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2016-03-01 Eagan Business NewsEAGAN BUSINESS NEWS | FIRST QUARTER 2016 1cityofeagan.com EAGAN JOURNAL OF THE EAGAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY BUSINESS NEWS Local companies like Thomson Reuters and Blue Cross Blue Shield aim to attract the world’s best talent—both for their skills and diversity. No wonder Eagan’s immigrant population has grown to 16%. Eagan’s older population is growing too: Just six years ago, only one in nine people in Dakota County was 65 or older. By 2036, that statistic likely will change to one in every four. During Mayor Mike Maguire’s State of the City speech, he suggested business owners and residents expand their view of Eagan. “Is our traditional lens wide enough to truly view Eagan as it is today? Does it reflect a complete picture of our city and our community?” More importantly, he asked, “what will, should and can that picture look like 20 years from now?” Nearly 100 elected officials, business leaders, residents and city staff members gathered to hear his 10th-annual presentation in the City Council chambers on Thursday, March 17. Upon arrival, each attendee received Eagan Forward, a document that “embodies the hopes and aspirations of many of our fellow Eaganites for the future of our city and community.” But before focusing his attention on the Eagan Forward initiative, Maguire noted that the City’s most important job is to provide services, including public safety and plowed streets, plus the “lowest responsible taxes” and strong financial management. He also highlighted new developments underway, including Central Park Commons, apartment complexes in Cedar Grove and near Promenade, and the Minnesota Vikings’ application to develop 194 acres on the site of the old Northwest Airlines headquarters. Finally, he recognized Jon Hohenstein, community development director, whose 25- plus years of dedication to Eagan have made a huge impact on the City; Hohenstein plans to retire in May. (See his interview on page 2.) Maguire then turned back to Eagan Forward, a community-visioning exercise that he first introduced a year ago, at his last State of the City address. Featured residents, in attendance, shared their ideas via video clips regarding what they love about Eagan and what they’d like to see added: new housing options for all stages of life; a greater variety of things to do; a bigger welcome for young workers; and a growing awareness of changing demographics, including more minorities, seniors and immigrants. “Consider this fact,” said Maguire, “Minnesota will see more people retire and move out of the workforce in the next 15 years than in the last six decades combined.” He FIRST QUARTER 2016 VOLUME 14 NUMBER 1 State of the City, 2016 MARK YOUR CALENDAR SUBSCRIBE ONLINE City of Eagan 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, Minnesota 55122 To subscribe to Eagan Business News or our online publication, E-Biz, please visit us at cityofeagan.com/EBN. This EBN issue features the 2016 State of the City event, during which Mayor Mike Maguire focused on Eagan Forward, a community initiative that endeavors to move the city, well, forward over the next 20 years. That progress will, in part, involve development. On page 2, glean insights on that topic from Jon Hohenstein, Eagan’s longtime community development director, who retires in May. Finally, check out the Minnesota Vikings’ forward progress— toward an eventual touchdown in Eagan. APRIL 19, 2016 Meet the Chamber This monthly meeting offers an opportunity for new and prospective members to learn how to get the most from their chamber membership. Noon to 1 p.m. Lunch is provided. For more information, visit dcrchamber.com. APRIL 20, 2016 On-site Hiring Event This event is designed for employers, job seekers and veterans. Burnsville Workforce Center, 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/find-a-job/job- career-fair. FROM THE EDITOR Mayor highlights Eagan Forward, perspectives of many voices State of the City coNtINUEd oN PAGE 2 Photo by Alan Kiecker EAGAN BUSINESS NEWS | FIRST QUARTER 20162 cityofeagan.com noted that a declining population in Eagan would mean reduced consumer spending and, thus, declining tax revenues. “Without additional workers, foreign and domestic, who want to live here, Eagan will not continue to thrive. It’s very simple to see why we need to be even more welcoming.” Maguire also considered the growing racial tensions in the United States and the City’s efforts to create greater understanding, including a Community Affairs group advising the Eagan police. “We are really compelled to ask how African-Americans and all people of color in our community view their City.” Finally, he drew attention to the working poor and homeless individuals in Eagan, noting that the number of those falling below the poverty line “has more than doubled since 1990.” Maguire invited residents and business owners to figure out how their objectives might align with Eagan Forward. “Eagan is not the same in 2016 as it was in 1980,” he said. “When we leap ahead to 2036, Eagan will no doubt face challenges unknown to us today. But some of those issues we can anticipate now. “In the same way that businesses work on new product development and sometimes have to tweak their product mix, now is the time to challenge ourselves to be an even better city than we are today.” EBN Briefly PeOPle: Brian Knapp, director of U.S. operations for Capital Safety Inc., and Arleen Sullivan, director