|
Project Specifications
<br />Project -
<br />The proposed 10,000 sf, 1-story, Stone Brook Academy & Daycare facility will include seven class rooms, a gym,
<br />kitchen, offices, reception area, and a playground. The academy will be staffed by 15-20 employees (including
<br />State certified instructors), and will serve 140 children. Mr. and Ms. Johnson have indicated they intend to
<br />construct a very nice looking building (including brick/ glass) and they generally understand design standards for
<br />The COR. Also, they want to create a facility that becomes an asset for the community, interacts with residents,
<br />and draws people to The COR.
<br />Mr. and Ms. Johnson reviewed sites in Ramsey and neighboring cities (Coon Rapids, Andover, Elk River, Otsego,
<br />Rogers, etc.). The central part of The COR is their ideal location, and where they are proposing their new facility.
<br />They looked at multiple site locations within The COR. Site #1 is their most desired location. At this point, they
<br />estimate a need for 0.9-1-acres of land.
<br />Site Location -
<br />This is an open item. The purpose of this case is to provide guidance on site location. Stone Brook has considered
<br />10+ sites in Ramsey, and various sites in other cities. In previous cases, staff attached logs that detailed feedback
<br />from Stone Brook, and various city commissions, on other sites. Stone Brook wants to be located in Ramsey.
<br />Furthermore, Stone Brook continues to indicate Site #1 is their ideal location, and is awaiting final direction from
<br />the City on that specific site. Site location is very important to Stone Brook.
<br />Owners -
<br />This is a project they've been researching and planning for over two years. They have reviewed the project with
<br />two developers, an architect, and with two banks. At this point, they are ready to make their dream a reality --they
<br />have their equity lined up --financing arranged --they are ready to apply for State Licensing --they are ready to go
<br />through the real estate entitlement process --they are ready to begin hiring/ training employees --and they are
<br />ready to enter into a purchase agreement with the City. Their goal is to begin construction in early summer 2017.
<br />The new children's academy will be called Stone Brook. This startup company has an advantage in that Mrs.
<br />Johnson's father started a children's academy franchise in Florida called Prestmore Academy, therefore, Mr. and
<br />Mrs. Johnson will have the support of an experienced operator to assist with planning, preparation, and operation
<br />of the project. Here is a link to the Prestmore Academy website http://www.prestmoreacademy.com/. Please see
<br />"about" page for details. To begin, Mrs. Johnson will quit her current practice to operate Stone Brook. Mr. Johnson
<br />will continue his practice, until the businesses is self sustaining.
<br />Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Stone Brook Academy have described this venture as much more than a business idea. They
<br />believe this project is the accumulation of several personal and professional goals, that fulfills a deep-rooted
<br />passion to give back to the world --through the education and development of children. To them, this is their
<br />dream.
<br />Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have also said it is very important for them to make strong connections to other users in The
<br />COR (and the community), to have a high -quality/ high-tech/ high -security facility, and to provide high -quality
<br />service offerings (academy). They have indicated they hope to be more than a childcare center, they are also an
<br />educational institution and asset to the community, and should not be compared to a purely traditional daycare
<br />center Horizon.
<br />Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson strongly believe in the vision of The COR-- especially the center of The COR. They
<br />believe in the principles of a walkable development, with close proximity to residential, close proximity to rail,
<br />high -quality architecture, and density. They believe their project is best located in (or near) the center of The COR,
<br />as a destination (140 kids, 20 employees). This is the main reason they want to be on Site #1.
<br />Page 1 of 2
<br />
|