Laserfiche WebLink
HRA BUSINESS <br />Case #1: Conduct Interviews of the Respondents to the Request for Qualifications RFQ for <br />Development Services for Town Center <br />Planning Manager Miller reviewed the staff report. <br />Patrick Hart, Solomon Real Estate, introduced Steven Johnson of Solomon and Daniel Parks of <br />Westwood Professional Services. <br />Steven Johnson, Solomon Real Estate, summarized who Solomon Real Estate Group was and <br />what type of products Solomon has done. He noted Solomon offered the full range of <br />development. He highlighted Southwest Station in Eden Prairie; Park Place Promenade in <br />Brooklyn Park; Windsor Plaza in Eden Prairie, and Plymouth Marketplace in Plymouth, as some <br />of Solomon's developments. He summarized the services Westwood Professional Services <br />would perform. <br />Chairperson Dehen stated he was not sold on the idea of a development management company as <br />there would be a black hole in his opinion. He stated his idea was to take this property and get <br />rid of it. He indicated his concern was how the City would contain price. <br />Mr. Johnson responded Solomon would work with the City and Solomon would have a contract <br />with the City that would specifically address these issues. He stated it was not Solomon's <br />intention to develop the entire area, but to use Solomon's contacts and act as a conduit between <br />the developer and the City. He noted everything would be done with the Council's approval. <br />Chairperson Dehen asked what Solomon Real Estate could do that the City staff could not do. <br />Mr. Hart responded this was not a normal market or situation. He stated Solomon had a lot of <br />contacts in the industry that staff would not have. He stated Solomon's contacts would be a huge <br />benefit to the City. <br />Chairperson Dehen stated he wanted more information on how Solomon would market the <br />property. <br />Mr. Johnson responded he attended ICSC every year and he would have a different result in <br />talking to retailers than the City would because he was a developer and he had the contacts that <br />the City would not have. He stated the City would get the benefit of having a developer and <br />talking to the retailers on a level that they would understand and appreciate. <br />Commissioner Elvig stated his concern was how Solomon would market this. <br />Mr. Johnson responded Solomon would add an addition onto their website. He stated he would <br />also contact the residential developers with a plan as to how Solomon would make them <br />successful in a down market. With respect to retail, he could easily pick up the phone to certain <br />retailers to regenerate interest. With respect to office, he would target people who were strong in <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority / December 15, 2009 <br />Page 2of10 <br />