Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 08/12/2021

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Member MacLennan stated that he has spoken with residents that would love to see a big box retailer and if a big box retailer comes in that could attract smaller retailers. He asked if this would be the only location a big box retailer could go in. Chairperson Steffen commented that it seems there is very little big box retail development nationally. Economic Development Manager Sullivan confirmed that the big box retail trend is going away and moving towards stand-alone retail. He noted that Ramsey does not have the acreage to do a supercenter like Riverdale. He stated that Ramsey has tried to bring in a user such as Target in the past but has been unsuccessful. He commented that this proposed development would forgo the opportunity for a large, big box user. He commented that there is a lot of demand for housing right now and that the City would receive a lot of development pressure for this parcel. He noted that he wants to be confident in communicating to the City's broker as to the use of the property. He stated that if the City is going to hold to reserving the tire parcel for big box retail it would need to be confirmed with the Planning Commission an. ity Co it as that would be acnge from the 2017 vision. Member Riley commented that this is a big picture pole. cision that needs to be made. He stated that the City is coming against t ision of what ha egg in place for 15 to 20 years in order to respond to the market. He state' that this whole section wasreviously retail but was then changed to mostly residential with some retail. Economic Development Manager Sullivan confirmed that the EDA, Planning Commission and City Council were involved in the revisioning of this site and the consensus was that all bodies were open to this type of concept with housing and retail. Member Riley commented that the developer suggests all residential, but staff suggests carving a portion out for r.elail to follow the vision from 2017. Member Johnson stated that COchanged the way people shop and was unsure that she would want to hold out for big box retail. She noted that many people have changed to curbside pickup and therefore reserving a large portion of land for something that may not ever come. She stated that if there ar ore residents, that attracts more retailers. She noted that there are big box retailers on both sides sey and therefore did not see that those big box stores would want to come to Ramsey. ar Member Cords asked if the guidance for partial retail would be focused on smaller retail stores and if that were the case, he would prefer to stay with that rather than 100 percent residential. Economic Development Manager Sullivan commented that a three -acre site could support a multi - tenant space or a standalone businesses. He stated that there is a lot of pressure for dollar stores, noting that he has spoken with two recently. Chairperson Steffen asked if the map shown is the consensus of the vision from 2017. Economic Development Authority/ July 8, 2021 Page 7 of 12