Laserfiche WebLink
CC Work Session <br />Meeting Date: <br />06/09/2026 <br />Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Promote economic growth and development. <br />Information <br />2. 2. <br />Title: <br />Consider Support of Gap Assistance (Loan) and Assumption of Mortgage Agreement for ARAA Sports Facility <br />Project <br />Purpose/Background: <br />The purpose of this case is to review a proposed revised Financing Structure to provide financial assistance (loan) <br />to Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association (ARAA) for construction of a 100,000 square foot athletic facility. <br />ARAA Project History / Finance <br />In February 2023, the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association (ARAA) received site plan and plat approval to <br />construct a sports dome structure at 14600 Ferret St. NW. ARAA eventually withdrew their landuse application, <br />and therefore, never constructed the dome. Since that time, Ramsey staff have continued to work with <br />representatives from ARAA as they sought out a new solution for an indoor sports facility to serve their <br />organization. ARAA has progressed through new plans to construct a facility at a different location within <br />Ramsey. The City Council met with ARAA at the January 13, 2026 work session and reached a consensus to <br />provide up to 2.3M in financial assistance, primarily in the form of a low interest loan. <br />The City subsequently met at a Council Work Session on March loth and reviewed a revised financing proposal <br />that included a 75%/25% Debt Structure without the need for a financial guaranty with a proposed City Loan of <br />approximately $1.43M. 2 days after the March 10 CC Work Session formal bank approval was obtained but <br />included a requirement for a 5M financial guaranty. This guaranty was a deal killer for parties involved. ARAA <br />has worked with 3 other banks to obtain additional financing options and received 3 proposals. The option <br />proposed for Council consideration is included as an attachment to this case. In short, the 75/25 shifted to a 70/30 <br />LTV ratio and the City loan and loans by other was considered equity for ARAA. The proposed City participation <br />under the proposed financing structure would be an HRA loan of approximately $1.877M, which is still below the <br />initial consensus of the Council supporting up to $2.3M of total assistance In January 2026. Understanding <br />project costs could fluctuate, at the Council has previously provided consensus supporting the proposed financing <br />structure and to give staff flexibility to go up to 2M for an HRA loan. <br />The City has explored the use of its Ramsey HRA dollars levied in Ramsey by Anoka County in the form of a <br />loan. In order to use the HRA funds the City must create a Redevelopment Plan for a designated area which <br />allows the fund to be expended for eligible costs. Taft Law has put together a revised schedule showing what this <br />process and timing would look like. The County process to access the HRA funds is separate and will be worked <br />into the schedule. This process involves a simple resolution requesting the funds and an explanation of what the <br />funds will be used for which was approved on May 26. Although ARAA does now have formal financing <br />approval at this time, changes to the structure of financing have been made since the City Council last reviewed <br />this item. The revised Term Sheet is attached for review. <br />Changes to the Financing Structure <br />CORTrust Bank has approved financing of the ARAA project contingent on the City of Ramsey Assuming the <br />Mortgage in the event of a default by ARAA and an inability to cure that default. The City of Ramsey <br />Assumption of Mortgage is not optional, it would be required as part of the proposed financing structure. By <br />assuming the ARAA Mortgage the City would become the building owner. Included in the Bank Term Sheet is <br />an Amortization Schedule showing the loan balance over the 6-year period of construction and permanent <br />