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Councilmember Specht asked if the carwash and coffee business are tied in firm or whether it is <br /> just a concept. <br /> Economic Development Manager Sullivan stated that in his discussions with Java, there appear to <br /> be agreements with those two businesses, should it be approved. He stated that Java believes that <br /> the traffic that would be generated from those two uses would bring in interest from other <br /> components. He stated that Java is willing to enter into the purchase agreement process and he <br /> wants to be fair to that process and alert Java if this site will be reserved for PACT. <br /> Senior Planner McGuire Brigl commented that Java has stated that this would be the desired retail <br /> corner for Ramey and the only one that would have this type of interest. <br /> Councilmember Heineman stated that based on this concept he would not favor a hotel with that <br /> amount of parking and would not be a huge fan of the car wash. He stated that while retail would <br /> be great, there is vacant retail on the other side of The COR already. He stated that he does want <br /> retail but believes that this would be a great location for PACT and the PACT project would bring <br /> in additional business interest. He stated that as presented he would not favor the Java proposal <br /> over the high school. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove stated that the original COR plan included multiple parking garages <br /> that may not be needed and perhaps some of that space could be freed up for additional retail use. <br /> She stated that she also prefers the school in that location. <br /> Economic Development Manager Sullivan stated that he also was not a supporter of the hotel in <br /> that location and provided that feedback to Java. He stated that he asked about an Aldi at that <br /> location as it would provide additional opportunity without directly competing with Coborn's. He <br /> stated that Java took that feedback and is having discussions with Aldi. He stated that retailers <br /> and developers are stating that the hard corners are where they want to be. He stated that while <br /> retail can be created more in the heart of The COR, the corners are where they want to be. <br /> EDA Member MacLennan commented that with the overpass, that corner will be a premier <br /> location whether it is PACT or retail. He agreed that staff should have flexibility to see what they <br /> could work out with both parties. <br /> Planning Commissioner Gengler stated that this is a prime retail location that would benefit all <br /> residents of Ramsey. She asked if there is any data that schools would bring in additional <br /> customers for the existing businesses. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff stated that Anoka High School is a great example where it probably <br /> only generates customers for the gas stations adjacent. He noted that Ramsey would have a better <br /> opportunity with more businesses in that area,but would also want to see more data to support that <br /> this use would bring in more business interest and/or customers. <br /> Councilmember Heineman did not believe this could be compared to Anoka High School as that <br /> school has existed for decades and there is not much retail development opportunity in that area. <br /> City Council Special Work Session/ September 23, 2021 <br /> Page 9 of 11 <br />