2010.11.08 EDA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF NOVEMBER 8, 2010 Fran called the meeting to order at 9:10 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Tom Denaway, Jim Bever, and Fran Miron ABSENT: Mike Granger, Phil Klein, and Brian Thistle APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF OCTOBER 11, 2010 Denaway made motion, Bever seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of October 11, 2010. All aye. Motion carried. PRESENTATION FROM DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR THE CITY OWNED PROPERTIES Representatives Mark Finneman, Dick Fischer, and Mike Brass from NAI Welsh unveiled concept markups for the proposed Downtown Event Center. The proposed Event Center features modern design, with a style that has been infused with warm, French architectural d6cor. The proposed Event Center will house four businesses and employ a shared parking lot, with a capacity of 160 cars. NAI hopes to move a restaurant into one of the larger units, and envisions the restaurant as the anchor for the building. NAI Welsh has designed the building with a funeral parlor in mind for the other larger unit. The two larger units of the building measure 3,000 square feet per room, and the smaller two units measure 2,500 square feet per room. A 3,600 square foot shared area will be in the center of the building. Commissioners Bever and Denaway posed a number of tough questions, including inquiries regarding the design of the building, and concerns over its marketability as a modern -style, multi-purpose building. Denaway posed the question, "why not a more traditional building?" NAI Welsh made it clear that they are confident that a modern - style building will be "further ahead of the game" and will be an asset to the community picture. After a considerable Question and Answer period, Commissioner Arcand stated that though she did not expect to like the concept, that she would support the plan. Commissioners Bever and Denaway were also persuaded. No floor plan or design concept is final yet, but in the next few weeks NAI Welsh plans to begin marketing the space and building as presented. Finneman, Fisher, and Brass stated that they will remain open to re -design options from interested renters throughout the marketing process.