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• InTech Industries; target <br />• Fabtech Plastics and Metals; target <br />• MultiSource Manufacturing; scheduled <br />• Green Valley Greenhouse; complete <br />• Integrity Tool; target <br />Staff is working to line -up additional business visits, labeled as "targets ". Staff requests the support <br />of EDA Commissioners in arranging meetings. <br />(4) 167/47 Commercial Node <br />Staff held an open meeting on January 16 at 6pm at City Hall in the Lake Itasca room. This meeting <br />followed a previous meeting and extensive conversations with area residents and business owners. <br />The expectation of the meeting was to gather additional feedback based on the "Statement of <br />Goals" from area owners and the general public. Through discussing the Statement of Goals at the <br />January 16 meeting, the next steps and /or projects were created to work towards solving <br />elements of the greater project. General feedback comments include improving aesthetics, co- <br />marketing and /or branding, and securing more rooftops. This feedback evolved into 4 basic <br />elements that require attention in order revitalize the node. <br />The January 16t meeting created a roadmap to assist in reaching the main goal: To improve and /or <br />remove blight from properties of concern and encourage sustainable market - driven redevelopment <br />of the 167/47 Node that will benefit the entire City of Ramsey. Prioritization of projects, based on <br />community feedback, is as follows: <br />1. Rooftops: Additional rooftops are needed to sustain a retail node at 167t Ave and HWY 47. <br />This "first project" may include an analysis of rooftops needed to sustain X sq. ft. of <br />retail —can the project "work" is the first question to be answered. <br />2. Identity /Marketing: Create a more defined identity for the node which may include <br />aesthetic improvements, signage, a brand name, lighting consistency, landscaping, etc. <br />3. Safety /Transit: A safer and more easily accessed node may drive traffic; solutions may <br />include traffic lights, turn lanes, stop signs, etc. <br />4. Users /Vacancy Rate: Identify users that may compliment the area; suggestions include <br />utilizing our preferred broker to market to complimentary business (business that may <br />compliment Total Defense ?), talk to businesses in the node to gather perspective on <br />complimentary businesses, unified vacant space marketing, etc. <br />Staff is working to identify a firm and /or process to shed light on the sustainability of the node — <br />how many rooftops are needed to support what we already have? Can we do that? In addition, <br />Staff worked to add listing the "water tower" property through its preferred broker, CBRE. CBRE is <br />marketing the parcel for residential development through all outlets. This visibility and placement <br />of the parcel onto the market will someday create additional rooftops. CBRE's signage has gained <br />organic traction /interest from landowners in the immediate 167/47 area for development of <br />residential homes. <br />Staff is also working with a local business on a residential development that includes development <br />of the "water tower" property. Staff was notified an LOI may come forward in the near future. <br />