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Newspaper Clipping - Newspaper Clipping Scan - History of residential and industrial areas - 1/1/1999Patch T/ Transfer Patch • �I III -7 .'I I --1 . q I. L y• 1 II II -lh " 114 .L u1 .. I - �K u � r 14. II • IT 1=1 • I —I}• 11 I • • : u .'' t 'itl I If J' I 411 Eagan leads metro area in job growth City added 6,000 jobs in four years by Erin Johnson 7HISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Eagan leads the seven -county metro area in job growth since 2000, according to a report re- leased by the Metropolitan Council. The city added 6,000 jobs between 2000 and 2004, more than Lakeville, Apple Valley and Mendota Heights combined. City officials credit the occu- pation of about 4 million square feet of office space built since 1998, as well as the addition of major employers like Argosy University, Mesaba Airlines, Skyline Exhibits, Transport America and Delta Dental. Thomson Legal and Regulatory, based in Eagan, also became the state's number one software de- veloper during that time. "What's striking is just how broad and diverse this job expan- sion is," said Eagan City Admin- istrator Tom Hedges. "It's across several economic sectors" Because Eagan is the home base of several large employers, it is not dependent on any one business in particular, Hedges said. "It helps Eagan cushion the blow from potential losses in any one sector;" he said. The report shows that five of the top 12 cities with the highest job growth are in Dakota County, which added more jobs overall in those four years than any other county. Eagan Maple Grove Richfield Golden Valley Shoreview Shakopee Woodbury . Inver Grove Heights Coon Rapids Lakeville Apple Valley Mendota Heights 2,719 2,535 2,395 2,387 2,371 2,197 2,140 1,975 1,825 1,697 4,333 6,054 1 1 1 1 1 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 A new report by the Metropolitan Council shows Eagan leading the seven -county metro area in job growth. Eagan is at the epicenter of Dakota County's growth, ac- cording to the Met Council. Eagan's Community Devel- opment Director Jon Hohenstein said minimal traffic congestion, efforts to increase high-speed in- temet services and high -quality developments have led to sub - See Jobs, 7A Jobs/from 1A stantial job expansion. "The city is fortunate to have a great location, easy access to I- 494, the airport and both down- towns," he said. But other•cities with con- venient locations didn't fare as well. According to the Met Council report, along with Minneapo- lis and St. Paul, the largest net decreases in employment were seen in Bloomington and the airport area. Those communities combined lost 49,000 jobs. But Eagan's future employ- ment growth continues to look promising. Ecolab is moving its research and development opera- tions to the former Cray Com- puters Campus, and Wells Fargo will relocate its mortgage process operations to Eagan. According to city officials, both companies anticipate future job growth. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ ecm-inc. com. g amonEagan `best places to live' Money Magazine ranks city 12th in the nation by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS A city survey last year confirmed that Eaganites love their city, but now the secret is out to the rest of the country: Eagan is the 12th best place to live in the nation. The honor comes cour- tesy of Money Magazine, which this week released its annual list of "America's Best Places to Live." According to the maga- zine, job opportunities, good schools and low crime rates are the most important characteristics people look for in a place to live, while Submitted photo Two of the criteria Money Magazine considered when compiling its list of "America's Best Places to Live" were park space and leisure. Here, two fisherman experience both on Thomas Lake. the most disliked attributes are congestion, high crime, and lack of job opportuni- ties. To compile the List, the magazine focused on cities with populations of more than 50,000. Editors then researched and reviewed data on a wide range of eco- nomic and quality -of -life indicators, including ease of living, health, education, crime, park space, arts and leisure. The list was narrowed from 745 cities to the 100 best places to live, and Ea- gan was ranked 12th. Another Minnesota city, Eden Prairie, was ranked loth. "We are honored that national writers have rec- ognized what Eagan resi- See Magazine, 17A Magazine/from lA dents have long known, that this is one of the best communities in Ameri- ca in which to live and work," said Eagan Mayor Pat Geagan. Americans are flocking to places that offer big -city op- portunities and amenities with a lot more green space and a lot less stress, the magazine said. Within minutes of both Twin Cities and the airport, Eagan certainly has an envi- able location. And an empha- sis on preserving green space is becoming one of the city's hallmarks. According to the maga- zine's rankings, Eagan has a higher than average median household income ($75,389 vs. $50,997), lower than aver- age auto insurance premiums, and higher than average job growth (7.68 percent vs. 4 per- cent best places average.) Eagan has been known to have among the lowest city taxes metro -wide and the low- est spending of any Minnesota city with more than 50,000 res- idents, and from 2000 to 2004 Eagan had the highest job growth of any city within the metro area, adding more 6,000 jobs. More than three-quarters of Eagan residents have com- pleted at least some college, compared with a best places average of 56 percent. And Eagan has more res- taurants, movie theaters, and library access within 15 miles than most other cities. Eagan City Administrator Tom Hedges pointed out that Eagan also has more miles of walking trails than either the No. 1 ranked city, Fort Col- lins, Colo., or Eden Prairie. Hedges said he was sur- prised that Eagan made the list only because the city knew nothing about it beforehand. "In the context of the cri- teria I thought it made sense," he said. "We have a wonder- ful balance of parks and good school districts, a good tax base, a very low crime rate, and a number of things that I think contribute to why people pick Eagan as a place to live." For more information and a complete list of cities'named "America's Best Places to Live," visit money.cnn.com. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ean-inc.com. Page 6A OPINION Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004 These pages are provided as a forum to debate ideas of interest and importance in our communities. Signed letters should be no longer than 450 words. Include daytime and evening phone numbers and address for verification purposes. Submitted letters and columns become the property of Sun Newspapers, which reserves the right to edit and publish them in any format, including online. Eagan has much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving As Thanksgiving approach- es, is it too late to still be thank- ful that the election season is over? Actually, Thanksgiving shouldn't really dwell on the negatives of the past, so with that let's take a look at what Eagan has to be thankful for. To many people when they think of Eagan they think of mini -mansions and airport noise, but to me the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Eagan is green space. I've yet to find anyplace else in the Twin Cities area that gives you quite the same feeling that areas like Patrick Eagan Park and Lebanon Hills Region- al Park do. There are some beautiful woodlands and nature areas in the metro area, but I always catch a glimpse of a car or a building off in the distance that never really lets you forget where you are. I've never had that problem with Patrick Eagan Park or Lebanon Hills. You venture into those parks and it's easy to be- lieve you are in the middle of nowhere. It's trees and water and nature as far as you can see, something that isn't frequently associated with Eagan and sub- urbs in general. Eagan also has other rea- sons to be thankful this Thanks- giving. Residents can be thank- ful that they have a City Council that is determined to keep taxes low while providing excellent services. Most of the farmland that originally made up what has be- come Eagan may be gone, but JOSHUA NICHOLS Eagan also cherishes its history and won't ever let it die. As other suburbs have developed, they have lost that connection to the past. Not many other suburbs have their origi- nal town hall preserved or a place like Holz Farm Park, which keeps alive farming for today's younger generation. Eagan has great schools, good police and fire services and a business community that continues to bloom as the city grows. Residents can take ad - Eagan community editor vantage of new amenities such as the Cascade Bay water park, the Community Center and Central Park and old, cherished amenities such as the Caponi Art Park and Patrick Eagan Park. Eagan can also be thankful for having such a dedicated and active group of residents who are always seeking the best for the city. In other communities, ac- tions by the city happen with little fanfare and very little no- tice, but Eagan rarely seems to have that problem. I think it says something about a commu- nity when its residents care so much about the city they live in and Eagan should be proud to be such a place. I know I will be thankful for several things about Eagan this year, but especially the recipe for green tomato pie I secured following the farm festival at Holz Farm Park this fall. As Thanksgiving dinner is beginning to grumble in your stomach and the first slice of pumpkin, or green tomato, pie is cut this year, think about the city and what it means to you. Think about what you have to be thankful for when it comes to Eagan. Whether it be the open spaces or Cascade Bay, the Com- munity Center or growing sense of community pride, Eagan provides a lot for people to be thankful about. Supreme Court sides with city in eminent domain case Battle over Cedar Grove properties will now go back to appeals court by Erin Johnson toward an amicable resolution with the THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS property owners in the meantime, he said. The state's highest court has sided with of using eminent domain, and the issue of The legal battle with the three business - the city of Eagan in an eminent domain the city's quick -taking of the properties. es began in 2007 when Eagan initiated a case involving three businesses in the Cedar The case will now go back to the appeals quick -take condemnation of several prop - Grove area. court, which is expected to make a final de- erties for a planned urban village. In its decision, the Minnesota Supreme cision on those remaining issues within 90 Larson Automotive Repair Services, Court ruled that the city's Economic De- days. Competition Engines and U-Haul sued the velopment Authority "did not exceed the "The city is confident that the Court city to prevent the move. scope of its authority when it acquired the of Appeals will affirm the District Court's An initial court ruling sided with the property owner's property." findings that the city had a valid public city. It also said the Court of Appeals failed purpose to acquire the properties," said An appeals court reversed that decision, to weigh in on two other issues brought up Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire. claiming the city council limited its Eco- in the case: the issue of the public purpose Eagan remains committed to working nomic Development Authority's power of EAGAN eminent domain by requiring a binding de- velopment agreement before any property could be acquired. No such agreement was in place at the time of condemnation. The city appealed that decision to the Supreme Court. The new ruling is not expected to affect the first phase of the redevelopment proj- ect, which did not include the three prop- erties in question, said City Administrator Tom Hedges. "We continue to work with our master See Court case, 17A Court case/from 1 A developer and we're con- tinuing to move the project forward," he said. The Village at Cedar Grove, located east of Cedar Avenue along Highway13, has long been planned as a mix of commercial retail space, life -cycle housing, officebuildings, and open space. Phase one of the devel- opment will include 150 units of senior housing, 250 apartment units, two four-story hotels, a retail building with three or four tenants, and a building for child care/commercial use. The city purchased about 80 percent of the properties in the redevelopment area between 2002 and 2007. When negotiations over the remaining properties stalled, the city's Economic Development Authority used eminent domain. Of the 31 properties the city condemned, six own- ers objected. Three later dropped their objections and reached deals with the city. Phase one of the project will develop about 60 per- cent of the land in the area. Plans for a future phase — which would include the three contested properties — have yet to be determined, according to city officials. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@eart-inc.com. 8 CityBusiness September 1 s, 2IXKl to REAL ESTATE City council member says Duke -Weeks' profit was not disclosed before vote t.n I I v 0 T m z 2L947L99LS9=131' 99:9L 00.6L/60 www bizjourrtals.comitwincitiesi City of Eagan's land buy questioned By Sam Black Staff reporter A member of the Eagan City Council is questioning the $1.5 million in profits reaped by developer Duke -Weeks Realty Corp., in a March sale of vacant land to the city. Other Eagan officiaLs defended the deal a.s a good one for the city, and the developer said the profit reflected Duke -Weeks' invest- ment in the parcel and fair market value. Indianapolis -based Duke -Weeks exer- cised options on the land when it sold 60 acres at the northwest comer of Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knoh roads to the city for $7.4 million. Duke -Weeks acquired the option about a year earlier from a developer for $5.9 million. The city plans to build a $15 million conununity center on the land. Outgoing Eagan City Council member Bea Blomquist said she was led to believe that "Duke pretty much broke even on the sale.,, She blames Eagan's mayor, city adminis- trator and other officials for not being up- front about the profit Duke -Weeks made. The mayor and city administrator, how- ever, say they told what they knew and that the investment was still a smart decision. Mayor Pat Awada said the former city attorney passed on to the City Council Dakota County records that revealed how much Duke -Weeks paid the previous owner, Joe Miller Farms, for the land. That price was the starting point for negotiations, Awada said. The city offered "the lowest amount that we thought that they would take, where they would still have some sort of a profit and appreciation," she said, adding that Duke - Weeks had the threat of condemnation hang- ing over the deal. You already use defined contribution for your 401(k) plan. • Now use it for The transaction wasn't as black and white as the paperwork suggests, said Jun Gray, senior vice president and general manager at Duke-Wei-cs' St Louis Park office. Gray said the company was planning to build a nixed-nse project on the site for more than a year before the city inquired about it in late 1999. Dike -Weeks' option was for 80 acres. 'The city bought 60 acres for the community cen- ter, and the company retains the other 20. By splitting the site, Duke left behind some of its investment in the planning and options, Gray said. No plans have been announced for the remaining property. The company would have preferred to hang onto the entire parcel, especially considering the a lating value of land in Eagan, Gray said. He added that city leaders were aggres- sive and did a good job negotiating. "We believe that we sold it al market value or below market value to the city." City Administrator Tom Hedges said he never knew how much Duke -Weeks made on the sale, but the city appraised the property. In a February memo Hedges sent to council metnbers, he stated that the $7.4 million price tag "co'mpares very favorably" to the rate Duke oaid for a similar piece of txtfcr, 9c:9L 00.6L/60 21.9'7L891,S9=131' NVOV3 AO A1I0 <= 17OS92S4iLS9 • •lgord ,slaaM-:ring inoge uMotD4 aus ptu POPa IRS ay1 avInu urul;alp / purl ag1 uwapuao 01 palon anBq Room ogs pres lsmbulolg 1ng •laivao r(jntntuuroa alp ro3 g8nouo 8iq aq pinom 1at'1 rClta atll ut pus! padopnapun jo 1oi ii isrp atg stM ,(lradord ag1 pup SUtppr 'plea au `sass 08 !Tr Anq °1 peq anag pinotn It 'purl aip pauw puoi Apo ail 3I-sarnpanoid uorlutnuapuoo glinosgl o8 0l !sop wont 1t um)!!! .nog palari!SUOD Imunoo agl ptgs 1123142g `olss ail uo apelu S1IQ M -ailfQ lrgl !gold ail !a Sup(0ol uagm •SanSSI lUawasra atuos uo S1O1SSa)UOO apstu pm! !Bop all' Uo angr.rad000 SRM sspaaM -alna Pees umppeg Inrd lagurau1 ttaunop 'Pori ogs ,;,(lpaptut yt 8u4122 lou (u!' 101s410;;o 1P I .rno sBM lI., 'u3osd a 3uPlew io; sllaaM-allow aurBlq 1•usaop tusini „alBudo ddaut 4[2101 1,nseM aaud luptsg aql„ l t41 p3Mogs p lsuuddr atpl lnq `panorddr sane ales aqi alo;aq uoptstdboe alp tnogg plot seM ptounoo atp 3agM rages wa.1 l,upinoo aqs pies utssinl :CpurS laquraur ptounoD 'uotl[tu1 s•i$ JOJ 'CLIC"J S4:SUi;l uwx3 S661 ut pug! atpl lulnoq 'radopanap atuoq a 'suueg ram 8uttds !you tulaq lino uotpralsuoo put? 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Alp aril 'a/Nag 1132,( a mop atom ro3 alas ags uo 1Daford *so -pa -run g pltnq o! Sutuurld sr.M r(uBduloo at{1 pots ,CB1D '201330 And 7101 'IS ,s3120M-2InQ 113 .178211atu rersua8 puB luaptsaid aotn blues '.(2.10 w!f me!! 'slsa88ns vonuadrd NI se apom pug xorq sg LuseM uouaesusll at[•I, Ir agusrp uvjd y1 ls1au tssl t aroui 3o )lion •uror3 -eau pore 19at uMo moA 1110A( Jt»ds n 'I utg uotteuwapuoo 3o reasc £ 'd L£l£'°N raraMsitilt/1; d00a9 33V11VM 3Hl WdLb:£ 000Z '6l'dal EARLY PLATTED LAND Not much of Eagan land was platted before 1948. One notable exception was Wescott Garden Lots in section 14. This land was platted before 1896, but never developed. It is probable that the land was platted to allow the township to receive state aids. The law gave certain townships having platted land the right to receive some of the tax receipts. Residential development primarily occurred along major roadways, usually in the northern part of town. The 1950s marked the beginning of Eagan's transition from farmland to suburban community. McKee was platted in 1954-1956. Country Home Heights in 1949. Valley View in 1956. Letendre in 1949. McCarthy Ridge in 1951. Burrview Acres in 1954. Carlson Acres in 1953. Cedar Grove in 1959. Evidently these developments were approved by Dakota County as there is no record of plat approval in Town Board minutes. The Board of Supervisors did approve streets in platted areas and usually met at the site to look over a street section before voting or denying acceptance into the town road system. The first house in McKee Addition was built in 1951. More additions to McKee did receive Town Board conditional plat approval on April 3,1954. The Town Board had to approve the constructed roads before they would be accepted into the town road system. Country Home Heights - In May, 1952, the Town Board received a petition to accept certain streets in Country Home Heights into the Town road system. The Board resolved to give the developers more time to improve streets before they would accept them. On December 4, 1954, the Board met at the intersection of CSAH 19 & County Road 10 to examine the streets. They postponed action as to acceptance to the next year. LeTendre Addition - On November 8, 1949 the Town Board received a petition to grade Vernon Ave. and LeTendre Street. The Board granted the petition and retained Fischer Construction to work one day with full equipment at an approximate cost of $150. In 1952 the Town Board contracted with Fischer Construction to grade a road on the north line of Wescott Garden Plat at $10 an hour for the caterpillar and scraper -dozer, and $6.50 an hour for road grading and blading. Fischer was also contracted to gravel town roads at $1.00 per yard. Burrview Acres - from the Town Board minutes of Dec. 21,19.54.. The Board decided that Oak Lane was "found to be laid out and constructed to the satisfaction of the Town Board", and therefore, is accepted to be maintained as a town road. Council decides against c guaranteein part of5 g w expanding business loan By BRENDA HAUGEN Despite Mayor Tom Egan's argument that the risk to the city is minimal in contrast to possible benefits, the majority of the Eagan City Council opted not to provide financial assistance to a local business wishing to build a new facility Loan in Eagandale Industrial Park. Register Resale proposed to construct a 40,000 square -foot facility on Trapp Road in the industrial park in order to con- solidate its existing operations. The cost of the facility is slated at $1.5 million. (See Loan, p.1OA) 'FC4.C�GVv—` (Continued from front page) Register Resale is seeking 90 percent financing through Eastern Heights Bank. To se- cure the financing, the St. Paul Port Authority and the city of Eagan were asked to guarantee a part of the loan. Eagan, with the City Council's approval, would participate in the Port Authority's business develop- ment financing program, guar- anteeing a maximum of 10 percent or $135,000, whichever was less. Eagan's guarantee would run for the first five years of the 15-year loan. Egan said supporting this business is a good way to show Eagan's business community that the council is there for them. "I think the upside is great," he said. "I think this is an ex- cellent opportunity to start." Council Member Pat Awada said she sees the issue in a more philosophical way. What gives the council, or any other government entity, the right to pick and choose which busi- nesses it will help, she asked? She added she's not comfort- able putting taxpayers' money on the line for this. "This is the public's money," she said. Council Member Shawn Hunter said with Eagan's healthy business climate, the city doesn't need to take such risks to attract businesses. "It floors me we're even consider- ing financial tools" to draw businesses into the community, he said. Egan said many of the city's businesses came to Eagan when more financial tools were available. Eagan hasn't gotten to where it is without helping businesses, he added. According to Egan, Register Resale is an existing business "with a good track record," and a willingness to expand in Eagan. Egan said the city only is at risk if there is a default on the loan. In the worst -case sce- nario, the city could go after the personal guarantees from Register Resale to make good on the loan, he said. And taxes from the business would pay of the city's debt in eight years, Egan added. Council Member Sandra Masin agreed with Egan, add- ing she believes guaranteeing the loan would be a good risk. But Awada, Hunter and Council Member Ted Wachter voted against becoming in- volved. But at the end of the discussion, the council mem- bers did say they were open to reconsidering the matter if more information could be pro- vided that would sway their opinions. ,— way we played today," Monson said, getting as grave as be gets. "Our kids let down and went through the motions. To rue, that's kind of a waste , of *an oppor'tnnity to get better." Indeed,, for all the electric numbers jnnping off the stats sheet, there were 20' Miimesota ttinnovers and 19 offen- sive rebounds surrendered to a More- head State lineup that had no one 0 HE WALLLACE GROUT GOPHERS CONTINUED OtJ 120 ► TOM POWERS CHRIS POUDORpFF/PIONrHR PRISS Kevin Garnett, whose status was in doubt because of an Injury, dunks for two of his 20 points Saturday. Developer wants into Twins' loop STAFF COLUMNIST The telephone rang at what, for me, was an ungodly hour in the morning_ "This is Socrates Babacas but every- body calls me Savo and Pm going to buy the Twins and build my own sta- dium in Eagan and it won't cost the taxpayers anything and Carl Pohlad is jerking me around, like be jerks everybody around, and be doesn't know — from Shanghai!" llelit.' "I'm for real, this is no ball and I got the laud locked up but I don't like beug jerked around by Pohlad and I offered $150 million and they sent me a letter saying the Twins weren't for sale but now I want the same deal as Taylor and Naegel&" Babacas POWERS CONTINUED ON MOD ► COLLEGE FOOTBALL "I kept teltmg on the bench ton knowing we had k difference," Gum N_ to go to bed tang "I know if Sae ti court on one knee who had arthrosr p\ know I can run tu Q` — 0` (V MICHIGAN STATE 6, MINNESOTA 2 Gophers skate i g. U ineffedive as winningstri� is% GREGG WONG slaw v rut E After taking a giant step forward the night l-- versity of Minnesota men's hockey team took Saturday night As sotid as they were in knocking off fonrtt 6-1 on Friday, the Gophers west equally a behind 5-0 on their way to losing 6-2 to No. in Mum lace Arena. a It was only M lnneaota's second ices to the Q meetings in the College Hockey Showcase. w 'l don't know if we were resting a (Frida `ain't know if maybe we thought vre were tc o ► TV TODAY • 230pan, CIL PGA Skins Garne: Sack nine ■ 4p.m ,MSC Wont. Etasketball: Te nesseeOCLA • Listings, Page 2D ► FOIL RESULTS Kings4, Sharks 1 Maple Leafs 5, Oilers 2 Canadiens 2, Camicks 1 Capitals 4, Islanders 3 tturicanes 5, Perkins 3 Panthers 3, Thrashers 0 Blues 8, Blacldiawks 3 Ducks 4, Predators 3 Avalanche 7, For res 1 �,nee+�r Details. Page 00 OUTDOORS A tradition worth keeping For minzleloader deer hunter Dan Bergerson, the latest trends in muzzleloader hunting are taking the pursuit too far from its origins. He would prefer to hunt in buckskin leggings and a blanket coat. PAGE 160 vec,„ coo Ik) ov 2-g `,-)pow2f‹,-_, S-Pel/ /977 n P. NBA 1REf18,Ti, I Wows 113, Cri¢tlies 82 Cankers 106, Hornets 89 14at 89, Wizards 86 Ranters 106, Warriors 88 6514523504 5-10. .-4 5. Brandon 1-2. rrocnei 0-1, Away D t, Szczebak D 11. Team rebounds. 6_ Blocked foots: 7 erles+enortc 4, Gantt. aJada41. .1 Smith). renoaa.'rk 14 (ILladeson . Nestetanc 3. Gamest z Hamster 2. Gamete. Nrtd,el. Brandon. Avery)_ sty 9 $Gamer 3. Wanda, 2. aJaoldon, 1.Sdath, Seczerbdid- Tedineal takes: None_ Vega de tense-. 1. M arts sett --.ItiA61- T--2iJ9. Officals —Hugh Tonne Wood. Rue nmasevng. up point guard Bobby Jackson, c701 had eight points, four assists e- seven rebounrs, had his best - ie with the Wo res. Our backs were up against the wall tonight," Szczerbiak said. "After last night, we had to re- group and look at ourselves in the mirror." The Wolves dominated from the tip. Vancouver center Bryant Reeves' absence helped- Reeves did not because of a sore After Garnett missed two free throws, the Grizzlies led 2-0 and 4-2. Ahead 23-12 to open the sec- ond quarter, the Wolves went on a 14-2 run — sparked by six points m Smith — and led 37-16 with • 0 left in the secood half. The izzlies cut their deficit to 19 ▪ ice in that quarter, but the • 'Ives led by at least 20, and as ▪ my as 33 in the third quarter, J the rest of the game_ )thella Harrington led the Griz- es with 18 points. Felipe Lopez = ded 11. The 31-point winning margin was the second-largest in fran- ire history. The largest was 32 rots in a 103-71 victory over - - Illas on Jan_ 2, 1993. LCD rn bbi PrcrKeral can be reached at 6 ciceralOpioneexpsesa.cool .+ "W ► 'WU i1p41 'Jaisesp I?A e W Jeal IH POWERS CONTINUED FROM 10 What ... Socra ... who? "Lyle MacArthur said: shall return!' You'll be getting a pack- age by 1D o'clock this morning and wait until you see the picture of me because rill a Greek tycoon and I know how to get this deal done and when you see the picture youll be amazed because I'm 70 and I look SO and I can't help say- ing it_ "Yon never met anybody like me+" That last part sounded com- pletely believable. This is the story of a fellow who says he is trying to purchase the Twins. He insists that, upon ac- quiring the ballclub, he will build a retractable -roof stadium in Fag- an, at no cost to the taxpayers. He already has contacted the Vikings and the Gophers about playing in his new "Star Dame' Socco, pronounced Sock-0, says be immediately will infuse $40 million into the Twins' payroll be- cause "you have to give people a good product" He also says he'll bring Lou Piniella m as manager and move Tom Kelly upstairs into a consultant position. T.R. appar- ently doesn't have the pizzazz Soc- co is looking for. There wilt be free parking for the first 25,000 cars because Socco plans to sell advertising in the parking lot. Hot dogs at the Star Dome will cost $2. He asks two things in return 1) 1011 acres of land on which to build, and 2) for Pohlad to "stop jerking me around" and sell the team. "I'll start a petition forcing him P to sell," Socco said from his Mas- sachusetts home. "I'm going to get the team because I don't quit." Socco is a developer, or at least a retired developer, out of Spring- field, Mass. He says he can turn a profit at his Star Dome by booking 220 dates a year. With his connec- tions, he adds, that will be no problem. He also will build a hotel next door. Socco fiat contacted the Pohlad family last summer. He was told to wait until after the St. Paul ref- erendum_ Three days after the "no" vote in St- Pant, Socco flew in and met with Twins President Jerry Bell and team business con- sultant Bob Starkey. He made his offer_ Ten days later, he received a ketter from the Twins saying the team wasn't for sale. Ever since, Socco has remained in a highly agitated state. "Pohlad is playing games," be fumed. "It's a complete scam try- ing to get the taxpayers to build a stadium!" Privately, the Twins will tell you they believe Socco is loopy. "I don't care what they think," he yelped. "Just give me a chance. This is a cash deal I got a lot of Greek�LL��guys ready to get in on this!' Actually, Socco might very well be screwy. But that's probably an asset for someone who wants to own a major league baseball team_ The Vikings aren't taking any chalices Their dealings with Socco have been cordial. In fact, it was Lester Bagley, the organizabaci's stadium consultant, who suggested Fagan as a potential Star Dorne site. Bagley says dual-purpose sta- diums usually doo't work. Still, the Vikings are willing to listen. "He talked to me about location because he didn't think Minneapo- lis or St. Paul had that kind of acreage," Bagley said. "I don't know what to think. Given the op- portunity, we'd certainly sit down with the Eagan people." "Well, we've got the land," said Patricia Awada, the mayor of Eagan - Like most people, she isn't quite sure what to make of Socco. "He might come across ss as a geolball, but you never know," she said "We haven't committed to anybody. I suspect if it is legit, the city would agree to the I00 acres_ That's a very small thing to ask for. We have a site at 494 and 35E." "It's legit," Soc ro said. "And that's no bull You people drew 3 million fans out there when you had a good product You can't jerk the people around. You've got to give them a product_ That Pohlad ... I'm going to run him out of town!" "Look," said Bell, sounding a bit irritated, "we sent him a letter saying the team isn't for sale right now.•' Asked why, there was some hemming and hawing. But it's clear the Twins don't believe Soc- co is a serious bidder. And they don't want to wind tip looking fool- ish for having dealt with him. Fine, Socco says, then accept his check and see if he is serious. 1 did some checking on Socrates Babacas. Ile is not a financial heavyweight- But he has "guys." His Greek comectioo in New Jer- sey is loaded. With the partners he has — not a single one of whom will speak on the record — he con- ceivably could come op with the dough to buy the Twins. He had a brief fling trying to purchase expansion rights in Tam- pa Bay but came up empty. He al- so attempted to acquire the Phila- delphia Pbillies- No success there, either. Socco says wben he finally wrests the Tarns from Pohlad's grasp, which be insists be will, hell keep the team in Minnesota He professes to be very enamored of this state, even though his meet- ing with Bell marked his first visit here in 15 years. His correspon- dence has the Star Dome situated in „Fan„ Said one of his partners: "The deal is legit. Socco is more of a catalyst. He wants to own a ball - club. It's just a matter of getting someone to sell him one. But he does come across as ..." spy' "Well, yes." Even if the Twins didn't think Socco was loopy, there is some coojecture as to whether Pohlad really wants to sell If he senses the stadium wheels turning in Minneapolis, he'll want to hang oo. "The public shouldn't have to pay for it Socco yelped "Pob- lad's still jerking people around Tll build the stadium. I just want the same deal Taylor and Naegele got. It takes a personality like mine to do this deal. I'm for real There is no bull — — here. "Minnesota has never met any- body like me." If nothing ebe, we can be sm e of that last part. Tom Powers' column regtrany appears Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Email him at !powers *aionroerprrose.com. inn 3Q of Ala al!s s!R3 as-neaafl eijtgeIorrraur aqi sr ;l Ioj ;long s eq ails sip 3urq; ysa;f2iq au L :mot It -2urrazr.n mn Rum Am ,TEL-6516814612 6514523504 Page 4 NEW URBANISM CONFERENCE U 1 SPECIAL INSERT Place Malang In Eagan by John Hohenstein t's been said that New Urbanism, at its core, "is the revival of the lost art of place making." To restore a diverse, walkable, compact, vibrant mixed -use community takes an integrated approach. In Eagan, it started with this simple goal produced by a community task force and adopted by the City Council: "To once again make the Cedar Grove Area a strong vibrant gateway to Eagan" That meant improving traffic access by making more than $4.1 million in pub- lic improvements to the area. It meant focusing on pedestrians, transit oppor- tunities, and mixed residential and com- mercial needs and uses. It meant remembering to include public green space and cohesive design elements, all while being sensitive to existing land uses. When the Cedarvale Mall in west Eagan was at its peak in the early 1970s, more than 50 businesses' everything from an Applebaum's Grocery to Robert's Drug -attracted area shoppers. It was the only major retail presence for miles around recalls Dave Ashfeld of the Cedarvale Barbershop, one of two original businesses in the mall still there today. Changes in access, visibility, and competition diminished its appeal, but now, more than 30 years later the Cedar Hohenstein Grove area has been made ready for the next chapter of its life -redevelopment in a tax increment financing district. Eagan took stock of the Cedar Grove area's assets: its convenient location close to the MSP airport and the Mall of America, its access to all the major highways in the south metro, the nearly 130,000 daily vehicle trips (potential COURTESY OF CITY OF EAGAN customers) nearby, and a City staff that simply finds a way to get things done. But one of the best things Eagan did was to retain expert advice. Early on Jim Prosser of Ehlers and Associates cautioned that redevelopment is contro- versial, that city officials should expect and encourage questions. He told us up front that redevelopment needs political November 24, 2003 leadership, champions. Along the way, there has been other helpful advice: the reminder that final development will likely be different than initial concepts, the suggestion to remain flexible on how the plan plays out while remaining firm on the goftt. Finally, there is advice for the del- opers too. "Redevelopment," Prr says, "is a relationship -based acti fty, not a transaction." Eagan now begins the courtship to find the developer or developers who embrace the vision for Cedar Grove and can bring their own innovative ideas forward. With nearly 100 acres of land cleared and ready for redevelopment in Cedar Grove, these are exciting times in Eagan. Six separate districts within the redevelopment area have been defined encompassing retail, hospitality, restau- rant, office and residential development. With a recently updated market study, with the adoption of an innovative New Urban zoning district, streetscape stan- dards and design guidelines, Eagan is looking forward to delivering that renewed "sense of place" that defines a community, revitalizes an important entry to Eagan, and makes Dave the Barber proud. Jon Hohenstein is the Community Development Director for the City of Eagan MNSUN - News newspapers Select a Town: !Select a Town jrj GO Local News Local News Community Education Calendar Opinion Public Safety Seniors Obituaries Local Sports Sports News Sports Briefs Events/Scores Classifieds Classifieds Weather Weather Past News News Archive Contact Info. Contact Us How to Advertise Front Page Home Page Search The Web Powered by: YA.1400 Search l communities in quest for Twins By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers (Created 11/30/99 11:49:24 AM) If you've heard the whisperings about the Twins moving to Eagan, you might just want to hold on to your money before rushing out to buy season tickets. Although the city received a fax from Socrates Babacas, a Massachusetts developer whose $150 million offer for the Twins was turned down last month, no city staff have spoken with any of Babacas' representatives. The city receives numerous requests each year from businesses considering moving to Eagan and Babacas' request for information is being treated no differently. "We've sent him a couple of maps and some other information about Eagan," said City Administrator Tom Hedges. "That's no different from what we would do for anybody else who is interested in relocating their business to Eagan." Twins officials were quick to dismiss reports that Babacas offer was considered. Babacas sent an unsolicited letter to the team offices with his offer and met with Twins officials, who told him the team was not for sale. Babacas and his other investors were apparently unfazed by the reception their first offer received. "It is my belief that everything is for sale at the right price," Babacas wrote in his letter to Twins President Jerry Bell, after his original offer was turned down. Page 1 of 2 37°4...e Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1999 Overcast: Local Forecast EAGAN 2:40:02PM &7J &P/7€'Ltd Local News Developer eyes Eagan, other FREE AUCTIONS JEANE THORNE INC. 