Laserfiche WebLink
Change Log <br /> EDA Workplan,2017 <br /> (1) Business Retention and Expansion <br /> The city has completed 15 business visits as of 07/27/2016. Three more additional visits have been <br /> scheduled. Staff anticipates the goal of 24 business visits will be met by year end. Although staff has been <br /> able to meet this goal, it has been a challenge to dedicate the appropriate time to this program (specifically <br /> the follow up and reporting). Staff anticipates providing the EDA with an annual report of results (in <br /> December)for the BRE program. <br /> (2) Future Business Park <br /> As the EDA knows,the future business park process has been temporally put on hold due to a change in <br /> position by one of the major business park land owners(Pearson). However,with that said,the City has <br /> completed an infrastructure analysis for the business park, an economic development analysis, and drafted <br /> policy positions to implement the business park. Once the Pearson Property issue can be resolved, staff is <br /> confident this project is ready to move forward quickly(i.e. make final zoning changes, and approve various <br /> policy positions and agreements with land owners). <br /> As of 07/27/2016, staff has not received strong interest from the development community(15 developers)to <br /> purchase the Pearson property. Staff is still working with one potential prospect. Unless said prospect steps <br /> forward with a serious offer,staff expects the discussion of a potential city purchase of the Pearson Property <br /> (and/or a new policy discussion RE the business park)to come back to the EDA by October. <br /> (3) Old Municipal Center Redevelopment <br /> The demolition and clean of the former municipal center site does take a considerable amount of staff time <br /> to administer. Due to current workloads,the Council authorized staff to utilize WSB to help administer the <br /> demolition process(i.e. put together plans/specs, and administer bidding processes). The City entered into a <br /> contract with Hakanson Anderson to aid staff in the early summer. <br /> The actual demolition of the old municipal center campus is broken down into two separate steps, and <br /> subsequently two separate contracts/bids. First, is for the removal of"non-landfill" materials/hazardous <br /> materials. The City awarded a contract to J&J for that work in late June. Their work is expected for <br /> completion by mid-august. The second step is the actual demolition and site cleanup. That work is expected <br /> to be completed by November of 2016. <br /> Timelines for the project were moved back due to the need to call in additional resources to support the <br /> economic development manager. <br /> (4) Recruit new industry and major retail businesses to Ramsey <br /> This goal is still outstanding.The target timeline is fall of 2017. Staff is optimistic that there will be at least <br /> two new 30,000 sf industrial facilities in Ramsey by the end of 2017. Staff is currently working with several <br /> prospects. Hopefully a couple will hit. Staff is not highly confident the City will obtain their goal of two new <br /> 30,000 sf retail space by the end of 2017. Staff has not received strong or consistent feedback from retail <br /> developers. Based on staff's interactions with prospects,developers, and real estate agents,there is not a <br /> high level of confidence will see a significant change in the retail market over the next six months. However, <br /> we are hopeful,come 2017,the market will change in favor of Ramsey for retail. <br /> Page 1 of 4 <br />