Agenda - Council - 12/13/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Increased Productivity of Labor Business Attraction PSD Development LLC is a local developer,land The City of Ramsey has received feedback from a owner,and businesses owner. A majority of PSD number of business prospects that are hesitant to LLC's holdings are located off Ramsey Boulevard, locate in the Ramsey due to a lack of adequate just north of US 10. regional transportation infrastructure.Developers and "In 2014,Wurth Adams (a$15B global company) tenants continue to ask when an interchange will be engaged PSD,LLC to design and construct a facility constructed at Ramsey Boulevard. While the to replace their North American headquarters and Northstar Commuter Rail Station addresses some regional transportation hub in Ramsey. After many regional transportation issues,the lack of investment months of planning,design and schematics of in the US 10 corridor constrains the City's ability to business campus were developed. The project was a 220,000 sq ft building,which would have created attract new employers that provide high-paying jobs. 230jobs. After the Worth Adams'decision making Examples of projects lost since 2013 with primary team was caught in heavy traffic numerous times reason due to the lack of a grade-separated access at when visiting the Ramsey site,they realized the US Ramsey Boulevard or improvements to US 10 include: 10 corridor constrained their ability to successfully operate. Subsequently,that transaction fell Industrial Users (390 jobs),Large Retailers through." (200 jobs),Hotel/Conference Center (65 « jobs),Regional Hospital (260 jobs),Theater US Highway 10 has been a vital artery in the NW suburbs of the Twin Cities Metro Area,it may have (50 jobs), and a Fitness Facility (50 jobs). been viable many years ago,but is substantially inadequate today. Expansion and improvements of The City of Ramsey is confident that development US Highway 10 will be the single largest driving interest in the area is improving. Projects have gone force to retain residents and businesses,as well as, forward over the past year and a half that indicate revitalize this area." businesses and developers are interested in locating Matt Kuker and expanding in the Ramsey. COO,PSD Development LLC Business Retention Construction of an interchange at Ramsey Boulevard is essential to preserving existing jobs in The City of Ramsey and Anoka County. The existing at-grade, signaled,intersection at US 10 and Ramsey Boulevard,and the at-grade crossing of the BNSF Railway,are significant barriers to customers visiting Ramsey businesses,the process of shipping/ receiving freight,and employees traveling to-or- from Ramsey businesses. For example,the City of Ramsey is working with a prospect now (2016) that is contemplating an 80,000 square foot expansion to their 85,000 manufacturing facility in Ramsey. This business provides products to the food industry, space satellite manufacturers,and nuclear power plants;and not only does business in the Midwest,but globally. With the proposed expansion,this business would expect to go from 175 to 225 employees within two years. This business has indicated the current condition of US 10 is an immediate and serious concern,as it affects their ability to do business and recruit/ retain employees. Another example includes the Life Fitness/ Hammer Strength manufacturing facility in Ramsey. Life Fitness is a subsidiary of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE,BC). This Fortune 500 company is heavily invested in the State of Minnesota,with a Life Fitness plant in Ramsey,a Cybex plant in Owatonna, Lund plant in New York Mills,and Crestliner plant in Little Falls. Life Fitness recently completed a roughly 50,000 square foot expansion to their 280,000 square foot facility in Ramsey;which will move their current employment levels in Ramsey from 457 to over 500 within two years. Life Fitness has also voiced concern that the current condition of US 10 is causing problems in their ability to do business and recruit/ retain employees. US 10/CSAH 56 FASTLANE Application 16 City of Ramsey