'ib,, *i�ulfir A4 rnN ., Look here jor career opportunities! ..jranrrhrrne.rare http://206.147.67.180/story.asp?city=Eagan&story=20475 11/30/99 MNSUN - News Page 2 of 2 Since then, Babacas has sent faxes to several communities around the Twin Cities in search of a site for his proposed $400 million retractable roof stadium. He also has contacted Minneapolis and St. Paul officials about his proposal. That stadium would only become a reality if some community will provide Babacas with 100 acres of land free of charge and if current Twins owner Carl Pohlad will agree to sell him the Twins for $90 million. The "Star Dome" would seat 50,000 for baseball, 70,500 for football and 83,000 for conventions. Babacas' plan also envisions free parking for 25,000 cars paid for by advertising on light -poles in the lot. "He did send us his stadium concept with eight pages outlining the details, but nothing in it was specific to Eagan or any other community," Hedges said. One stumbling point in Babacas' plan for most communities would be donation of such a large piece of land, Hedges said. "He's looking for a city to donate the land for free and then he will build the stadium at no cost to taxpayers," Hedges said. "For a city to just give that much land away, certainly there are some hidden costs in that." This site and its contents 01999. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: (612) 829-0797 - Created and maintained by Quantum Digital Interactive Email: jcorbo@quantumste:com http://206.147.67.180/story.asp?city=Eagan&story=20475 11/30/99 Man sues over perceived snub By Joshua Nichols -. e,.;4 Sun Newspapers A failed attempt by an Eagan man to be reappointed to a city commission near- ly a year ago has left the city and three members of the Eagan City Council fac- ing a lawsuit. Michael Vincent, who was beat out by current council members Paul Bakken and Peggy Carlson in the November 1998 election, is suing over not being re -ap- pointed to the city's parks commission. In the court complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, Vincent claims Bakken, Carlson and Mayor Pat Awada violated the state's open meeting law and invaded his privacy in denying his ap- pointment. He also accused them of vio- lating the Fair Credit Reporting Act. In addition to Awada, Bakken and Carlson, Vincent is suing the city. He is seeking more than $50,000 for his men- tal and emotional distress. Court costs associated with defending the city, the council members and the mayor against the lawsuit will be covered by the city's insurance. Vincent was appointed to the city's parks commission in 1994 and had sought reappointment in January 1999. However, Awada, Bakken and Carlson voted for other candidates while council members Bea Blomquist and Sandra Masin voted fobVincent. The court complaint claims that Awada, Bakken and Carlson had several secret meetings regarding him and used con- sumer reports in connection with not ap- proving his appointment. Vincent main- tains that the three circulated a "personal profile" that included private information. Awada, Bakken and Carlson have all disputed Vincent's claims, stating that they discussed his appointment prior to some meetings, but that there were never more than two council members present. The Minnesota Open Meeting Law re- quires government bodies to meet in pub- lic. However, in regard to the five -mem- ber Eagan City Council, that require- ment only pertains to when a quorum of three or more members is present. Awada, in a written statement, dis- missed the lawsuit as frivolous. "Unfortunately, this appears to be but another of a series of attacks by a small group in our community that has had a lot of trouble accepting the Election Day judgments of the people of Eagan," Awada wrote. A court date has not been set. City of Eagan - Comprehensive Plan Map ktip i� :IUD .'uu.:� ��:► lII1:.� Iq1;11 -mould uma N■ ■ liri�� !/Q%�ph.t�1111111 0111 a_ 7-cy: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATIONS: Residential: ❑ RR - Rural Residential ❑ D-I - Single Family (O.3 units/acre) ❑ D-11 - Mixed Residential (0-6 units/acre) ❑ D-111 - Mixed Residential (6-12 units/acre) ▪ D-IV - Mixed Residential (12+ units/acre) Commercial: 0 LB- Limited Business 0 NB - Neighborhood Business DOB - General Business RB - Roadside Business II CSC - Community Shopping Center CPD - Commercial Planned Development El CA - Central Area Industrial: Ell-1- Limited Industrial ❑ RD - Research & Development Other: ▪ PF - Public Facilities. Quasi -Public ▪ P - Parka 0 Water 0 Right -of -Way TOTAL: Parcel Boundaries /U Land Use Designation Boundaries � a City Limits ACRES: PCT.: 100.07 4888.03 1901.2 509.29 299.03 192.07 106.76 34.82 15.49 121.99 918.76 865.77 0.47% 21.81% 8.85% 2.37% 1.39% 0.89% 0.5% 0.16% 0.07% 0.57% 4.2796 3.1% 2558.79 11.91% 50.24 0.23% 792.83 3524.04 1361.87 3643.95 21484.79 3.69% 16.4% 6.34% 18.98% 100.00% 11/2/1995 1000' 2000' 3000' 4000' 5000' 6000' 1/4 1/2 3/4 1 Mile The Land Use Designations on this guide plan should be interpreted in Tight of the accompanying text and policies contained in the complete City of Eagan Comprehensive Plan. Land Use Designations are subject to change as part of the City's ongoing planning process. City of Eagan Community Development Department Telephone: (612) 681-4695 E6001AAX - Map Design by Jerry M.POM -idiot Mapping & Demographics, Inc. Phone 101117ea-4234. Tom Powers column (11/28/1999) <ADVERTISEMENT> IANET STORY OPTIONS • E-mail to a friend . Print this article PioneerPlanet: front • News • Business • Sports Entertainment/lust Go Living • Tech Water Cooler Special Reports Classified Ads • Site index YELLO') PAGES ■ CAR5.000M ■ JOBHUNTER ■ HOMES/RENTALS Published: Sunday, November 28, 1999 Tom Powers column The telephone rang at what, for me, was an ungodly hour in the morning. "This is Socrates Babacas but everybody calls me Socco and I'm going to buy the Twins and build my own stadium in Eagan and it won't cost the taxpayers anything and Carl Pohlad is jerking me around, like he jerks everybody around, and he doesn't know ---- from Shanghai!" Hello? "I'm for real, this is no bull and I got the land locked up but I don't like being jerked around by Pohlad and I offered $150 million and they sent me a letter saying the Twins weren't for sale but now I want the same deal as Taylor and Naegele!" What ... Socra ... who? "Like MacArthur said: 'I shall return!' You'll be getting a package by 10 o'clock this morning and wait until you see the picture of me because I'm a Greek tycoon and I know how to get this deal done and when you see the picture you'll be amazed because I'm 70 and I look 50 and I can't help saying it. "You never met anybody like me!" That last part sounded completely believable. This is the story of a fellow who says he is trying to purchase the Twins. He insists that, upon acquiring the ballclub, he will build a retractable -roof stadium in Eagan, at no cost to the taxpayers. He already has contacted the Vikings and the Gophers about playing in his new "Star Dome." Socco, pronounced Sock-O, says he immediately will infuse $40 million into the Twins' payroll because "you have to give people a good product." He also says he'll bring Lou Piniella in as Page 1 of 4 http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/2/sports/docs/037750.htm 11/29/99 Tom Powers column (11/28/1999) Page 2 of 4 manager and move Tom Kelly upstairs into a consultant position. T.K. apparently doesn't have the pizzazz Socco is looking for. There will be free parking for the first 25,000 cars because Socco plans to sell advertising in the parking lot. Hot dogs at the Star Dome will cost $2. He asks two things in return: 1) 100 acres of land on which to build, and 2) for Pohlad to "stop jerking me around" and sell the team. "I'11 start a petition forcing him to sell," Socco said from his Massachusetts home. "I'm going to get the team because I don't quit." Socco is a developer, or at least a retired developer, out of Springfield, Mass. He says he can turn a profit at his Star Dome by booking 220 dates a year. With his connections, he adds, that will be no problem. He also will build a hotel next door. Socco first contacted the Pohlad family last summer. He was told to wait until after the St. Paul referendum. Three days after the "no" vote in St. Paul, Socco flew in and met with Twins President Jerry Bell and team business consultant Bob Starkey. He made his offer. Ten days later, he received a letter from the Twins saying the team wasn't for sale. Ever since, Socco has remained in a highly agitated state. "Pohlad is playing games," he fumed. "It's a complete scam trying to get the taxpayers to build a stadium!" Privately, the Twins will tell you they believe Socco is loopy. "I don't care what they think," he yelped. "Just give me a chance. This is a cash deal. I got a lot of Greek guys ready to get in on this." Actually, Socco might very well be screwy. But that's probably an asset for someone who wants to own a major league baseball team. The Vikings aren't taking any chances. Their dealings with Socco have been cordial. In fact, it was Lester Bagley, the organization's stadium consultant, who suggested Eagan as a potential Star Dome site. Bagley says dual-purpose stadiums usually don't work. Still, the Vikings are willing to listen. http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/2/sports/docs/037750.htm 11/29/99 Tom l .vers column (11/28/1999) Page 3 of 4 "He talked to me about location because he didn't think Minneapolis or St. Paul had that kind of acreage," Bagley said. "I don't know what to think. Given the opportunity, we'd certainly sit down with the Eagan people." "Well, we've got the land," said Patricia Awada, the mayor of Eagan. Like most people, she isn't quite sure what to make of Socco. "He might come across as a goofball, but you never know," she said. "We haven't committed to anybody. I suspect if it is legit, the city would agree to the 100 acres. That's a very small thing to ask for. We have a site at 494 and 35E." "It's legit," Socco said. "And that's no bull. You people drew 3 million fans out there when you had a good product. You can't jerk the people around. You've got to give them a product. That Pohlad ... I'm going to run him out of town!" "Look," said Bell, sounding a bit irritated, "we sent him a letter saying the team isn't for sale right now." Asked why, there was some hemming and hawing. But it's clear the Twins don't believe Socco is a serious bidder. And they don't want to wind up looking foolish for having dealt with him. Fine, Socco says, then accept his check and see if he is serious. I did some checking on Socrates Babacas. He is not a financial heavyweight. But he has "guys." His Greek connection in New Jersey is loaded. With the partners he has -- not a single one of whom will speak on the record -- he conceivably could come up with the dough to buy the Twins. He had a brief fling trying to purchase expansion rights in Tampa Bay but came up empty. He also attempted to acquire the Philadelphia Phillies. No success there, either. Socco says when he finally wrests the Twins from Pohlad's grasp, which he insists he will, he'll keep the team in Minnesota. He professes to be very enamored of this state, even though his meeting with Bell marked his first visit here in 15 years. His correspondence has the Star Dome situated in "Egan." Said one of his partners: "The deal is legit. Socco is more of a catalyst. He wants to own a ballclub. It's just a matter of getting someone to sell him one. But he does come across as ..." T nn„ir9 http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/2/sports/docs/037750.htm 11/29/99 Tom Powers column (11/28/1999) Page 4 of 4 Help News Archives Feedback "Well, yes." Even if the Twins didn't think Socco was loopy, there is some conjecture as to whether Pohlad really wants to sell. If he senses the stadium wheels turning in Minneapolis, he'll want to hang on. "The public shouldn't have to pay for it!" Socco yelped. "Pohlad's still jerking people around. I'll build the stadium. I just want the same deal Taylor and Naegele got. It takes a personality like mine to do this deal. I'm for real. There is no bull---- here. "Minnesota has never met anybody like me." If nothing else, we can be sure of that last part. Tom Powers' column regularly appears Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and f Back to Top Fridays. E-mail him at tpowersgpioneerpress.com. 1999 PioneerPlanet / St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press - All Rights Reserved copyright information http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/2/sports/docs/037750.htm 11/29/99 S((oo Don't build more, use our resources To the editor: As a long time resident of Eagan (since 1962), it has been exciting to watch Eagan grow and develop from a township to a city. On the whole our church- es have done a good job meeting the needs of our young families, teens and seniors. Groups and programs abound with some- thing for everyone. The school districts in Eagan have filled in the gaps as necessary, providing well-rounded opportunities for all. Corporate and private money has been invested in Eagan and its future. For good or bad, buildings have been built that are now vacant. The new YMCA has programs available that re- main begging for participants and their schedules are expand- ing to offer more. When the civic arena was built it was boasted as a desper- ately needed, multi -use central gathering place for young and old alike yet portions remain unused by the community. Then came "Cascade Bay." We had to have it because every first class city had one. The res- idents of Windcrest watched the west -end desirability decline and by the way, I know of sever- al people from Apple Valley, Farmington and Richfield that are sure glad we built Cascade Bay for them. Cedarvale used to be the "Downtown of Eagan." We al- lowed that to deteriorate and now it is virtually abandoned. The city of Eagan, the City Council and the task force have to have this new Community Center. Claiming to cost only $15 million to build, it will, in fact, surpass $27 million. I'd like to ask the "task force" a couple of questions: Do any of you live with this site in your backyard? Would you move to a neighborhood that had a "band shell" behind it? Of course, you wouldn't. If citizens don't maximize the use of what we have now, why build more? Let's put our avail- able resources to good use. We don't need another "white ele- phant." Vote "no" on June 6. Kaye Olson Eagan Council postpones vote on industrial applicant Professional Plastics is requesting a variance for parking and buffer setback in order to build on the northeast corner of Mike Collins Drive and Yankee Doodle Road. Neighbors from Wescott Square ob- jected to the plan and asked questions about the proposed business at the July 2 council meeting. Professional Plastics would be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and employees would perform assembly work at the site. No melting or manufacturing of plastic is planned at that location. As proposed, the project also would re- move more than 90 percent of the signif- icant tree coverage on the lot. After some discussion, the council di- rected the applicant to work with adja- cent property owners to design a more ex- tensive buffer between residents and the light industrial business. The proposed development is expected to return for council approval at the July 16 council meeting. .1 Cron`► b 4.4 �p 191 Eagan's growth will slow in next 20 years Final comprehensive land use plan nearly finished By Jodi L. Wallin ')—t t - 1r,SS Sun Newspapers CST 1.) Li( (Of ..►.4{ The city that burst through the last two census counts like a hare in a hound race has slowed to a turtle's pace as it approach- Nes the next 20 years. Eagan's population between 1980 and 2000 increased by 200 percent. Between 1990 and 1995, it was the second fastest growing large city in the state. Over the next 20 years, growth is expected to in- A crease by 3 percent. The decline in population growth is largely attributable to lack of developable residential land in the city of 21,000 acres and 63,000 people. About 95 per- cent of the city's residentially zoned land is already developed. Overall, the city is about 90 per- cent developed. "We're almost fully devel- oped," said Julie Farnham, city planner. "There is not a lot of room for big change. "We just don't have that much more land," she said. That information comes after a study to determine all the land uses and zoning for the city. Not only were population studies completed, but demographics, employment projections, housing needs, transportation needs, and land uses were established. As part of the comprehensive plan, which had not undergone an overhaul since 1983, city officials were required to bring the actual land uses and zoned areas into agreement with one another. More than 7,000 parcels were found to be zoned for one use and used for another purpose during an inventory conducted in 1997. All the land owners with mis- matched uses were notified. Of those, 90 parcels needed to be hashed through with city offi- cials and land owners. PLAN: elkcCage 19A�y Plan From Page 1A "Seven thousand parcels got changed, most to bring existing uses into compli- ance," said Councilmember Paul Bakken. "Ninety-five percent of those were clean- ing up the code to reflect the actual use." Most of the remaining changes were com- mon sense type changes, he said. "There are now really two parcels in question — that's less than 1 in 1,000." "It was a long process with opportunities for people to [meet]," Bakken said. There were three open meetings over the course of the winter, with a final open house on July 13, which was attended by 26 residents. With nearly all the residential land developed, population growth is limited. All vacant developable residential land, currently about 600 acres, is expected to be developed by 2020. There still remains acreage that is under -used that may have room for expansion, Farnham said. Be- tween vacant and underused land there remains about 1,500 acres for residential use. The largest pocket of the 900 acres of underused land — land that has one structure on it and is more than one acre with the potential for subdivision — is near Lebanon Hills. While there is a possibility for more development on those properties, Farn- ham does not anticipate all of those will be developed. "I see a market for that kind of property for some time into the fu- ture," Farnham said. "That's why some people move out into the suburbs, they want a big wooded lot where you don't see the neighbors." While the population base will slow, the job base will continue to increase. "With employment, we're looking at much larger growth," Farnham said. There are about 39,500 employees in Eagan. "We're looking at a good 11,000 more jobs in the next 20 years," Farnham said. Employment is expected to increase at a pace of 1 percent to 2 percent per year up to 50,900 employees by 2020. After that, there will be about 625 acres of commercial and industrial use land still available. Most of the commercial growth is ex- pected to occur in the north -central and western portion of the city, where growth originated, according to the preliminary comp plan. Farnham views the city as taking on a redevelopment phase, as opposed to the development phase it has been in. Much of the redevelopment will take place in the areas first developed, she said. The oldest major retail development, Cedarvale Shopping Center, is under a moratorium as city staff studies future uses for the area. Built in the 1960s, the shift in major traffic arteries through town after the completion of Interstate 35E drew traffic from that area to others. Now that spot is ripe for redevelopment. Eagan tends to follow the trends Min- neapolis and St. Paul. As the metro area becomes more diverse in its population, so will Eagan, said Farnham. As of 1990, Eagan was 94 percent Cau- casian. Asian and African Americans made up the largest portion of the re- maining 6 percent. Those minorities will continue to grow, she said. The elderly population will grow, as well. Currently a young town, Eagan had 4,300 people over the age of 50 in 1990. Those numbers will grow significantly in the next 20 years if Eagan follows the trends of the metro area. There is pro- jected to be an increase of 48 percent in those age 50-64 by 2020 and an increase of 32 percent in those age 65-74 by that time period. The total population is ex- pected to reach 65,700 by 2020. Information like this can help the city plan better housing, transportation and other services its residents will need in the future, Farnham said. Even though the comp plan overhaul was mandated by the Metropolitan Council, the city has benefited from the long hours on the project. "We spent a long time putting these data bases together," Farnham said. "Now we have that on GIS (Geographic Information System) and have this huge tool. Now the task is to maintain that data base." The information will be used to help the City Council and Advisory Planning Commission evaluate development pro- posals as well as guide the city over the next 10 years, according to city officials. Now that the open houses are com- pleted, the plan goes before the Advisory Planing Commission for an official public hearing on Aug. 12. That hearing will be continued until Aug. 24. The City Coun- cil is scheduled to accept the plan at its Sept. 7 meeting, then forward a draft to the Metropolitan Council. Between Sept. 8- Nov. 10, the Met Council will review the plan. On Nov. 16, the City Council is scheduled to approve and adopt the new Comprehensive Guide Plan. Residents will still have opportunities to be heard on the plan until it is official- ly passed by the council. Copies of the plan are available for viewing at the Planning Office in the City Municipal 'Center and at the Eagan Library, both on Wescott Road, just off Pilot Knob Road. 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 Cagan Population Growth ■ ■ 1 limill ■ ■ I iiiiimiiimir I I I I run 1. II • i 1 • • i 1 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 (forecast) 2020 A newly completed six -mile stretch of Interstate 35E, which will provide Dakota County residents a link with St. Paul, will open officially at 10 a.m. Saturday. Ceremony will.open interstate By Thomas B. Koetting Staff Writer After nearly a year of celebrat- ing Eagan's 125th birthday, the city is ready to mark the entry into a new age. Eagan will celebrate the opening of Interstate 35E Saturday, and al- though the freeway link is just one in a series of transportation ad- vances in the southern suburbs, it is the latest — and perhaps boldest — reminder that rural Dakota County is rapidly giving way to the sprawling urban network. "We have a unique geographic location being 10 miles from Min- neapolis and 10 miles from St. Paul," said Eagan Mayor Bea Blomquist. The city has allegiances to both cities ... Highway 77 has opened us up to Minneapolis, and I- 35E will open us up to St. Paul." The I-35E celebration begins at 9 a.m., with a private reception for h Pie se see eremon /8 T' is ma • shows the ecti • n of I- E Kirk Lyttfe/Staff Artist It's no longer end of the line By Thomas B. Koetting Staft Writer By the time it slides past Orvil, Texas, the border town of Laredo is just a memory in the rear-view mirror. Up past the peach -colored capi- tol in Austin, it splits to reach a string of bank towers in Fort Worth and the Coliseum in Dallas, then reunites and heads across a vast stretch of Texas plains until the lights of Oklahoma City glimmer in the distance. A soft right turn sweeps it past the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, and then it heads with a straight shot through Iowa to the Twin Cit- ies, where it veers left on its way to Duluth and right on its way to nowhere. Nowhere. End of the line. Pull over and get a map. After hundreds of miles and more roadside greasy -spoon stops than a rider could count, travelers heading for St. Paul on that sprawling stretch that cuts across the heart of the country run out of road. Interstate 35E, not essentiallo Interstate 35 but vital to the flow of travel through the Twin Cities southeastern suburbs, humbly turns into a one -lane exit ramp. This week, that changes, at least a little. Despite the new technology, the greatest single motivating force for development and growth still is roads. And the formal opening of Interstate 35E in Dakota County Saturday is concrete acknowledge- ment that the Twin Cities are growing south. There is more work to be done on I-35E, particularly on a contro- versial stretch of land through ur- ban St. Paul. But with Saturday's ceremony, Dakota County will have its link to the capitol city and the invisible wall of the Mississippi Please see Highway/6 =riday, Nov. 15. 1985 St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch GROWING SOUTH 35E Dakota County is mix of old and new Autonomy, identity are long-established 3y Lucy Dalglish Staff Writer Drive down Interstate 35E in the torthwestern part of Dakota County and :ake a good look at the scenery. Everything — from the concrete on the 'reeway to the roadside convenience stores — looks brand new. But Dakota County didn't appear over - light with the opening of the interstate belt- ine. Long before development took off like wildfire in the northwestern part of the :ounty, Dakota County had established its dentity. Perhaps more than any other coun- ty in the metropolitan area, Dakota County las its own political, economic and social dentity. Mention the Metropolitan Council's seven - :aunty planning efforts to a local or county )olitician in Dakota County and you're likely .o get a lecture on how those folks up in St. ?atil and Minneapolis should stay on their ride of the river and mind their own busi- tess. Talk about fiscal disparities legislation ised to stimulate business in downtown Min- teapolis and St. Paul and Dakota County pol- ticians and business owners will tell you hey're sick of paying the bill for the inner !ity's redevelopment efforts. However, the most strident criticism in he county is reserved for the University of Mnnesota. The university received about 1,300 acres ff prime agricultural land in the Rosemount irea at the conclusion of World War II, land hat had been confiscated by the federal gov- trnment for an arms plant. Local residents never have forgiven the miversity for accepting the land, for not .urning it back to the original owners. Dakota County residents know where the ['win Cities are, and they visit frequently. But they can get along without them. Why shop in downtown St. Paul when there is Burnsville Center, the largest indoor shopping mall m Minnesota? In some respects, there are two Dakota Counties. There is the established, old-line county exemplified by West St. Paul, South. St. Paul and Hastings. And there is the new, growing, developing western portion — one of the fastest growing areas in the state - exemplified by Eagan, Apple Valley and. Burnsville. Eagan Eagan probably has the dubious honor as the city with the longest twice -monthly city council meetings in the metropolitan area. Because of the volume of planning and zon- ing issues the rapidly developing city must consider, most meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and council members are lucky if they finish by 1 a.m. Because of delays in opening segments of Interstate 35E, Eagan is one of the last cities in the northern part of the county to be de- veloped, despite its proximity to St. Paul and Minneapolis. As a result, city officials say they have been able to learn from the mistakes and successes cities such as Apple Valley and Burnsville had in establishing zoning regula- tions. Only about half of the city has been devel- oped, but already a strain has been placed on District 196, the Rosemount -Apple Valley School district that includes most of Eagan's land area. Eagan is one of the prettiest cities in the county, with rolling hills, hundreds of pictur- esque ponds and lakes and thousands of oak trees. The oak is Eagan's logo, designed to com- memorate one of the county's best-known landmarks — the Lone Oak tree- For dec- ades, the Lone Oak was the city's official bulletin board. Notices were posted on its trunk and it was a sentimental meeting place for sweethearts. But as the city grew, highways encroached on the tree, located at the intersection of Dakota County residents know where the Twin Cities are, and they visit frequently. But they can get along without them. Lone Oak Road and Minnesota 55. By 1980, the tree was dying. After a lengthy battle between the city and state Highway Depart- ment officials, the tree was cut down in April 1984 and a replacement planted near- by at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. Apple Valley Apple Valley is known to most Minneso- tans as the home of the Minnesota Zoological Garden. The zoo is a rare example of eager county - state cooperation. Dakota County officials decided they wanted the state zoo that was proposed in the early 1970s. As an incentive, the County Board offered about 500 acres of prime park land. County officials already owned some land in the area as part of Holland -Jensen County Park (now called Lebanon Hills Regional Park), but the county bought several re- maining parcels in the area and turned them over to the state. Dakota County residents have made good use of the zoo, one of the state's major at- tractions. Few residents even remember the days when Eaton's Ranch was Apple Valley's most famous landmark. For more than 50 years, the ranch was the closest many Min- nesotans ever got to the Old West. In 1930, Arthur Eaton Sr. moved to Minne- not* from Iowa and bought 1,000 acres of hilly, forested land in Lebanon Township. Co}vboyyss traveling through Minnesota to the South, St. Paul stockyards often stopped at Eaton's Ranch and performed in rodeos. As the events started attracting specta- tors, Eaton decided to start a dude ranch. World War II stilled the dude ranch business, but the family held on to some of the land over the years and Art Eaton Jr. operated at various times a riding stable, restaurant and western store until the pine and fieldstone structures were torn down in 1982 to make room for on/off ramps where Minnesota 77 intersects Dakota County Highway 38. The rest of the old ranch now is developed with expensive homes in the Palomino Hills and Heritage Hills neighborhoods. Apple Valley also is known as the town that Orrin Thompson built. Old Lebanon Township was the site of several gravel pits, the old dude ranch and numerous farrns when Thompson moved in with his plans for moderately priced houses in the early 1960s. It was Thompson who pushed for the name change from Lebanon to Apple Valley, the name of a similar development in Califor- nia. Burnsville Had it not been for strong community cohesiveness in the early 1960s, the northern part of Burnsville township probably would have become South Bloomington. Not that Bloomington really wanted the land area south of the Minnesota River — it wanted the tax base that would follow con- struction of Northern State's Power Co.'s Black Dog power plank But the struggle to keep the power plant site probably gave Burnsville township the push It needed to incorporate as a city. A few years later, development exploded with the completion of the I-35E bridge over the river. Now, Burnsville is the retail heart of the county, with hundreds of franchise opera- tions focused around Burnsville Center near the intersection of Interstates 35E and 35W and County Highway 42. Burnsville, with dozens of ponds, rolling hills and picturesque neighborhoods, is con- sidered the most "Minneapolitan" suburb in Dakota County. Most of its residents work on the western end of the metropolitan area County enjoys boom in housing By Jeann Linsley Staff Writer A robust metropolitan -wide real estate market has added fuel to the already hot housing market in the Dakota County suburbs that flank St. Paul and Minneapolis. The housing boom that began in the mid-1970s in Dakota County has been building con- stantly since about 1982, ac- cording to real estate agents who work the county. Population growth rates in the county for the past five years have been double the av- erage for the seven -county met-, ropolitan area. This year, falling interest rates and a healthy economy have meant an even healthier housing market for Dakota County. Real estate agents say sales have zoomed this year, and that new construction is booming in Eagan, Apple Valley, and Burnsville. "What we're seeing is sales running ahead of last year in all areas of the county," said Ron Covert, of the Dakota County Board of Realtors. Housing sales countywide to- taled 657 through August in the Apple Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount area, with the ma- jority of sales in Apple Valley, Covert said. That compares with annual sales of 745 in 1983 and 859 in 1984 in that same Please see Housing/9 To the editor: that a McDonald's, a Holiday In an unprecedented move, gas station and another strip the Eagan City Council at its mall were being put on this Nov. 21 meeting agreed to re- parcel of land. consider its approval of the de- The City Council voted final velopment of a McDonald's approval for this project at its fast food restaurant, a strip Nov. f meeting, but because of mall, a Holiday gas station, misinformation given by the and an office building at the city planning office about the northwest corner of Diffley and approval status of the project Lexington (the Soderholm Ad- prior to final approval, possible insufficient direct notification of adjacent affected property owners, almost 600 signatures in opposition to the project that were collected in less than one week prior to the Nov. 21 council meeting, and more than 30 people in attendance at the meeting itself to show their disapproval, the council moved to reconsider its final approval and placed the Sod- erholm Addition on the. agenda for the Dec. 5 meeting for an- other vote. Some significant legal issues about the project were also raised, but without the massive show of public disapproval, it is unlikely that any action would have been taken, and the project would have been allowed to move forward. The McDonald's, Holiday station, and strip mall would bring heavy traffic to a residen- dition). This means that even though the bulldozers are al- ready moving dirt, the project can still be stopped if the re - vote taken Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the City Council meeting is against the project. The initial vote was only 3-2 in favor of the project, with Mayor Tom Egan and council members Ted Wachter and Shawn Hunter voting for approval, and council members Sandra Masin and Patricia Awada vot- ing against it. Only one mem- ber who voted for the project must change his vote to stop the development. Residents opposed to this project should come to the council meeting Dec. 5 to express their disap- proval. The council agreed to recon- sider the issues and re -vote on this project mainly because of the tremendous public opposi- tion that was shown when it tial area surrounded by parks, became more widely known especially Patrick Eagan Park Letter (Continued) cess, and may put themselves and other vehicles and pedes- trians at risk. Pedestrian traffic across Diffley Road from the new athletic field complex would create unnecessary risk to the safety of both pedestri- ans and vehicles. Fast food restaurants such as McDonald's, along with their litter, odors and heavy traffic, are already appropriately clus- tered in multiple locations in Eagan, with the Town Centre fast food restaurants only two miles away from the proposed development. The neighbor- hood business zoning category, which is the current zoning of this land, allows for a sit-down facility only type of restaurant. &a Deoeeopment cdn be more appropriate for area to the north and west and new athletic field complex to the south, and numerous churches. There is a neighborhood feel- ing to the area that would be lost with such heavy retail use of this corner. Limited access from Diffley and Lexington (both are Da- kota County highways and the county limits access points for its roads) and heavy traffic flow would make it difficult to get into and get out of this de- velopment, especially for visi- tors to Eagan for Eagan High School events and for those who are utilizing the Lexing- ton-Diffley and Northview ath- letic fields, who would be un- familiar with the confusing traffic flow patterns that would be present. The traffic flow problems within the development, as identified and debated by the City Council Nov. 6, are unre- solved. These traffic flow pat- terns raise questions about pub- lic safety, and are especially troublesome because of the potential for difficulties of ac- cess for a proposed urgent care medical facility. People seek- ing urgent medical care do not deal well with traffic conges- tion and confusion about ac- (See Letter, p.11A) city planning staff or the City Council. There is an existing strip mall diagonally across the in- tersection of Diffley Road and Lexington Avenue that has just become fully leased for the first time since it was built in the mid-1980s. Nearby strip malls of a similar nature at Pi- lot Knob and Diffley, Black - hawk and Diffley and Thomas Lake Center have had chronic vacancies as well, which shows that both the immediate and general areas are oversatu- rated with this type of retail space. This land could cer- tainly be developed with some- thing that would be more bene- ficial to area residents than another strip mall. r fa..1 that tl.P nrnnncerl d .. surrounding arca, has access and internal traffic patterns that are unworkable, that it is not compatible with its sur- rounding area from an esthetic standpoint, and that it does not fulfill a need for any services that are not currently available in the immediate vicinity. This project is not in the best inter- ests of the citizens of Eagan, and I feel that the Soderholm Addition can be developed in a more appropriate fashion. The re -vote for approval of this project will be taken at the Dec. 5 City Council meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. Attend this meeting if you want to make a difference in the future of the LexingtonlDiffley neigh- borhood. Letter , 1819C rvti cfbJ12.n.k:....................................has• area, access ...... • surroundingtraffic patterns city planning staff or the City internal it is (Continued) stripandhat are unworkable, 1 cess, and may put themselves Council. not arecounworkable, with thatits sur- and other vehicles and pedes-c There is an existingo Road and rounding area from an i triros at risk. Roadaian fromaffic mall diagonally D across the in-rounding that it esthetic not cthecomplex terseLexington of Diffley fulfill a need,and for does not across Diffley1ex Lexington Avenue that has just new athletic field compully i are not currently anyly available services would create unnecessaryf bothedestrk first time e sinceitwas built in that the notcur immediate vicinity. t i tothe safety of both pe the mid-1980s. Nearby p project is not in thei b is r- ads and vehicles.Black- rojsts of the citizens of Eagan, •Fast food restaurants such • e i lot Knob and similarpiffleyre at Pi - and I feel that the Soded in a rholm .t 1ho Addition can be developed more appropriate fashion. The re -vote for approval of this project will be taken at the Dec. 5 City Council meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. Attend this meeting if you want to make a difference in future of the hexing neigh- borhood. BRENT FLORINE Eagan McDonald's, along with litter, odors and heavy traffic, hawk and Diffley an which are already appropriately clus- Lake Center have had chronic ' tered in multiple locations in vacancies as i Eagan, with the Town Centre shows hat bothaoth the s ere immediateer fast food restaurants only two and g of retail 1 1 miles away from the proposed rated with this type eoof tail development. The neighbor- space. hood business zoning category, tainlYthat e ould developedd more some - which is the current zoning of thing this land, allows for a sit-down t anothericial to strip residents than facility only type of restaurant. 