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2016-09-01 Eagan Business NewsEAGAN BUSINESS NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 2016 1cityofeagan.com EAGAN JOURNAL OF THE EAGAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY BUSINESS NEWS Time will tell what Eagan development will arise near the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center and TCO Stadium. In August, the Dallas Cowboys moved into a similar headquarters called The Star. The Star—a $1.5 billion practice facility and indoor stadium—features a high-tech “war room,” an Omni hotel, a private members club, high-school football facilities and an entertainment district. Just days after the brand-new U.S. Bank Stadium opened in downtown Minneapolis, earthmovers in Eagan were busy excavating in the background as Minnesota Vikings players, coaches and owners, plus NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and state and local dignitaries gathered to break ground on the first phase of the team’s ambitious new headquarters, including the front office, practice facility and outdoor stadium. Because of the development’s broad appeal, Eagan Business News turned to Brent Cory, president and CEO of Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau, to offer his opinion on what the Vikings’ new home could mean to Eagan tourism. Year-round draw “News of the Minnesota Vikings coming to Eagan was really thrilling,” says Cory, reflecting on the 2015 announcement. “We are excited on so many levels. For the first time ever, fans around Minnesota, across the country and around the globe will be able to take in the Vikings’ experience year round.” Cory imagines the majority of initial visitors will be Midwesterners, drawn by local and regional events—from high- school tournaments to community gatherings—held throughout the year at the expandable 6,000- seat practice stadium, a size that’s unique in the Twin Cities’ market. “What high school THIRD QUARTER 2016 VOLUME 14 NUMBER 3 Vikings-powered tourism 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. Just over a year ago, who would have predicted that the Minnesota Vikings would score a business touchdown in Eagan? After months of teamwork with City leadership, the team is now pressing forward, building its headquarters and practice stadium on the site of the former Northwest Airlines headquarters. In this issue, we consider the impact this development may have on local tourism. Skol! SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 Head back to school for Small Business University, a daylong seminar featuring keynote speaker John Puckett, cofounder of Caribou Coffee and co-owner of Punch Pizza, plus numerous breakout sessions. For more information, visit dcrchamber.com. SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 Attend the Kids ’n Kinship Annual Gala, 4:30–7:30 p.m., to support this Dakota County mentoring program plus enjoy a chef-prepared dinner, Comedy Sportz entertainment and more. Visit kidsnkinshipgala2016.eventbrite. com to book your $45 tickets. OCTOBER 5, 2016 DCR Chamber of Commerce invites you to “Why Not Wednesday?” This free Business After Hours event, held at Bonfire Woodfire Cooking in Eagan, will feature food, beverages and networking, 4:30–6:00 p.m. FROM THE EDITOR Vikings CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 “TO BE ABLE TO BUILD SOMETHING THIS UNIQUE— THIS WILL BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION.” – KEVIN WARREN, COO, MINNESOTA VIKINGS Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, safety Harrison Smith and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell were among those who helped break ground at the Minnesota Vikings’ new Eagan headquarters on July 28.Image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings. EAGAN BUSINESS NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 20162 cityofeagan.com football program wouldn’t want to play where the Vikings are training?” he asks. As additional phases are built—including a hall of fame, world-class hotels, conference center, housing and an entertainment district— visitors could hail from increasingly farther- flung destinations. Community engagement Cory notes that his marketing team has been studying similar facilities—particularly the Dallas Cowboys’ brand-new headquarters, The Star. “The Cowboys really want to be a part of the community, and we’ve heard that commitment from the Vikings, too,” he says. “The Vikings are going well beyond just selling tickets and the ‘Friday Night Lights’ component—they want community events, soccer tournaments, lacrosse tournaments, possibly concerts. It’s going to be a great asset for the community, and it’s a pretty prudent business model.” Looking back It wasn’t that long ago that Cascade Bay, Eagan’s popular water park, was the city’s star attraction, and the Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau laid “claim—much like every other convention-and-visitors bureau—to Mall of America, close proximity to the downtowns, major sports and the Minnesota