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Economic Development Manager Sullivan presented the staff report. <br />Dustin Reeder, ARAA, introduced himself and provided information on the volunteer -based <br />organization that has operated in Ramsey since 1979. He stated that they purchased land off <br />Armstrong in 2022 and went through the development process, developed plans, and ultimately, <br />that had to shift. He believed that the new location would be a better fit with access to the river <br />and an opportunity to offer other programs. He stated that this would generate money and business <br />for the community and provided examples in other communities. He s -d that this location will <br />become an amenity for the community and will attract families with ' 4 to Ramsey. <br />Chairperson Wiyninger asked for a brief overview of the proje <br />Mr. Reeder provided information on the proposed 100,00 q re foot . ,.. tic facility building <br />they would like to construct, which would allow all +orts t be played inside the facility. He <br />commented on the ability they would have to hold - , tiple ga es of different sports the same <br />time. He stated that the facility would be used ices d i ' g the week and16uld also be <br />used for tournaments. He stated that families travel • o ► a . this will brieg people from <br />outside of the community into Ramsey. He stated that th- •uld be moving forward with phase <br />one at this time and have not yet set a i entified timeline •hase two. He spoke about the <br />ancillary development that typically fol , type of devent which would also be a <br />benefit to the community. <br />Member Hills asked if there is any risk of the v, • a one itments not coming to fruition. <br />Economic Development Manag Sullivan replie t at is always a risk, but they have been working <br />on this for six months, anthe lion's share of the 50 000 is from an interested party who owns <br />the land adjacent, and th - e it is in their best inte .' for this project moving forward. He stated <br />that should the •me in a rt of that com ent, there is flexibility in what the City could <br />approve, n • ' N . " ' ity e cil has exp .. ed comfort in up to $2,000,000, and ARAA could <br />also hav <br />Mr. ' ee <br />commente <br />organization. <br />ome otherkin <br />ated that the <br />they have <br />coube contributed. <br />very peful that everything will move forward as planned. He <br />n conservative in their numbers because they are a volunteer <br />Member Riley state . A is already paying for all of the spaces they rent, so this would not <br />be a new expense and ld consolidate the operations of the organization. <br />Mr. Reeder replied that ARAA currently rents multiple facilities for the kids to play sports in <br />multiple communities, which is stressful for parents commuting between sports. He stated that <br />economically, bringing all those sports to one location owned by ARAA would be a benefit in <br />many ways. He stated that the rent ARAA would be saving would be one source of revenue for <br />the facility. <br />Economic Development Authority/ May 14, 2026 <br />Page 7 of 9 <br />