1 feel that the proposed No mention of this discrepancy de- waslm made during the approval Addition is toovelopment of tintensedforohe process for this project by City faces new challenges as population continues to grow By SARA TlfOivIALLA-BLOOD 1 3 and other byways make Ea- runs out, causing the city to The city predicts growth Hedges predicts most of the J* -a.:st,.,,„ G` 9_17 — gan relatively close to metro- pause to examine how to de- through the year 2020, with an available land will be gone Maybe it's the countryside politan area amenities. Resi- velop the remaining tracts of estimated population of 71,000. within the next 10 years. with its softly rolling hills and dents are close to the airport, undeveloped land. This factor With 34 square miles and "It's going to slow down and countless mature oak trees. the Mall of America, gaming also has both city and school close to 270 miles of roadway, not be as rapid as it once was. Maybe it's three reputable casinos, as well as downtown district planners preparing for Eagan has 15 to 20 percent of There are smaller pieces of school districts and the avail- Minneapolis and St. Paul. when the population peaks its land mass left for develop- land that are harder to de- ., ability of community resources. Businesses also find Eagan and, ultimately, begins to age. ment. City Administrator Tom velop," said Hedges. But, according to city offi- attractive because of its prox- The Metropolitan Council Hedges said how the remaining The comprehensive guide i) cials, there is one factor that imity to the airport and the in- recently ranked Eagan as the land is developed is critical. plan is currently being updated surpasses all other reasons why terstate system. Another attrac- third largest population gainer "It's really important how we by the city to help direct future residents and businesses tion is large tracts of undevel- last year and in the last dec- finish the community," said growth. choose to dwell in Eagan. oped land. ade. Only Lakeville and Hedges. "There's no race here Even though a population "Location, location, loca- The opening and expansion Woodbury surpass Eagan in to finish development. It's im- peak is imminent, city and tion," said Susan Hegarty, with of highways drew many people population gains. portant to get a good balance school facilities must meet the the city's Convention and Visi- and businesses to the area, Currently the city estimates e" in the community for a tax needs of a rapidly growing `j tors Bureau. with population increases start- its population at 61,407. This base. If we wait a few years for community now. Eagan's proximity to I-35E, I- ing in the late 1970s. number is more than double that to happen, it's good for the (See Growth 494, Cedar Avenue, Highway But as people move in, space the population in 1985. community." } Growth (Continued from front page) Technology Although 2,000 to 3,000 resi- dents are moving to Eagan each year, Hedges said city offices have been able to maintain the same level of service. The saving grace for city of- fices is technology, said Hedges. The city's Web site is avail- able for inquiries. Plans are in the works to make city code and application forms avail- able on the Internet. Software programs currently monitor street maintenance, water treatment plants and the city's tree nurseries. Eagan's Police Department has also countered a rising population with technology. Initially, the force had trouble maintaining a ratio of 1 officer per 1,000 residents. Thanks to successful grant applications, the city will be able to boost that ratio next year to 1.1 per 1,000 through the Clinton COPS program. But having a large enough force and keeping officers on the streets are two different issues. In 1996, the force acquired a digital dictation system. In- stead of spending time typing up a report, officers can now call in their reports over the telephone. Other technological ad- vances, such as the facsimile machine, allow the department to send out memos immedi- ately to neighboring communi- ties, watch groups and busi- nesses. Squad cars are now being equipped with defibrillators, allowing quicker response times for emergency calls. But technology cannot re- solve all concerns. The force has needed to cut back on some of its services, including house checks while residents are away, and limit- ing assistance in lock -outs, ex- cept when a child, animal or a handicapped individual is in- volved. The city is also fining busi- nesses and residents with a his- tory of numerous false alarms. Despite these cutbacks, the force is able to maintain its community policing program, said Capt. Rick Swanson. Offi- cers are assigned to beats and grids of land so residents and businesses become familiar with an officer. Swanson also said the force depends on information gleaned from its residents. "We want them to call. We want their involvement be- cause it helps reduce crime," said Swanson. Despite an increase of popu- lation and area to cover, re- sponse times have increased slightly from 3.7 minutes in 1991 to 4.1 minutes in 1997. Violent crime, such as rape and homicide, has dropped from 85 offenses in 1992 to 64 in 1997. But calls for service have jumped from 23,000 in 1986 to 45,400 in 1997. Youth Duane Pike, who is Eagan's multi -housing officer, said what takes the largest chunk of police officers' time is juvenile issues. "Juvenile issues take more and more time, and they're more complex," he said. Officers are facing more cases involving neglect, tru- ancy, incorrigible juveniles and runaways. Statistics indicate the juve- nile population will also peak early next century. School District 196 coped with a rising juvenile popula- tion by building schools. Since 1987, nine new schools have been built in Eagan. Currently 27,000 students at- tend the district, with 9,655 from Eagan. Cal Zwiefel, director of ele- mentary education, said the population boom is losing mo- mentum. "We're starting to level off. We aren't quite getting as huge of growth as we were 10 years ago," said Zwiefel. One way to determine this, he said, is by comparing the ratio of kindergarten students to high school seniors. Elemen- tary schools are the first to drop in enrollment when a population is starting to level off. According to Zwiefel, in 1993 there were 2,125 students enrolled in kindergarten and 1,348 seniors. In 1997 the gap narrowed with 2,007 kinder- gartners and 1,807 seniors. School District 197 has also accommodated enrollment in- creases by opening two middle schools for fifth through eighth grades in October 1997: Heri- tage in the West St. Paul area and Friendly Hills in the Men- dota Heights -Eagan area. Ele- mentary schools now cater to students in kindergarten through grade four. "This is a direct result of population. Eagan just ex- ploded," said Jodi Schmidt, the student information and education coordinator. Enrollment is expected to increase slightly, from 4,805 in 1995-96 to a projected K-12 enrollment of 4,900 in 2000-01; however, the later estimation is based on no new major de- velopments in the area. As of October 1997, 1,311 Eagan students attended Dis- trict 197. Redevelopment But for any city with a past, there is the issue of revitaliz- ing and maintaining the same quality of living in both old and new neighborhoods. "Part of what we're looking at also is getting into redevel- opment," said Hedges. The city recently hired a firm to look into the Cedarvale neighborhood. "The life cycle has changed a lot there in the last 20 years. Buildings are now sitting idle," said Hedges. Hedges said staff needs to determine what is the highest and best use for the commu- nity. What is best for existing businesses? Staff needs to ex- amine how the city can main- tain what is still in existence and integrate new develop- ment, Hedges said. "We don't know what the best mix is," said Hedges. "We need to develop a good master plan." Another area under redevel- opment is the one near High- way 55 and Dodd Road. Cur- rently staff is developing a master plan for that area, which includes an office build- ing development. "Part of the irony here is that we're still considered a rapid (See Growth, p.24A) (irowtn (Continued) growth community, but we also face redevelopment," said Hedges. Green space While open spaces are being gobbled away by development, the city has looked at ways to preserve open space. The city requires developers donate land for parks or pay the city a cash equivalent. Hedges added the city has purchased land for parks in the last 20 years to help preserve open spaces. Eagan recently purchased the Holz Farm, a small farm on Manor Drive, to help preserve a portion of Eagan's agricul- tural past. Hedges said he is also begin- ning to see different ap- proaches toward developing housing complexes in the city. "Developers are taking ad- vantage of ecology and the en- vironment at sites by trying to cluster homes and keeping open areas preserved, such as wetlands and tree areas," said Hedges. Housing In order to develop a strong and diverse business commu- nity, housing must be available for its employees. Hedges maintains that hous- ing is readily available for a wide range of incomes. "We have quite a diversity of people who work for Northwest Airlines and the airport," Hedges said as an example. He said housing is available for all types of people, "ranging from those who clean the plane to those who fly it." Hedges said the majority of people moving to Eagan are two -income families with fairly high income levels. Eagan residents are highly educated and are literate in technology. According to Cindy Johnson, president of Eagan's Chamber of Commerce, "Eagan is an attractive place because it stiki has very pretty open spaces. trees and parks. It has an ex- cellent school system. It's very convenient (location -wise)." Housing opportunities range from starter homes to multi- million dollar mansions, she added. Johnson also indicated that inquiries about the community are down from five years ago; however, the chamber still re- ceives about 20 requests for information per month. "We're almost all built up," Johnson said, explaining the reason for the drop in calls. One indicator that shows construction is slowing down is how many building permit ap- plications the city has received for constructing single-family units. In 1993 the city granted 583 permits. The city has granted 125 permits so far this year. Johnson said the chamber is finding that "once people get here, they stay here." It is not uncommon for a family starting out to purchase a home Eagan and, as the family grows, it moves to another house in Ea- gan that better suits its needs. But as Eagan matures and land values increase, part-time and low-income wage owners won't have many housing op- portunities, said Hedges. Which brings Eagan to its next challenge. Transportation Hedges said that when I-35E opened 13 years ago, "you could fire a cannon down the highway and miss cars. Now it's very busy. You see quite a strain on it now." Hedges said the majority of residents rely on automobiles for transportation. "My prognostication is that transportation used to move around Eagan and the Twin Cities will be quite different," Hedges guessed for the future. He believes residents will begin to rely on mass transit more, such as a local bus serv- ice and light rail transit. www.mnSun.com ,,S,=4 Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 3A Mayor keys on open communication, partnerships in address Mayor Pat Awada highlights central park, Cedarvale area as among city's goals By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers Eagan has come a long way in its 25 years but as Mayor Pat Awada gears up for the future, she realizes there is still much more ground to gain. "Eagan has entered a new era, not just a new century, and it will be an era of excellence," Awada said. "A modern city com- mitted to excel- lence cannot be shrouded in the past, or bound to it, -but must stay focused on its goals and concentrate on maintaining forward progress." Awada's comments were part of her annual State of the City address, which she presented during a Feb. 17 Eagan Chamber of Commerce meeting. For Awada, a council member since 1992, it was her second address since becoming mayor last year. To ensure the city reaches its "era of excellence," it must nurture partnerships with its residents, businesses and com- munity organizations, Awada said. One way the City Council will strive to make that connection is by improving communication opportunities. "We will do an even better job of get- ting information out to the public, and we Awada will remember that communication is a two-way process," Awada said. "In the end, better communications will improve understanding and con- tribute to a better city image, increase property values and enhanced city ser- vices." Two of the biggest changes for the community over the next year will be ef- forts toward acquiring a central park for the city and revamping the Cedarvale area, she said. The council signed off Feb. 15 on plans to buy 60 acres at the northwest corner of Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob roads by Northwest Airlines, Lockheed Martin and Unisys for $7.5 million. Awada called the future park "the missing link, the gem of our tiara of parks," and said the park could include a community center, an outdoor lit ice rink, trails, a bandshell and banquet space. She also envisioned the area around the park serving as a centerpiece for city celebrations such as the Espress Fest and the Fourth of July celebration. Not only would the park give the city a place to dis- play aerial fireworks, but the area around Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob roads would serve as parade routes, decked out in banners and flags; she said. As for the Cedarvale project, the result of more then six months work by a task force charged with revitalizing the Cedar Avenue/Highway 13 area, Awada hopes development efforts can begin this sum- mer. "The Cedar/Highway 13 area is a gate- way into our community," she said "It was, and should be again, a focal point for our city and a reflection of the excellence that Eagan is coming to repre- sent." While she kept her sights on where Eagan is headed, Awada did take time to acknowledge the city's past. She noted the city has moved from open agricultur- al land as a fledgling township in 1860, to the strong, suburban economy center it has become. Through the years Eagan's leadership has built up an award -winning infra- structure of streets, utilities and parks and kept crime rates low. The current City Council will continue to uphold those policies, Awada said. • "Progress cannot be stopped because some are uncomfortable," Awada said. "Your city government must respond to the needs and interests of the vast ma- jority of its citizens.The days of Eagan as a rural or semi -rural community are long over." Over the past year, the city has made steps in improving the benefits it offers the community, she said. The year saw new businesses moving into the area, in- cluding the completion of several new ho- tels. Awada held up Cascade Bay Water Park, 'which opened in the summer of 1999, as one of the pinnacles of Eagan's recent achievements. In its first year of operation, the park "surpassed the expectations of even its most ardent supporters," Awada said. More than 160,000 people passed through the park's turn -styles, making it a break-even operation. Awada also pointed toward other civic improvements, including the new Fire Administration Building and the second sheet of ice at the Civic Arena, as some of the city's top achievements. in 1999. Despite the ambitious plans for the upcoming years, Awada pledged that the council would remain committed .to sound financial management. "Eagan has stressed conservative fi- nancial management for many years and we benefit today from that philosophy," Awada said. "I pledge to you that we will continue to keep Eagan's tax rate among the lowest tax rates in the entire metro area." 10A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun.Current/Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 „6/ Eagan tacks park on to Inver Grove Heights development Eagan residents want park, safe streets with Inver Grove Heights 76-lot development By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers If a proposed 56-acre development site in southwest Inver Grove Heights is to move forward, it must first meet several requirements laid out by the city of Eagan, including a much -sought-after neighborhood park. "We, as Eagan residents, should be pushing for a park in this area," Eagan resident Sandy Berkhardt told the . Eagan City Council during a public hear- ing on the issue Feb. 15. "We always say we value parkland in our community and I think we should have it here." The proposal calls for a subdivision of 76 single-family lots on property owned by Inver Grove Heights resident Betty Allen, who plans to sell the land to Royal Oaks Realty and retain ownership of 12 other acres in the area. Through a Joint Powers Agreement signed between Eagan and Inver Grove Heights in 1997, Eagan would provide sewer and water services for the pro- posed development, which would be south of Cliff Road and east of Weston Hills. Eagan's approval of the extension of utilities to the development is condi- tioned on the city granting approval of the development plans for the property, particularly those areas dealing with grading, water runoff and draining sys- tems. The proposal was brought before the council in January and at that time was sent to the Advisory Planning Commis- sion (APC) and Advisory Parks Commis- sion (APrC) for review. During a Jan. 25 meeting, the APC granted its approval to the plan pending several conditions. Those conditions in- clude connecting streets in the area to improve traffic flow, dedicating land for a park following the recommendations of the APrC, demonstrating that the storm water management plan would prevent flooding of existing Eagan homes near the site, and preserving significant trees along the Eagan -Inver Grove Heights border. Mike Black, owner of Royal Oaks, told the City Council his development group has agreed to all of the requirements set forth by the APC. However, Tony Wand, a representative of the Inver Grove Heights homeowners, said that Black has run into barriers in getting the prop- erty needed to connect the streets. The plan calls for Stratford Lane to connect to Apennine Way and for Apen- nine Way to connect over to Albavar Path to improve traffic flow. To make those connections, the developer will have to buy property from Betty Allen's new par- cel of land and from an additional Inver Grove Heights property owner. Black said that the issues preventing his development group from buying one of the sections of property needed to ex- tend the roads has already been cleared up and he thinks the second barrier can be overcome. "Allen has indicated she is now willing to sell," Black said. "Initially, she didn't want to split the 12-acre parcel she is now on, but that road needs to go through in order for this deal to go forward and she wants the deal to go forward." The other owner has indicated he is willing to sell some property to allow the roads to connect, but the two sides re- main apart financially, Black said. The night before the council reviewed the proposal, the APrC also took the plan under review, approving the plan with the suggestion that $95,000 be set aside by the developer for parkland acquisi- www.mnSun.com tion. However, after hearing protests from residents, the City Council changed the city's conditions for the development, adding that a "minipark" or a neighbor- hood park in an area to the northwest of the development must be committed to by the developer before it has Eagan's ap- proval. Despite the location of three parks in the area, residents say each of those park areas has problems. The recreation area at Red Pine Elementary School cannot be used during the school day, Rich Valley Park is a five-minute drive to the east on Cliff Road and the park at Southern Lakes to the north of the development is inadequate, Wand said. Wand also s§,id that residents of the area have other concerns regarding the development. He and other residents are concerned that students who wait for the school bus on Weston Hills Drive will be put into in- creased danger as traffic from the new development empties out onto the exist- ing Eagan development along Weston Hills. The Inver Grove Heights City Council is looking for the Eagan City Council's comments on the plan before taking up the issue at its Feb. 28 meeting. 18* ST. PAUL DISPATCH Wed., April 28, 1971 EAGAN TOWNSHIP Incorporation Move Renewed By SAM ELROD Staff Writer Proponents of incorpora- tion in Eagan Township have renewed their attempt to create a municipality out of the 33-square-mile com- munity in Dakota County. A petition was filed Tues- day with the Minnesota Mu- nicipal Commission (MMC) asking that hearings be held to determine the feasibility of incorporating Eagan as a village. A MOVE TO incorporate the township as a home -rule charter city was soundly de- feated at the polls in an election last November. A spokesman for the MMC said the petition prob- ably will be taken up by the commission at its next meeting, and a hearing date set. At about the same time the incorporation petition was being circulated to ob- tain the necessary 100 sig- natures, a bill that would grant the township all the powers of a village without changing the form of gov- ernment was being intro- duced in the Senate and House. One of five pieces of special legislation sought by the Eagan Town Board, the bill has not come out of committee in either house. The other frour bills seek specific powers now held by villages. All, however. are contained in the village - powers measure. INCOROPRATION h a s been a controversial issue in Eagan since a citizens' study committee recom- mended in 1969 that the community become a mu- nicipality. Town Board Chairman John Klein has been an out- spoken opponent of incorpo- ration and last fall called on voters to reject the charter city plan. Incorporation as a city had been approved by the MMC after it conducted hearings into the "appro- priateness" of the town- ship's becoming a city. In- corporation as a city with- out first becoming a village was made possible through a special 1969 law. Unlike the city proposal. incorporation of Eagan as a village would not require a vote of he residents. The MMC could order the incor- poration after holding fact- finding hearings. Dakota Count caught in the middle of growth spurt 2f` i-'1,-, c,,te.l:L c3'`.E `fto enter the 21st century,its home between 1995 and 2020, by Sara Peterson tions, Management and Budget remains agricultural. 2 approaching j a 44 percentetweincrease ind 2020, Ctaff Writer CCr - (OMB). "People tend to think of Da- population pP g In fact, the county's growth is kota County as Burnsville or 350,000 people. lation.in Dakota County is in the the equivalent of adding a city Rosemount," Ditmore said. Dakota County has leap- The ity leading ; e ill kely surge be midst of an era of incredible the size of Hastings to the "But even if we add another frogged Anoka and St. Louis g growth. county every two years. 135,000 people to the county counties to become the third Lakeville, which is expected Since 1990, Dakota County Dakota County is rapidly by 2020, our projections sug- most populous county in the theto surpass estEagan city to in become e has grown by about 8,000 peo- changing and very diverse. gest that over half of the state.g ple each year — more than What once were considered county will continue to be The county is expected to County by 2020 with a popula- any other county in the state. small towns are now burgeon- largely agricultural. That's continue to grow in the next tion of 72,000. Apple Valley is "We add more people than ing suburbs. And an increasing unique for a populous county." two decades, although at a expected to pass Burnsville to the total population of each of number of homes stand where At the beginning of the 20th slower rate than in the 1980s become the third largest city. Farmington, Minnesota's 11 smallest coun- crops once did. Yet 55 percent century, the population of Da- and 1990s. It is projected that As in the 1990s, ties," said Jack Ditmore, direc- of the land, specifically in the kota County was under 35,000 more than 140,000 additional Lakeville and Rosemount are tor of Dakota County's Opera- southern half of the county, people. As the county prepares people will call Dakota County See Growt 3, Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, April 22, 1998 3A Bieter Co., Thorson -Cornwell suing city over development rights By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications A law that requires city government to vote upon a development application within 60 days is the basis of a civil law- suit regarding 122 acres in Eagan. The land, between Deerwood and Dif- fley roads on the east side of Interstate 35E, is owned by Bieter Co. and Thorson - Cornwell, the plaintiffs in the case. They are seeking a Declaratory Judgment in Dakota County District Court authoriz- ing them to build twinhomes on the prop- erty. The city of Eagan was served with the lawsuit Feb. 10. By law, a city has 60 days after an ap- plication is filed to either approve or deny the development request. If a council fails to act, the request is considered ap- proved. The 60-day rule can be extended by a council if there is a reason to delay the council's action. "It's to prevent stalling. What hap- pened here is the council didn't act. In fact, they passed a moratorium in order to stall it even further but unfortunately the moratorium didn't work because it wasn't valid. So we're claiming that we have a right to proceed," said the plain- tiffs' attorney Tom Goodman of the law firm of Siegel, Brill, Greupner, Duffy & Foster. In March 1997, the plaintiffs filed an application with the city to change the land use from agriculture to D-II (mixed residential) so that Pulte Homes Corp. could build a housing subdivision called Oakbrooke. The project also required that the city rezone the property as R-2 to accommodate 176 twinhomes. However, neighbors objected to the den- sity of the project, so Pulte revised its plans to include a mix of single-family and multi- ple dwelling units. Neighbors said they could live with the revised plan of300 units. However, the Advisory Planning Commis- sion wasn't ready to move forward. Commissioners said the proposed 300- unit project required a new application because a portion of the property would now be guided and zoned R-1 (single-fam- ily residential use). Pulte asked the commission to recom- mend approval of the D-II portion and said they'd return to City Hall with another ap- plication for the single-family portion. But commissioners said they'd prefer to see a comprehensive plan before making a rec- ommendation to the City Council. The commission asked Pulte to withdraw its application and follow up with a new one. Soon after, the City Council passed a moratorium on D-II development. That moratorium has prevented the approval of any new mixed residential develop- ment in Eagan. The council has neither approved nor denied the Pulte project since the appli- cation was filed in March 1997. Instead, Eagan officials have argued that the single family rezoning was dif- ferent than the request that came on March 19, 1997. Because the developers changed their request, a new application was required, said city planners. Bieter and Thorson -Cornwell allege that because the city of Eagan failed to act upon the application within the 60 days, the application is automatically approved. "Even though we were willing to do some compromising, we're left with our original application and that's what the city has, in effect, approved by not acting on it," Goodman said. The original appli- cation was for 176 twinhomes. Plaintiffs are asking the courts to de- clare that the rezoning and subdivision be approved "by operation of law" as of May 18,1997. If judge agrees, Pulte will have the green light to build the twin - homes, minus the single family homes of- fered as a compromise. While the developers tried to please the residents, the City Council and still build a profitable project, they tweaked the project which caused confusion over how to proceed. "That confusion is just the kind of thing that that statute was passed for. "A developer comes in with a proposal. The city says, `Well, OK, but we want this.' The developer says, 'OK, I'll give you that.' Well now you have to go back and re -apply because now you want something different than what you ap- plied for. And it keeps going forever in a circle," said Goodman. The Bieter property, as it's commonly called, has a history of failed develop- ment attempts. Spoiled plans include a regional shopping center, gas conve- nience store and mixed residential. The most recent proposals focus on Pulte Homes. In March 1996, Pulte's desire to build 525 homes on Carriage Hills Golf Course was rejected by the city. In October 1996, Pulte turned its at- tention to the Bieter property, making plans to build up to 500 mixed -residen- tial units known as Rolling Oaks. One month later, the council unanimously voted to deny the project even though Pulte had reduced its proposal to 490 units. More than 600 signatures were presented in a petition from residents op- posed to the project. The property currently is zoned for agricultural use, with a portion zoned for roadside business. In the city's Compre- hensive Guide plan, it is guided for mixed residential from 0-6 units per acre. When the city's moratorium on mixed residential development expires next month, the council has the option to ex- tend it. 2BD St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch Eagan leads surge in development By Thomas B. Koetting C 6 Staff Writer The same development pressures that have led to a Dakota County boom in office space construction have fueled retail and commercial development. Probably nowhere in Dakota County can the development surge be felt more than in Eagan, where the population has risen at a faster rate than in any other Minnesota city this decade and construction has had a difficult task just trying to keep up. For years, travelers through the area have been greeted by a patchwork of development and farm fields, leaving the impression of a crossword puzzle that was slowly being filled in. Increasingly, those fields are gone, giving way to cranes, trucks and bulldozers. The past days, especially, have provided area residents with a rite of passage, much the same as a com- )c✓c.C„r nunity's first major mall can do on a different scale. Rainbow Foods supermarket celebrated its grand opening in the Town Centre project on Sunday. Its developers boast that the store is a major first step toward development of a down- town in Eagan, focused around the Town Centre project. Eagan City Manager Thomas Hedges said he is uncomfortable with labeling any area a downtown, particularly because of the competi- tion among developers in northern Dakota County. In addition, he said there is an ongoing national debate on whether late -developing sub- urbs, such as Eagan, really need a downtown. "However, with the amount of activity and what currently is happening in Eagan overall, I'd guess you'd have to say that the (Town Cen- tre) project is the focus, the center," he said. "I think it's important that some of the public services and shopping areas are close ... but the old style of downtown is really kind of obso- lete. Call it a downtown, call it a shopping and service area; it's really just a question of semantics." The large grocery, which will serve as an an- chor for the center along with a Walgreen's, will be followed by other shops such as book, video and fast-food outlets. Those are scheduled to open later this summer and in the fall. Office space, such as the recently opened Wa- ter View office tower, is also on tap, all under the development guidance of Federal Land Co., which also produced Yankee Square Shopping Center, Yankee Square Inn and Cedar Cliff Shopping Mall. Next spring, construction will begin on a larger, second shopping center that will be at- tached and adjacent to the center opening this summer. The combined centers will have 400,000 square feet of retail space, according to Federal Land officials. Developers under attack in Eagan ByMIKE BARRETT creasing assessments on my house, but the town is growing." Staff Writer �(- ��• 4'C (,;,r,_,,,,,{— p Po The proposed road, about a "I'm tired of paying to line the half mile west of Pilot Knob pockets of developers," Eagan Road and a half mile east of homeowner Mrs. James Barker Johnny Cake Ridge Road, will go said. from County Road 30 on the north to Cliff Road on the south. Despite her objection, the City Council unanimously voted to approve the 1.2 mile Thomas Lake Road project that will cost the Barker family an estimated $15,000 in assessments. THIS IS in addition to what she said is a previous assessment of $8,000 for a sewer extension near her home to the new Min- nesota Zoological Garden. Mayor Leo Murphy suggested that Mrs. Barker bring the prob- lem to the city assessments com- mittee. "You are turning a semi -rural area into an over -developed, over -assessed city." she charged. Councilman Ted Wachter re- plied "I sympathize with you. I have the same problem of in - COUNCILMAN THOMAS Egan noted that the city received petitions, with 800 sig- natures, requesting that an ele- mentary school be built in Eagan. District voters approved a bond issue to build three new schools, including an elementary one in Eagan, he said. The road is to serve that school on a 15- acre site north of Thomas Lake. "We are not opposed to the school or the kids, but they live east of Thomas Lake Road," Mrs. Baker said, "Instead of building the road part -way to the school, it's being built through to Cliff Road to open undeveloped land west of it," she added. Councilman Wachter said, "Developers are paying their fair share." "DEVELOPERS," Mrs. Bark- er countered, "just pass on their assessments when they sell their property. We don't want to sell our land, we want to live there." "We can't stop developers from buying land if !and owners want to sell," said Wachter. "The farmers are selling be- cause they can't keep up with the assessments," snapped Mrs. Barker of 1552 Cliff Road. "You are going to charge me and my husband an additional $15,000 for the privilege of driv- ing a new way to our home. We don't want that privilege." Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith, 1550 Cliff Road, said they are in the same predicament. Each family has a home on about five acres southwest of Thomas Lake. Outside city hall after the vote, Mrs. Barker's husband lamented, "it was nice when we moved out here seven years ago, but every week a new sign goes up on farm land and the develop- ers are going to town." G&ARDENFENCE REDWOOD for LIFETIME • PATIOS opinion (/4rp'4 kr 7 -rs (, W letters Manufacturers are important to Eagan o e e tor: Minnesota Too often we take for granted the things that are most impor- tant to us. We take for granted the sup- port of close friends until they move away. We don't think about our good health until we're incapacitated with a bad cold, the flu or worse. We take for granted the privilege of having a satisfying, meaningful job until, heaven forbid, we find ourselves without one. We expect good roads, good schools and top-notch law en- forcement and fire protection, because that's the way it's al- ways been. The same can be said about our dependence on a strong manufacturing economy in Minnesota. We take for granted the many things manu- facturing provides us. Fortu- nately, today, Minnesota's manufacturing economy is rea- sonably healthy and growing. On behalf of the city of Eagan, I am happy to recognize our manufacturers and their em- ployees through the year and especially during Minnesota Manufacturer's Week. Manufacturers employ nearly one in every five off -farm workers in Minnesota, or about 405,000 people. The average -^'nufacturing employee in T t h di earns more than $33,000 a year. That's 30 per- cent higher than the average wage for all Minnesota em- ployees. In fact, according to the most recent figures avail- able, manufacturing has the largest total payroll of any in- dustry in Minnesota. Manufacturing impacts Min- nesota's economy more than any other industry. It produces $22.9 billion worth of goods for our state's economy, contribut- ing 21 percent, the largest sin- gle share of our gross state product. Manufacturing exports brought $8.2 billion into Min- nesota in 1995, far outstripping any other state industry. In corporate income taxes, alone, manufacturing compa- nies contribute more than $141 million to the state's coffers, nearly one-third of Minnesota's total corporate income tax revenues. To recognize the importance of manufacturing in Minnesota, Gov. Arne Carlson and the Ea- gan City Council have pro- claimed the week of Oct. 14 Manufacturers Week. Groups like the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the National Asso- ciation of Manufacturers, Min- nesota Technology and the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Devel- opment are holding special events to demonstrate how manufacturing impacts our per- sonal and community econo- mies. The city of Eagan is espe- cially fortunate to have a strong manufacturing element in its business community. While many people associate Eagan with corporate head- quarters, service industries and transportation, dozens of Eagan firms representing over one- third of the city's jobs manu- facture products of all kinds. West Publishing, Cray Re- search, Lockheed Martin, Lull Engineering and many other businesses put Eagan's name on products serving worldwide markets. The city is also proud of many other firms who pro- duce anything from' aircraft equipment to medical supplies and office furniture to indus- trial scrubbers. These firms provide not only important products, but living -wage jobs, strong local investment, a healthy property tax base and help build a sense of commu- nity. TOM EGAN Eagan mayor NU TIF district approved 0,411 to revitalize blighted co, highway 55/149 area By BRENDA HAUGEN CG vc14p In an effort to help revitalize a blighted area of town, the Eagan City Council approved a tax -increment financing (TIF) plan for the highway 55 and 149 area at its June 4 meeting. The purpose of the district is to provide financing for public improvements, correct sub- standard conditions, remove substandard structures and as- semble land for private rede- velopment. According to a memo from John Hohenstein, assistant to the city administrator, the area meets the tests necessary to qualify for TIF — 70 percent of the parcels are improved with buildings and/or parking (See TIF, p.17A) TIF 2-60 W?a "1? (Continued from front page) lots, and 52 percent of the buildings would require sub- stantial renovation to conform with city code or are beyond repair and should be removed. "The specific finding neces- sary by the council to create tax -increment financing district number 3 is that it is the rea- soned opinion of the city that the development proposed in the TIF plan for TIF district number 3 could not reasonably be expected to occur solely through private investment within the reasonably foresee- able future," Hohenstein said, "and the increased market value of the site that could reasonably be expected to oc- cur without the use of tax - increment financing would be Tess than the increase in the market value estimated to re- sult from the proposed devel- opment after subtracting the present value of the projected tax increment for the maxi- mum duration of the district permitted in the plan." According to city staff's budget estimates, anticipated development and redevelop- ment in the district is ex- pected to produce $6 million in increment revenue over 25 years. The present value is about $3 million, according to the report. The capital budget for the project, which Hohenstein said is still conceptual at this point, includes $1.65 million for property acquisition; almost $1 million for public improve- ments; $285,000 for site im- provements; and a $100,000 contingency. Along with the business property, the district includes about a dozen homes, Hohen- stein said. Several of the homeowners came to the council and expressed their concerns. Among them was Merle Duff who lives near Lawrence and Linde avenues. Duff suggested that if the council approves the TIF district, the five homes in his neighborhood in the TIF district also be purchased. "I recommend that if the TIF is approved for this area, that along with that, it's approved that some of the TIF funds be used to buy the five residential homes and remove the remains of the Airliner Motel," he said. "We feel we have been un- justly dealt with long enough, and it's time for a just and fi- nal solution for everyone." Another resident agreed, say- ing he doesn't want to be put in limbo by the TIF district. Ile expressed concern that if he were to try to sell his property, no one would want it under these circumstances. According to Council Mem- ber Ted Wachter, the TIF dis- trict doesn't change the resi- dential area's situation. The city doesn't intend to buy the homes, he said. Mayor Tom Egan agreed, saying the city has the ability to condemn homes anytime, anywhere in the city, but that isn't the in- tent of setting up the TIF dis- trict. The reason for the TIF district is to upgrade a blighted area, he explained. "It doesn't take anything away from you," Egan told residents. Council Member Shawn Hunter said "everything would have to fall into place," with a ready buyer before the homes would be condemned. He said the city isn't going to unilater- ally kick everyone in the dis- trict out of their homes. Even with the TIF district, the homes remain in areas zoned residential, and the related rules continue to apply. "It (TIF) doesn't change those rights," he said. Council Member Pat Awada said she believes the intention is to eventually buy out all of these homes, but when that would happen is still a ques- tion. Hunter said that could happen in 25 years or it could never happen. Even if the city were to condemn the proper- ties, residents would be as- sured of getting at least the fair market value, he said. Another resident expressed concern about vagrancy at the condemned to City Hedges, the ity boardec TIF e TIF , that roved ds be lential mains said. n un- iough, ndfi- ', say- )e put ct. He if he )perty, under Mem- F dis- resi- The iy the Tom city idemn ire in he in- F dis- TIF ighted ything I told 'Shawn would with a homes e said iilater- e dis- Even , the zoned elated hange kwada ention all of that ques- could could e city )roper- )e as- sured of getting at least the fair market value, he said. Another resident expressed concern about vagrancy at the condemned motel. According to City Administrator Tom Hedges, the city had the facil- ity boarded up, but vagrancy has been a problem. "We've tried very hard to police it," he said. PA here h v to able o t the to Ian ind, nd ocu nt. eat1::st igher ion Bi , n- nan will e eligible eferment student iyments grounds eisa parent for a sd child. inarily, ry and lentioned .ase was with ise there t for a tter — a ge laws," nt nannln t49Wee/4 m riiICOUNTY ° MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1986 Boom creates office -spa lut By Jeann Unsley CC Staff Writer Office construction is booming right along with \the population in fast-growing western Dakota County. However, developers and real estate agents say there is a glut of space in some types of office build- ings, particularly the single -story "office/showrooms" that are the hallmark of Dakota County office devel- opment. That glut may take three to five years to erase, according to some experts. "The last couple of months we're seeing less (leas- ing) activity," said Paul Svobodny, a vice president with Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate Serv- ices in Edina. Two factors appear to be contributing to the office - space surplus. First, some developers may have overestimated western Dakota County's attractiveness to businesses t, in the past, would have located along the Inter- 494 corridor in Bloomington. Second, the suburbs A recent survey showed vacancy rates of 57 percent in single -story office buildings Dakota County. may not be attracting as many tenants from the two major downtowns as developers hoped. A recent survey by Towle Realty Co. of Minneapolis showed vacancy rates of 57 percent in the single -story office buildings that sprawl along roadsides in Mendo- ta Heights, Eagan, Burnsville and other Dakota Coun- ty communities. "That's a totally unacceptable vacancy rate, and the only thing that could make it livable is an extraor- dinary growth rate," said Don Bachmeier, president of Towle Development Co., a subsidiary of Towle Real Estate. Nasty snagge By Bill Gardner Staff Writer Craig Dietrich was fishing for walleyes when he snagged his new lure on a rock. At least he thought it was a rock. If he had known what "By some estimates, there be a five-year sup- ply of space hanging over the ma et," said Clint Mil- ler, senior vice president and dirtor of marketing for United Properties in Bloomingto Companies often are lured to the suburbs by the single -story office/showrooms, someti es called busi- ness centers, because of their conveni t location, se- curity and flexibility of design. Unlike gh-rise office buildings, single -story offices offer co venient park- ing and ease of movement for workers. Businesses also can put signs outside to establish an identity. Those benefits, in addition to ch.. * •r land in the suburbs, have contributed to the busicenter boom in Dakota County, developers agr• i . In fact, Towle's survey found that there were more .ingle-story office complexes than any other type o office building in Dakota County. But the Towle survey of s *, story office buildings Please see Dev rock' snaps back Startled fisherman lands 65-pound snapping turtle g‘ That old devil was mad. He was hissing and striking at -- .■ Development Continued from Page 1B with 25,000 square feet or more of space showed Eagan with a vacan- cy rate of 59 percent. The rate in Mendota Heights was 26 percent, and Burnsville had a 32 percent va- cancy rate. The vacancy rate for other Da- kota County office buildings, in- cluding multistory structures, was 41 percent, according to the Towle report. Developers and city officials agreed there has been so much new construction in the Dakota County suburbs that the offices simply have not had time to fill up. Burnsville experienced a whop- ping 174 percent increase in single - story office construction between May 1985 and May 1986, Dan Lar- son, market research analyst for Towle, said. In Eagan, there was a 221 per- cent increase in single -story office construction for the same period, and in Mendota Heights the in- crease was 43 percent, Larson said. Gary O'Brien, leasing agent for Trammell Crow Co.'s Twin Cities office, said the existing supply will take three to four years to fill up. One of the buildings that makes up Trammel Crow's Burnsville Corpo- rate Center is just a little over 10 percent leased, O'Brien said. Some real estate experts are a bit more optimistic. Mike Falk, Burnsville's commu- nity development director, said he thinks the office glut has been overstated by the media. Offices in Burnsville "seem to fill up," he said. Miller, of United Properties, said he thinks that even though buildings will sit empty for a while, the vacancy rate is "no more of a problem than exists else- where in the Twin Cities and na- tionally. It's a national problem." Nevertheless, United's Southridge Business Center in Mendota Heights sat empty for nine months after its completion last September and now is only 30 percent leased. Martin Colon, a partner in Fed- eral Land Co., the Eagan developer that built the 10-story Water View Office Tower, said he does not con- sider the vacancy rates high when the recent completion dates for many of the buildings are taken into account. Colon said rentals in the Water View Office Tower — Eagan's single largest office build- ing — are "well ahead of sched- ule," with 65 percent of the offices leased. Developers differed on the im- pact of the suburban office boom on downtown St. Paul. "Office tenants are using the suburban alternative," Miller said. "It's less expensive, first and fore- most." Bachmeier, of Towle Develop- ment Co., said, "I know for a fact that there are businesses heading out to that corridor from St. Paul." However, Trammell Crow's O'Brien said most of his company's tenants already are from the sub- urbs. He said tenants looking for prime office space downtown only occasionally are lured to suburban office buildings. Some observers said they also think developers may have incor- rectly bought into the perception that some Dakota County commun- ities, such as Eagan, are extensions of the booming Interstate 494 com- mercial strip in Bloomington. "The (Minnesota) river still acts as a psychological barrier between Bloomington and those communi- ties. A company willing to locate in south Bloomington would not nec- essarily agree to locate in Burns- ville," O'Brien said. Said Tom Melander, property manager and senior leasing agent for Linvill Properties in Burns- ville, "People from Bloomington ... they think Burnsville is the end of the Earth." 9(7 --)te Eagan Townshij Leads Way In Modernizing Government Give John Klein 10 minutes and he'll take an hour if the subject is his own township. John is so convinced a township is the only form of government that really works he welcomes a chance to extol its virtues to anyone who will listen. At the November meeting of the Dakota County Development Association at the Mendakota Country Club Klein explained to members his views on keeping Eagan a township and why he was pleased residents voted for township at the recent election in- stead of changing to charter city. He is chairman of the Town Board. "In 1968," Klein said, "we appointed a seven man committee to explore all areas of government. The group specifically studied townships versus villages and townships versus charter cities. The committee recommended that if our government be changed it go directly from township to charter city, by-passing a village." When the Minnesota Municipalities Comrnission (MMC) was approached in the spring, members were impressed with what had been accomplished in Eagan since 1963, the last time the MMC had been contacted. Under the township type of government according to John Klein, he and his board have a workable untility program going, have organized an efficient police department, formed a pollution control program - - all things which in Klein's opinion are not usually done in a township. "We have maintained a stable millrate, built a new village hall and have a tax base that does not exploit the businessman. We also have a fair and impartial planning commission," he added. Klein believes all government should be simplified and this is the basis for his preference of townships. He does, however, believe some laws should be changed so a JOHN KLEIN, left, seeks a few words with Senator Rollin Glewwe, right, at the meeting of the Dakota County Development Associa- tion. Klein would like to see some outdated laws changed by the legislature. township or town board would have the right tools to work with. "For instance, one law states if a bond issue is on the ballot residents must vote at the city hall and not their usual place of voting," Klein said. "This is just one example of laws that are ridiculous." Although John will concede that Eagan's geographical location is a contributing factor to the development within the area, he still maintains his government has helped it along by seeing problems and overcoming them. "Eagan has recognized her potential and is building what will someday be the greatest area in the state." A bond issue will be offered to Eagan residents in the spring for a civic center and a youth center. "I keep being told all this can't be done in a township but we continue to do it," Klein said. As to the threat of annexation, John says as long as his township can provide better YOU CARVE THE TURKEY DRAWING WED., DEC. 16 100 Birds will be given Away! All regular Depositors will be entered Automatically MI NN ESOTA STATE BANK OF SAINT PAUL 478 So. Robert at Concord n1u,nher F..D.I.C. services than anyone else - - "which it has done and will continue to do" - - there is no danger. A prediction by John Klein is that if the Fiscal Disparities Act passes the next legislature it will destroy the state. "If the tax base is spread evenly over the seven county area, no one will want industry. There will be no incentive because there will be no ad- vantage - - no tax cut." If the legislature will merely look at a few dated laws and change them and cast an eagle eye at townships that wish to become villages just to sell liquor with no police or fire protection available, John Klein will be completely happy with his township. At the charge he runs the town board with an iron hand and Eagan is sometimes referred to as Kleinsville - - John said, "It's embarrassing and not true. There are three men elected to the Town Board on staggered terms and all help make decisions." In fact, a listener gathers that John Klein could care less what he or his township is called as long as the good community foun- dation continues to function and the residents elect, as he puts it, people with common sense and guts". "Government is only as good as the people," he said. Eagan Apartments Undecided As the December issue of Voice goes to press, Eagan Town Board members have still not reached a decision on the fate of a major multiple dwelling complex, proposed by Bor- Son Building Corp. Area residents have voiced strong op- position to the 802-unit apartment develop- ment at several public hearings, objecting mainly to lack of a buffer zone separating the residential area and apartment dwellers. Another objection concerned a change -over of town officials before the complex is com- pleted in 1975 and whether agreements and promises would be binding as town govern- ment changed. A decision on the matter should be reached sometime in December. PARRANTO BROS INC REALTORS Commercial & Industrial Sales "THE LAND SPECIALISTS" Two Convenient Locations 224-1341 Commerce Bldg., St. Paul 454-1341 1767 Hwy. 55 Eagan BUSINESS VOICE/DECEMBER 1970/24 SPAN -DECK REPRESENTS SYSTEM AS WELL AS PRODUCT Fahcon President David Hanson Show V-P Loren Kinghorn, Jr. Diamond Jim Complex Offers Many Services Diamond Jim's complex just north of 35W on Sibley Memorial Highway in Mendota Heights, offers all the glitter and wonder the name implies. Although the main clubhouse and the supper club are private and for members only, other shops strung along the river bank are open to the public and feature fun spots to explore. There's a little bit of everything when it comes to business at Diamond Jim's Rossetter Realty can find a house for you or establish you in a town house or apartment. You may become more glamorous after a session at the Enchanted Castle managed by Jan Franco and her five beauty operators, or get better looking at Mr. K's Barber Shop which features two chairs. If it's food you're seeking the gourmet quality of the goodies at the Epicure Shop will tantalize your palate. Many of the items purchased may be frozen for future treats during the coming holiday season. Uncle Ben's Bottle Shop features a wide selection of liquors. Uncle Ben is a familiar figure in the area having owned a superette at Lexington and Hwy. 110 for many years. Mitzie's Flowers offers a full range of flowers. Her shop is located at the rear of Jim Brady's Emporium. The Emporium itself displays many unusual gift items ranging from cuff links made of watch works to penny candy of many tastes. Buyer at Jim Brady's Emporium is Ruth Partridge. According to Mrs. John Thomp- son, secretary of the business board, it is due to Ruth's discerning eye that the novel shop is such a success. The Lillydale-Grand Central Corporation which also has offices in the complex over- sees all businesses in the Diamond Jim complex as well as memberships in the private club. The supper club once called the Livery Barn, was once open to the public. However demand caused by the increasing number of members forced the corporation to use it as an addition to the private facilities. Food at both the Supper Club and main Clubhouse is of gourmet quality. En- tertainment features many famous per- sonalities. Mendota Heights Bank Chartered A charter has been granted for the Mid - America State Bank of Mendota Heights by the Minnesota State Commerce Commission. Also a hearing has been set December 21 at 9 a.m. for the proposed Inver Grove Heights Bank. The Mendota Heights Bank will be located at the southeast corner of Highways 110 and 49. The Inver Grove Heights bank is to be at 70th and Babcock Trail. Organizers of the Mendota Heights facility were R.E. Larkin, Dr. F. M. Owens, Jr., David Shern, W.G. Andrews and John D. Turner. Turner will be president and managing officer. Organizers for the Inver Grove Heights bank are Thomas Metzen, Edward Kurth, Edward Kuntz, Peter Reis, Paul Magnuson, J.H. Kline, Marvin Borgelt, Arthur Gillen and Richard Werner. Mendota Heights Area Chamber of Commerce 645 - 1,4 \‘rnur. St. Paul 551 IS Gil R,ihn. hre,ldent 2. 4-(, 3 36 Southeast Metro Chamber of Commerce 235 No, (oii; rd Street, So. St. Paul 55075 Jean (overt 451-22o West St. Paul Chamber of Commerce 947 S. Robert Si.. A\e,t St. Paul 551 Iti Bill ( n. hlon 24-4921 Wishing You Every Joe for Christmas and the New Year Richard Werner & office staff of KING RF:41.TY, IN(:. 100 12th Avenue South South St. Paul, Minn. 55075 CI ( i tt(lf��;" from--,45 541i c,1 Ross E. Butenhoff 912 So. Robert St., W. St. Paul • 222-1711 Flowers for Christmas Dozens of Charming arrangements .. Stop in and make your selection — or call Flowers ... The Sentimental gift from ange d owerd Fabian Pietruszewski 400 - 6th Ave. So., So. St. Paul 451-6441 BUSINESS VOICE/DECEMBER 1970/23 Thurs., Jan. 8, 1970 PI OOMINC.TON SUN- - Page 3 RICHFIELD SUN-MINNESOTA VALLEY SUN g t are atest ise ittee 1ber5 dis- MMC Schedules Hearing On Eagan Incorporation Minnesota Municipal Com- mission I MMC i officials have scheduled a hearing on incor- poration of Eagan township as a charter city for 10 a.m. March 12-13. The hearing dates were set Tuesday morning during a pre-trial hearing at the Eagan town hall during which almost 20 persons indicated they will testify on the incorporation. Luther Stalland. Eagan at- torney, indicated that he will enter 14 exhibits in the incor- poration hearing, and the committee on incorporation will enter 3. No objections were voiced to the proposed testimony or ex- hibits but opposition was voiced when Ed McMenomv, attorney for Apple Valley. in- dicated that he wanted to be heard by MMC officials. Chairman John Klein indi- cated late Tuesday that renre- this sentatives from Apple Valley the have no need and no right to con- become involved in Eagan's incorporation proceedings. om• etc and the Ninety-five railway cars were required to transport a huge dredge to International Nickel's Pipe mine in Manitoba to remove overburden prior to actual nickel mining. "What we are doing is re- viewing the possibility of Ea- gan becoming a charter city." he said. "This is in no way a boundary dispute." "It may be true, as Mc- Menomy says. that Apple Val- ley is too small but that has nothing to do with this matter which is purely internal within Eagan township." he added. GLASSES FITTED ON CREDIT BANKAMERICARD SHOPPERS CHARGE S C S PAYMENTS CONTACT LENSES ALL REPAIRS LENS GRINDING IN OUR OWN LAB. JENSEN OPTICAL Richfield 869-5424 6521 Nicollet '1outhtown . . 869-1623 7815 Southtown Center Bloomington 888-3444 9725 Lyndale So. //74 9 (QU'T 7LIQ%1 :wi PAGE 3E Eagan Permits Are $16,364,944 In '68 Largest amount of growth in history was reflected in Eagan township's 1968 building permit totals announced by Clerk Alyce Bolke. Permits totaled $16,364,944 including 208 houses. 1967 fig- ures were $4,819,940 including 105 houses. Largest single permit was the Blue Cross office building at Highway 13 and Yankee Doodle road now under construction. A breakdown shows the continued growth in the northern Dakota county township. 208 single family dwellings. . $3, 634,900 7 apartment buildings (181 units) .1,282,000 3 moved single dwellings. . 38,500 11 industrial buildings .2,150,500 68 residential garages. .113,724 1 service station. . ....45,000 1 office building (Minn. Hosp. Serv.)..5,740,259 4 public works bldgs. (Additions to town hall and fire hall, utility bldg. and pump house). . 183,625 2 schools (Rahn elementary and Pilot Knob elem)...2,601,008 1 mercantile bldg. (Pizza Hut). . 40,000 9 non-residential bldgs. .11,050 12 other structures. 255,855 21 house additions. 43,523 3 other additions. . 45,000 1 office addition (Coca Cola Co.). . . .180,000 Total Permits 1968..$16,364,944 POST 5100 AUXILIARY IS BUSY The auxiliary of the Elmer "Bud" Amell Post 5100 have been busy with community ser- vice projects the past weeks. In a report issued this week the auxiliary stated funds were dispensed for a Thanksgiving basket to a needy family in Ced- ar Grove and $300.00 donated to the Cedar Grove Athletic As- sociation for hockey equipment. The auxiliary also donate d three flags tonewBrownietroops of the Cedar Grove and Apple Valley communities recently. They were for Troop 339 and 1243 of Cedar Grove and Troop 229 cf Apple Valley. Some of the members of the auxiliary took 200 pieces of tray favors to the Veterans hospital for their holiday trays, which had been made by Brownie troops of the area. Mrs. Ron Bryant is the chair- man of the auxiliary group. SCHOOL ft LUNCH MENU BURNSVILLE PUBLIC Jan.13-17 MONDAY - Chili, cole siaw w/fruit, peanut butter sandwich- es, pears and milk. TUESDAY - Hamburger gravy, mashed potatoes, home baked rolls, butter, peaches and milk. WEDNESDAY - Barbecue on bun, tri taters, carrot sticks, fruit jello and milk. THURSDAY - Spaghetti, but- tered corn, tossed salad, pea- nut butter sandwiches, choco- late chip cookies and milk. FRIDAY - Fishwich, tartar sauce, buttered green beans, or- ange juice, ice cream and milk. —NATO is an international organization involving 15 sep- arate national bureaucracies. Eagan Permits Are S137,600 Eagan township building per- mits totaled $737,600 in Septem- ber, Clerk Alyce Bolke report- ed. There were 30 houses, $560,- 700; 5 garages, $8300; 1 non residential building, $1600; 3 other, including a pipeline per- mit, $160,200; 3 additions to homes, $6800. At Highway Meet STATE Representative Howard A. Knutson, left. gets a pre- view of the Oct. 10 Regional Highway Report program at Ea- gan town hall. With him, from left, are John Klein, chairman of the Eagan town board, Ellsworth Johnson, district engineer for the Minnesota Highway Department's Ninth District, and Robert Johnson, executive director of Minnesota Good Roads. Inc. The Regional Highway Review was sponsored by North Dakota County Development Association, Minnesota Good Roads, Inc., and the Minnesota Highway Department. \n assemblage of 110 persons attended a public meeting Octo- ber 10 at Eagan town hall re- garding plans of District 9 which includes Dakota, Ramsey, Wash- ington and Chisago counties. Among th o s e in attendance were N. Ted Waldor, commis- sioner of highways, Ellsworth O. Johnson, District 9 engineer; Ro- bert M. Johnson, executive direc- tor of Minnesota Good Roads, Inc.; Chairman John Klein of Ea- gan town board; Sen. Rollin Glew- we; Rep. Howard Knutson; assis- tant commissioner of highways of government -community rela- tions Richard Braun; director of planning and program F.W. Mar- shall. Commissioner Waldor spoke on the relation of cost of operat- ing an automobile and road costs. Of the 11 cents a mile cost of operating a car, 1.2 cents goes to highway upkeep, 1.4 cents to insurance costs, and2.8 cents for depreciation. Questions andanswerswere handled concerning, Highway 13, Interstate 35E, Highway 55, and the Mendota Bridge. Also attending the meeting were members of the Northern Dakota County Development As- sociation and the Southeast Metro Area Chamber of Commerce. 6 \ri )e\fC—.LAc&M' PACK: 7C New Professional Building EAGAN — The newest of the Cedarvale professional buildings in Eagan is shown above. Te- nants are the Mutual Service Insurance Company and Northern Pipeline. There are presently seven buildings in the complex, realtor Jean E. Parranto said. • 7.--q/ Construction of Wal-Mart starts in Eagan r+.A Construction of the newest Wal- Mart store has begun in Eagan, where city officials expect the re- tailer to open its doors as early as February or March, the city's community development director, Dale Runkle, said Tuesday. The 114,000-square-foot discount store will be at Eagan's Town Centre, near Interstate 35E and Yankee Doodle Road. The store is part of the second phase of Town Centre and will bring the total re- tail space to 400,000 square feet. Eagan is the closest Wal-Mart has built to the Twin Cities. Other stores have been built in Hastings, Coon Rapids and Hudson, Wis. Another Wal-Mart has been pro- posed for Vadnais Heights, where Mayor Robert Anderson said city officials will continue to pursue an agreement with the developer. Developer Raoul Walters of St. Louis has not submitted a $24,500 letter of credit, which the City Council had requested by Sept. 20. For that reason, city officials post- poned further engineering analysis on a new County Road E bridge over I-35E, which the city is con- sidering building to improve ac- cess to the store. "They want stronger assurances that we will put the bridge in if they give us a letter of credit," Anderson said Tuesday. "We're not in a stand-off," he added. "We feel that in 10 days we can put something together. We just have to get an agreement. I'm sure it can be worked out." 1"11.,,VaAke y �¢ew��,. 2.7, ,9(5 SPERRY UNIVAC formally dedicated its new office and engineering laboratory complex in Eagan last fall. Cost of the new structure, located on a 214-acre site near the corner of Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road, is in excess of $6 million. January 18. 1993 EAGAN UPDATE 74C4Page 13 Neither boom nor bust Eagan isn't bursting at the seams as it was during the 1980s. But many communities might envy the significant development activity the St. Paul suburb has been able to muster during the current building slump. by Liz Wolf D evelopment in Eagan might not be booming as much as it was in the heyday of the 1980s, but it's steady and definitely keeping city officials on their toes. Just how busy are city officials? They'll tell you to take a look at the city's 12-page update of current and pending developments that in- cludes proposals for several commercial developments and additions, as well as hun- dreds of residential and multifamily projects. G tT'1 (cw i ;)rvuoe Ake N r- Office/industrial By far the largest commercial real estate activity recently in Eagan was the opening last April of West Publishing Coss new head- quarters. West, which moved to the southeast suburb from downtown St. Paul, tops all other Fagan corporations with between 3,600 and 3,700 employees. West already had its binding and warehouse operations in Eagan, but now has HOTOS BY LfZ WOLF POPULATION City of Eagan 20.700 10,398-- 1950 1960 1970 1980 SOURCE CITY OF EAGAN 68,500 ... 63,500 47,409 1990 1995 1995, 2000,2010 PROJECTIONS: METROPOLITAN COUNCIL its 796,000 square foot headquarters, built by Minnetonka -based Opus Corp. West has developed about 2 million square feet of space at its Eagan site on Highway 149 (Dodd Road), between Yankee Doodle and Wescott Roads, says Steve Bryant, West's manager of engineering and facilities. West has develop- ment rights for another 1.7 million square feet of space on the site, but has no current development plans, Bryant says. West still has one-third to one-half of its 238-acre site that could be developed. The YMCA plans to build a facility near West Publishing for which West has donated about 20 acres of land, Bryant says. The YMCA is in the process of organizing a fund drive and getting the site graded. The city ex- pects to issue a building permit for the project this year. continued on next page Page 14 continued from previous page Plans call for a 30,000 square foot Y facili- ty, plus outdoor tennis courts and a youth sports field. Also, there's room for another 15,000 square foot building, and two outlots are available for future development, says Kim Eggers, a project planner at Eagan. Another large corporation, Cray Research Inc., is continuing to consolidate its activities in the area near Highway 149 and Interstate 494. Cray has several facilities in Eagan, in- cluding its recently completed 475,000 square foot headquarters. By 2010, Cray could have about 1.2 million square feet of space in the city. Despite Northwest Airlines' well-known EAGAN UPDATE financial problems, that corporation purchas- ed and is remodeling the former Unisys semiconductor facility at the corner of Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle Roads. That facility will be used for Northwest's Data Center and renovation should be completed this year. "That's exciting for the city, because it's a unique, single -use type of building that sat va- cant for four or five years;' says Jon Hohens- tein, Eagan's acting community development director. In other development by large corpora- tions, Eagan -based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has expanded its facili- ty and is leasing space throughout the city, Hohenstein says. Oak Woods of Eagan is a 62-unit senior housing complex which is so successful that a second phase is planned. ?anuary 18, 1993 In addition, the Federal Reserve Bank ap- proached city officials about possibly buying a 30-acre parcel of property to build its new facility. However, Eagan city officials say they realized suburban sites were back-up choices to building the facility in downtown Minneapolis. "We coordinated with them and a private property owner (North Carolina -based Wacovia Bank, which owns part of the site), and that's still in place if downtown Min- neapolis doesn't work out;" Hohenstein says. "We realize there were a lot of political reasons for it to be downtown, but we're ex- cited to be the second choice if that doesn't work out:' Eagan's largest employers West Publishing Co. — 610 Opper- man Drive, (612) 687-7000, books warehouse, 3,600 employees. Unisys — 3333 Pilot Knob Road, (612) 687-2200, computer services, 3,500 employees. Blue Cross -Blue Shield of Min- nesota — 3535 Blue Cross Road, (612) 456-5070, insurance, 2,400 employees. Northwest Airlines — 2700 Loan Oak Parkway, (612) 726-2111, airline, 1,720 employees. UPS — 555 Opperman Road, (612) 681-2800, distribution center, 1,200 employees. Coca Cola Co. — 2750 Eagandale Blvd. (612) 454-5460, beverage distribution, 1,100 employees. Cray Research — Lone Oak Drive, (612) 452-6650, computers, 1,000 employees. U.S. Postal Service — 3165 Lex- ington, (612) 293-3099, bulk mail ser- Hospitality With the growth of Eagan's large corpora- tions — which means hundreds of additional employees — the city's hospitality industry is picking up. "We're getting a lot of activity from the food and beverage industry in response to the size of our community and the significant amount of business and office uses in Eagan, such as West;' Hohenstein says. A number of national restaurant chains are moving into the city, including a 4,860 square foot Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar that opened Jan. 5 in Town Centre, and a 5,693 square foot Chili's Grill & Bar that's under construction at 3625 Pilot Knob Road. Jon Hohenstein January 18,1993 Developer of Chili's is Brinker International of Dallas. In addition, a 1,989 square foot Taco Bell restaurant has preliminary plat ap- proval for a fast-food restaurant on Cliff Road, and McDonald's is building a new 3,526 square foot restaurant near Town Cen- tre. Also, West St. Paul -based Cherokee Sirloin Room bought Durnings, a long-time Eagan restaurant, and converted it for its se- cond restaurant location. In the hotel market, Holiday Inn purchas- ed the former Compri Hotel at Pilot Knob Road and I-494 and has renovated it. The new Holiday Inn held a grand opening Jan. 6. Retail Hohenstein says Eagan's retail is starting to take off as well. "Town Centre is beginning to build out:' he says. Town Centre is a 170-acre retail and of- fice development near I-35E and Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle Roads. A 114,000 square foot Wal-Mart opened in 1992 in Town Cen- tre, and developer Federal Land Co. of Eagan has applied for approval for a 75,000 square foot Kohl's department store, says Martin Colon of Federal Land. If the Kohl's deal goes through, about 60 percent of the Town Centre project will be completed. "It looks like it'll move ahead; Colon says of Kohl's. When the entire Town Centre retail is built out, it will include about 650,000 square feet. "Wal-Mart is exceeding expectations:' Colon says. "And we re getting seve 1 new leases at Town Centre. In the last year, we put in an 11,000 square foot Fashion Bug, a Video Update and Weight Watchers is to open soon. There is significant leasing activity:' In addition, nearby Yankee Square shopp- ing center recently opened the 8,000 square foot Dakota County Community Theater. Minnesota Real Estate Journal Page 15 Yankee Square was also developed