05/01/12 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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as well and provide opportunity to parlay that facility for larger tournament events. Councilmember Elvig stated he does not understand this proposal enough as to how it will fit into The COR and asked if it will be a domed facility or hard surfaced, if there will be trails or a covered walkway, and if construction will be one solid building. He pointed out there will also be a monstrous need for parking. Development Manager Lazan explained how the site plan sketch was derived. He displayed a diagram depicting the footprint of this proposal and noted there is a placeholder for a YMCA. He stated the Development Team is not yet ready to address the issue of City participation but wanted input from the HRA on whether it supported this type of facility. On the parking issue, they will look at this site as well as the theater site to amass more parking. He asked for feedback on the facility, structure, YMCA, and community center components. Todd Mohagen, architect, stated the most important question they have is needing direction from the City if they would support this proposal, if this is the correct location, and if it fits the City's long -term needs. He explained it would be a phased facility, they do not yet know who all the players will be, and Phase 1 will include basketball /volleyball. Mayor Ramsey stated that as much as he talked about not wanting to fund a community center, it is clear it is a need. He noted that during the Business Expo, 3 out of 4 people asked, "Where is the community center ?" Mr. Dobbins asked why the City would not be interested in funding it since it would be for the community. Mayor Ramsey stated roads are more important than a community center and there are only so many dollars to go around. Mr. Dobbins stated during the Work Session meeting, the Council discussed roads versus trails, and that if more people are involved then the roads will be there. He asked if the same would not be true with this facility. Mr. Dobbins stated he is visualizing he would implement his network on a grand scale, to have a historical type of building, because eventually he will become a citizen of Ramsey. Mayor Ramsey stated he could put more emphasis in doing something like this but the key is when looking for road dollars, the more entities sharing in the process, the less cost for the City and the higher the benefit. He stated he is willing to look at this and the YMCA. Mr. Dobbins stated he met with Anoka County and they offered $300,000 to acquire land so he will be meeting with them again and wants to get more people involved. He assured the HRA that he can make this happen. Councilmember Elvig stated there is not another community that would be more supportive of this type of facility and private /public partnerships than Ramsey. He stated he wants to continue to build on that reputation and sees a need and benefit for this facility but thinks this is not the most appropriate location. He stated this building needs to look good and meet the vision of The Housing and Redevelopment Authority / May 1, 2012 Page3of8