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2. What makes you think anyone will rent at these prices? <br />Referencing the two market research studies, both concluded that there is a strong market for market - <br />rate apartments in Ramsey, particularly on the Northstar Commuter rail Line. Drawing on comparative <br />apartment projects in the Minneapolis suburban area, their studies project market rent rates ranging <br />from $1.10 to $1.40 per square foot per month. The Residence at the COR project's proforma projects <br />rents at the $1.21 per square foot, which translates to an average of about $1,210/month for a 1,000 <br />square foot unit. <br />3. Do you really think that young adults can afford to pay $1,210 for rent? Why not purchase a home <br />for the same price? <br />The developer and the City of Ramsey have identified that the target market segment for these <br />apartments is likely young professionals that desire to have convenient access to transit, urban living <br />with amenities and services, but also the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors that Ramsey and <br />locations to the north have to offer. The young professional segment is a target, and this is generally of <br />the 25-35 year old age group. Moreover, market evidence shows that this product is also attractive to <br />empty -nesters or single professionals. While many people will prefer to own a home, in a more <br />restrictive lending environment and soft housing market, leasing a high quality apartment may be the <br />best option. Moreover, some individuals are not ready to take on the responsibility or commitment of <br />owning a home. <br />4. F&C has a history of bankruptcies. What if it happens with this project? <br />The reality is that there are few, if any, developers that have not had a project struggle to work out the <br />way it was planned. Flaherty & Collins operates 70 properties across the US with over 9700 units of <br />apartments under management housing over 15,000 residents. Flaherty & Collins has had two projects <br />that were in bankruptcy protection. One was a high rise condo project in Charlotte, NC, and the other <br />was an apartment project in Raleigh, NC. The high rise project was a result of the complete collapse in <br />the condo marketplace in 2008. The Raleigh project was constructed and leased successfully, if a bit <br />slower than projected, by Flaherty & Collins. It should be noted that this was in the midst of the <br />economic downtown and bank credit crisis. Permanent financing was very difficult to secure, as it was <br />for everyone in the property and real estate business. Bankruptcy was filed to protect the participants' <br />assets. Subsequently the project was valued, sold, and all parties paid in full. <br />5. Why would you choose to work with F&C and their history of bankruptcies? <br />We have conducted a financial background check on the firm's principals. We have examined their <br />award -winning projects, and we have spoken to others who have done business with them. We are in <br />the process of finalizing solid, yet complicated, development, purchase and loan agreements with them. <br />We believe that F&C (1) is a solid partner for the City of Ramsey, (2) possesses the financial and <br />technical wherewithal to execute this project, and (3) that F&C shares the City's vision and understands <br />our guiding principles for The COR at Ramsey. <br />