by Federal Land. In other retail activity, Minneapolis -based Semper Holdings Inc. built a new 12,544 square foot Walgreen's store on Cliff Road that opened in November. Other phases call for another retail user and a restaurant to be built on two outlots near Walgreen's, says Howard Bergerud, owner of Semper. He says Semper is in the process of negotiating with tenants for both lots and will need to submit formal site plans to the city. "We're also seeing more retail activity in the southwest part of the city, including Cliff Lake Center;' Hohenstein says. "There has been some peripheral development on adja- cent properties in the general area between I-35E and Cedar Avenue:' Fagan, with a population of 51,500, is also seeing steady residential growth. `Again this year, we've issued 600 single- family building permits:' Hohenstein says. "We keep expecting it to slow down, but it hasn't. It's not like the boom in the mid280s where we had 1,000 or 2,000 permits issued, but we've been consistent at about 500 or 600 lots a year:' A large number of those homes are ex- ecutive homes or "step-up" housing:' he says. The average permit is in the $120,000 range, but many homes are worth substantially more. Recent single-family projects include building permits issued for the Braun Sunrise development, and preliminary approval for 68 units in the second phase of the Hawthorne Woods project by developer Lyman Develop- ment Co. Multifamily development has been a little slower, Hohenstein says. Oak Woods of Eagan, a 62-unit senior housing project that the city and the Dakota West Publishing Co. opened its new 796,000 square foot headquarters in Eagan in April 1992. County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) worked on jointly, opened in 1992. The project, on Cliff Road between Cedar Avenue and I-35E, has been so suc- cessful that a second please will be the next -- project the city and HRA will work on as part of the Community Development Block Grant, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program, Hohenstein says. Phase two will be about another 62 units. Community development Changes also are afoot at Eagan City Hall. Hohenstein, who was an assistant to the city administrator, has temporarily taken over the duties of Dale Runkle, Eagan's former com- munity development director who resigned suddenly in November after about 15 years with the city. City officials have not yet decid- ed if Hohenstein wrllTfiit that position per- manently or if a replacement will be hired. Runkle is under investigation by the FBI on whether he illegally accepted a free lakeside lot valued at more than $30,000 from Eagan developer William Huttner Construction. Runkle resigned Nov. 10, shortly before a federal grand jury held a hearing to review those allegations. The grand jury has not yet made a decision to indict Runkle, and the c se is still under investigation. lei Eagan works on new goals for itsfuture crtov By Bruce ()rival(Lih t Staff Writer When a city's development fol- lows the explosive pattern Eagan has experienced over the last eight years, it's hard enough to keep track of the day-to-day operations that keep the city moving. Efforts to create an orderly vi- sion of the future sometimes get pushed aside. That's why Eagan has launched an effort to get a grip on its growth by developing a list of long- and short-term goals that officials hope will guide the city into the next phase of its development. City Administrator Tom Hedges said the strategic planning ex- ercise that city staff members and city council members went through recently is supposed to identify the problems and needs of the city for the coming years. By taking a step back from the daily grind, officials hope at least to identify the issues that are likely to develop. Paying for all the projects the list identifies is another thing, though, Hedges said. The next step is for the city to gauge the finan- cial impact of meeting the various needs on the list. Although the specific goals weren't assigned priorities, accord- ing to Hedges, the staff and council members agreed that enhancing the city's development standards is among the most important issues. Mayor Vic Ellison campaigned Please see Eagan/2 St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch Wednesday, May 18, 1988 e envi- be- `tat d t Eagan Continued from Page 1 last fall on the idea that Eagan needs higher -quality developments if the city is to blossom to its potential. Now, the city council has adopted that as an official objective. But council members don't merely want to create standards that developers can easily dodge or ignore, as is sometimes the case. To avoid that problem, city council member Pam McCrea suggested recently that a city inspector be hired to monitor development and levy fines against developers who don't carry out agreements with the city or follow city ordinances and codes. Other items on the 74-item list of objectives reflect the challenges the city will be facing in both the next few months and the next few years. One important item, Hedges said, is a revision of the city's zoning ordinance. That has been a source of controversy over the past few years as developers have jockeyed for position in the race to provide retail shopping opportunities. •Another closely related objective is a retail market study to determine how many shopping outlets the T� 7 city will need when it is fully developed. The city un- dertook a similar project just three years ago, but again, discussions about the necessity of several con- troversial retail shopping projects have led some offi- cials to believe that another look is needed. Other projects that appear on the list include: ■ "Opting out" of the MTC bus system and creating a separate suburban bus network in conjunction with other Dakota County cities. Eagan is studying this pos- sibility now. ■ Airport relations. The city would monitor the pos- sible relocation of Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport, an idea that has gained momentum in recent months. ■ Solid waste abatement. Officials want to contem- plate setting recycling goals for the city and develop- ing a community -wide recycling plan. ■ A community center. City staff members are cur- rently putting together a future ballot question that would ask voters to approve a center that would in- clude an indoor swimming pool and perhaps other fa- cilities, including a gym, ice arena and meeting rooms. May 16, 1988 Minnesota Real Estate Journal e s gme Page 9 MIXED USE Two Eamcases sed BUT CONDEMNATION SUIT STILL LOOMS Land -use and assessment lawsuits filed against the city of Eagan by Robert J. and Grace O'Neil have finally been settled. "Two lawsuits now are out the window;' says Paul Hauge, an Eagan attorney who represents the city. A third case involving the condemnation of some of the O'Neils' prop- erty is expected to go to trial. In 1985, the O'Neils requested a planned development (PD) designation to allow com- mercial and multi -family residential develop- ment on 122 acres they own northwest of the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Yankee Doodle Road. At that time, about 20 acres were zoned for multi -family and about 102. acres were zoned for agriculture. During June and July 1985, the city coun- cil failed to come up with the two-thirds ma- jority required to approve the zoning and comprehensive land -use guide plan changes needed for the O'Neils' plan. The St. Paul couple filed suit against the ci- ty over the zoning matter in October 1985. The case involving assessments for storm water ponding improvements and the con- demnation as were also filed. Efforts to settle any of the cases dragged until Jan. 5, when Dakota County District Court Judge Jack Mitchell took the unusual step of conducting a hearing at Eagan City E.all. At that meeting, the parties reached an understanding on the land -use and assess- ment cases, and agreed to negotiate a final settlement. "That's what has been worked on for several months," Hauge says. On May 3, the council voted unanimously to approve a final agreement settling the two cases. The council voted to settle the land -use The O'Neils plan to revise their original planned development. case by giving the O'Neils a planned develop- ment (PD) permit and amending the city's comprehensive plan, and to settle the assess- ment case by allowing the O'Neils to relocate and enlarge storm water ponds on their 122 acres. On May 4, Judge Mitchell issued a findings of fact, conclusions of law and an order for judgement relating to the two cases. In it, Mitchell approved the proposed settlements and ordered the city council to rezone the O'Neils' property within 30 days, although Hauge says it is his opinion that the rezoning was accomplished when the council approved the settlement agreement. Gerald S. Duffy, a Minneapolis attorney representing the O'Neils, says development of his clients' property can now proceed. He says the O'Neils might work with a developer, or they might sell the land outright. If they decide on the later option, he says they will sell all 122 acres as a package. Several developers have expressed interest, Duffy says. Although the property isn't listed for sale with any real estate brokers, he says, discussions have already been held with possible buyers. Ironically, the combination of land uses for which the O'Neils and their attorneys have been fighting probably won't be the con- figuration that is ultimately developed. Duffy says the O'Neils will request a revised PD that will include a freeway development district, something that didn't exist at the time of their 1985 proposal. Eagan City Planner Dale Runkle says the revised PD proposal has been on the advisory planning commission agenda for the past two months, but action was postponed pending the settlements. It is now expected that the proposal will be considered by the commis- sion either May 24 or May 26 (two meetings are scheduled this month because of an unusually lengthy agenda). The revised PD would include mostly of- fice and office/showroom sites, along with some sites for retail and freeway business (hotels, restaurants, etc.), Runkle says. With the land -use and assessment cases settled, only the condemnation case rerr.ains. In that case, the city used its eminent do- main powers to take about 10 acres of the O'Neils' property for storm water ponding. It was ruled that the O'Neils should receive $664,000 in compensation, with part of the money coming from Federal Land Co.. an adjacent property owner benefitting from the taking. Federal Land is an Fagan develop- ment firm owned by brothers Vernon R. and Martin F. Colon. The O'Neils appealed, saying the amount of compensation wasn't enough. Federal Land and the previous city council also ap- pealed, saying the amount was excessive. When the current city council approved the settlement agreement for the land -use and assessment cases May 3, it also approved a separate agreement relating to the condemna- tion case. The city agreed to pay up to $100,000 of the O'Neils' compensation for the taking. But city officials say Federal Land should pay any amount greater than $100000. That position has left the city facing another lawsuit, this time from two Federal Land partnerships. The suit, filed Dec. 31 by Eagan Heights Commercial Park and Eagan Tower Office Park, alleges that actions by the city to assess Federal Land for storrn water ponding improvements and to rezone the O'Neils' property are "arbitrary, unreason- able and capricious." It also alleges that the rezoning will adversely affect air quality in the area. The suit was filed in anticipation of the ci- ty council's Jan. 5 decision to work toward a final settlement of the O'Neils' suits. Duffy says he filed a petition to intervene in the Federal Land suit May 4. If the petition is allowed, he says, the O' Neils will be mak- ing a damage claim directly against Federal Land. The condemnation case is scheduled to go to trial Aug. 29. —Murray t*,1J i lanner's job stirs a debate rt By Bruce Orwell ct ca,*- Staff Writer C 6 tit'-• �u,C,,,' It would seem that Eagan could hire almost anyone to become its first community develop- ment director, since the job's primary responsi- bility — attracting nice, new development — is something that has come naturally for Minneso- ta's fastest -growing city during this decade. But the hiring of Dale Runkle, the city's 37- year-old planning director, has touched off a controversy among some city council members EAGAN who think Runkle sometimes has the interests of local developers — not the public — at heart. Runkle will be promoted to the new job from his current job as planning director. He will also oversee the coordination of three city depart- ments that currently operate independently — planning, building inspections and buildings and grounds. When it was conceived last year, the new community development director's job was seen as a way of promoting growth in Eagan to the public and the business community. Even when there is disagreement over who to hire for important city jobs, it is customary for the city council to unanimously endorse the se- lected job candidate. But city council members Tom Egan and Ted Wachter voted against hiring Runkle, who has been planning director for more than three years, in a 3-2 ballot last week. Egan said he wishes success for Runkle in the new job. But he said that hiring the current plan- ning director does not meet the intent of last year's city council, which created the job. That's because one of the goals was to rein in the plan- ning department that Runkle runs, which the Please see Planner/4 By MARK LARSON There's only so many movies to watch and fast food places to frequent before a teenager gets really, really bored. At least that is why a group of Eagan teenagers are calling for a new teen center at the civic arena on the Municipal Center campus. Teens for Tomorrow, a com- pilation of teens, parents and municipal representatives, re- quested the city create a place for Eagan teens to "hang out" on the mezzanine level of the civic arena. Constructing and furnishing the center would be planned by the city, but paid for through community donations Teens for Tomorrow says it could gather. The Eagan Advisory Parks Commission recommended the City Council allow the teens to pursue the center, but the proj- ect may be delayed or denied now that the council may vote to give the Southwest Area YMCA $75,000 to create a teen room at its facility on Op- perman Drive and Highway 149 in Eagan. Both projects were initially proposed to the council at a special meeting March 24. At a more recent special meeting, the City Council reviewed both proposals and the Park Com- mission's recommendation and decided to pursue the YMCA project, which council mem- bers will most likely approve at the regular meeting July 7, according to Mayer Tom Egan. "The council has many res- ervations about the teen center at the civic arena," said Egan. "Those include the capital cost to construct it, the cost to op- erate it and the fear that desig- nating the space for teen use would deprive the city of using it for other purposes." Egan said he has some doubts the teen group could wrftk) i11'S July 5, Igg1 L C co caT .>' E' L0 O U coo yU aU L .UU ccl • O E a -el.-c— -0 C a' r..?;•s o L 0 E 7 ° ¢r. E=ie3 =,- u— .. . .oeec > 03'"�& •0 A0:'• 0uRIctip" O c R ..•� C 0 t w E O U" h C 7 A p- C - • ye a' a. 04a' d :r rp . L; > U U Q 3 c ▪ U E 0 - '• o •c Q,Is 0 •° '. --r ate' g c•o iu• c -o vu,,• vc0 yU O •> U N " 0 0`o L aD a c 3 co c -e C �u�'i o aci ,0 .0 ▪ em o us C 1- �`a' 3 v 7 c` U U a L 00 y ed Y 3 T a' .0 E O▪ l cc. �ecac ▪ O 4Auv7.°00. H�::acocovs°u-. oE8E .. -o c uv a: a.o >, c...1.U,c 4.a. o<-o< 0 cco v °_.0 $ `-cp•u, ''•= CO a�L C c U ea0p 0o 0. � 0• vi w cui p a E 0 CI u A w o. a u a• ci >�• >- CO Lc" " x .c > `� c CO a' E va c.0 -0 o ca o., u 'CrCV t°iJ y U 7 1- C 7. E t a' L 'n N C a > >, ea 0 a 0 w y o o ,o E �-� 7 '..a c H V a' ••a,- 0 y Q ° C c° U e O a. U . ,.03 . 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T .U�. ca h •tp L tC0 h C? _., �° V7 7 a>j 0 • •C 0 N 1.. 0 •C a..= a. h s L E A y C 0 •` L .ti cv 3 33 u E o 0`.0. 0 h▪ 2 o y � Am u °�` r,Es 3 u y v y E v c m E y a c A u. OO Z w 'q y y c u 7 cry U° u u c uv ... ▪ — • a' �L a E u u c e N • L I. 7 a U a. :_ Y h 3 u U .L.. C .y a' F. cp o y cap c 0L n�o'..o " °°°'� R o c E o_> -•�@ 0 �v coU o orY.y `3 u `V.uu3tivv,...a 3>aa_0o a 70_ o W�eK- Jiniy G, Vi4 Teens (Continued) Best Buy and possibly, funding from the Eagan Lion's Club. Council Member Sandy Masin, who has also been meeting with Teens for Tomor- row, said she is surprised by her fellow council members' decision. "It is teens putting forward the idea for a center at the civic arena. You'd think a pro- ject for teens, backed by teens would have a better chance of being successful," said Masin. "Right now there is no place for kids to go and just hang out. I'd be willing to support both sites." Egan said the civic arena teen center would not be ruled out if the council decides to support the YMCA project be- cause the civic arena's central location in the city makes it an attractive site. "Having one doesn't neces- sarily exclude the other," Egan said. Another possibility would be to provide some form of transit that would carry teens from the Municipal Center or other lo- cations to the YMCA, Eagan said. ;(/W, k' I ,YAY l L V\." r �• i VVII E'een center discussion togo before the pubik council debates options for involvement Yvonne Klinnert nesota Sun Publications While the Eagan City Coun- has a pretty clear idea on -rat it thinks about the possi- lity of a teen center in the city, is still willing to hear from the mmunity. A teen center paid for by the ,y was one subject of a council )rksession June 23. The coun- discussed the center in arch, but no consensus was ached regarding what would the city's contribution to a nter. The issues surrounding the 3n center idea have to do with pital and operating funding • such a center. But first, the .y has to decide whether it shes to support such a center, d whether it wants to support Teen From Page 1A If such a center exists, it -ieeds to be supervised by a pro- 'essional staff, said Coun- :ilmember Pat Awada. The YMCA already has a pro- `essional staff for such tasks, Ind any teen center that the city would be supported should be >upported in the YMCA, she >aid. The city does not have the iuty or mission to supervise :hildren, Awada added. Such a professional staff does not fit within the current city budget structure, said Mayor Tom Egan. Ken Vraa, director of parks and recreation, agreed that the city is not staffed to take care of a teen center, but said that the center could be staffed by volun- teers. "If we go with volunteers, I know how that goes," said Coun- cilmember Bea Blomquist. "Sometimes the volunteers don't show up, and that is my con- cern." The center would need a professional staff, and that would require charging for its use to pay for the staff, she I would like to put it on the Y's shoulders where I think it belongs.' — Tom Egan Eagan mayor such a center even if it is not a city teen center. All those ideas were turned inside out during the workses- sion, and at the end, the council decided to continue a public dis- cussion during July's City Council meetings. The council will discuss as new business at a City Council meeting July 7 the possibility of allocating $75,000 to the Southwest YMCA for the use of building a teen center during its renova- tion project. In March, two proposals emerged. One involved the ren- ovation and expansion of the Southwest Area YMCA. With the YMCA expansion comes the question as to whether the city of Eagan will support a teen center within the YMCA. Repre- sentatives from the YMCA were at the worksession to gather in- formation regarding whether the YMCA can count on an Eagan contribution for the ren- ovation. At the same time, a group of teens have been working on a proposal to build a room on the mezzanine of the Civic Arena, which is currently undeveloped space. The teens, organized into CAN (Community Alliance Net - Even if the center were opened under such a scenario, it would still put the city in a pre- carious position, Awada said. "What if it is a disaster? It's hard to close it. It puts the city in a strange position." With all the liability and budgetary concerns, the wisest move is probably to support a program at the YMCA, Egan agreed. That may be fine from the city's budgetary perspective, but it may not be in line with creat- ing the type of teen center want- ed by teens, said Michael Vin- cent. Vincent is a member of the city's Parks and Recreation Commission and CAN presi- dent. Awada responded by saying that while she knew she didn't want a teen center in the ice arena, she was open to collabo- rative ideas on how else the teens of the community could be provided with a center. Councilmember Sandy Masin agreed, saying that all sorts of possibilities still exist. "We're still a growing city, and whatever site we have is not the only site and not the forever site." Egan summed up his feel- ings by saying that he thought work), have proposed that tl be allowed to raise $50,000 tc given to the city to pay for estimated cost of turning room into a teen center. After a review by the cit recreation department and city's Advisory Parks Comn sion, it was determined tl $95,000 would be a more rea tic number to pay for buildin teen center in the Civic Aren The parks commission 1 sent a recommendation to t City Council asking the cour to consider allowing the teen: "pursue a teen center in t Civic Arena mezzanine, not that the teens would have to responsible for raising the fur to make this a reality." The idea of the city build. and operating a teen center the Civic Arena did not win enthusiasm of the council Inc bers, however. TEEN: To Page 1 the effort should be a partner- ship with the YMCA. "I would like to put it on the Y's shoul- ders where I think it belongs," he said. By that point in the conver- sation, Blomquist said that, while the discussion before the council was good, there has been little discussion before the whole community, and it was her feeling that the discussion needed to move in that direction before a final decision was made. The council agreed that there should be an opportuni- ty for more public discussion regarding a teen center before a final decision is made, whether that decision is to give money to the YMCA's cap- ital drive, help pay for a teen center in the civic center, or any other combination of ac- tions. It is expected that agen- da items on the center will ap- pear before the City Council this month. MEMO TO: STEVE ALNESS MINNESOTA JOURNAL FROM: CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES DATE: JULY 18, 1990 SUBJECT: MINNESOTA JOURNAL ARTICLE The article is very good and accurately portrays our community. I am offering a few changes that pertain directly to language in a few of the quotations that might help clarify my comments for the reader. A special thanks for sharing the article prior to its publication. I'll be looking forward to a future publication containing this article. Thomas L. Hedges Attachments TLH/kf 4 i July 17, 1990 To: Tom Hedges From: Steve Alnes, Minnesota Journal Page 1 of 5. Please look over this article for errors of omission, commission and context. Call me with your comments no later than noon, Thursday, July 19, at 429-4266. Please do nut undertake a rewrite of the piece; I'm fairly satisfied with it the way it is and am only concerned that 1 may have messed up on something. Thanks for your help. 1 (eagan) (([by Stephen AlnesJJJ The population of Eagan mor than doubled from 1980 to 1989--from 20,700 to an estimated 44,C J, or ninth largest in the metropolitan area. The city is now, or soon will be, the headquarters of Northwest Airlines, West Publish:_ng, Cray Research and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and has several Unisys facilities. It has more than 20,000 jobs, which rank it somewhere around 13th among the cities in the region. Eagan made the news most recently when West Publishing, a major international publisher of lawbooks, announced it would relocate its headquarters from downtown St. Paul to Eagan. Before that, Cray Research, a world leader in manufacture of high-speed computers, said it will move its corporate headquarters from downtown Minneapolis to Eagan. Eagan still is only about 60 percent developed. All of the community is within the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) designated by the Metropolitan Council to receive urban services --of which the most important for accommodating growth are sewers and roads. So it will grow some more. Thomas L. Hedges has been city administrator 14 years. "I feel like I'm on about my fourth job in the same city," he said. He's managed a city of 15,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000 and going on 50,000 population, all in the same city, he noted. Eagan so far has sprawled in typical suburban fashion. Asked to speculate about Eagan in 2020, Hedges said, "Eagan could be, depending on whether we go up or out, anywhere from 70,000 to 100,000 population...I think we're going to be closer to the 70,000 to 80,000 number, but ultimately, in 50 years, we could be 100,000 plus." Eagan's land area of 21,500 acres compares with -- to cite a few examples--37,500 in Minneapolis, 35,800 in St. Paul, 24,500 in Bloomington and 17,300 in Burnsville. Eagan lies in Dakota County. It is bordered on the northwest by the Minnesota River, on the other side of which is Bloomington, on the north by I-494, on the other side of which is Mendota Heights, on the east by Inver Grove Heights, on the south by Rosemount and Apple Valley and on the west by Burnsville. It is split by I-35E, but several bridges minimize any divisive effect, Hedges said. Eagan owes its recent growth primarily to new roads and to that old real estate sales point --location, location, location, Hedges said. Eagan is close to the core of the two center cities, rather than out on the "third -tier fr•inge," he added. Burnsville, he noted, grew earlier. than Eagan did, even though it's farther out of the metro core. "And the reason it grew first is because of 35W. That came in the 1960s." Eagan didn't have a comparable link, "and we were in some ways a best -kept secret or an island in growth...Once it became known, and ground was broken for the Cedar freeway and at Cedar bridge, we saw Eagan start to really open up," Hedges said. Cedar Av. (Hwy. 77) runs through Richfield and past the airport, across the Minnesota River and into Eagan. I-35E came shortly thereafter and then I-494. Eagan is about a 15-minute drive from downtown St. Paul and a little longer from Minneapolis, Hedges said. The airport is nearby. (-)K "So if you are looking for housing, you have about an equal drive to either city. So employment opportunities for your household are just very nice," Hedges said. Something else may be at work, he said. Eagan adjust be hot right now, s- "If you're a young family and you're starting a house...you like to build your house where everybody else wants to build their house...I think that kinds of feeds on itself." Eagan lies within three school districts --Burnsville 191, which has a junior high and an elementary school in Eagan; Rosemount 196, with four elementary schools, a middle school and a new Eagan High School in Eagan; and West St. Paul 197, which has one elementary school in Eagan. Schools have been another attraction, Hedges said. Eagan has not experienced any particular difficulty in accommodating to its rapid growth, Hedges said. Phones, electricity, gas, roads, sewers and storm sewers have been made available pretty much as needed, he said. "Developments are not held up because we can't get infrastructure or public service to them. When people do move in, they have all their,f..err services right .:Way," he said. "Probably the only service that would come to mindAis recreation. We have a very young community, and it's been difflc Lt to stay ahead of the need for softball fields and baseball c:amonds and soccer fields and those kinds of facilities," Hedges added. Eagan has an economic -development commission that is advisory to the City Council. Hedges is the staff person who is assigned to it. "we meet once a month. We ha'e developed a mission staterent, goals, and the council's adopter ..hose. And we have played ye_: heavily on business retention. We're also working on a broc:_ We go to trade fairs, and hope to tell our story to businessseA cuAA corporations, there. But in terms of an economic-de:nicomen- coordinator, Someone who's out really marketing the ci not done that," Hedges sa;d_1 ok Like most postwar subur` Eagan does not have a downtown, anc. Hedger doesn't see one aeloping. "We'll probably wind up wi" what they call power centers...and we have a couple of then as well as some community shopping centers, he said. "There's been some strong speculation that we could attract a regional 3 shopping center yet." (General Growth Development, Inc., Des Moines, is reported looking at a site at Dodd Road and I-494, less than five miles away from Bloomington's huge Mall of America, for a regional mall.) Hedges does not see the Mali of America adversely affecting development of Eagan and the Kind of retail operations Eagan has. And it will provide some job opportunities, particularly for second jobs in the household and for teenagers. Hedges said he wants to see the airport stay where it is, but acknowledged there are "competing forces" in Eagan--ai''ine employe and business organizations that like the proximity on one hand and residents complaining about noise on the other. Said Hedges, "We feel we have done a very,d job of land -use planning. We purposely set aside (an area-k.yrrthe flight corridor) as industrial, because this is where the planes e going to fly, and we require industry to build accordingly." But an increase in operations at the airport has resulted in aircraft departing from the corridor. "Now for the airport to change the rules in the middle of the game and start fanning aircraft, or put in a new runway to fan the aircraft this direction really upsets the integrity of a lot of residential development...So we're certainly going to speak out." If light -rail transit is developed, Hedges wants Eagan to have a connection. "I think we'd ke, d jor user of it...I don't know that downtown would be ourrdesfination as much as the airport and maybe some other places. But we export quite a few people to both downtowns...I'm a believer in the downtowns. i think that we should...for the cultural attractions and the sporting events and the arts and protecting the infrastructure and all those large office buildings...make sure that those survive. And I think the light -rail connection will help foster all that." Eagan's comprehensive land -use plan contemplates :39 percent of the area will be in single-family residences, 10 percent in multi -family residences and 31 percent in commercial and industrial. The minimum single-family residential lot size available now is 12,000 square feet, or 100 by 120. Eagan has homes "all the way from starter homes to half -million -dollar homes," Hedges said. The Eagan Council plans to create a 21st Century committee "to ask the question, what do we want to be when we grow up?" Hedges said. "We've been kind of like the teenager during the 1980s, and now we're starting to mature." Hedges said he expects a "balanced" community that will provide lots of jobs but also "export" workers to other parts of the region and that will have industrial -commercial development mixed with a balanced housing stock. It also will be a "quality" community, he said. It already has building -materials requirements intended to meet the test of q time, has a trails system on all city and county roads that connect an extensive park system, a water -quality management system for the city's 371 ponds and a new landscaping ordinance calling for reforestation and boulevard plantings. �. ,f�,- -' ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO. 1900 M1NNESOTA WORLD TRADE CENTER 30 EAST SEVENTH STREET SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101 (612) 291-1211 January 13, 1988 Mr. Thomas L. Hedges City Administrator City of Eagan 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, Minnesota 55121 Dear Tom: Enclosed is a copy of a recent article from the Real Estate Journal covering our Firm's recently released 1989 Minnesota Real Estate Survey. I thought you and Dale Runkle might find it of interest, especially as related to the City of Eagan. Best personal regards. Sincerely 0P01-N.— Thomas J. Winkel BS Enclosures SHELTER TECH REAL ESTATE JOURNAL VOLUME 5. NUMBER 2 NSW Shaft/ Teen Mew Company JANUARY 9. 1989 $2.00 Cautious optimism REAL ESTATE SURVEY VIEWS YEARS AHEAD by Brian J. Smith and Richard A. Perrtne Although 60 percent of the respondents to the 1989 Min- nesota Real Estate Survey believe the outlook for Minnesota real estate development is "very bright" or "good;' their optimism ap- pears guarded. Most tesµmdents forecast an oversupply of p vperties during the coming year and predict that vacancy rates will remain the same or even increase in 1989. The second annual survey. sponsored by Arthur Andersen & Co. and the Minnesota Real Estate Journal. examines the most press- ing concerns of those working in the states' real estate industry, from financing and politics to foreign investment and syndica- tion. Designed to elicit this information, the survey also determines how opinions about development and economic trends have changed since last year's survey. (Although the survey results are con- sidered statistically significant. a margin of error was not calculated.) Of the respondents. 44 percent classify themselves as developers. 21 percent as brokers. 12 percent as lenders and 12 percent as individual investors. The remainder are spread across such segments as corporate real estate. marketing. law, pension fund manage- ment and investment advisory services. In identifying their positions, 41 percent indicate that they are chief executive officers, presidents or managing partr.ers, while another 31 percent are chief financial officers. vice presidents or partners. More than half of the respondents had more than 10 years' ex- penence in the real estate industry. Real Estate Development Trends Sixty percent of the respondents. versus 44 percent a year ago, believe the outlook for real estate development in Minnesota during the next three years is "good" to "very bright" As was true last year. lenders and brokers are as bullish as developers in their forecasts. Syndicators. however, are more optimistic about real estate development than they were last year. with 32 percent predicting a "good.. or "very bright" outlook for syndicators dur- ing the next three years. versus 27 percent in the 1988 survey. Despite this apparent optimism. 76 percent of the respondents report that oversupply is the No. 1 challenge they face currently and during the next three years. More than 70 per- cent see vacancy rates remaining the same or increasing in 1989 for regional retail space, strip retail space, downtown and suburban of- fice space. and apartments. Forty-three per- cent also believe 1989 will be a better year to buy real estate than to sell. with 60 percent claiming that a large supply is the No. 1 reason to buy. This cautious optimism might reflect the respondents' beliefs that the present Over- supply of real estate of all types and the elimination of tax incentives for investing will reduce new construction and weed out the weaker players in the market. thereby in- creasing the value of their real estate investments. During the next three years. 57 percent of the respondents feel, suburban Minneapolis will be the most attractive area for develop- ment in the state. followed by downtown Min- neapolis and suburban Saint Paul. The least attractive development areas in coming years. according to our respondents. will be down- town St. Paul and Duluth. These results are substantially the same as last year. As expected. local municipalities continue to vary in their support of real est develop- ment. In general. the consensus among re- spondents seems to indicate that no g:,nvth ordinances are on their way out: 42 percent currently as opposed to 49 percent a year ago expect local governments to pass no growth or limited growth ordinances in the corning year. Fee increases. on the other hand. are predicted by respondents to become the predominant type of exaction on developers in 1989. Seventy percent expect local govern- ments to increase fees this year, compared with only 5 percent making a similar predic- tion a year ago. Having made these generic predictions about development and attitudes at a municipal level. respondents also had the op- portunity to rate the regulatory environments of specific cities around the state. In the metropolitan area, Apple Valley. Coon Rapids. Cottage Grove. Inver Grove Heights. New Brighton. Rosemount and Woodbury were viewed as most supportive to develop- ment. Woodbury and New Brighton were also viewed as strong supporters a year ago. For cities outside the metro area. St. Cloud and Rochester were considered to be the most supportive. echoing last year's rating. One significant change this year is in the number of cities receiving a greater percen- tage of hostile response than supportive response for real estate development. In the 1988 survey, Minnetonka was the only city statewide where more respondents felt its at- titude toward development was more hostile than supportive. In this year's survey. Min- netonka is joined by Columbia Heights. Eden Prairie, Edina. Golden Valley. Maplewood. Mendota Heights. New Hope. Plymouth. Richfield, Roseville. St. Louis Park, Wayzata and White Bear Lake as being more hostile than supportive. Reasons for the dramatic increase in perceived hostility probably vary by city: construction of Interstate 394 through St. Louis Park. Golden Valley and Minnetonka. which are eager to control their growth and plan for future traffic patterns: the develop- ment saturation of older suburbs like Edina, Maplewood and Richfield: and the desire to maintain careful control on future develop- ment in traditionally residential suburbs like Wayzata. White Bear Lake and Plymouth. The top five "hot spots" in the state for development during the coming year. accor- ding to the survey respondents. are Eagan. Eden Prairie. Plymouth. Maple Grove and St. Cloud, in that order. Eagan. Eden Prairie. Minneapolis and Bloomington received the most votes as the state's hot spots a year ago. Bloomington and Minneapolis both fell several notches this year out remain high on the list, ranking ninth and 10th. respectively. Hot spots three years from now arc ex- pected to be Eagan. Woodbury, Eden Prairie. Maple Grove and Plymouth. Apparently the more hostile regulatory environment in cities like Eden Prairie and Plymouth is not enough to deter developers. Likewise. cities con- sidered most supportive of development did not necessarily find themselves listed as a top hot spot for developers. Confirming the trend indicated in last year's survey. respondents are remaining cool to development alone the Interstate 494 strip. As the metro population continues to push farther out. the second-rine suburbs seems to be where most of the action is moving. The survey also confirms the growing populari- ty of St. Cloud among developers. Currently, respondents to the survey rate strip retail (49 percent) and single-tamily homes (39 percent) as the most favored development products in Minnesota. These are followed by unimproved land (29 per- Minnesota Real Estate Journal cent). industrial/warehouses (26 percent). retirement housing (18 percent) and multi- family (15 percent). Three years from now. however. 