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EI)A BUSINESS (iasc #1: Town Center Update .l(>hn l:cgcs of Ramsey Town Center, LLC provided the EDA with an update on Ramsey Town Center. l Ic stated what is happening on the Ramsey Town Center site and with the development ol' opportunities is grander than anticipated. He complimented staff, the Council, and the community on keeping the higher ground and staying with the vision. He stated on the development side there often is the need to make compromises, which has not been done with Ramsey Town Center. There have been ordinances, guidelines and review committees that have lccpt things in line. Ramsey is setting the benchmark across the country, and this project has received a lot of national attention. Mr. Feges stated since WWII they have tried to accommodate housing in America through sprawl, and the sense of place went away. People are now lool<ing for choices of houses with this type of community along transportation corridors. h~ thc past l~cw years banks were not interested in financing lifestyle communities, because they wcrc ~oo pedestrian fi'iendly. Ramsey Town Center has that pedestrian friendly and aesthetically pleasing ~spect, but they are also ensuring that the commerce will come and the retailers will be Mr. I,'cgcs provided a review of residential and commercial agreements in place for Town C~'ntcr, including retail, cinema, fitness center, two hotels, possible restaurants, and a possible ni.~ghtch, lb. 'l'l~c I,;D/X discussed the following issues with Mr. Feges in relation to Ramsey Town Center: <x)mmcrcial buildings with residential units above, timeframe on the development, and the impact o1' Northstar on the development. Member l,e'l'ourncau indicated he has been hearing the fear of a strip mall appearance at Town Ct~nlcr. Mr. Feges replied the area will not feel like a strip mall, and commented as one drives through Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove it begins to feel like downtown. He explained there is only scl much that can be done to control the tenant space, and purchasing habits reflect variety. There will be a dollar store, but it will be a small venue. He explained the gatekeepers in [<coping thc correct balance are the developers, and the policing of that comes from the Design Rt~vicw Committee, the City ordinances and the guidelines that are in place. I;conomic l)cvelopment Consultant Mulrooney advised the realty of retail is that almost everything is corporate owned stores. The key to the long-term success is the architecture put into thc development, tte noted the speed with which this development happens can add significantly to Ramsey's ability to obtain a Northstar station. C~sc #2: Amoco Demolition licxmomic I)cvelopinent/TIF Specialist Sullivan reviewed that at the September 7, 2005 EDA m~',cting a decision was made to hold a public demolition of the old Amoco station on Highway 47. l lc explained due to the time of year an evening time for the demolition would not work be.:;t, as it would already be dark. Bank of the West suggested October 25th for the event. The Economic Development Authority/October 12, 2005 Page 2 of 5