Zoo,” Cory says. “To have the actual attraction physically within Eagan’s borders—that’s one of the most compelling parts of the Vikings’ project.” The Vikings development will be a game-changer in terms of Eagan amenities, Cory says. “The 2014 arrival of Twin Cities Premium Outlets was a parlay into international tourism with Canadian and Asian visitors. The NFL entry further cements Eagan’s international tourism status.” BRIEFLY PEOPLE: Rachael Reiling, Minnesota SPIRE Credit Union’s Business Development Manager, was named to the Volunteer Community Board for the Eagan YMCA. BUSINESS: Amazon is investing roughly $1.9 million in renovations of a 140,000-square-foot office space and warehouse it is leasing to create a “delivery station” at 2811 Beverly Drive in Eagan. v Cedar Grove welcomed Bald Man Brewing to the neighborhood last month during the artisan brewery and tap room’s grand opening. v Home2 Suites is back on for Cedar Grove as JR Hospitality has stepped up, with similar terms agreed to by former developer Morrissey Hospitality; the Twin Cities’ hotel developer plans to break ground before the end of the year. v Hy-Vee is one of several tenants opening this month in Central Park Commons, located on the site of the former Lockheed Martin property. v Eagan-based IDEAg Group once again produced Minnesota Farmfest, the largest agriculture trade show in the state, in Redwood Falls, in August. v For-hire refrigerated carrier Kottke Trucking Inc. (based in Buffalo Lake, Minn.) has set up a new office in Eagan to manage its acquisition of Walbon & Co., another trucking company which provides a greater presence in the southeastern U.S. v RSP Architects and Ryan Companies have completed a two- story expansion of the Minnesota Autism Center, or MAC, school, former site of the Tesseract School, in Cedar Grove; the new 50,000-square-foot facility opened its doors Vikings CONTINUED FROM COVER Briefly CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE “TO BE A PART OF THIS HERE TODAY IN EAGAN FOR OUR NEW PRACTICE FACILITY IS AN HONOR. THIS IS GOING TO BE OUR HOME.” – RICK SPIELMAN, GENERAL MANAGER, MINNESOTA VIKINGS OUTDOORPRACTICEFIELDS MONTHS UNTIL THEFIRST PHASE IS COMPLETED SQUARE FEET IN THEFULL-SERVICEORTHOPEDICCENTERSEATS IN OUTDOOR PRACTICE STADIUM (EXPANDABLE TO 10,000) ACRES WITH ANOTHER156 ACRES FOR MIXED USE Statistics regarding new Vikings facility: BY THE NUMBERS 5 44 6,000 88,000 20 Image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings. EAGAN BUSINESS NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 2016 3cityofeagan.com Cory also notes the “exciting and intriguing” Vikings’ partnership with Twin Cities Orthopedic. “Look at what Mayo is doing for Rochester. The Minnesota Vikings really want to be known as a leader in sports medicine. That could be really cutting edge for them and serve as a huge draw.” As the development evolves, surrounding projects near the Vikings headquarters will, Cory says, attract hotels, plus “more unique and upscale restaurants. It will be sooner rather than later that the consumer and, certainly, the traveler will put two and two together, and realize that the Vikings are based in Eagan—with a practice stadium, hall of fame, retail and more.” Talking numbers It’s too early to speculate on the actual number of additional visitors who could start booking Eagan vacations. But if the training camp moves to Eagan—the Vikings have not made any suggestion one way or another—and if special stadium events start booking regularly, says Cory, “the number of visitors to Eagan could jump significantly, adding to the just over one million visitors who visit Eagan.” While the Vikings and fans await the facility’s opening in March 2018, “we’re aiming to keep that excitement alive prior to the complex opening,” says Cory. His team is talking with the Vikings about potential travel packages, and they’re developing sports- marketing efforts “because of that wonderful practice stadium.” Perhaps, he says, Eagan visitors will be attending Minnesota State High School League events, Play 60 NFL events, even Division III playoffs. “They’re definitely looking to fill that stadium with great events.” EBN in September. The school offers education services and therapeutic support for children, adolescents, and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders, or ASD. v Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton addressed well-wishers and executives, including Mo Saremi, CEO of Bell International Laboratories, during the celebration of the company’s new 120,000-square-foot facility in Eagan (2950 Lexington Ave. South). The 20-year-old, family- owned firm—which manufactures products for the health and beauty industries—is moving its headquarters, including an NSF Certified Organic Facility, from Minneapolis to Eagan because of growing client demand, especially for its organic sun-care and tanning products. According to the company, Bell Labs is currently experiencing 60 percent growth and projects double-digit growth next year. Additionally, according