41 percent of the respondents see retirement housing as having the greatest potential. followed by multi -family homes (26 percent). and single- family homes and industrial/warehouse (25 percent each). Obviously. the real estate com- munity sees the opportunity to begin planning for the larger number of retirees in the marketplace beginning in the next several years. Respondents were overwhelmingly pessi- mistic on the development outlook for hotels and high-rise office buildings. Real Estate Financing Seventy-four percent of the respondents ex- pect the prime rate to be in the 9 percent to 11 percent range one year from now. Lenders and developers were in close accord on this point. This represents a slight increase over their prediction a year ago. when 68 percent expected the rate to fall in the 8 percent to 10 percent range. Respondents also see a continuing trend during the next there years toward using equi- ty rather than debt to finance real estate tran- sactions, with 95 expecting the level of equi- ty financing to remain the same or increase in 1989. During the next year. 39 percent of the respondents predict. insurance companies will be the major source of debt financing followed by pension funds (20 percent). banks (17 percent), government agencies (11 percent). investment bankers (6 percent). savings and loans (5 percent). and syndicators (2 percent). On the equity side. 37 percent of the respondents see pension funds as the major source of financing, followed by insurance companies (23 percent ). syndicators (13 per- cent). banks (9 percent). investment bankers (9 percent). government agencies (6 penzent), and savings and loans (3 percent). Economic Trends in Real Estate Because the presidential election was be- ing held at the time we mailed this year's surveys. we decided to sample our respon- dents' viewpoints on the candidates. The respondents believed that Vice President (now President-elect) George Bush would perform much better on economic matters than would Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis. When asked how each candidate would af- fect economic growth. global competitive- ness. inflation. interest rates. unemployment rates. government regulations. income taxes, and yields on real estate. most respondents thought a Bush presidency would bring about few changes to these factors while a Dukakis presidency would have a negative impact in every area. These results were chosen by a significant majority and were largely uttifo, u i across occupational lines. Respondents also expect values of regional retail. strip retail and apartment properties to remain pretty much on the same or increase slightly during the next year. On the other hand. the property values of suburban offices are predicted by 72 percent of the respondents to remain the same or actually decrease in 1989. The primary factor affecting price movements are the influence of foreign in- vestors (in downtown office properties). U.S. institutional investors (regional retail). too few sound deals (apartments) and laver rents (suburban offices). Foreign Investment During the past year. 36 percent of the respondents were approached by a foreign in- vestor. Not surprisingly. investors from Japan were the most active, followed by Canada. Germany, England and Holland. Operations Respondents to the survey are very con- cerned about environmental liability. Sixty- six percent view environmental suits as the greatest litigation threat during the next three years. Consistent with this. almost all respondents employ techniques such as en- vironmental inspections. soil tests. and in- demnity agreements when purchasing Piny Other major litigation threats include suits concerning tenant and landlord liability. land use disputes, government exactions and fees, development agreements. and faulty construction. The respondents seem indifferent to the technological capabilities of their buildings and only somewhat concerned about future changes in available technology. This might be due to the other challenges currently fac- ing real. estate managers who are already stretching their resources to the limits. Summary r This year's survey has found Minnesota real estate practitioners cautiously optimistic about the future. Although the majority agree the future for the real estate industry in the state is bright, they do have some real challenges Facing them: oversupply, steady or even increasing vacancy rates. and numerous environmental liabilities. Their prediction for a bright future. however, implies the state's real estate industry is willing to meet these challenges and move into the next decade with optimism. — Brian J. Smith is partner - in -charge of the real estate practice in the Twin Cities office of Arthur Andersen & Co. Richard A. Perrrne also is a partner in the same practice. Minnesota Red Estate Journal The 1989 Minnesota REAL ESTATE SURVEY 77us .survey is co -sponsored by Arthur Ander- sen & Co. and the Minnesota Real Estate Journal. It ►tins intended to solicit opinions of executitrs in the real estate industry regard- ing factors which mac affect the /inure of the Minnesota real estate market. Ili, would like to, express our appreciation to all the real estate executives tvi:o took a few minutes to complete the .survey torn: and return it to Ar- thur Andersen & Co. Real Estate Development Trends What is your outlook for Minnesota real estate development over the next three years? Gcxxi Not Good Cause for Concern Very Bright 57 % 30 I0 3 Which of the following ordinances will be enacted by one or more Minnesota local governments in the conning year? Fee increases 70% Limited growth 37 Subdivision exactions 35 Open space exactions 33 Low-cost housing exactions 29 Mass transit exactions 26 Day care exactions 17 No growth 5 Over the nert three years where in Minnesota will development be the most attractive:' Suburban Minneapolis Downtown Minneapolis Suburban St. Paul St. Cloud Rochester Duluth Downtown St. Paul 57 % 30 25 19 13 4 3 Over the next three rears. where nationally will development be the most attractive? Southwest U.S. Midwest U.S. Southeast U.S. Northeast U.S. Northwest U.S. 41 V 30 24 20 Anoka Apple Vallee Blaine Bloomington Brooklyn Center Brooklyn Park Burnsville Chanhassen Columbia Heights Coon Rapids Cottage Grove Duluth Eagan Eden Prairie Edina Fridley Golden Valle Hopkins Inver Grove Heights Lakeville Maple Grove Maplewood Mendota Hgts. Minneapolis Minnetonka New Brighton New Hope Oakdale Plymouth Richfield Rochester Rosemount Roseville St. Cloud St. Louis Park St. Paul Shakopee Stillwater Vadnais Heights Wayzata West St. Paul White Bear Lake Woodburn What are the greatest challenges facing real estate developers currently and during the next three yore'' Oversupply Environmental Financing Gov't regulation Fees and exaction Traffic High Prices Antigrowth sentiment Office tech. changes Three lean Currently Fmm Now 76% 49% 36 46 27 27 26 27 23 23 19 27 16 18 10 19 1 6 Which of the following cities do you consider to have regulatory environments which are hostile to or supportive of development? Supportive Hostile 75% 25% 80 20 72 28 54 46 53 47 75 25 65 35 76 24 49 51 89 11 81 19 60 40 53 47 47 53 30 70 65 35 33 67 55 45 85 15 78 __ 63 37 49 51 43 57 50 50 27 73 80 32 77 33 30 86 86 20 68 23 67 70 14 14 49 51 94 6 r. 73 7(1 30 74 26 63 _z7 78 14 53 84 80 4- 53 Io 8 Minnesota Real Estate Journal Which tithe following cities are "hot spots" currently, and which will be three years from now. for real estate development? Three hears C urrentlh From Now Anoka 9% 16% Apple Valley 21 24 Blaine 12 21 Bloomington '_2 12 Brooklyn Center 7 6 Brooklyn Park 17 17 Burnsville 25 14 Chanhassen 13 23 Columbia Heights 1 1 Coon Rapids 18 16 Cottage Grove 4 9 Duluth 5 10 Eagan 57 41 Eden Prairie 56 34 Edina 15 8 Fridley 3 4 Golden Valley 6 10 Hopkins 2 2 Inver Grove Heights 7 19 Lakeville 15 24 Maple Grove 31 32 Maplewood 6 7 Mendota Hgts. 8 10 'vlinneapolis 21 18 Minnetonka '_2 15 New Brighton 3 5 New Hope 2 2 Oakdale 14 18 Plymouth 42 30 Richfield 1 I Rochester 17 17 Rosemount 5 15 Roseville 14 10 St. Cloud 20 _'9 St. Louis Park 4 b St. Paul 3 7 Shakopee 7 19 Stillwater 7 17 Vadnais Heights 7 7 Wayzata 4 6 West St. Paul 1 1 White Bear Lake 5 8 Woodbury 28 39 Other 4 7 Which development products have the greatest potential currently and three years from now in Minnesota? Strip retail Single-family homes Unimproved land Industrial/warehouse Retirement housing Multifamily homes Low-rise office bids Regional retail High-rise office bldgs. R&D office buildings Hotels Other Three Years Currently From Now 49% 18% 39 25 29 30 26 25 18 41 15 26 13 15 8 11 7 10 5 12 3 b 3 Real Estate Financing What will the prime rate be one year from now'? 9% to 10% 38% 10% to 11% 36 11% to 12% 13 Below 9% 12% to 13% Over 13 % 0 11 To what extent will equity be used instead of debt to finance real estate transactions during the next year and three years from now? About the same Somewhat more Much more than now Somewhat less Much less than now Three Years Currently Fran Now 42% 29% 32 29 21 32 5 8 0 2 What do you expect to be the major source of financing for the real estate industry during next year? Insurance companies Pension funds Banks Government agencies Investment bankers Savings and loans Syndicators Three Years Currently From Naw 39% 23% 20 37 17 9 II 6 6 9 6 3 2 13 How will a Bush presidency affect Minnesota with respect to the following factors? Nn Increase Change Dana e 34%61% 5% Economic growth Global competitiveness Inflation Interest rates Unemployment rates Government regulations Income taxes Yields on real estate 37 54 9 28 64 8 27 58 I� 20 66 14 12 61 27 36 59 5 23 59 18 How would have a Dukakis presidency af- fected Minnesota with respect to the follow- ing factors? Economic growth Global competitiveness Inflation Interest rates Unemployment rates Government regulations Income taxes Yields on real estate No irk rube Change Decrease 15% 32% 53% 12 33 55 82 13 5 80 16 4 56 36 8 83 14 3 89 9 2 12 28 60 As a purchaser. what is the lowest cap rate you would consider paying for the following types of Minnesota properties? Ronal Strip Woman Suburban Apart - Retail Retail OfGa Offia ment 6% and below 3% 3% 2% 2% 6% 5 1 2 2 7% 15 5 5 3 8% 20 12 17 9 9% 22 25 23 22 25 I0% 20 30 26 28 30 ll % 7 12 11 14 10 12% 5 7 8 11 7 Above 12% 3 5 6 9 4 3% 3 4 14 How will property values change during the next year for the following types of Minnesota properties? know! Stop Dowtwown Suburban Retail Retail Office Office Significant increase 8% 6% 2% 2% 4% nCm Increase 44 38 27 21 30 No change 39 41 42 37 39 Decrease 8 14 26 35 24 Significant decrease 1 4 5 4 What factors are affecting those price movements? Regrow! Smr Downwwn Suburban Aqn- Rctil RetnI Oahu Officr mem Foreign investors 31 % 10 % U.S. institutional investors 35 19 20 Too much money 13 16 12 Too few sound deals 33 37 29 Lower rents 9 20 36 35% 12% 4% 14 16 L3 8 38 34 42 34 Alternative investments 13 19 15 18 24 Less competition 10 6 4 6 13 How will vacancy rates change during 1989? Reitman Stnp Dowrrowm Suburban Apm• Retail Retail Office Office mere Increase 24 % 50 % 47 % 43% 33% No change 61 23 29 35 39 Decrease L5 18 24 22 28 Minnesota Real Estate Journal Will 1989 be a better year than 1988 to buy or sell real estate? Buy No difference Sell 43 % 43 14 What factors make this a better year to: Buy real estate? Large supply Future appreciation 60% 36 Available financing 30 Low demand 25 Few alternative investments 20 Increasing rents 13 Tax law changes 10 Sell real estate'? Tax law changes 39 High demand 31 Decreasing rents 28 Many alternative investments 21 Low supply Tight money 11 Future depreciation 9 Will the number of transactions in 1989 be more than, less than or about the same as 1988? About the same 55 % Less More 15 23 Real Estate Special Topics Foreign Investment Have you i or your clients) been approached by a foreign investor about an acquisition or joint venture within the last 12 months? No 64% Yes 36 If so. what was ( were) the country(ies) of the investor(s)'? Japan 56% Canada 40 Germany 30 England 17 Other 14 Holland (Dutch i 13 Hong Kong 10 France 6 Australia 6 Taiwan 4 Which investors prefer to participate active- ly in real estate investment rather than merely providing funding? Japan Canada Germany England Holland (Dutch) Hong Kong Australia Taiwan Other France 63 % 51 28 18 10 10 8 5 4 4 Operations What steps does your firm currently take (and what does it plan to do) to protect itself from environmental liability when purchasing property? Cunsity Soil tests 77 % [ndemnity agreements 68 67 Environmental inspection 68 70 Past user inspection 48 42 Other 4 4 Planted 58% What will be the two greatest litigation threats during the next three years? Other toxic/env. hazards 67 % Asbestos 29 Community/land use 21 Tenant/landlord liability 19 Plan commission/land use 14 Gov't exactionsifees 14 Dvlpmt agreements/partnerships 11 Faulty construction 9 Bldg. tech/power deficiency 1 How concerned are you about the technological capabilities of your 'auilding(s) or office space and your ability to adapt to future technoiogy changes? Not concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned FUDIrc Ciatiioes ctuoEcs 55% 42% 34 44 11 14 Real Estate Syndication What is your outlook for real estate syn- dicators over the next three nears? Not Good 55% Good 29 Cause for Concern 13 Very Bright 3 What types of properties will provide the best opportunities for real estate syndicators in Minnesota during the next three years? Multifamily 33% Retail 31 Industrial/warehouse Z7 Self -storage 23 Unimproved land 22 Office 17 Dvpmt sngl fam homes 15 Hotels 12 R&D buildings 9 Other 4 Minnesota Real Estate Journal Participant Questionnaire In what segment do you participate? Development 44% Brokerage services 21 Marketing/Consulting 15 Individual investmnt 12 Lending 12 Other 11 Appraisal/Valuation 8 Corporate 7 Investment advisory svcs. 5 Architecture 5 Syndication 4 Legal services 4 Pension fund management 2 Accounting 2 What is your position within your organization? Other 29% CEO 21 Vice president 14 President 14 Partner 7 Managing partner 6 Senior vice pres. 5 Executive vice pres. 3 CFO 3 How long have you been involved in the real estate industry? 6 to 10 years 11 to 15 years 0 to 5 years 16 to 20 years 15 21 to 25 years 9 26 or more years 9 26% 23 18 What is the asset value of your organization? Up to $1 million 26% $I to $5 million Over $1 billion $10 to $25 million $50 to $100 million $5 to $10 million $100 to $500 million $25 to $50 million 5500 million to $1 billion 16 12 10 9 9 8 7 3 What is the annual gross revenue of your organization? Up to $1 million 29% $1 to $5 million 22 $5 to $10 million 12 $10 to $25 million 11 $25 to $50 million 6 $100 to $500 million 5 $50 to $100 million 5 $1 billion to $10 billion 4 $500 million to S1 billion 4 Does your organization have affiliates outside Minnesota? No 51% Yes 49% In which area of Minnesota does your organization do the most business? Minneapolis 38 % Other 11 Saint Paul 8 Bloomington 6 Minnetonka 4 Eden Prairie 3 St. Cloud 3 Rochester 3 Burnsville 2 St. Louis Park 2 Eagan 2 Plymouth 2 Edina 2 Roseville 2 Shakopee Duluth Woodbury Maple Grove Coon Rapids New Brighton Maplewood Golden Valley Apple Valley Hopkins Richfield Inver Grove Heights Fridley Mendota Heights Anoka Stillwater Brooklyn Center Lakeville Vadnais Heights Brooklyn Park Columbia Heights 0 Chanhassen 0 B'�ine 0 New Hope 0 Cottagr Grove 0 Wayzata 0 West Saint Paul 0 White Bear Lake 0 Rosemount 0 Oakdale 0 PRESS RELEASE The Cliff Lake Galleria and Towers (Ryan Hoffman Joint Venture) containing 99 acres located in the northwest quadrant of Cliff Road and Interstate 35E, was originally scheduled for the September 22, 1987, Advisory Planning Commission meeting. At the request of the Developer, this item has been continued to the October 27, 1987, Advisory Planning Commission meeting. -30- Ski atESTATE JOURNAL October 19, 1987 Dear Eagan Area Business Leader: What a pleasure it was to get to know the City of Eagan, Minnesota, and your fine business and civic leaders! We were met with warm, friendly welcomes during our news gathering and advertising efforts these past several weeks. We're proud to present to you the Minnesota Real Estate Journal's Market Focus on Eagan, Minn. Please find it enclosed hero. We thank all who participated in the Market Focus to make it a success, from our advertisers to our sources. If you did not participate, we look forward to the possibility of working with you in the future. Additional copier of the Market Focus are available at $50/50 (or $1.00 each after printing price). If you are not presently a subscriber to the Minnesota Real Estate •Journal, we invite you to subscribe for just $39 for a one year subscription. You will find a subscription card enclosed. The MREJ _offers you WEEKLY coverage of Minnesota's commercial real estate industry, poviding you with lively and comprehensive news and editorial. Once ayajn, we thank all our friends who particiated in the Market W. 1,1ok forward to working with you again in the very near utur , Whzncv?r we can be of further assistance, please do call. Warm r yar'ds, rs 1/ 4Mar i Aaarg ay Advertising Manager and Advertising Executives JJ Bowar, Carol Atkins -Gottlieb, Mary L. Schreck, Bob Martin 7701 YORK AVENUE SOUTH • SUITE 390 • EDINA, MN 55435 • (612) 893-1816 city of eagan 3830 PLOT KNOB ROAD, P.O. BOX 21199 EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121 PHONE (612) 454-8100 September 21, 1987 Dear Eagan Business Leader: BEA BLOMQUIST Mayor THOMAS EGAN JAMES A. SMITH VAC ELLISON THEODORE WACHTER Council Members THOMAS HEDGES City Administrator EUGENE VAN OVERBEKE City Clerk The City of Eagan has been chosen as a subject for the special "Market Focus" section of the October issue of the Minnesota Real Estate Journal. The Eagan "Market Focus" creates a unique opportun- ity to promote business and development in our community. This issue will deal exclusively with Eagan business opportunities development and the special features of our community. The Minnesota Real Estate Journal is distributed to leading investors, brokers, developers and business executives throughout the State of Minnesota and especially within our metropolitan area. It is during the next week to ten days that an advertising account executive from the Minnesota Real Estate Journal will be calling upon you to determine your willingness to advertise in the October Eagan Market Focus edition. I encourage you to participate in this opportunity by advertising in this special edition. Sincerely, Bea Blom quist Mayor THE LONE OAK TREE ... THE SYMBOL OF STRENGTH AND GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY / June 22, 1987 Letter to the Editor: The City of Eagan has always taken pride in the fact that we have a planned community. The City put together its first zoning plan in January 1974. That plan, after many public hearings and much citizen input, was the same plan that is the basis for our Comprehensive Guide Plan approved by the City in 1980. To date, with your support, the Eagan City Council has stood firm to the idea that the Plan is the backbone of the community. I, too, believe the Plan should not be taken lightly. I thank you for your support in this belief for now we have Target on land that was designated for commercial/retail use. Even though from time to time it can be difficult --and it has been painful for my family at times --hanging in there for what you believe in is the most important thing. Again, I thank everyone involved for their support. Sincerely, Bea Blomquist Mayor BB/kf 1 Quote From Tom Hedges Regarding NWA layoffs: C Gp 7 We are certainly concerned about any loss of jobs within our community of Eagan or within our regional area; however, the results of this layoff are too early to determine. I have not spoken directly with Northwest Airlines but will plan to do so within the next 24 hours. city of =agan 3795 PILOT KNOB ROAD, P.O. BOX 21199 EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121 PHONE: (612) 454-8100 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: BEA BLOMQUIST Mayor THOMAS EGAN JAMES A. SMITH JERRY THOMAS THEODORE WACHTER Council Members THOMAS HEDGES City Administrator EUGENE VAN OVERBEKE City Clerk The City of Eagan plans to recognize its volunteers in special ceremonies to be held Saturday, June 9, 1984, at the new Eagan Muni- cipal Center. The highlight of the special Volunteer Recognition Day will be a noontime dedication ceremony for the "Old Wescott School Bell" which is to be mounted above the city council chambers on the ex- terior of the new municipal center building. The bell, which was recently purchased from Ella Sachwitz and refinished by the city, is the original bell from the historic Wescott School in Eagan. Prior to the dedication ceremony, volunteer members of the Advisory Planning Commission, Advisory Parks and Recreation Commis- sion, Cable Television Commission, Assessment Committee and Economic Development Commission will take a bus tour of Eagan with the Mayor and City Council to study the areas of new development and areas which are planned for development in the near future. The tour will be narrated by the City Administrator with the assistance of City department heads. After the bus tour and dedication ceremony, the volunteers will be joined by members of the Eagan Volunteer Fire Department for a "picnic" lunch at the Fire Administration Building. After the lunch, Mayor Bea Blomquist will present certificates of appreciation to the volunteer residents. THE LONE OAK TREE ... THE SYMBOL OF STRENGTH AND GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY 5 /7q /Rd MEMO TO: MAYOR BLOMQUIST BILL ESCHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NORTHERN DAKOTA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JERRY MARKO, PRESIDENT, EAGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE KIRK DUHOLM, CHAIRMAN, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE LARRY WENZEL, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CITY OF EAGAN DALE RUNKLE, CITY PLANNER FROM: CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES DATE: MAy 5, 1987 SUBJECT: MINNESOTA REAL ESTATE JOURNAL/MARKET FOCUS SERIES FOR CITY OF EAGAN A meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, May 20, at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room A of the Eagan Municipal Center Building to discuss participation by the City of Eagan in a market focus series which would appear in a future edition of the Minnesota Real Estate Journal. Attached is a letter from Mari Adamson -Bray who is Advertising Manager for the Real Estate Journal and will be present for the meeting on the 20th. You are all invited to attend. If you know other commercial real estate business leaders or community leaders who would like to be in attendance, please feel free to include them at the meeting on the 20th. CkikavVUZajU City Administrator cc: Jon Hohenstein, Administrative Assistant TLH/kf SH "�L ESTATE JOURNAL April 28, 1987 Tan Hedges City Administrator, City of Eagan 3830 Pilot Knob Road P.O. Box 21199 Eagan, MN 55121 Dear Tom: The City of Eagan is indeed a hub of corruuercial real estate activity. I thank you for your interest in the Minnesota Real Estate Journal and its Market Focus series. I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with you about the prospects of publishing a Minnesota Real Estate Journal Market Focus on Eagan. Of course we've covered your city in past editions of the MREJ, but not as extensively as we might in the Market Focus edition. We would very much like to meet with you and other top civic and business leaders on Wednesday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. (PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE). We hope to gather the following individuals in the preliminary greetings which would set the stage for a successful Market Focus edition: -City Administrator - Mayor -Community Development Director -City HRA Director/Planner -Chamber of Commerce EVP/Director -Chamber of Commerce President - Industrial Development Corp. President/Director Top commercial real estate business leaders -Star City President/Director/Representative Publisher Mary Carlson, Special Sections Editor Catherine Shipman and myself will present the Market Focus concept, walk you through how a Market Focus is developed and the commitments we need from the city and the community. The greeting will last one to one and one half hours. We look forward to meeting with you and the above individuals on the 20th, Tom, and I will call around May 18th to confirm the meeting attendance. Best yegards, Mari Ada{nsorlBfay, Advert i s il1Lt,1"era UE SOUTH • SUITE 390 • EDINA, MN 55435 • (612) 893-1816 city of eagan 3830 PILOT KNOB ROAD, P.O BOX 21199 EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121 PHONE (612) 454-8100 February 17, 1987 MARI ADAMSON-BRAY MINNESOTA REAL ESTATE JOURNAL 7701 YORK AVENUE SOUTH SUITE 390 EDINA MN 55435 Re: City of Eagan Market Focus Dear Ms. Adamson -Bray: BEA BLOMQUIST Mayor THOMAS EGAN JAMES A. SMITH VIC ELLISON THEODORE WACHTER Council Members THOMAS HEDGES City Administrator EUGENE VAN OVERBEKE City Clerk In response to your letter of the 9th, this letter is to inform you that the City of Eagan would be most interested in the possibility in being the subject of your Market Focus section in the near future. While I believe that the City was among the first profiled by your publication in a market focus section, it has been some time since that occurred and the City has changed substantially since then. While recent press coverage of the community has focused on its retail development, Eagan is a balanced community with residential and employment growth which is among the most rapid in the Metropolitan region. For many years, Eagan was among the best kept secrets in this market. These days, many people have heard of Eagan, but not many have had the chance to hear the whole story on the City. The City added approximately 3,000 new jobs and 5,000 people in 1986. Despite its approaching 50% saturation, platting activity is as strong this year as its been in the two record breaking years previous. Major employers are making major committments to the area and we believe that the Minnesota Real Estate Journal readership should have the opportunity to see everything that's going on here. I would be happy to discuss the possibility of undertaking a market focus edition with your editorial staff. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact my office. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter. Sincerely yours, Thomas L. Hedges City Administrator TLH/J DH/ 1 eh -THE LONE OAK TREE THE SYMBOL OF STRENGTH AND GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY PAUL PIONEER PRESS DISPATCH MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1989 p /9A Officials will brake e for fast-growing Eagan By Tony Blass Staff Writer Since 1980, Eagan has proclaimed itself the fastest -growing city in Minnesota. But in the past 18 months, local officials have quietly applied the brakes to the wild growth that caused this strip -mall suburb to double in size during the Reagan years. Built over potato fields south of the Twin Cities, Eagan is synonymous with growth. "For years, it's been our claim to fame," Mayor Vic Ellison said. "Anytime you read about Eagan, it was in connection with the growth, and it has been a source of pride." But there has been a price. Eagan, like a gangly teen-ager confused by his own growth, has struggled to establish an iden- tity. It is a city of 45,000 mostly young, well-educated people who don't yet have a high school, a main street or a downtown. "It's so exciting to have 1,000 new homes built each year," Ellison said. "But we don't want to be the apartment capital of Minnesota or the starter home capital of the world." Yet, that was the direction. City officials welcomed a swelling tax base, and they discovered that with an increased popula- tion, Eagan enjoyed greater regional and statewide political influence. Also, money from a steady stream of building permits provided what one official described as a "short-term financial fix." "But it's a long-term loser," the mayor said. "In five, 10 or 15 years down the road, you're left with a city that isn't very attractive. I'm afraid that in the past we didn't have our standards set very high." At the urging of Ellison, who was elect- ed in November 19A7, city officials made a conscious decision t, 1988 to slow residen- tial growth. Eagan residents had com- plained that the city was overrun with apartment buildings, some that became eyesores only a few years after they were built. About 32 percent of the city's popu- lation lives in apartment units and only slightly more than half the population lives in single family homes. During the past 18 months, Eagan has adopted a series of restrictive measures that city officials predict will slow growth this year as much as 30 percent and per- haps encourage more quality develop- ment. Ellison said higher interest rates have contributed to the slowdown. As a result, Eden Prairie, Plymouth or Burnsville could easily replace Eagan as Minnesota's fastest -growing city, accord- ing to figures from the Metropolitan Coun- cil. The Eagan City Council began the re- strictive measures last summer when it passed an ordinance forbidding the use of wood or vinyl on the exteriors of new apartment buildings. The council insisted that for aesthetic and safety reasons de- velopers must use more costly materials such as brick or stone on at least 50 percent of the exterior. "We're trying to get away from cheap, trashy apartments that fall apart in five years," Ellison said. City staff followed suit by adopt- ing erosion control standards for apartment buildings and single family homes. where new policy requires sodding and seeding. In addition, new apartment com- plexes must have an underground sprinkler system and underground or attached garages. "We would prefer that apart- ments not be built," the mayor said. "And we're saying, 'If you're going to build, it's going to cost you a lot of money.' " Ellison said there have been no new apartment complexes built since he took office in January 1988. Last year, he said, the coun- cil approved at least three permits for apartments, but no one has started building. Another ordinance passed by the council requires two -car attached garages for all new single-family homes. There was no previous re- quirement for garages. Dale Runkle, community devel- opment director, said the city also ressurrected a 1975 ordinance that requires new homes be built on lots no smaller than 12,000 square feet. Since about 1980, city officials ig- nored the ordinance, allowing homes to be built on lots as small as 6,500 square feet. he said. "The last couple of years," Run- kle said, "the theme has been qual- ity, not quantity." City Administrator Tom Hedges said that shift in philosophy is help- ing city staff, who at times were overwhelmed with a heavy work- load. He said the influx of people into the city — at a rate of up to 5,000 a year — created a demand for services that was sometimes greater than the city could match. "It's never been our intention, motive or objective to be the fast- est -growing city in the state," Hedges said. But according to Michael Mun- son, a Metropolitan Council fore- caster and analyst, no city in Min- nesota has matched Eagan's growth since 1980. Eagan has add- ed 8,770 total households in the past eight years, compared to 7,396 in Eden Prairie; 6,834 in Plymouth; 5,582 in Burnsville; and 5,238 in Bloomington. Eagan is a bedroom community that became a hot spot for develop- ment in the early 1980s when inter - states 35E and 494 were extended through the city and bridge work was completed on Cedar Avenue. These roadways combined to pro- vide major access routes from all directions in and out of the city. The city also is close to the Min- neapolis -St. Paul International Air- port. but endures relatively little jet noise, and it's about the same distance from both downtown met- ropolitan areas. Also, the new Eagan High School will open next year in Independent School District 196, which enjoys an excellent rep- utation. But Eagan's reputation as the state's fastest -growing city may al- ready be fading. "I expect that we're going to re- linquish that title this year," Elli- son said. '`And I'm very happy to give it up." 2,506/ - Eagan hopes to attract development Eagan officials hope to attract more office development in the last few relocating in Minnesota, you contact commercial and industrial develop- years. the state and they might say, 'Eagan ment to their growing city with a is a Star City and here's their pro - newly formed Economic Develop- "We've had Sperry expand with a gram.' We'll do a lot of the type of ment Commission. major semiconductor plant, Comsery research that industry would have to Corporation build their world head- do on their own." The commission will help the city quarters here. West Publishing Co. sell itself to companies around the relocated from St. Paul to Eagan. The commission appointed officers country, keep in touch with business- Coca-Cola Bottling has the largest and formed subcommittees thi es in town and achieve a "Star -City- Coca-Cola bottling facility in the month. Commission members ar for -Economic -Development" desig- United States in Eagan. These have Chairman Larry Wenzel of Wenzel nation from the Minnesota Depart- all occurred in the last four years," Mechanical; Vice chairman Roge ment of Energy and Economic De- he said. Lee, representing Peoples Natural velopment. Gas Co.; Secretary David Kleimola, But the city has plenty of room left Professional Travel Management; That designation tells potential de- to grow, he said. The commission, Mark Parranto, J.E. Parranto and velopers that the city has stream- made up largely of Eagan business Associates, Inc.; Larry Kraning, Nor lined the review process for new leaders, will research the communi- west Bank Old St. Anthony; Edna F. developments and improved inspec- ty's labor pool, work on a one-year Street, Street Productions, R.E. Ste- tsons and enforcement. Several cities and a five-year plan and improve venson of Signal Hills Bank and John in the metropolitan and outstate area communications with local business- McCall of Economics Laborato,y have been named Star Cities. es. . and Hedges. - Tom Hedges, city administrator and "We hope to attract new growth," a member of the commission, said Ea- Hedges said. "If you're an industry gan has seen healthy industrial and In state X, and you're looking at L.-..,,,44...L4x...t. .w,_; •:.- L _.. �r:..;,, '.S'an -dvr' �r"k.:s s::., /1 1 P�.s -S tf► ip 7 %JrnI_ Ai/Z city of Cagan 3830 PILOT KNOB ROAD, P.O. BOX 21199 EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121 PHONE: (612) 454-8100 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: BEA BLOMQUIST Mayor THOMAS EGAN JAMES A. SMITH JERRY THOMAS THEODORE WACHTER Council Members THOMAS HEDGES City Administrator EUGENE VAN OVERBEKE City Clerk The City of Eagan expects to receive a "Star City" rating in late October. Designation ceremonies are planned to be held in conjunction with the "Eagan Commercial/Industry Day" sponsored by the Dakota County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, October 25. The Minnesota Department of Economic Development's Star City program is designed to indicate cities well -prepared for economic and community development to business and industry seeking a place to locate. Besides helping cities to organize their development plans and goals, the Star City program offers prestige to the cities that are accepted. The Eagan Economic Development Commission, comprised of local business leaders and city officials, has worked hard during the past year to fulfill the program's requirements. Members of the commission include Larry Wenzel, chairperson; Roger Lee, vice chair- person; David Kleimola, secretary; and members Thomas L. Hedges, Larry Kraning, John McCall, Mark Parranto, R. E. Stevenson, and Edna F. Street. Mayor Bea Blomquist and City Councilmembers Jim Smith and Ted Wachter have served as ad hoc members of the commission. The Star City presentation ceremonies are scheduled to be held at approximately 5:00 p.m. at the Yankee Square Inn. -30- THE LONE OAK TREE ... THE SYMBOL OF STRENGTH AND GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY 10-10-84 city of eagan 3795 PILOT KNOB ROAD, P.O. BOX 21199 EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121 PHONE: (612) 454-8100 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BEA BLOMQUIST Mayor THOMAS EGAN JAMES A. SMITH JERRY THOMAS THEODORE WACHTER Council Members THOMAS HEDGES City Administrator EUGENE VAN OVERBEKE City Clerk The deadline for applications to serve on the new Eagan Local Development Commission has been extended to Dec. 1. The City Council will appoint members at the Dec. 6 council meeting. The commission will be an advisory body to the City Council, helping to create short and long range economic development planning for Eagan, and will work with local business and industry to encourage new industry to locate in the city. The commission will be composed of representatives of the following professions: plant manager or industrial owner, finance, real estate, local media, local utility services, local retail trade and city government. The formation of the commission is one of the criteria necessary for qualifying as a "Star City." Persons interested in serving on the commission should submit a letter of application to Thomas Hedges, City Administrator, 3795 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122. For additional information, contact the city administrator's office at 454-8100. - 30 - THE LONE OAK TREE. THE SYMBOL OF STRENGTH AND GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY oo `Y`,_CD wAy '+ ro y oCAG = Cf] p._ 's n O..'3 CM C D A Dr-w ov`CO=wn m6f Rm MG. c�D E o—' eD a.e.'