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2. 2. <br /> CC Work Session <br /> Meeting Date: 08/12/2024 <br /> PrimaryStrategic Plan Initiative: Create a positive image for residential neighborhoods,business districts and key <br /> g corridors. <br /> Information <br /> Title: <br /> Old Town Hall Discussion- 50th Anniversary-Renovation Quotes-EDA Recommendation-Next Steps <br /> Purpose/Background: <br /> Council Members Specht and Howell originally asked for this item to brought forward for discussion at <br /> the Council level this year. Ramsey is having its 50th Anniversary this year and trying to bring the Old <br /> Town Hall back into service in some capacity could be part of the celebration. The City Council has <br /> discussed this item twice this year at work session and asked the EDA to look at the potential of funding <br /> the project as was consensus of the July 25th work session. <br /> The purpose of this case is to review the recommendation provided by the EDA at the August 8th <br /> meeting. <br /> EDA DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION <br /> The EDA met and discussed the appetite for paying for the full renovation of the Old Town Hall. <br /> Ultimately, the EDA recommended that it was only comfortable funding the replacement of the <br /> weathered door, removing the pests and securing the soffits, and having public works remove the 2 <br /> dead and dying oak trees onsite. The EDA passed a unanimous motion to approve completing these <br /> items in an amount not to exceed $15,000 out of the Unemcumbered Fund Balance. Staff also believes <br /> that is possible it could be coded to the Professional Services Line item if the Council is supportive. <br /> The EDA had previously committed to these repairs, so formal Council action to complete these repairs <br /> is not required. The EDA Recommended using DKN Construction (lowest bidder) and MN Wild <br /> Animal Management (previous pest removal) to complete pest removal and building maintenance. <br /> The EDA spoke at length about the future use of the building and if it was something that the EDA <br /> would be comfortable operating. The EDA and Staff feared that the tenant pool would be limited and <br /> thought that it would be difficult for a new tenant to advertise if it couldn't put signage on the building. <br /> Limited parking and the limitations of leasing a historically restored building (chalkboards on walls, no <br /> air conditioning, awkward floor plan) were also challenges. The EDA also indicated that increasing the <br /> amount of rental properties the City manages would not be a good idea as the EDA/City is trying to <br /> reduce the city footprint of owned and leased land. The EDA also discussed if the site was worth <br /> developing if the building was removed or relocated. Staff indicated there were slot of mature trees <br /> there, the site was small, and access was terrible. <br /> INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS EDA AND CITY COUNCIL CASES <br /> At the March 9th, 2024 City Council work session, the City Council discussed the idea of renovating the <br /> Old Town Hall Building as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration for the City of Ramsey. The <br /> consensus of the discussion was to have staff obtain quotes for the renovation and to bring it back to a <br /> future work session for discussion. Possible uses could be park programming, lease for music <br /> instruction, other smaller retail or office uses with minimal parking requirements. <br /> Obtaining quotes for the project took longer than anticipated based on the complexity of the project and <br />