2011.05.09 EDA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MAY 9, 2011 Miron called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. PRESENT: Arcand, Bever, Denaway, Graff, Klein, Puleo, and Miron ABSENT: None STAFF: Mike Ericson, City Administrator Bryan Bear, Community Development Director Rachel Juba, Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF APRIL 11, 2011 Klein made motion, Puleo seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of April 11, 2011. All aye. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON CITY OWNED PROPERTY MARKETING EFFORTS AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT The development team had a discussion with the EDA on their marketing efforts for the City owned property. They made a presentation to the EDA on their efforts. The development team also discussed a year extension of the purchase agreement for the property. The purchase agreement expires June 21, 2011. The development team showed the various site plans they have been working with to marketing the property. They have been targeting restaurants as the first piece to the development. They have also contacted the company that represents the former Carpenters Restaurant property. The site plan includes a 12,000 square foot event center that could be shared by two or three tenants. They also have created green space along Egg Lake. They have an idea for the architecture, but the details are likely to change depending on the tenants. The development team stated they want to do something unique and interesting to spark interest in downtown Hugo. Commissioner Puleo stated that the large event center would make the project unique and thinks people will be interested. Commissioner Bever stated that parking will be an important piece, make sure there is enough parking to accommodate the event center. The development team stated that shared parking will likely be proposed with this project. Commissioner Graff stated that he liked the restaurant and event center concept. He also made a recommendation to the development team to survey the commissions to see what restaurants they would like to see come to town and contact them. Commissioner Arcand stated she would like to see more than one restaurant come to town and feels that Hugo will be able to support more restaurants. Commission Bever asked what if the City owned the event center. The development team thought that was a good idea and would make the project a public/private partnership.