° o �� w- awg •o_a°ay. ccco w �° - o .' C17y m r.v m o c�D ., ECCD o �`< 0 5 w o C s 5' .8 w a QQ 04 •z o f N co z p '2 v' " M < 'I eD o g .p CDCA g 00 0 "' 0 o _ C CD G .y ." O —la o3z5°' acr mom oow�o Ew wp' �m▪ ~mow m �'$,-cnCCDD�' 4 P w w • O �, O. O•�'C "CCD E. `7' a O.Yas cn S3JQ3H WO! TIixxng 333r /Cg .'30 o, 6, tT7c 5 C St 5' xc-15'w� A~- 5 cD col 0 CL to �5'•O co z o m QQ cD eo 2, E.o 5 o .1.004 $ m E- < Ecc �>4 coo - -,0 . m w • ��p o0 000a e,a.ww• SeD• o o'o-rc,,°eo :? Y C.'C ° < ' y c £, .".. o• ,. o. 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E' CCD d4 ►s iw cn 'O • m 0. •co a• ma rri CO 11) CO O Ir• 02 el ze o_ Eagan Minnesota COMMUNITY PROFILE TOWN Eagan Distance and Direction from Minneapolis/St. Paul 1950 Census 1960 Census 1970 Census Major employers in area: Univac City MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC / DEVELOPMENT // COUNTY Dakota REGION 11 to miles South Duluth 140 miles South POPULATION County 49, 019 Firm 3,382 10,398 Minnesota Hospital Service (MII) MDS Atron 78,303 139,808 INDUSTRY SMSA * 1,186,684 1,535,297 1,874,612 No. Product/Service employees Computers 2,600 Health Insurance 800 Union of Emp. (Give Initials) In Union Computer Components •578 US Bulk Mail Donaldson Economics Laboratories American Fruit & Produce Co. Lull Engineering McKee Enterprises Villaume Ind. Male Female Postal Service Combustion Eng. Air Cleaners Cleaning Agents Fresh and -Frozen Prnduct.s Mfg. Mech. Hoists Auto Shipping Wood Fabricating EMPLOYMENT Manufacturing Non -manufacturing *Total 1970 Census 482,870 325,827 400 350 200 200 200 160 180 *Percent Mfg. Workers in Unions 80+ *Unemployment 3.7 % labor force. Strikes (past 5 years) affecting 5% or more of the labor force Labor availability survey Date Male Female (availa,ie1 * Manufacturiog Occupations In Area* (Production and Clerical) Occupation or Job Title Median Wage Warehouseman $ 6.28 /hr. Engine Lathe Operator $ 5.00 /hr. 4.55 /hr. Punch Press Operator $ 4.21 /hr. Drill Press Operator $ 3.98 /hr. 3.7 3 /hr. Bookkeeping Machine Operator $ 3.02 /hr. Clerk —Typist 2.91 Coremaker Electronic Assembler Rail Lines (companies) Frequency of Service Unlimited Passenger NO Reciprocal Switching Yes Distance to Main Line Switching TRANSPORTATION Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul Railroad; C&NW Top Wage _ /hr. /hr. /hr. $ /hr. /hr. /hr. _ /hr. Truck Lines (companies) 27 headquartered in metro area (over 100 lst. class carriers) * No. of terminals 60 Railway Express Yes Overnight service to Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha United Parcel Yes * Airport___12 Nearest Minneapolis —St. Paul International * Airlines 6 national, 3 regional Charter Service Yes * Navigation Aids GCA, ILS, Unicom Lighting, VHF Omni (All FAA * Runway length, surface 11,000 feet concrete Bus — Inter City Lines Greyhound, Jefferson, Zephyrintra City Dickenson Highway route numbers, Interstate I-35E, I-494 Federal * Special Municipal rate County School rate Total rate MTC Commercial Yes Jet Service Yes aids for Int'1. Distance to CBD l0AMi�Oest) State #$55, #49, #13, Load Limits 9 ton #30 #26 ' Distance to interstate Adjacent Navigable water No 1973 TAXES PAYABLE 1974 METHOD OF ASSESSMENT Minnesota real estate taxes are based on market value. Market value is construed to be the price that a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in a free market. A two- step formula is used for determining property taxes in Minne- sota. I. Market value times 43% equals assessed valuation. 2. Assessed valuation times the mill rate equals property taxes. .50 $ .85 1.92 5.70 $ 8.97 /$ 100 valuation /$I00 valuation /$100 valuation /$ 100 valuation Depth GOVERNMENT Organization: (X) mayor council ( ) limited mayor ( ) manager council ( ) commission ( ) other Area within city limits__ 0, 400 acres Undeveloped 7,000 acres Parks 2,200 acres Police Force, regular 12 part time 2 Fire dept., regular Annual budget $ 96 5 , 713.00 Primary sources of revenue volunteer Taxes, State Aid 70 Streets e/, paved Territory covered by zoning ordinances: municipality (x) county ( ) township ( ) Master Plan: (x) yes ( ) no Industrial plans must be approved by Advisory Planning Committee Insurance rating in community: class 1 2 3 4 5()7 8 9 10 (circle) WATER UTILITIES Municipal water source: ( ) s+ream ( ) lake (x) wells Storage capacity 5 i million gals. Pumping capacity 4,000 gal./min. Avg. demand 700 gals./min. Peak demand 2,100 gals./min. Industrial water rate_ $9.00 per quarter for 20,000 gallons; $30 per 1,000 gallons over 20, 000 gallons Total hardness tapwater 310 ppm SEWER Capacity sewage treatment plant 24 mil. G/D; Peak demand 42 mil. G/D; Avg. demand 24 mil . G/D Sewer use charge ELECTRICITY Electric service: By $9.40 per quarter Dakota Electric Association & Northern area covered City States Power Co. For rate data, contact Harlan Henke 612/463-7134 GAS Gas service: By For rate data, contact TELEPHONE Northern States Power Company and Peoples Natural Gas Co. Nick Dries 612/459-7977 L. R. Mohlis 612/454-6080 Telephone company serving area * Number of hotel% 48 * Hospital beds 10,603 * Nearest hospital, if not in Northwestern Bell Telephone Company COMMUNITY SERVICES total rms 8,000 Number of motels 150 Nursing Home Beds 15,674 Doctors 4,000 total units Dentists town 38 hospitals in metro area Number churches: Protestant Catholic Jewish Other * Main cultural attractions, festivals Winter Carnival & all 6,000 1,800 Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie Theater, Aquatennial, associated with a metro area of 1.8 million population Parks & Playgrounds: municipal 12 State 1 private 1 *Golf courses: municipal 21 *Sports: college All sport 5 *News Media: papers: daily 2 weekly 28 * T.V. Network affiliations private 74 professional Baseball, Hockey, Football twice weekly radio stations AM 18 FM 16 ABC, CBS, NBC, NET Alcoholic beverages sold: package (x ) Meeting facilities: no. of 1 No. of co. owned chain retail stores None Major dept. stores None chopping cntrs. 1 *Names of banks/S&L/deposits for each 133 banks 55 Saving and Loan Branch Offices Tennis Reception from KMSP, WCCO, KSTP, KTCA,KTCI, Capacity of largest three mixed drinks (X) prohibited ( ) pvt. clubs 1 WTCN 200, *Public libraries 75 No. volumes: technical 79,500 United Fund: ( ) yes ( ) no Percent of quota last three years Service organizations Jaycees, Lions, Cedar Athletic Assn. Men's Eagan Athletic Association total _ 1,520,547 total membership 220 No. elementary schools No. junior high schools No. high schools 4 1 Annual cost per pupil No. parochial schools 1 No. private schools Nearest area vocational -training school Nearest Junior College EDUCATION total enrollment 2, 301 grades included K-6 total enrollment 854 grades included 7-9 total enrollment grades included Pupil to teacher ratio: elementary 25/1 high school total enrollment 250 grades included K-6 total enrollment grades included Farmington Distance 6 miles Inver Grove Heights Distance 6 miles *Nearest college or university Ten colleges and universities * Liberal Arts Ten colleges and universities Distance * Engineering University of Minnesota * Business Administration Three colleges and universities * Graduate Schools Sixteen graduate schools including nursing and seminary CLIMATE Coldest Month Jan • Mean Daily Max 22.4 °F Mean Daily Min 2.3 °F Hottest month Ju1YMean Daily Max 83•9°F Mean Daily Min 60.7 °F Average annual precipitation 24.78 inches Snow 42.2 inches INDUSTRIAL SITES ** Name or number of site: Eagan Ind. Park No. days over 90 degrees 14 No. days between killing frosts 167 Name or number of site: Sibley Ind. Park Total available acreage in site 3, 000 acres Total available acreage in site 80.4 acres Owner of site is: Rauenhorst Corp. Owner of site is- Bud Johnson, Inc. Option held by local industrial development group: Option held by local industrial development group: ( ) yes ( ) no Date of option expiration. ( ) yes (x) no Date of option expiration. Site is zoned: ( ) yes (x) no In city limits: (x) yes ( ) no Site is zoned: (x) yes ( ) no In city limits: (x) yes ( ) no If not in city, miles from city limits: If not in city, miles from city limits- Tax levy of site (per $100)• $ 3.86 Tax levy of site (per $ 100): $ 3.86 Services available at site: (x) rail (x) electricity (x) gas Services available at site: ( X) rail (X) electricity (1 gas (x ) treated water (x) sewer (x) treated water (x) sewer Local development corporation LOCATION SERVICES Northern Dakota County Chamber of Commerce Full time chamber of commerce manager yes (x) no ( ) Brochure available yes ( ) no (x) Community contacts: Robert L. Hanson Executive Secretary Northern Dakota County Chamber of Commerce 33 East Wentworth Avenue, Suite 101 West St. Paul, Minnesota 55118 612/224-4921 **Cedar Industrial Park 156 acres J. A. Ottmann, owner $3.86 tax levy All services available REMARKS: *Seven County Metropolitan Statistics Industrial Development Division Department of Economic Development 480 Cedar Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 612 296-5021 County -City Code No Prepared/Revised 10/1974 Senate District 53 House District 5 3A Formal/69 roe- jan. Halrfx �5111 TRIB u N MAIN OFFICE FARMINGTON 463-7884 APPLE VALLEY OFFICE LAKEVILLE OFFICE . - 469-2000 ROSEMOUNT OFFICE BURNSVILLE OFFICE 890-2530 INVER GROVE HEIGHTS OFFICE 44 PAGES 432.4646 423-2636 225-1405 Y 7, 1974 NUMBER FIFTY Auditor Announces 1974 Tax Rates For County The Dakota County tax rates for 1974 for all municipalities in the county have been an- nounced. The figures, as re- leased by County Auditor Carl Onischuk, show the highest school taxes paid in South St. Paul, and the highest citytaxes in Hastings. Taxes in South St. Paul, Dis- trict 6, are 81.38 mills, com- pared with the lowest school tax rate of 35.42 for agricul- tural property in Hastings, Dis- trict 200, and 43.75 for non- agricultural property in Has- tings. The Hastings city mill rate is 32.01, while residents of Sun - Fish Lake have no city tax. Coates residents pay .33 mills. The highest township rate, rural Lakeville, is 13.79 mills, in com- parison with Nininger's low rate of 2.08 mills. All of these tax rates are shown in tables accompaningthis article. Communities payingthe transit tax are Apple Valley, Burnsville, Coates, Eagan, Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Lilydale, Mendota Heights, Mendota, Rose- mount, South St. Paul, Sunfish Lake and West St. Paul. Onischuk explains a typical tax computation by using the Hastings City tax rates. He starts with a home with a market valuation of $20,000 and an assessed valuation of $6,200. Mill rates applicable would be school district, 43.75; county, 19.25; city, 32.01; and miscel- laneous (mosquito conti:l and Metro Council) .45, for a total mill rate of 95.46. 1973 1974 Watershed .67 .59 Transit 1.30 2.02 Mosquito Control .16 .19 Metro Council .21 .26 COUNTY Revenue 5.47 5.87 Road & Bridge 3.70 4.22 Welfare 6.73 5.69 Co. Bldg 1.57 .46 Dak. Co. Ag (Fair) .10 .09 Mental Health .29 .33 Parks (2M) .30 1.14 Co. Library 1.19 1.24 Co. Library Bldg .32 .21 19.67 19.25 So. St. Paul Total 18.16 17.80 CITIES & VILLAGES - 1973 1974 Apple Valley 10.49 13.40 Burnsville 14.43 15.18 Coates 2.19 .33 Eagan 8.30 8.46 Farmington (Rural) 12.80 13.10 Farmington (Balance) 25.25 26.72 Hampton 22.48 28.28 Hastings 29.45 32.01 Inver Grove Hts 9.28 10.02 Lakeville (Part) 13.58 16.34 Lilydale 8.37 15.59 Mendota 6.98 16.67 Mendota Heights 12.64 12.47 Miesville 4.10 5.63 New Trier 11.14 10.22 Randolph 0 5.00 Rosemount 5.53 6.51 South St. Paul . 27.38 27.08 Sunfish Lake 0 0 Vermillion 9.58 8.72 West St. Paul 21.35 20.31 To compute the tax, the as- sessed value of $6,200 is mul- tiplied by the 95.46 mills, for a gross tax of $591.85. Home- stead credit, 41.71 mills times the $6,200, is $258.60. This re- ,lte ' ,art tax re $339.25, The homestead credit is 45 percent of the general revenue portion of the property tax, in- cluding school debt. The debt retirement portion, excluding school debt, is computed without credit. Unofficial calculations of changes in mill rates for the county, city and school dis- tricts from 1973 to 1974 show the following changes: Burns- ville, non-ag, down 5.81 mills; Rosemount, non-ag, down 4.62 mills; Inver Grove Heights, Non-ag, down 3.55 mills; Lake- ville, non-ag, up 11.76 mills; Farmington, non-ag, up 19.20 mills. Because of changes inthe tax laws, the tax actually paid on lower - cost homes in Farmington and Lakeville may drop. The tax rates for 1973 and 1974 are as follows: -TOWNSHII's 1973 1974 Castle Rock 1.75 1.68 Douglas 11.01 9.97 Empire 3.22 3.16 Eureka . 4.50 4.36 Greer vale 3.21 Hampton 5.66 5.45 Lakeville (Part) 11.90 13.79 Marshan 6.42 6.01 Nininger 1.91 2.08 Randolph ... 4.77 6.51 Ravenna 5.86 4.53 Sciota 6.46 5.25 Vermillion 8.24 7.88 Waterford 3.60 3.48 SCHOOL DISTRICTS 1973 1974 6 South St. Paul 79.96 81.38 191 Burnsville Ag 55.54 49.40 Non. Ag 63.87 57.73 192 Farmington Ag 37.83 55.98 Non. Ag 46.16 64.31 194 Lakeville Ag 48.10 57.84 Non. Ag 56.43 66.17 195 Randolph Ag 49.55 49.40 Non. Ag 57.88 57.73 196 Rosemount Ag 55.14 50.86 Non. Ag 63.47 59.19 197 West St. Paul Ag 53.11 50.67 Non. Ag. 61.44 59.00 199 Inver Grove Heights Ag 44.69 40.82 Non. Ag 53.02 49.15 200 Hastings Ag 38.91 35.42 Non. Ag 47.24 43.75 252 Cannon Falls Ag 46.23 53.11_ Non. Ag 54.57 61.45 659 Northfield Ag 63.93 63.55 Non. Ag 72.27 71.89 OCTOBER 17, 1974 Population, Employment Predictions DAKOTA COUNTY POPULATION FORECASTS 1970 1974 1980 1990 2000 APPLE VALLEY 8,502 13,851 22,750 39,650 55,000 BURNSVILLE 19,940 30,466 45,000 64,500 82,400 CASTLE ROCK TWP. 1,235 1,343 1,450 1,500 1,650 COATES 212 220 200 200 250 DOUCLAS TWP. 552 622 650 650 700 EAGAN TWP. 10,398 16,014 30,900 53,200 73,800 EMPIRE TWP, 1,136 1,215 1,300 1,800 2,800 EUREKA TWP. 860 1,080 1,100 1,300 1,450 FARMINGTON 3,104 4,093 4,400 5,000 5,900 GREENVALE TWP. 624 707 750 750 800 HAMPTON 369 380 400 450 500 HAMPTON TWP. 595 735 800 800 850 HASTINGS (PT.) 12,179 13,304 15,000 18,400 21,500 INVERGROVEHEIGHTS 12,148 15,619 23,650 39,700 53,500 LAKEVILLE 7,556 10,997 14,400 22,000 32,400 LILY DALE 322 426 850 850 800 MARSIIAN TWP. 1,186 1,540 1,650 1,950 2,200 MENDOTA 266 260 350 450 450 MENDOTA HEIGHTS 6,565 7,243 9,700 14,500 20,100 MEISVILLE 192 190 200 200 200 NEW TRIER NININGER TWP. RAN DOLPH RAND LPH TWP. RAVENNA TWP. ROSEMOUNT SCIOTA TWP. SOUTH ST. PAUL SUNFISH LAKE VERMILLION VERMILLION TWP. WATERFORD TWP. WEST ST. PAUL TOTAL 153 146 K0, 150 150 554 687 8'Q0 950 1,500 350 386 400 450 500 267 310 350 350 400 550 1,055 1,250 1,550 1,800 4,034 4,706 5,650 9,800 15,500 213 241 250 300 400 25,016 24,535 24,900 24,000 23,350 269 303 550 1,100 1,700 359 392 400 450 500 779 913 1,000 1,100 1,200 521 582 600 650 700 18,802 20,599 21,300 22,000 21,700 139,808 175,160 233,100 330,700 426,650 DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE For Dakota County DAKOTA COUNTY EMPLOYMENT FORECASTS 1970 1980 1990 2000 APPLE VALLEY 300 2,000 7,000 14,900 BURNSVILLE 2,808 11,300 20,800 25,800 CASTLE ROCK TWP. 49 80 100 120 COATES 10 20 50 80 DOUGLAS TWP. 2 10 10 20 EAGAN TWP. 5,915 15,800 25,800 37,500 EMPIRE TWP. 44 50 150 350 EUREKA TWP. 4 120 160 200 FARMINGTON 680 990 1,350 1,750 GREENVALE TWP. 2 10 30 50 HAMPTON 87 120 170 200 HAMPTON TWP. 8 10 20 30 HASTINGS (PT.) 3,545 5,170 6,950 9,000 INVER GROVE HEIGHTS 2,083 6,420 10,350 20,300 LAKEVILLE 1,143 2,200 4,000 6,200 LILYDALE 250 500 700 800 MARSHAN TWP. 4 20 50 120 MENDOTA 300 400 500 600 MENDOTA HEIGHTS 1,254 4,300 6 , 800 9,800 MEISVILLE 17 30 40 50 NEW TRIER 9 10 20 30 NININGER TWP. 8 30 250 500 RANDOLPH 34 50 70 100 RANDOLPH TWP. 8 10 20 30 RAVENNA TWP. 4 10 50 100 ROSEMOUNT 2,534 3,600 6,600 10,000 SCIOTA TWP. 1 10 10 20 SOUTH ST. PAUL 8,364 10,350 12,050 13,000 SUNFISH LAKE 50 80 150 200 VERMILLION 24 40 50 70 VERMILLION TWP. 4 20 50 70 WATERFORD TWP. 28 30 50 60 WEST ST. PAUL 4,541 8,150 10,650 12,500 TOTAL 34,114 71,940 115,050 164,550 Community Minneapolis Star and Tribune Thursday/Dec. 2/ 1982 River South el • Apple VaVey Lakeva4 eurrevele Mm,duta Eaoen Mendota Hgghte Pno Lake Shakopee Ronamount Savage Brothers find Eaganclimat e favorable By Mike Faszuba ' Those city actions have bothered "1 make a decision based on the Staff Writer Ji . some people in Eagan. merits of what's ' , ' ,, ,. presented to the id d Eagan ., "Critics, including former Mayor she stalndsaby her rvote. I'vequlst, etried For more than a decade, 'Eagan • Leo Murphy, said that while there to be very honest. I'm proud of officials have looked upon a large- ' might be nothing illegal about what what we're doing." ly undeveloped crossroads at the has happened, the Colons have heart of the clty as the place where benefited from favoritism Shown City planners say the area, which Eagan might one day have a down- by the city council. surrounds the intersection of Van - town. kee Doodle and Pilot Knob Rds., is "It does appear that way, doesn't the likely choice for a downtown In the past four years, as that vi- It?" said council member Ted because 1t is virtually the geo- sion has headed toward reality, al- ' Wachter. He said he disagreed graphic center of Eagan. By late most all of the city's development with some of the council decisions 1985 it will become a major inter - decisions about the site have bene- that benefited the Colons, and vot- change for Interstate Hwy. 35E fited the Federal Land Co., an Ea- ed against them. when that long-awaited freeway gan development company run by - cuts across the city to link Burns - brothers Martin and Vernon Colon. Many key decisions made by the ville and St. Paul, city planners city council, according to city rec- say. The city has approved nearly 53.5 ords, were championed by Mayor million in tax-exempt revenue Bea Blomquist and council mem- It also will be only a mile north of bonds for Colon office and corn- ber Tom Egan. the 40 acres the city Intends to use mercial building projects and has for its given preliminary approval for Blomquist, Egan and other cif of- government center, and 31.5 million more. In the process, it ficiais say that no favoritism was boom taking e gen ptact soace utheastioeat f has blocked three nearby develop- shown to the Colons and that all of Minneapolis -St. International ments that potentially would have their decislons were logical and Airport. • competed with the Colon projects. 'legitimate. Any appearance to the contrary, they say, is coincidental Martin Colon r, Eagan continued on page 4 Bea Blomqulst Swimmers prepare stroke By Ingrid Sandstrom Staff Writer .. Burnsville • -Friday's the'day::4 . "' "'• It's the .di ay the girls have been working toward for five, seven, II years and more. Up and down the ' pool. The breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, crawl, relays. Pore tl v. 4 HEIGHTS eNc1AL S 4523303 Federal Land Company Staff Photo by Steve Schluter The Federal Land Co. has benefited from action by the Eagan City Council. of skill, not luck kins. But Edina Is the major threat. "This is the year for Burnsville and Edina. It is a question of whether they (Edina) get the state now, or a year from now," he said. In terms of the stale championship, Dale said, "we have qualified for the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay. We have ing champion in the breaststroke. And we have three freestyters who have quati ,ed." I think our strength Is in our 0a- pacity to place• to be right up there In the top six places," Dale said.. Last year, the Burnsville Braves captured the championship with Federaf nc� CD , "D�,;e,1, A community: River South (6) Minneapolis Star and Tribune/Thor., Dec. 2. 1982 Eagan Continued from page Since 1975, the Colons have been involved in development at that site. They have built a shopping center and three two-story office buildings at the intersection. All three office buildings and a fourth approved for the site were fi- nanced by tax-exempt • revenue bonds issued by the city, a device commonly used by cities to help projects that officials believe will benefit the area. Four months ago, Federal Land Co. received city approval for its big- gest project yet, a 100-acre com- plex of offices. high-rise hotel and apartments a mile east of the inter- section. At a hearing Nov. 16, the city gave preliminary approval to $3.3 mil- lion in tax-exempt financing for a 109-unit motel the company wants to build hear its shopping center and existing office buildings. Only one major commercial proj- ect not involving the Colons, a shopping plaza known as Pilot Knob Center, has won city approv- al at the Intersection. That project, 1 . according to city planner Dale Runk!c, will complement —and not compete against —Federal Land's proposed 100-acre development nearby. While approving the Colon proj- ects, the city council has blocked a shopping center and tax-exempt fi- nancing for an office building at the same intersection. Three months ago, the council refused to approve a 19-acre office and hotel complex north of the Intersection. In each instance, the projects that were voted down would have rep resented competition to the Colons. Here is what has happened: ■ In 1976, Federal Land Co. built Yankee Square Shopping Center, a small development on the south- west corner of the intersection of Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob Rds. It remains the largest devel- opment at the intersection. The shopping center was the first phase o1 a plan the Colons had for the 40-acre site, which Martin Co- lon, 45, said he and his 53-year-old brother bought In 1968. In 1974, t they developed a 10-year plan that ; Included the shopping center, of- lice buildings, motel, bank, nursing home and research and develop- ment offices. s •.E Today, eight years Into their 10-'' year plan, Colon says a conserva- tive estimate of the value of the shopping center, the three com- pleted office buildings and the sur- rounding land is more than $5 mil- lion, and perhaps more than 810 million. "Everything we proposed ... we carried out the way we said we were going to," said Martin Colon. "(We've given the city) very few ... problems." The Colons have been In real ew- tate since 1964. Yankee Square Is one of four similar -sized shopping Centers they have built locally. The others are Cobblestone Court In Burnsville, Lincoln Square in Mah- tomedi and Woodlane in Wood- bury. Over the past year, their success 1n Eagan has come while the Colons have helped finance the reelec- tions of both Blomqutst and Egan. - If you live south of the Minnesota river, then we have some healthful news for you. Group Health Plan, Inc., Minneso- ta's largest Health Maintenance Organi- zation (HMO), now provides you with family -oriented care at our GHP Apple Valley Health Center. We're just minutes away in your own community! treatment to preventive care, Group Health Plan's Apple Valley center will provide for virtually all your family" health care needs, without the has- sle of deductibles and paperwork. So stop fueling all around town. Come in and. see how easy taking care of your family can be. For more information, call 623-8504 or send us this coupon today. . We want to be your family doctor. Apple Valley • t 5290 Pennock lane Ape Valley MN 55124 On lee corner of 150tn and C bar ('rot rrs 1a h{ Plan Inr In 1981, the Colons contributed $200 each to the two city officials. In addition, the Colons contributed 5200 to Blomqutst in her unsuccess- ful bid this fall to become a state legislator from House District 3813. There have been no suggestions that the contributions were Im- proper. • • Blomqutst said the contributions were "immaterial" Said Egan: "I approached a lot of people that have an Interest in good city gov- ernment- The Colons were Just one;." ■ Two years after the Colons' shop- ping center opened, Bloomington developer Kenneth Appelbaum proposed an 84,000-square-foot shopping center at the same inter- section, across Pilot Knob Rd. and about half a mile from Yankee Square. The site was Important to Appel- baum because it would offer mo- torists easier access to the future 1- 35E .than they would have from Yankee Square. But Appelbaum ran Into difficulty on two fronts, according to city records, city officials and others who followed the proceedings. One was opposition to his plan from merchants at Yankee Square and from the owners of a nearby con- dominium building. Appelbaum tried to satisfy his op- ponents by redesigning the shop- ping center and by proposing an apartment building and later an office building as a buffer between it and the condominiums. His suggestions did not change the minds of the condominium owners, whose cause was aided by Blom- quist. At the time she served on the city advisory planning commission and, at an October 1978 meeting she made the motion that killed Appelbaum's proposal. Appelbaum also faced opposition from Martin Colon, who attended city council meetings and lobbled against the shopping center. Colon said he did not oppose com- petition, hut opposed the methods being used to try to shoehorn the shopping center into an area where earlier plans approved by the city did not call for a shopping center. But council member Egan dis- agreed. "Their (the Colons') rea- sons were economic. They didn't want the competition." .Joe Abrahamson, an attorney and spokesman for Appelbaum, said Appelbaum told him the Colons helped prepare handbills against the project. Appelbaum declined to be interviewed directly. Appelbaum also ran Into trouble with the parcel of land itself. Coun- cil members, with Egan among the leading advocates, said that since 1971, that part of Appelbaum's 16- acre shopping center site had been intended for an office building and convenience store, not a shopping center, council minutes show. Then -Mayor Leo Murphy favored the proposal. but the rest of the council voted against It, even though the city planning consultant and the city attorney said there would be no legal problem in al- lowing any commercial develop- ment there. "Appelbaum legally had that right. We were stealing that from him ... It was limiting competition, which the government has no right to do," Murphy said. Now, after turning down Appel- baum. the city envisions a project similar to Appelbaum's on the site, city planner Runkle said —perhaps a K mart or Target store. ■ After the city turned down his - shopping center proposal, Appel - Eagan continued on page 5'• City of Eagan development/projects 1 Pont Knob Road Yankee Doodle 1 1 2 Road 1 i Sne of proposed Ravine Plaza 2/1-494 3/Ste of Yankee Square Shard nq Conte; Community/Rlvar South (6) MeoseapoLs Star end Tribune / Thur., Dec. 2, 1982 5 Eagan Continued from page baum came back In 1979 with an office building proposal for the same site. Earlier the council had said It would permit an office building there. 1n January 1980 It approved his plan. But Appelbaum also wanted the city to issue $2 million in tax-ex- empt revenue bonds for his two- story building. The council dented his request 4-1 In May 1980. Blomqulst, who had become mayor, and Egan were two of the four people on the five -mem- ber city council who voted against the request. The council said the rent of $9.50 per square foot that Appelbaum wanted from office tenants was too high. It also said there already were too many vacancies in near- by office buildings. Both reasons were disputed by a consultant's study paid for by Ap- pelbaum, which concluded that the 37,000 square -foot office building was feasible and that the $9.50 fee was in the middle range of rents found at 19 office buildings in Burnsville, Apple Valley and Ea- gan. The study, by Nelson M. Nones and 4 Associates of Minneapolis, said the Appelbaum building would lose money In its first year, but would have a $91,000 pretax profit by its third year. 1t also said the building would he 70 percent occupied In Its first year and 95 percent occupied by the third year. . But some council members doubt- ed the validity of the study. "I didn't believe It. Somebody ... tried to foLst tit) off on the city as a definitive study," said former council member Mark Parranto. lr. Appelbaum, with the shopping cen- ter a lost cause and his office build- ing In limbo, has since deeded the land to two religious charities and has become an investor in Pilot Knob Center, the shopping center that was approved. It was a move made in frustration, said Abraham- son, Appelbaum's lawyer. ■ On the same day that tax-exempt revenue bonds were denied for Ap- pelbaum's office building, the council scheduled a hearing to con- sider issuing tax-exempt revenue bonds for Yankee Square I, a two- story office building proposed by Federal Land Co. In a letter to the council, Martin Colon cited his company's record Eagan continued on page 6 Personally yours FOR CHRISTMAS ^ taw take one of these sale -priced Srnith-Corona° typewriters...and get a generous rebate from Smith -Corona REBATE $ REBATE '1 UltrasonictM • portable electrontc with one-step memory correction. • Lifts errors off the paper with one touch of one key. • Preprogrammed letter - form or set margins and tabs electronically. •.Memory speed cushion prevents voids and r overstrikes • Interchangeable `SA j printwheels 1.1 Coronamatica 2500 cartridge correcting portable • Lifts errors oft the paper wuh Lift Rae cartridge • (Are styled keyboard. Superior print quality.,( • Quick change ribbons. f office qualgy carbon Itlm. nylon and colors. REBATE $20 1 Coronamatic5 2200 with cartridge corrector • LIh-Rae cartridge takes errors oft the paper. ' • Wide carriage and 88,character keyboard.. • Impact control • r.: •t:4._. • Many automatic features, From Ethan Allen g�J !rl +/flit , Sofas ItcQ. !1009 to'1284 YOUR CHOICE $799` HERE'S WHAT MAKES THIS OFFER REALLY SPECIAL amgs ON TWO BEAUTIFULLY STYLED SOFAS' AND LOVESEATS ' 82" Loose Pillow Back Sofa and 57" Loveseat. 83" Roll Arm Lawson Sofa and 56" Loveseat(Not shown) • Two exquisitely crafted Lawson sofas offered at one fabulous price make an investment in Ethan Allen quality, truly affordable. • Both sofas are available in a selection of our most popular upholstery fabrics —from prints and velvets to tweeds and wovens. • The combination of style, fabric, pattern and color, all chosen by you, will make it easy to complement any decorating scheme. • A professional Ethan Allen interior designer will offer suggestions,, help with your selection or give you ideas on how to arrange your new furnishings — all at no charge. Use your vacation money to furnish your home...we'll furnish your vacation! ,.;. 4 DAYS 8: 3 NITES PLUS many "extrasl"r , rnvF or SIIPFSInr ' 6 Community HiSouth Ib) HOW .Mtnnesyoks Star and Tribune; Thur.. Dec. 2. 1982 lift to you', 99 „Haase .ntn re, Dec 30. 1982 ays and trimmings. sphere ,CESSSAPY .CCEPTEO Eagan Continued from page 5 and argued that tax-exempt bonds were needed- to keep the next - phase of the Yankee Square devel- opment project on schedule. He also said that Federal Land Co. was considering moving its offices from Mendota Heights to Eagan and would only do so if it could move into its own building A month later, the council gave preliminary approval to the proj- ect. • Yankee Square I, which eventually received $950,000 in tax-exempt R- is bf . PACIFIC Pf l & PATIO SPAS Come In and Look Over The Largest Spa and Hot Tub Display In The Twin Cities COMPLETE SPA PACKAGE $2799500 MOM. F AL 5-6. SAT. 66. Si .. NUN 6 NO.ST PAUI BROOKLYN CENIER re 36 t3tl El Ire 111 art ill ` IfaC tier Chet 770-1313 560-6442 RURNSYCLE RISGECAIE '211 it Cr It 12 INC errata IM. Net to Utek t term ha Nutria 435-3500 541-9180 nancing, was built behind Yankee Square Shopping Center, about half a mile from the Appelbaum office building site. Following Yankee Square 1 came Yankee Square II and III, two iden- tical office buildings built within 200 yards of the Colons' shopping ,center. They each received 31.25 million in revenue bond financing. Colon said Yankee Square !— which he said opened with rents of ahout S7.50 a square foot, com- pared with the 39.50 Appelbaum wanted for his office building —and Yankee Square II are fully occu- pied. Yankee Square II1, he said, Is 60 percent full. "To me, that's pretty good evi- dence of market demand," Barba- ra Lukermann said. Lukermann, an independent planning consul- tant, had recommended that there was enough demand to justify the Appelbaum building. Four months ago, the council gave preliminary approval to 31.5 mil- lion in tax-exempt revenue bonds for Yankee Square IV, which Fed- eral Land Co. and another compa- ny will develop. It will be built in the shadow of the other Colon office buildings, and like them, will be about half a mile from the Appelbaum site. The 24,000-square-foot office buildings are the only ones of that size at the intersection. IS Four months ago, the Colon brothers received city council ap- proval for their most ambitious project in Eagan. The project, Ea- gan Heights Commercial Park. Is • planned as 100 acres of offices and a hotel, one mile east of the Van. kce Doodle -Pilot Knob _lntersec.. lion. - A year before that, Martin Colon; said he and his brother were origl- • natty interested In a 20-acre site - owned by 011ie Ulvilden two miles north of the Intersection and bor- dering the new leg of Interstate Hwy. 494. The site is two miles from Minneapolis -St. Paul Interna- tional Airport. "They came down here. First, they came as a pair. Vern came back. He really hammered the daylights out of me. He really wanted the property," Ulvilden said. But he would not sell. Instead, Ulvilden went ahead with his own plans for Ravine Plaza, an office and hotel project he wanted to build with Amcon Corp., a devel- opment company in Savage. In Sep- tember 1981 he asked the city to change the zoning from agricultur- al to roadside business. The Ulvilden and Colon projects, both calling for high-rise hotels and banking heavily on traffic from the freeways expected in Ea- gan, would be the only develop- ments of that size and type in Ea- gan and In that part of northern Dakota County. They would be about three miles apart. In August the city council denied approval of Ulvilden's zoning re- quest. That stopped his project. But two weeks later the council ap- proved the Colons' Eagan Heights development, which did not re- quire any zoning change. Eagan continued on page 7 s‘b 3"Nhite Pine 4 White Pine 6-1.2' White Pine Mt. King 6-V2' Mountain King 6-V2' Flocked Mountain King 6-V2' Bristle Pine 7' White Pine Majestic Mt. King 7-V2' Mountain King The Finest Mountain King Permanent Trees Limited Supplier. —First Come Fest Served Competitive Dundee Price Sale Price S2095 S15.99 32 95 , i ; 24.99 150 00 95.99 11000 82.99 140 00 105.99 60.00 40.99 190.00 149.99 150.00 99.99 Fresh Cut Christmas Trees Premium (Duality Dundnt' selected- up to 9' Lill DaI1am DUNDEE SOUTH — IN THE SOUTH WI SW MI WE QM UM GO WO aNi roc Coupon One &J% OFF any Fresh Evergreen Wreath, decorated or undecorated with this coupon and purchase of any Fresh Cut Christmas Tree Good now through Saturday, December 11, 1982 ■■ r— M f v — m G r WM 1 a An Y Q IOW Coupon Two 25% -; F All Glass Ball Ornaments, Garlands and Tree Lights With this coupon ■ Good now through Saturday, December 11, 1982 ■ 9 aM of ICI ®WWI IM1 ie..Iaal fY. oYMra WMin• Dundee's Lip -Smacking Candy Tree Bring the kids along, so they can choose a treat from the sweetest tree in town. Another Cornen,eni Location DUNDEE WEST — err Trac F,nnru Community/Niver South (e) ki neopois Star sod Tribune / Thur., Dec. 2, 1982 7 Eagan Continued from page tI Egan and Blomqulst cast two of the three city council votes that blocked Ravine Plaza. They ar• gued that the project would be pro- hibited if an airport zoning regula- tion proposed by the Minnesota De- partment of Transportation is ap- proved by a Joint airport zoning board. But the proposed regulation is at least two years away from being approved, according to a zoning board official. 