Agenda - Council - 02/13/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Elvig inquired if the project would require the purchase of the land from RTC. • Mr. Johnson noted that there currently is an active purchase agreement on the property that would need to be acted on within the next month. . Mayor Gamec inquired if there is faith that that agreement will be honored. City Administrator Norman noted that they have been in discussions with the appropriate people regarding the purchase agreement and hoping to act on it in the next four weeks. City Administrator Norman questioned if they were to place all market rate units on this site where would be another location for them to place affordable housing within Town Center. The advantage to this site is that it is located near the future train station.- Mayor Gamec agreed that this site is the best location within Town Center for affordable housing to be constructed. His one concern was if they were to construct all affordable units would that impact the salability of the commercial retail space. Mr. Johnson replied that he didn't believe that- if the building were constructed all affordable it would have any impact on the salability of the commercial /retail space. What they need to have is a strong partner in the commercial /retail space in order to move forward with the project. He also noted if the City were to be involved in the commercial /retail space there would be uses .with the space that could be done that may not be available if it was open to the private sector • retail. The question is does the City want to look into it or should they look into negotiating with a private sector. Mayor Gamec replied that he personally would prefer to have an outside entity manage the commercial /retail space rather than the City. Councilmember Elvig stated that he was not sure exactly what they are looking to achieve tonight, but he stated that he was shy" about constructing an all affordable -housing complex. He was worried that that would send a message to the City that they ate. looking at building something out of nothing with Ramsey Town Center. They keep hearing from the residents of Ramsey that the Town Center needs commerce and by constructing all affordable units that is a difficult political. message to share. He suggested that another avenue that may be workable would be looking at assisting in the land cost. Maybe the City could get involved with the land . cost and do a land lease without managing the properties. Mayor Gamec noted that in order to get MHFA financing they needed to have affordable housing. Councilmember Elvig replied that he understood that. Mayor Gamec stated that he really wanted to see the commercial /retail portion of the project move forward and could probably agree with an all affordable housing complex. • City Council Work Session / December 4, 2006 Page 4 of 9 —74—