of community banking for Anchor Bank, have been elected to serve as directors of ProAct, an Eagan- based employment organization serving people with disabilities. BUSiNeSS: If the City of Eagan approves an expansion of manufacturing operations in April, Eagan- based Pioneer Plastics plans to hire 30-plus employees to support its partnership with Iowa-based Corvida Medical, which makes drug vial and syringe adapters v Sierra Trading Post plans to open a store at Central Park Commons, its first store in the Twin Cities. GOVerNMeNT: A new recycling law (MN Statute §115A.151) requires that certain businesses recycle at least three materials, such as paper, glass, plastic, metal and organics; this includes likely 9,500 Dakota County businesses—those operating or leasing to a retail establishment, restaurant, educational or professional service, health care service or any other business with a North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code between 42 and 81, and contracting disposal of at least four cubic yards of solid waste per week. For more information, contact dakotavalleyrecycling.org. EBN State of the City coNtINUEd FRoM covER If someone had trained a time-lapse camera on Eagan 50 years ago, one could watch a terrific transformation. Houses would arise where corn and onions had once grown, a scattering of stores would morph into major retail and commercial districts, and two-lane roads would stretch and expand into major thoroughfares. Jon Hohenstein, Eagan’s soon-to-retire community development director, has witnessed many of those changes over the past 30 years. In evidence, one of his first memories harkens back to 1985, standing under the Yankee Doodle Road bridge to avoid the rain during the 35E ribbon cutting. Hohenstein began as a hardworking intern under City Administrator Tom Hedges, quickly becoming an administrative assistant and then assistant to the city administrator, working for Eagan for 13 years. He then took the city administrator position at Mahtomedi but returned to Eagan in 2003 as community development director. EBN asked Hohenstein to reflect on a variety of topics before his retirement in May. You’ll see from his answers that this was a position to which he has been dedicated and a team on which he has been glad to play a part. After all, Eagan isn’t only his place of employment—he has also lived here since 1988. What drew you to eagan—the first time and the second? Both times I was really attracted to Eagan by the same thing, the city’s great potential to grow and improve. The first time, freeways were about to get done, and a lot of development was on its way. The second time around, while much of the high growth had occurred by 2003 [when I returned], there was still the potential for commercial and industrial development; even the remaining, smaller residential developments are significant. And the City had just begun to move into the redevelopment phase with places like Cedar Grove and northeast Eagan. How does development and redevelopment actually get done? Everything that occurred over the past 30 years involved a team. It’s all the staff, elected leadership, and property owners who invest, whether in their homes or businesses. You can do an awful lot of planning, but plans are just plans unless someone is willing to invest in them. Community development director to retire Hohenstein reflects on 30 years of Eagan development Arleen Sullivan Brian Knapp Asking the mayor a question is resident Mindy Paurus, featured in the State of the City video: cityofeagan.com/SOTC.Photo by Alan Kiecker EAGAN BUSINESS NEWS | FIRST QUARTER 2016 3cityofeagan.com How does your team work with residents and other property owners? We approach them as customers. Even though we’re the only source of, for example, a building permit, we act as if we are competing for their business and aim to provide great customer service. The golden rule is something we bring with us. Being customer focused always works. Why has eagan been so successful in developing over the years? We can take credit for certain things—high-quality services, low taxes, working with agencies that make sure roadways and so on are available—but a big part of it is just the benefit of our location across the river from the airport, close to both downtowns, part of the 494 strip and so on. Those things made us competitive for the traditional economy—manufacturing, transportation, health insurance and more. More recently, we’ve focused on being increasingly competitive in the information economy. DataBank located here partially because of our amenities and opportunities, and partially because the Technology Working Group was thoughtful about identifying priorities for a colocation facility and carrier hotel. Additionally, something goes back to a Tom Hedges’ priority: the value of relationships, of conversations and interactions with people on a variety of levels. That’s a key aspect of Eagan and one that Dave Osberg and others carry forward. We strive to be an approachable entity. I expect that will continue. Finally, there are businesses, school districts, community organizations and interests that look beyond themselves and their bottom lines to support things that are good for a lot of people. What redevelopment projects stand out? Cedar Grove is certainly important, and there’s work left to do, but a lot has been done. The other significant redevelopment is in northeast Eagan, around the Grand Oak Business Park and Spectrum. What’s there today fits the noise