to the company’s press release, the 125-employee company expects by next year to add up to 100 jobs. “From research and development to production, Bell has jobs for all levels of experience and education.” GOVERNMENT: Eagan’s newest fire station, soon to be called Station No. 1, is being constructed to better facilitate a new duty-crew system, which requires volunteer firefighters to work dedicated shifts and respond to minor calls, while the entire firefighting team is alerted for large fires or significant events. The facility, located on property purchased from Eagan Pointe Senior Living for $625,000, is near the intersection of Blackhawk and Diffley roads and is scheduled to open early in 2017. It will be one of three stations, geographically spaced, for speed of access throughout Eagan. v Eagan entrepreneurs: Access services and loan packages via Open to Business. Visit Eagan’s City Hall on the third Tuesday of any month, 1–3 p.m. For more information, visit cityofeagan.com/OTB or contact Laurie Crow at crow@mccdmn.org. EBN Briefly CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE “EAGAN OPENS UP A WHOLE NEW GATEWAY TO THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE CITY, AND WE ARE PROUD THAT THIS FLAGSHIP FRANCHISE WILL NOW CALL EAGAN HOME.” – MIKE MAGUIRE, EAGAN MAYOR “THE FUTURE OF THIS SITE IS MUCH GRANDER THAN AN OFFICE BUILDING AND AN OPEN FIELD. AND IT REQUIRED VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, PERSEVERANCE AND A FORWARD-THINKING CITY GOVERNMENT TO SEE THIS PROJECT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFORM A LOCAL COMMUNITY AND REDEFINE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN NFL TEAM HEADQUARTERS. . . .TODAY WE BREAK GROUND ON A NEW ERA OF VIKINGS FOOTBALL IN THE TWIN CITIES.” – FEATURED VIDEO, GROUNDBREAKING EVENT Twin Cities Orthopedics, or TCO, purchased naming rights for the Vikings’ new home, the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center and TCO Stadium, scheduled to open in March 2018. The new agreement is a continuation of their relationship: TCO, sponsor of the team’s annual 5k race, is the team’s official orthopedic provider. “Our continued and enhanced partnership with the Vikings further demonstrates our commitment to athletes of all ages and emphasizes our expertise to help athletes recover through the broad spectrum of preventing and treating injuries,” says TCO President David Holte, M.D. The complex will include a new TCO facility, including a clinic, orthopedic urgent care and surgery center plus therapy and sports-performance center. What’s in a name? EAGAN BUSINESS NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 20164 www.cityofeagan.com STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 4902 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, Minnesota 55122 IN THIS ISSUE Design & Layout Cory Laux Overdog Art Editor Karin B. Miller Working Words, Inc. A year after St. Paul-based At Home Apartments transformed a former Blue Cross and Blue Shield office building in Eagan into CityVue Apartments, the luxury development is making news again for its green approach to energy. In late August, Innovative Power Systems, also based in St. Paul, flipped the switch on its installation of 456 solar panels atop the apartment building’s parking ramp. “Our solar array will produce about 180,000 kilowatt hours annually,” says At Home Apartments’ Alan Spaulding, explaining that the project will provide roughly 20 percent of the building’s energy needs. The investment will be paid back in eight years, while the installation’s lifespan is 25 years. “CityVue Apartments is one of the most forward-thinking apartment projects in the state of Minnesota,” Spaulding asserts, noting that solar power is just the latest innovation from a repurposed building. “It doesn’t have expansive sprinkler lawns, it doesn’t have an ocean of asphalt parking, it doesn’t have detached garages or huge floor plans. . . . In addition, it has minimal impervious surfaces to reduce runoff [and] white roof surfaces to reduce the urban heat-island effect.” In late fall, At Home Apartments will break ground on another CityVue building next door. In addition, by the end of 2016, the 26-year- old company will complete four more solar installations at other Eagan locations. EBN CityVue Apartments go solar p1 Vikings-powered tourism p2 Briefly p4 CityVue Apartments go solar “THE CITY OF EAGAN, ITS ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION, AND STAFF ARE WORKING HARD TO DO INNOVATIVE THINGS IN TERMS OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, RENEWABLE SOURCES AND SUSTAINABILITY. WE THINK WE CAN LEARN SOME THINGS FROM WHAT YOU’RE DOING HERE.” – CITY COUNCILMEMBER GARY HANSEN Among those helping cut the ribbon were Eric Pasi (far left), Innovative Power Systems; City Councilmember Gary Hanson (second from left); Greg Miller (third from left), president and CEO, Dakota Electric; and Alan Spaulding (second from right), At Home Apartments. Watch the solar-panel installation: youtu.be/LRto1KkpsaE.