Agenda - Council - 02/23/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Planning Division also completed an inventory of current parcels along the Highway 10 corridor. The purpose of this exercise, per the direction of City Council, was to review current conditions and the adequacy of current ordinances. The City Council will review these findings to look for ways to provide flexibility within current ordinances, encouraging economic development, while ensuring the overall well -being of the corridor. Housing and Redevelopment Authority In 2009, the City's HRA took on an exciting challenge by purchasing 150 acres of land in the Ramsey Town Center. This purchase of land has allowed the City to reposition the project for further development. In the summer of 2009, the City held public meetings to review the vision for the project with the community. This effort resulted in adding flexibility to the project to accommodate large format retail projects, primarily on the west end of project. The long- standing vision of the project that included a mix of office, retail, housing, and civic uses that encourages walkability and is a transit oriented gathering place for community was renewed as a part of this process. The City's HRA looks forward to the commencement of several key projects in early 2010 with the construction of a new Allina Clinic at the corner of Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Blvd, opening of Acapulco Restaurant at the west end retail center, and several other projects that are projected to break ground later in 2010 or early 2011. Given the current economic conditions, the City has focused on those sectors of the economy that are investing and expanding such as medical facilities, senior housing, rental housing, and other civic uses. The broader mission for the HRA remains since its establishment in 2005. The HRA is charged with undertaking various kinds of development projects that will enhance and preserve existing areas of housing and commerce in Ramsey. The HRA also looks for opportunities to encourage the development of new housing that will help diversify Ramsey's housing stock, in terms of housing type and level of affordability. Economic Development 2009 was successful for economic development in the City of Ramsey considering the poor national economic conditions. Projects initiated in 2009 include: construction of QDP & JBT Alliance (20,000 ft), Infrastructure financing by the Ramsey EDA for Sophia Ramsey to facilitate the opening of a new restaurant (7,200 ft') in Town Center, and the addition of a Business Expo for the retail and service industries in the community The completed development for 2009 has an estimated tax assessed market value of $2,300,000 and will have the potential to create over seventy (70) quality jobs in the next few years. The amount of development continues to reduce the City's land inventory in its business parks. Acquisition of additional land or site specific redevelopment would assist the City with accommodating future development inquiries. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) continues to lead the development and redevelopment efforts throughout the City and will continue redeveloping sites located in the Basalt /Azurite /County Rd. 116 area. The EDA has identified land on the Highway 10 corridor for future industrial development. When economic conditions improve, the EDA will consider developing /acquiring more industrial land. The EDA worked with the Ramsey HRA and the Ramsey Steering Committee to develop staff and to help fund a marketing plan for Town Center. The EDA initiated the Buxton Study to help identify users for the Ramsey Town Center and the 167 Commercial node. The results of that study have been finalized and marketing packages were sent out to potential users in 2009. The Buxton Study allows for a refresh of City of Ramsey Page 2009 Annual Report 14