environment, the rest of the business area and the freeways much better than what was there prior. in terms of eagan development today and tomorrow, what do you see? Today, we’re looking throughout the city for opportunities to create better pedestrian connections and more walkable relationships within new developments. We are a suburban community, so a car is probably always going to have a large part in many interactions, but if some interactions take us out of our cars, then that’s what creates face-to-face contact; that’s what creates community. We’re also paying attention to meeting a broad spectrum of needs. How do boomers want to live, retire, age in their homes or downsize? How will neighborhoods stay vital as that natural evolution occurs? How do communities attract people with a range of needs and expectations for their homes and neighborhoods? Will the home that someone has today be attractive to the next family? It’s necessary to think about all of these things, because the choices people make about where they live and work are increasingly important. Does development ever end? There are cities much older than Eagan that still have a lot to do. Minneapolis is not done. Richfield is not done. That’s true whether it’s as dramatic as full teardown-replace redevelopment or as interesting and innovative as adaptive reuse like the Waterview Office Tower becoming CityVue Apartments. It’s not necessary to develop the same things everywhere. But in a suburban context, how do those pieces fit into one another? How do you both respect property owners’ rights and a community’s values? Balancing the many needs and interests goes on indefinitely. The upside for our community and team is there’s a lot left to do. You don’t finish. You don’t want what were once new developments to diminish or fall into disrepair. You encourage people to continue to reinvest. looking ahead, what are your plans? My wife is also retired, so we plan to spend time with family and friends. We have plenty of projects to keep us busy. Also, I’ve had a meeting most Tuesday nights for the last 30 years. I don’t mean to say I won’t miss the people or the organization, but it’s time to do other things on Tuesday nights. NCIS is on at 7 o’clock, you know. EBN Mayor Mike Maguire (right) recognized Jon Hohenstein, community development director, for his 26 years of service at the City of Eagan during the State of the City event. Jon has been an important part of our successful development activity in Eagan over the past 17-plus years. His willingness to listen and offer constructive feedback on our plans has played a very important role in our process. We have truly enjoyed working with Jon. Greg Miller, president/partner, Interstate Partners Jon carries two attributes not often found in city leaders. He has always imbued those who work with him with the highest of expectations for the City of Eagan. But he combines those aspirations with a work ethic and, at times, pure tenacity that has successfully transformed the look and feel of Eagan for future generations. Mark Ruff, chief financial officer, City of Minneapolis Jon’s efforts in development and redevelopment have brought about many opportunities and changes in Eagan. His dedication to the City and its goals, and his commitment to the betterment of the City has resulted in growth and new jobs, and has set the groundwork for future opportunities. I will greatly miss his wisdom and sense of humor at our meetings. Rebecca Kurtz, CIPMA, senior municipal advisor/vice president, Ehlers EAGAN BUSINESS NEWS | FIRST QUARTER 20164 www.cityofeagan.com STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 4902 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, Minnesota 55122 State of the City, 2016 Mayor Mike Maguire looks to City’s future with Eagan Forward p1 p2 p3 p4 Community development director to retire Jon Hohenstein reflects on development Kudos to Jon Hohenstein Business leaders weigh in on his leadership Minnesota Vikings proffer development application Vikes take another step forward IN THIS ISSUE Design & Layout Cory Laux Overdog Art Editor Karin B. Miller Working Words, Inc. The Vikes took one step closer to calling Eagan “home” on March 16. The team’s ownership submitted an application for a planned 194-acre development in northeast Eagan. The extensive plans include a headquarters and practice facility on the site of the former Northwest Airlines headquarters. “We are committed to working with the Vikings,” said Mayor Mike Maguire, announcing the news at the State of the City event on March 17. After the meeting, he noted the city’s commitment to helping the team “open their world-class facility on schedule, with appropriate review, of course.” Throughout the last several months, City staff members and Vikings representatives have been meeting to work out numerous project details to in order to submit its development proposal. The Advisory Planning Commission is expected to consider the application on April 26. In addition, the City Council has scheduled a special meeting and public hearing on May 23 to consider the application, public feedback and staff recommendations. Concluded Maguire, “There’s great community excitement to make Eagan the new home for the Minnesota Vikings.” EBN Minnesota Vikings proffer development application ThE sITE would dEvEloP IN PhAsEs ovEr A NuMBEr of yEArs; PhAsE 1 would INCludE A 30-ACrE PArCEl, fEATurINg ThE CorPorATE hEAdquArTErs, TrAININg fACIlITIEs, PrACTICE fIElds ANd A 6,000-sEAT sTAdIuM.