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C,3rlson Comp,3nies
<br /> asks for Oakdale 's help
<br /> TWO properties are
<br /> holding up large
<br /> development project .
<br /> FUTURE DF,4ElDPMEHii .' '`
<br /> Aaron Sorenson FROPERir zoneo
<br /> _k�� s� �', � �•,`' � IkDUSTRUI OFFICE ' �` : � a ;.: y
<br /> news editor Fort�ownDru� � �
<br /> INFORM.... U
<br /> CNLPCT
<br /> UEVFl OPME�T DEPt t a 'c3. S 1 t z T'`
<br /> All that is standing in the way of
<br /> Carlson Companies developing a � t r 3 k
<br /> 56-acre business park along Inter-
<br /> state 94 in Oakdale is two proper-
<br /> ties,along Hudson Boulevard that
<br /> Carlson has been unable to acquire
<br /> over the past year. ?,, � � F� �a « f
<br /> Citing a good faith effort by � r F i Ifi'i'i
<br /> Carlson Companies to negotiate a
<br /> purchase of those parcels, the Oak R� .�
<br /> dale City Council voted May 10 to Linda Baumeister/Review
<br /> begin eminent domain proceed- The Oaks Business Park,a future development being planned for the
<br /> area bordering Fourth Street to the north,Hudson Boulevard to the
<br /> ings. Such action means if Oakdale south, Helmo Avenue to the west and Ideal Avenue to the east,is
<br /> is unable to finalize a purchase tentatively scheduled to break ground in September or early October.
<br /> agreement on a 3.27-acre parcel
<br /> owned by the Haase family and a Carlson Companies' offer of city officials, he is confident that a
<br /> 1.42-acre parcel owned by Adeline $302,000 was based on comparable purchase agreement can be reached
<br /> Rudeen, the city will go to the values for residential property. Con- without the use of eminent
<br /> courts in an attempt to force the sidering the land is being bought for domain.
<br /> property owners to sell the land to a commercial use, Rudeen said, the "It gets to be pretty expensive
<br /> the city. land should be valued as such. from both sides," he said: "I know
<br /> "It's so important in the big pic- "My mom has been a good mem- I don't want to litigate, and I don't
<br /> ture for Oakdale and the entire ber of this community, and it just think the city wants to either."
<br /> east metro for Carlson to come in doesn't seem right to let Carlson While the city attempts to
<br /> here,"Mayor Carmen Sarrack said. Companies come in and basically acquire the remaining two parcels,
<br /> "You're going to have over 2,000 just force her out of her home at Carlson Companies has been
<br /> jobs created by this project. Eco- however low a price they want." preparing plans for the Oaks Busi-
<br /> nomically, for the whole region, Stan Karwoski was the lone coun- ness Park, which will extend from
<br /> it's very important." cil member to vote against proceed- Helmo Avenue to the west to Ideal
<br /> Sarrack said he is hopeful the ing with eminent domain on the Avenue to the east, and from
<br /> city and the property owners will Rudeen property. He said Carlson Fourth Street to the north to Hud-
<br /> reach an agreement without Companies paid more than market son Boulevard to the south. Carl-
<br /> resorting to eminent domain. value for other pieces of land it son has completed an environmen-
<br /> "This is only a step that starts acquired for the business park and tal assessment worksheet, which
<br /> moving'this forward," Sarrack thought a similar offer should have includes noise, traffic and safety
<br /> said. been made to the Rudeens. studies.
<br /> Paul Rudeen, speaking on behalf "I really feel I work for the resi- The council is scheduled to
<br /> of his mother, Adeline, who was dents before I work for Carlson,"he review those studies at its July 26
<br /> also in attendance at the May 10 said. "I think we jumped too soon meeting. Construction on the site
<br /> council meeting, urged the City to go down this path. I think we could begin as early as September,
<br /> Council to vote against using emi- could have insisted that Carlson do City Administrator Craig Waldron
<br /> nent domain to acquire the home more to get the deal done them- said.
<br /> his mother has lived in for the past selves. Why should we be made to The proposed $86 million pro-
<br /> 53 years. look like the bad guys?" ject, which will be built in phases,
<br /> "Frankly, my mom doesn't want The City Council was unani- is expected to include a mix of
<br /> to leave her home. She doesn't want mous in voting for eminent upscale office, industrial and ware-
<br /> to leave the home where she and domain proceedings to begin on house buildings. A multi-story
<br /> dad raised their seven kids,"he told the Haase property. Carlson origi- office building, serving as the head-
<br /> the City Council. "She doesn't want nally offered$474,500 for the land. quarters for a major regional or
<br /> to leave the house that's filled with The offer was later upped to national company,is also planned.
<br /> memories of her life with my dad $700,000. Daryl Haase and his sis- When the business park is fully
<br /> prior to his passing away." ter, Linda Pilgreen, who serve as developed over the next five to 10
<br /> Rudeen said his mother is willing trustees for their family's estate, years, it is expected to increase
<br /> to consider selling her property if a made a counter offer of$850,000. Oakdale's taxable market value by
<br /> fair market offer is made. He said Daryl Haase said after talking to $72 million.
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