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EDA BUSINESS <br /> <br />C'asc #1- Town Center Update <br /> <br />.loire l.'cgcs of' Rmnsey Town Center, LLC provided the EDA with an update on Ramsey Town <br />Center. l lc stated what is happening on the Ramsey Town Center site and with the development <br />o1' oppo~'tunities is grander than anticipated. He complimented staff, the Council, and the <br />COmlnunity on keeping the higher ground and staying with the vision. He stated on the <br />devctopmtmt side there often is the need to make compromises, which has not been done with <br />Ramscy Town Center. There have been ordinances, guidelines and review committees that have <br />kept things in line. Ramsey is setting the benchmark across the country, and this project has <br />recei, veda lot of national attention. Mr. Feges stated since WWII they have tried to <br />ac,zommodate housing in America through sprawl, and the sense of place went away. People are <br />now looking l'or choices of houses with this type of community along transportation corridors. <br />/~ thc past few years banks were not interested in financing lifestyle communities, because they <br />wcrc too pedestrian friendly. Ramsey Town Center has that pedestrian friendly and aesthetically <br />pleasing aspect, but they are also ensuring that the commerce will come and the retailers will be <br /> <br />Mt'. k'cgcs provided a review of residential and commercial agreements in place for Town <br />C,:ntcr, including retail, cinema, fitness center, two hotels, possible restaurants, and a possible <br /> <br />Thc I!DA discussed the following issues with Mr. Feges in relation to Ramsey Town Center: <br />commercial buildings with residential units above, timeframe on the development, and the <br />impact t)t' Northstar on the development. <br /> <br />Member l~eTourncau indicated he has been hearing the fear of a strip mall appearance at Town <br />Center. Mr. Feges replied the area will not feel like a strip mall,, and commented as one drives <br />through Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove it begins to feel like downtown. He explained there is only <br />so much that can be done to control the tenant space, and purchasing habits reflect variety. <br />Ti~crc will be a dollar store, but it will be a small venue. He explained the gatekeepers in <br />k,,~eping thc correct balance are the developers, and the policing of that comes from the Design <br />Review Committee, the City ordinances and the guidelines that are in place. <br /> <br />~ieonomic Development Consultant Mulrooney advised the realty of retail is that almost <br />everything is corporate owned stores. The key to the long-term success is the architecture but <br />into tt~c development. He noted the speed with which this development happens can add <br />si gnilicantly to Ramsey's ability to obtain a Northstar station. <br /> <br />Case #2: Amoco Demolition <br /> <br />l!.com)mic Dcvclopment/TIF Specialist Sullivan reviewed that at the September 7, 2005 EDA <br />~ceting a decision was made to hold a public demolition of the old Amoco station on Highway <br />dT. } Ic explained due to the time of year an evening time for the demolition would not work <br />best. as it would ah'cady be dark. Bank of the West suggested October 25th for the event. The <br /> <br />Economic Development Authority/October 12, 2005 <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br /> <br /> <br />