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Ms. Kvilvang responded 93% is considered full occupancy. 100% occupancy is considered rare. <br />Commissioner Elvig commented he did not believe anyone would finance this project after it has <br />been built, unless it has outperformed, which is unusual. He said he would like to know more <br />about the agreement with PNC. He noted there are a lot of factors. Banks are not loaning now <br />especially when there is this much interest in a development. He said he does not have an issue <br />with the City functioning as a financing arm, but he does not want to subsidize any further. He <br />commented the real risk is what happens after the financing and how fast the City can get the <br />spaces rented. If they had met certain thresholds, then the problem is the gap in the lease rates. <br />Development Manager Lazan noted discussions with Flaherty and Collins have not been started. <br />He indicated he wanted to be assured the HRA was comfortable first. If this does not move <br />forward, he has to work more on the real estate deal. For the purposes of this demo, he said his <br />firm assumed there were no negotiations. He noted his staff asked F&C what it would take to <br />close now, and this was their response. <br />Chairperson Jeffrey questioned if the HRA has written a loan for any other business in this <br />community to this magnitude. He stated he is aware this is a catalyst project, but he is not in <br />favor of it. He said if they cannot make it work on their own, he is not interested. <br />Commissioner Wise pointed out the HRA did finance the City Hall and Parking Ramp and they <br />are a catalyst. The HRA was a partner with the City and Town Centre. He said he is leaning <br />toward getting this done because there is so much more tied to it. <br />Commissioner Tossey said it was mentioned that the development team went to F&C and asked <br />what it would take to close now. He said his concern is that there was a plan in place and it was <br />for a closing date in May. There was a date in place, and the financing was to be in place for that <br />date. <br />Development Manager Lazan explained the Team started to realize the June start date was <br />becoming more difficult. To keep to that schedule, the first date needed to be pushed to June 30 <br />and it was tied in with the ramp. Since the ramp, F&C, and the rail station did not come together <br />at once, it led to the question of what would it take to close. <br />Commissioner Backous stated there are a lot of reasons to back off from this project. He noted <br />that a lot of professionals have weighed in on this, including financial professionals. If they are <br />not willing to go in on this, he believed the HRA shouldn't either. <br />Finance Director Lund noted this would not affect the debt limit because it is backed by TIF <br />revenue. <br />Commissioner Backous stated he approves of the project concept but felt the HRA is going "too <br />far out on a limb." <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority / May 10, 2011 <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />