower shop, coffee,
Chiropractor, medical services, smaller hardware store, maybe adjacent to
apartments or as part of the development, Could do creative landscaping with
pondage, vegetation, fountains, outdoor seating & fireplace with restaurant
and pathways, could create fake rooflines with painted windows similar to
Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove to make it appear like a downtown.
Want upscale apartments, we don’t have a product like that in Mounds View
Fridley took a chance, why can’t we?
Do we have the demand for retail? Look at Mounds View Square with their
vacancies.
Do we wait to see what happens with the Rice Creek Commons development
or do we start development now?
Height: We are willing to modify the city’s height requirements if this will help
the developer to bring cost down by increasing the number of units.
Does age correlate to affordability?
We need living streets, walkability, etc.
Before the Council work session a company was interested in constructing an 80 unit
apartment building with 80% affordable and 20% market rate with a mixed -use
component. However, after hearing the Council’s vision for the site, they have stepped
away from the project. Below is their response:
Brian,
This feedback is very helpful, thank you. At this point we are not
convinced that market rate rent levels would be high enough to support
new construction in that location. We also don’t know that we would be
willing to take down the whole site a do a very large, mixed use building. I
completely understand the Council’s thoughts and ideas, but at this point I
think we will take a step back. If anything changes on the vision for the
site please let me know.
Reports of Staff
December 16, 2016
Page 3 of 4
B. Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Visits
Due to multiple projects taking a considerable amount of time such as the website task
force and meetings to consider outsourcing the city’s newsletter with RFP’s and the fact
that most of the local businesses have already been visited, there have been no new
BR & E visits since the last EDC meeting in November 2016.
C. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) Development Update
MnDOT has announced that on November 30, 2016 crews were able to open the new
interchange at County Road H and I-35W, along with the new County Road H bridge
spanning I-35W.
Project work began in May and MnDOT cooperated with Ramsey County and the cities
of Arden Hills and Mounds View to design and reconstruct this interchange. The final
details and completion will be 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.
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. A dozen or more website
companies were initially contacted and the Task Force interviewed six qualified
companies. On December 5, the Task Force ultimately and unanimously recommended
Revize to the City Council. It is expected that the Council will approve the contract
through a resolution at their December 12 regular Council meeting. The initial kick-off
meeting and design phase could start as early as January 2017 and would take
approximately 5-6 months for the design phase and about around 15-17 weeks in the
best case scenario to launch the new website.
E. Mounds View Boulevard
On June 13, 2016 the Mounds View City Council passed Ordinance 918 renaming
County Road 10 to Mounds View Boulevard. The name change went into effect the end
of July. The Post Office will continue to deliver mail to the old addresses as well as the
new address. Google Maps has already made the change and others such as Tom -Tom
& Garmin are working with their third party GIS mapping companies to also make the
change. The County Road H & Mounds View Boulevard intersection has the new
Mounds View Boulevard sign posted. Businesses are encouraged to change their
address to Mounds View Boulevard as soon as they are able.
Reports of Staff
December 16, 2016
Page 4 of 4
F. North Metro Business Council Meeting
The last North Metro Business Council meeting was held December 14 at the Mermaid
Event Center. The speaker was a member of the Metropolitan Council. Chair
Helgemoe, who is also the Chair of the Business Council, will provide an update to the
EDC. The next meeting will be held March 8, 2017 at the Mermaid. The meeting will
start at 7:30 a.m. with community updates, followed by a speaker yet to be determined.
G. Other Upcoming Events/Reports
Applications to become an Economic Development Commissioner for the term January
1, 2017-December 31, 2019 were due to the City offices on December 2, 2016 by 4:30
p.m. One Resident Representative opening for Royal Dahlstrom’s seat remains open for
someone to serve from now until December 31, 2017. The opening requires that the
applicant be a current resident of Mounds View and remain so for the duration of the
term.
A developer is looking to construct about 5 2 units of workforce housing on the Cynthia
Johnson property. They will be discussing the project at the Council work session
January 3 at around 6:30 p.m. The developer will be asking for a Housing TIF at some
point and lenience on the three acre Planned Urban Development (PUD) requirement. If
all goes well, the developer plans to submit the ta x credit application in the spring of
2017 and if awarded the tax credit and housing TIF, would anticipate opening in 2019.
H. Reports of Commissioners (Agenda Item 7)
I. Upcoming EDC Meetings (Agenda Item 8)
The next meeting will be held January 20, 2017 at 7:30 a.m. The January meeting will
consist of the Oath of Office for new Commissioners and the appointment of the Ch air
and Vice Chair including a staff report. Please plan to be at the January 20, and
February 17 EDC meetings so that we can take action and conduct official business on
a number of required administrative functions.
______________________________
Brian Beeman
Business Development Coordinator