11 approved, It would not apply to any affected development already underway If the development Is completed within two years. The regulation would prohibit resi- dential or commercial develop- ments to no more than 15 people an acre. Ulvilden's site would be just inside the restricted area. The state transportation depart- ment and the Metropolitan Air- ports Commission have told the city of Eagan that they will not make a recommendation for or against the Ravine Plaza project, Swimmers Continued from page 1 Swanum, a Burnsville junior this year, took first place in the 200- yard individual medley last year, setting a state record of 2:06.78. She also took first place in the 100- yard backstroke, with a time of 0:59.19. Burnsville's 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay crews pulled in second places last year with respective times of 1:54.21 and 3:38.15. "I think the championship could be decided in the relays," said the Burnsville coach. Swimmers continued on page 11 Seniors unit will hire companions Dakota Area Referral and Trans- portation for Seniors, Inc., is look- ing for people to work as Senior Companions. Low-income people over 60 provide one-to-one support and companionship to older adults with special needs. Companions work with recovering alcoholics and their families and friends. • Companions work 20 hours a week and receive S2 per hour, meal and mileage allowance, pald vacation and sick leave. Anyone with Alco- hnlirs Annnvmnry nr 4tonnn fir^k- In time the corner of Hwy 42 anaGtendale will Ira popular shopping area. But right now our temporary little hank is all by Itself up therelust a blur of beans to people who go whtuing by And yet we're doing busue n lust like our big bank In town Ow drive up window is open until 7 o clack each weekday And for even more convenience. hom.9 to 12 each Saturday morning You'll like getting our free bumperstlrker. It's a reason to look a little harder when you drive by us But there s an even nicer reason waiting for you. When you find our bean held. you ve fount Security. Security State Bank of Savage ...Ow FDIC tar.+► �� SE IT DITORIALS Eagan Finds A Way We are living in an age when the popular conception of solving probe lems is to seek federal aid. Too often, we fear, officials express the opinion, "Everyone else is getting financial help from Washington; we might just as well, too." Perhaps the example of Eagan township is contrary to the preva• lent trend. In any event, we believe it is particularly worthy of note. During the past five years, the population of the township has nearly doubled. With this sudden explosive growth, the usual subur- ban problems have multiplied as well, including sewer and water fa- cilities, police protection, fire pro. tection, school needs, etc. At no time have the people of Eagan thrown up their hands and sought outside help. Rather, they have moved with caution and deter- mination, seeking to solve one prob- lem at a time. MN Va1lPJ. With the assistance ofa communi- ty planner, they have the start of a sewer and water system in the Cedar Grove area. During the past several months, a fire department has been established, including equipment and a new fire hall. More recently, the township has commenced using the facilities of a new town hall, replacing an old building which was several decades old. Solutions to problems of this type do not come easy. They require con- siderable planning, money, and the approval of the people. Eagan has faced the problems bravely and has found the solu- tion. Residents and -officials alike are to be congratulated. Then, too, we hope members of the Minnesota Municipal Commis- sion take note of these accom- plishments. August 2006 The Cedar Grove Gateway Cedar Grove Redevelopment District: Eagan's new gateway destination Advice, financial help offered during business relocation Well before the City of Eagan was granted permission to acquire Cedarvale Mall in June, mall tenants had been scouting potential new business sites (see "Silver Bell" sidebar). That's because last December, developer Schafer Richardson had informed tenants of the plan to close the mall in order to proceed with the Cedar Grove redevelopment plans. About that time, Dan Wilson of Wilson Development Services, a commercial and residential relocation company, and City of Eagan staff members met individually with tenants to discuss business relocation in broad terms. "Wilson Development Services represents the City of Eagan to coordinate the relocation of businesses, which are located in properties that have been acquired," says Jon Hohenstein, Eagan's Community Development Director. "The company is current on all of the benefits and requirements related to the Federal Relocation Act and is experienced in helping business owners through the challenges and costs of getting established at their new locations" Once the mall purchase was made official, businesses received their notices of relocation eligibility and the business relocation process could begin in earnest. Searching for a new site "Business relocation is a pretty straightforward process," says Wilson, who has advised in such situations for 36 years. "Now we've had a chance to meet with mall cm/Milled wm Mgt, 2 "The plan to move has been a lot of work, but the City of Eagan has been terrific working with us. So far, everything's working well." Dave Diioia, owner of Mike's Shoe Repair Silver Bell welcomes 4 Cedarvale Mall businesses In Tight of Cedarvale Mall's closing, four tenants have plans in the works to move to nearby Silver Bell Center, just two blocks away. Those businesses include Cedarvale Barbers, Cedarvale Tailors, Burton's Frame Shop and Mike's Shoe Repair. "The plan to move has been a lot of work," says Dave Diioia, owner of Mike's Shoe Repair, "but the City of Eagan has been terrific working with us. So far, everything's working well" The businesses plan to make their moves in early fall. City of Ekon Still have questions? Visit www.cityofeagan.com, or contact Jon Hohenstein at jhohenstein@cityofeagan.com or 651-675-5660. The Cedar Grove Gateway Business relocation, continued from page 1 tenants, as well as other relocating businesses, to discuss how relocation procedures are applied individually to each unique business." First, Wilson says, his firm offers advisory services as necessary. "We help a business determine what the obstacles are to moving and help direct the business to find a potential new site, which is at the sole discretion of that business. We encourage the business to find a real estate agent, attorney or other counsel to assist in finding and securing a new site." Business searching expenses are paid up to $2,500. If you are a business owner who would like more information about business relocation, please contact Jon Hohenstein at 651-675-5660. "We help a business determine what the obstacles are to moving and help direct the business to find a potential new site, which is at the sole discretion of that business. — Dan Wilson, Wilson Development Services Determining financial assistance Once, the site is secured, Wilson turns his attention to discussing business reestablishment expenses, such as packing, moving and unpacking personal property; disconnecting and reconnecting equipment; replacing such printed materials as stationery; and helping get the business ready to reopen its doors. "Relocation costs must be necessary, reasonable, eligible and incurred," Wilson says. "Our goal is to minimize hardship and facilitate the reestablishment of the business." Additionally, if a tenant has made building improvements, which can't be moved to the new location, Wilson helps determine whether the tenant or building owner must be reimbursed. Sometimes a portion of new equipment costs also may be covered. Not all costs covered But Wilson cautions, "The business relocation process is good, but it's not perfect." For example, financial claims must be concrete; the law doesn't account for any perceived disruption of business. Because of that, many businesses strive to move and reset up shop within the space of a few days. "Our role is to work with people through the process," Wilson says, "interpret the law, determine the city's obligation and ensure that the business receives all of the benefits they're entitled to." City grants extension for Phase 1 plan submittal The City of Eagan granted a three-month extension, through October, to developer Schafer Richardson for its submittal of a revised concept plan and Phase 1 development plan. 'We believe it is a reasonable extension that keeps the project on track for first -phase construction by spring or summer of 2007," says Mayor Pat Geagan. The extension is intended to permit the developer to refine the proposed site plan to address the housing mix, in response to the evolving demand for rental housing versus condominiums, and to incorporate additional input from retail prospects interested in the Cedar Grove development. The revisions are intended to support the goal for the redevelopment of the area to be market supportable in both the short and long term. City of Eapll Business owners wishing to explore opportunities within the revitalized Cedar Grove area are invited to contact Schafer Richardson at www.sr-re.com or 612-371-3000. ZONING DESIGNATIONS: Residential: ❑ E - Estate ❑ R-1 - Residential Single Family ❑ R-2 - Residential Double ❑ R-3 - Residential Townhouse OR-4 - Multiple Commercial: ❑ LB - Limited Business ❑ NB - Neighborhood Business ❑ GB - General Business RB - Roadside Business ICSC - Community Shopping Center RSC - Regional Shopping Center Industrial: ❑ Business Park ❑ RD - Research & Development O 1.1 - Limited Industrial Other: 0 PD - Planned Development ❑ P- Public Facilities P Parks ❑ A • Agriculture ❑ FP - Rood Plain ❑ Water Rightol•Way TOTAL Parcel Boundaries /v Zoning Designation Boundaries ACRES: PCT.: 80.92 0.38% 3552.78 16.53% 48.97 0.23% 256.79 1.19% 430.31 2% 71.66 0.33% 47.54 0.22% 54.29 0.25% 40.39 0.19% 182.04 0.75% 0.00 0.00% 118.36 0.66% 221.5 1.03% 2017.78 9.39% 3782.41 17.6% 837.84 3.9% 2284.53 10.63% 1309.23 6.09% 1126.12 6.24% 1365.12 6.35% 3667.3 17.06% 21474.88 100.00% City of Eagan - Zoning Map :1111111• ::'- :' !`e'II11ra11!'i I� ♦1 ar $ e lain ainnnn147 xn -.use wog :4111 MIMIIII f %.5 7:T�itii►e r u dim Ordinance Number 221 City of Eagan Zoning Map Approved by the Eagan City Council June 18, 1996 0 1000' 2000' 3000' 4000' 5000' 6000' 0 1/4 1/2 3/4 1 Mile The Zoning Designations on this map are a representation of a combination of maps and ordinances which make up the complete City of Eagan Zoning Regulations. All Zoning Designations are subject to change. Information on each Planned Development (PD) is available at City Hall. City of Eagan Community Development Department Telephone: (612) 681-4695 one /4 itigniage+4 Ir City of Eagan E0007AAB - The Lo renpe Group Phone (6121341-9274. 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While the Federal Land and Hoffman Development sites already have the basic zoning they need, the TCK and O'Neil pro- posals require zoning changes to go ahead. That has led to conflicts between city of- ficials, residents and the developers. With so much at stake, the developers have been taking their projects to the people — knocking on doors, pushing petitions, taking potshots at competing projects and slugging it out with costly advertisements in the local, weekly newspapers. Three weeks ago, TCK placed an ad cover- ing two full pages that detailed its project and asked: "Will it happen?" "We feel so confident about the quality of "lrhem's mom for more than one commercial development." — Victor Ellison Eagan City Council the project that we want everybody to know about it," TCK's Dennis Klohs explains. But Federal Land responded with a four - page spread the following week, touting Town Centre and proclaiming: "It's happening now!" Not to be outdone, Hofirnan Develop- ment placed its own two -page ad last week. All the publicity has stirred intense public interest, and Klohs says he expects a record turnout when 35E/Diflley Center's rezoning request is taken up at the Advisory Planning Commission meeting tomorrow evening (Jan. 27). And while TCK officials say they are hopeful, the Eagan City Council has historically been reluctant to grant zonings that deviate from the Comprehensive Guide Plan. "I think the best thing we can do for the city ... is to stay with the plan;" Blomquist says. But that philosophy has gotten the council in hot water in the past. In 1984, the Minnesota Supreme Court found the city "arbitrary and capricious" in its denial of a rezoning request from Amcon Corp. and O-J Sporting Goods to give a com- mercial zoning to about 19 acres at what is now I-494 and Pilot Knob Road. O'Neil, meanwhile, is suing Eagan in Dakota County District Court following the council's refusal to give a commercial zoning to his property last July. But Eagan's elected officials say they aren't intimidated by legal challenges. "We make our decisions based on the facts that are presented," Councilmember Thomas Egan says. "We don't worry about lawsuits" Attorney Peter Stalland, working with his father, Luther, represented Amcon and O-J Sporting Goods in their case against the city. He gives elected officials little credit for Eagan's growth. "I think that Eagan has developed primari- ly because of the roads, not because of any position taken by the City Council." John Klein, a local real estate broker who has worked for O'Neil, has been an outspoken critic of the city's handling of rezoning matters. He also says the city ap- pears to favor Federal Land —charges city of- January 26, 1987 Minnesota Real Estate Journal Page 11 The 35E/Diffley Center proposal. ficials and Federal Land vehemently deny. While the city lost the case with Amcon and O-J Sporting Goods, Klein notes, the legal battle "effectively quashed ... competition" for the Federal Land's Town Centre for about two years. City Administrator Thomas Hedges says the council and residents seem to have mix- ed emotions about the flood of retail pro- posals. As a result, he artls, the council is fre- quently caught in a crossfire of competing in- terests. If the council were to approve a zon- ing change because a developer threatened a lawsuit, for example, neighboring residents opposed to the change might sue instead. "It's kind of a no -win situation for the coun- cil," Hedges says. Some councilmembers say their hesitance to stray from the Comprehensive Guide Plan's zoning designations dates back to a zoning change granted to Dayton Develop- ment Co., Dayton Hudson Corp's discon- tinued retail development division. The firm purchased about 400 acres in northeast Eagan many years ago, successfully petioned to have the land zoned for a regional shopping center, but never built the center. As a result, the land sat idle, and improperly zoned, until recent- ly. Part of the land is now home to the new Northwest Airlines world headquarters, but much of it remains undeveloped. Colon says the city's tendency to stick to the Comprehensive Guide Plan was one of the reasons Federal Land decided to develop in Eagan. "It's just been a good no-nonsense type of a City Council and Planning Commission;" he says. "Strong communities are that way." Federal Land first purchased land in Eagan in the '60s, developing the Yankee Square retail and office project. "Eagan seemed like the community of the future;" Colon recalls. In recent years, as the Yankee Square site neared full development, Federal Land purchased the 170 acres that now make up Town Centre. He said the firm looked at four sites before settling on the pro- perty at Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle Roads, most of which was already commer- cially zoned. Colon says the shopping center is about 80 percent leased and the office tower about 60 percent. Federal Land has opposed zoning changes for other developers in the past. A May 28, 1985 lener to the city from Federal Land spoke out against the O'Neil request. Hedges points out that upgrading a site's zoning also tends to increase property values. Federal Land purchased mostly commercial- ly zoned land and "paid some pretty good prices for those parcels,' according to Colon. He says it would be an unfair economic ad- vantage for other developers to buy cheaper land only to have it rezoned for commercial use later. Critics of Federal land say the firm's op- position to zoning changes is a smoke screen. They say Federal Land fights any project that would compete with Town Centre, which Federal considers Eagan's downtown. "Who gave them the right to designate where downtown is?" asks Eagan resident James Unker, a former Federal Land leasing agent who has been critical (Attie firm since leaving in 1985. Colon says the firm isn't trying to squeeze out potential competiors. "There will definitely be competition;' he predicts. "There are retail sites now in Eagan that will be developed" And Colon and others argue Eagan already has more commercially zoned land than it could support. A December 1985 city study found there are more than 1,300 acres of undeveloped commercial land —including more than 850 acres set aside specifically for retail. "We could eliminate more than half the retail land in Eagan," Colon says. Others argue, however, that much of the land the Comprehensive Guide Plan ear- marks for retail zoning would be more suitable for other uses. They say the inap- propriate zoning given to the Dayton site pro- ves mistakes can be made. Councilmember Egan admits some areas planned for residential use might be equally suitable for commercial, but he maintains there's plenty of available commercial land already. EAGAN to page 16 EAGAN from page tl Colon also scoffs at TCK's claims that Dayton Hudson won't build a Target in Eagan if it can't build it at the TCK site. He says it's "ridiculous" to say a retailer will pass on a fast-growing city if it can't build at a certain site. The public record of a Sept. 8 meeting bet- ween city officials and Target representatives tells a different story. According to the minutes, Mayor Blomquist asked Target of- ficials what the firm would do if the TCK site isn't rezoned. Richard E. Brooks, regional real estate director fur Target stores, responded: "Target will probably not come if this site is not selected, given today's facts." And if the present City Council isn't will- ing to make the change, the minutes show, Target will bide its time. "We will wait a few years until the cast of characters in City Hall changes, and then we will get (the rezoning) through," Forrest E. Russell, Target site planner, told the mayor. Klohs says Target officials like the 35E/Diffley Center site because it's midway between retail areas in Burnsville and West St. Paul. "If they wanted to be at Town Centre,they would be at Town Centre," he says. However, while most communities would welcome Target will open arms, Coun- cilmember Victor Ellison says some folks remember how Dayton Hudson—Target's parent company —got a rezoning but didn't deliver at the proposed regional mall site. Still, TCK officials say they are hopeful their zoning request will be approved. "We're not talking speculation here. We're talking a committed user development," Klohs emphasizes. Even if the zoning request is rejected, he promises, that won't be the end of it. "If we get turned down, we will re -propose the exact same project with the exact same users," he says. "We're not going to go away." The battle to exploit Eagan's retail poten- tial is not expected to end soon. Other developers will soon make their way to Eagan, city officials say, and other retail centers will be built. "There's room for more than one commer- cial development," Councilmember Ellison says. "Town Centre is the first, but it's not go- ing to be the last." Hoffman Development's Cliff Lake proposal. Chronology of Eagan retail development 1974 City draws up zoning guide plan. 1976 Federal Land completes Yankee Square Shopping Center Phase I. Kenneth Applebaum and Robert Karatz propose an 84,000 square foot retail center southeast of the intersection of Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob roads. 1978 Ronald Cornwell purchases 90 acres at comer of what is now Diffley Road and I-35E. Sept. 1978 Applebaum's proposal rejected 4-1 by City Council after opposition from Yankee Square merchants and neighboring condominium owners. Oct. 1978 Revised plan from Applebaum rejected 4-1. Dec. 1979 Applebaum comes back with 37,000 square foot office plan, seeking S2 million in bonds. 1978 May 1980 Applebaum's office proposal rejected 4-1 by City Council on basis pro- posed rent would be high and there were already too many vacancies nearby. 1980 Applebaum and Karatz take on Kraus -Anderson and KKE Architects as joint venture partners. High interest rates and lack of anchors preclude development. Forty acres later sold to Federal Land. 1980 Eagan Comprehensive Guide Plan adopted. Sept. 1981 Oliver Ulvilden, Amcon Corp. and 0-1 Sporting Goods propose Ravine Plaza retail project along what is now Pilot Knob Road and 1-494, seek- ing commercial zoning for 19.1 acres of ag land. 1982 City Council approves $1.5 million in bonds for Yankee Square IV. Yankee Square I, IJ and III previously received a total of $3.45 million. March 1982 Federal Land acquires 93 acres at Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob roads from St. Paul Land Resources Inc. Cos. for $1.86 million. July 1982 Aug. 1982 Federal Land's Eagan Heights Commercial Park (now Town Centre) PD rezoning unanimously approved by City Council. City Council rejects rezoning request for Ravine Plaza office/hotel pro- ject proposed by Ulvilden, Amcon Corp. and O-J Sporting Goods. Land later sold to Trammell Crow Co. Dec. 1982 Minneapolis Star and Tribune publishes article questioning relationship between Mayor Blomquist, Councilmember Tom Egan and Federal Land Co. Dec. 1982 Federal Land gets about 20 acres rezoned from high -density residential to community shopping center. Oct. 1983 Minnesota News Council upholds complaint about Minneapolis Star and Tribune article. 1984 Upon appeal to Minnesota Supreme Court, city's decision to reject Am- con/0-1 plan is found "arbitrary and capricious." 1984 Dec. 1984 Jan. 1985 March 1985 April 1985 May 1985 June 1985 June 1985 June 1985 July 1985 Oct. 1985 late 1985 1986 1986 Aug. 1986 Nov. 1986 Jan. 1987 Jan. 1987 Jar,. 1987 Jan. 1987 Review of Comprehensive Guide Plan begins. City Council approves a zoning change for Federal Land's Town Centre, upgrading some land from residential to commercial and down -zoning other land. City contacts O'Neil, who owns 122 acres at Lexington Ave. and 35E, seeking to acquire part of the land for drainage for the Federal Land pro- ject. O'Neil not interested. Requests zoning of land to commercial for his own retail project. Federal Land submit letter opposing O'Neil request. City enters into agreement with Federal Land to acquire part of O'Neil land for ponding. City to pay acquisition costs. Planning Commission votes 5-0 against O'Neil's request, using a resolu- tion prepared in advance. City Council votes 3-2 to approve O'Neil zoning request. Zoning requires 4-1 margin. Request denied. City's development agreement with Federal Land rewritten to have Federal Land pay part of costs of acquiring ponds on O'Neil land. O'Neil zoning request goes back to Planning Commission. Approval recommended 4-1. City Council again votes 3-2 on O'Neil zoning. Request fails to get 4-1 majority despite Planning Commission and staff recommendation. O'Neil files suit in district court over rezoning request. Federal Land breaks gmund on Town Centre Phase I. Highway projects completed. Town Centre Phase I completed. Part of O'Neil land condemned for ponds. O'Neil awarded $664,500. O'Neil says it's too little. Federal Land says it's too much. Both appeal. Appeal pending. Thorsen-Cornwell-Klohs project proposed. Planning Commission con- tinues hearing until Jan. 27. Dakota County District Court judge took under advisement request for depositions from Blomquist and Egan for O'Neil lawsuit. Town Centre Phase II proposed. Hoffman Development Group proposes Cliff Lake Galleria and Tower mixed -use project. Revisions to Comprehensive Guide Plan scheduled to be proposed. Critics say city unfair EAGAN OFFICIALS DENY ACCUSATIONS Where money and power are at stake, political clashes are usually par for the course. Such ap- pears to be the case in Eagan, where ex- plosive growth has focused scrutiny on how the city's elected officials are handl- ing commercial development. "We're the voice of the people," Mayor Beatta Blomquist says. "It's our respon- sibility to respond to and plan for the needs of the city." • But some have complained the Eagan City Council —especially Blomquist and Councilmember Thomas Egan —have favored some developers and that Blom- quist votes on development issues despite a conflict of interest. -- "There have been some fun and games going on out here for a number of years," says Eagan real estate broker John Klein, who has done work for R.J. O'Neil, a land owner now suing the city. Klein, who was an Eagan Town Board member from 1963-72, and others believe the city has consistently voted in favor of proposals by Eagan -based Federal Land Co. while tending to reject potential competition. Critics say Blomquist has a conflict of interest because of her involvement in a corporation that rents space in Federal . Land Co.'s Town Centre and Yankee Square retail projects. . ..According to the Minnesota Attomey General's Office, McBlom Enterprises Inc. was incorporated in January 1985. becoming Video Hollywood Style of Eagan Inc. May 1986. Corporate ofticers include the mayor and her husband, Ed- win, along with Eagan Advisory Planning Con.,tission Chairman Pam McCrea and her husband. While the firm operates Video Hollywood Style and Plus One -Hour Photo in Town Centre, and Video Stop in Yankee Square. Blomquist has not dis- qualified herself from voting on issues directly involving Federal Land Co. and developers of potentially competing projects. "I think (Blomquist) is in an absolute, unequivocal conflict of interest," Klein says. The mayor disagrees. '"That's nonsense. That's not a conflict," she says. "An elected official is often a local business person. It's been no secret:' Blomquist says her husband heads the business and she has little involvement in its operations. She says the firm con- sidered several possible sites in Eagan and elsewhere before deciding on Federal Land's projects. If anything, Blomquist says, her in- volvement makes her more likely to favor competing retail projects Muse it would allow the business to expand to new locations. Martin Colon of Federal Land Co. also rejects the conflict of interest charges. Blomquist also denies talk Federal Land is giving the video and photo stores below market rate rent. "We receive no outside help;" she says. "Our venture has been paid for by our family alone." Blomquist says unfounded charges of favoritism toward Federal Land have come up "time and time again" It has even been alleged the Blomquists were flown to Palm . Desert, Cal.and put up at a con- dominium at con - Federal; Land's expense. The mayor finds that charge laughable. "I've never been there," she says with a chuckle. "I've never been to any condos." She says the biggest vacation she and her husband have taken was to lllinois, and that they paid for it themselves. Blomquist also denies that she is involv- ed in a petition drive opposing Thorsen Cornwell Klohs Co.'s pending request to rezone about 95 acres at the northeast quadrant of I-35E and Diffley Road for a 735,000 square foot retail center. Historically, the Eagan City Council has opposed plans that stray from the ci- ty's comprehensive guide. On many zon- ing change requests, Egan and Blomquist have cast the only no votes. But since state law requires a two-thirds majority on zon- ing change requests, a 4-1 vote in Eagan, Blomquist and Egan's votes have been the deciding ones. . • In September and October 1978, the Ci- ty Council turned down preliminary plats from partners Kenneth Applebaum and Robert Karatz for an 84,000 square foot retail center on 60 acres straddling Duckwood Drive near the intersection of Pilot Knob Road. The project was oppos- ed by owners of nearby condominiums and Yankee Square merchants. The partners' plan for a 37,000 square foot office project at the same site was re- jected by the council in May 1980. Ap- plebaum and Karatz later added Kraus - Anderson Construction Co. and Korsun- sky Krank Erickson (KKE) Architects Inc. as joint venture partners for a 1001)00 square foot retail center, but high interest rates and the inability to acquire anchor tenants precluded development, accor- ding to KKE partner Ronald Krank. The partnership ended up selling 40 acres north of Duckwood Drive to Federal Land for part of the Town Centre project. The remaining land was sold to other investors. • In August 1982, the council rejected a proposal to give a PD (planned develop- ment) zoning to 19.1 acres of agricultural land to construct an office/hotel complex in the southwest quadrant of what is now 1-494 and Pilot Knob Road. The proposal by local land owner Oliver Ulvilden. Amcon Corp. and O-J Sporting Goods failed to get the two-thirds majority. The request was favored 3-2, The mayor's family businesses are Federal Land tenants. with Blomquist and Egan voting no. Amcon and 0-J Sporting Goods filed suit in Dakota County District Court and, in 1984, the Minnesota Supreme Court found the city's rejection of the Ravine Plaza proposal was "arbitrary and capricious," but the land was sold to Trammell Crow Co. for Eagan Woods Of- fice Park. • In January 1985, O'Neil requested a retail zoning for 122 acres of agricultural land immediately north of Federal Land's Town Centre. The City Council rejected the request twice, in June and July 1985—again by a 3-2 vote with Blomquist and Egan voting no. • O'Neil is currently suing the city aver the matter in Dakota County District Court and is seeking depositions from Blomquist and Egan. He is also at odds with Eagan regarding the council's deci- sion to condemn part of his property to provide drainage ponds for Town Centre. While other projects were stalled, Federal Land gained approval for and developed Yankee Square Shopping Center and several adjacent offices in the late 'Ts and early '80s. Town Centre (then Eagan Heights Commercial Park) receiv- ed PD zoning in July 1982, Town Centre Phase I received final plat approval in April 1985, construction started in late 1985 and Phase I opened in 1986. Some say the record clearly shows favoritism toward Federal Land. "I have to wonder why the city isn't allowing these people to proceed,' says James linker, an Eagan resident and leas- ing agent who worked for Federal Land from 1984-85. Others say the actions are consistent with the City Council's historic resistance to major zoning changes. "To date, they haven't done much in terms of amending the comprehensive guide plan," notes Thomas Hedges, city administrator since 1976. Federal Land projects have been ap- proved, some argue, because the firm has a solid track record and it generally doesn't seek rezonings. "The Colons have proven themselves capable of doing projects," KKE's Krank. says. "If there's any favoritism, it's because they've done a good job." • "I don't think it's any favoritism," says _.City Councilmember James A. Smith. "They just seem to be the fast ones out of 'the block and they're building it." Colon points out that the city last year rejected Federal Land's request to rezone about 20 acres along Cliff Road. But Federal Land has received its share of rezonings. One was a July 1982 change that rezoned the northerly 100 acres from R-4 (high -density residential), LB (limited business) and CSC (community shopping center) to PD. Colon says a December 1984 rezoning. changing about 20 acres of R-4 to CSC, af- fected land earmarked by the comprehen- sive guide plan to be commercial in the first place. Additional Town Centre acreage was upgraded from residential to commercial, he explains, but an equal amount was down -zoned. Colon, who admits he has donated money to Blomquist and Egan election campaigns, says he's tired of "absurd" rumors Federal Land is being favored by some city officials. - Federal Land and city officials are still smarting from a Dec. 2, 1982, Min- neapolis Star and Tribune article that im- plied Blomquist and Egan favored Federal Land's projects and opposed potentially competitive projects. Blomquist, Egan and Colon complain- - - ed to the Minnesota News Council, and at an Oct. 14, 1983, hearing, the media wat- `chdog group voted 15-0 to uphold the - complaint. The News Council found the Star and Tribune article, through innuen- do and omission of pertinent facts, deliberately created a biased and unfair impression of the City Council's handling of major development issues. While the Star and Tribune basically stood by the story, Colon says the News Council's ruling speaks for itself. Egan concludes: "I think we're trying to make the best decisions we can based on • the needs." "You're always going to have a disgruntled developer ... or resident here or there," Blomquist says. —mercy f rrke3 )/ '/8? Page 4 Minnesota Real Estate Journal COMMENTARY Balancing the public and private good Few stories are as compelling, contrasting, con- flicting and confusing as one that features a city wrestling to control its growth. But there's one in Eagan that has developers and city officials across the metropolitan area watching closely for the outcome of some very important development battles in that sprawl- - ing suburb. _ Eagan's story, which includes some of the nastiest political rezoning battles in recent memory, is a classic example of how —or how not —to effectively determine the point where a developer's interests and a city's well- being converge. The challenge is difficult, and in Fagan it seems a long way from being met. Eagan may be one of the last great development oppor- tunities in the metropolitan area. Its population is boom- ing. Its residents are young, own homes, and have some of the highest income levels in the Twin Cities area. Best of all, they are drastically under -served when it comes to retail uses. Developers know an opportunity when they see one, and they see lots of opportunities in Eagan. So it's only natural that a lot of developers want to take advantage of those opportunities. • They have not been enthusiastically received by the ci- ty. Repeated rezoning requests have been denied, and lawsuits have ensued. On one occasion the Minnesota Supreme Court found that Eagan city officials had been "arbitrary and capricious" in their denial of a rezoning request. In their defense, Eagan officials say they are reluctant to accept new development that deviates from the city's 7-year-old Comprehensive Guide Plan. Too often, however, the position of some city officials and establish- ed developers has reflected a "last one over the bridge" philosophy: "We were here first, and we're not going to change the rules for anybody?' Good development and good dialogue wilts in such an atmosphere. Sensible discussion deteriorates into political backbiting, and rumor and innuendo flourish in such a fetid environment. Most regrettable of all,. however, is the good of the community can be forgotten or abused by proponents and opponents of a project. And this appears to be the case —in Fagan; Developers and Eagan city officials can learn something from this debate. Developers need to recognize that, hard as it may be to believe, some communities don't welcome explosive growth; some communites are restric- tive about what gets built where. That is their prerogative, no matter how ridiculous it may appear, no matter how Ioudly you yell. The primary business of city government is not to make smooth the path for all developers, though admittedly some cities have begun to assume that role. Fagan city officials, however, need to expand their horizons. Comprehensive guide plans are not etched in stone. They are simply what the title implies: a guide. Eagan is a far different community than it was seven years ago; it is one of the few metropolitan communities that is growing faster than originally forecasted. And when that happens, a planning document becomes obsolete fairly quickly. An outdated planning guide is bad enough, but an ap- parent willingness to bend the rules of that guide plan for one particular developer over others only worsens mat- ters and invites accusations of capriciousness. In the past, the Eagan City Council has rejected development pro- posals because rents would be too high and jt would com- pete with an existing project. Such concerns are outside the domain of government unless public money is involv- ed in the project. The marketplace should decide which project wins or loses. There is much at stake in Eagan. Decisions made to- day on what or what not to allow will shape the future of the city for years to come. That alone is reason enough to make sure those decisions are as informed as possible. We do not know what is the best project for Eagan.- That decision belongs to the City Council and, ultimately, the voters of Eagan. It's clear, however, that Eagan's conflicts with developers will continue unless something is done to im- prove the climate in that city. The city can take a big step toward doing that by taking a wry close look at its plan- ning guide and establishing once and for all, as a matter of policy, that the city is or is not willing to make excep- tions to that guide plan. Then everyone knows where they stand. January 26, 1987 FROM THE INSIDE The finishing touches are being put on renderings of the Saks Fifth Avenue slated for the Nicollet Mall between Seventh and Sixth streets. Designs and a model of the much -talked about high -ticket shop are expected to be unveiled —in a special ceremony, no doubt —within a week or so. That's if BCE Development and Batus Corp., parent of Saks, can reach an agree- ment that makes sense to both. Right now, ac- cording to numerous sources, the two firms are having some trouble seeing eye to eye on the designs, among other things. But not to worry, it's only minor haggling, they say. And since we're talking about BCED, did anyone at the IDS Climb-A-Thon for cystic fibrosis happen to notice those bright, yellow helium balloons? No, you say? That's because a BCEDer "in a blue suit" told climb-a-thon workers that Saturday mor- ning that the balloons would be a fine addi- tion at the fundraiser —fora pretty penny. For each balloon that might escape its owner's small hands —there were lots of little kids there —there would be a charge of $25, presumably to retrieve it from the ceiling of the Crystal Court. So no balloons for the participants and a wasted trip all the way to St. Paul for at least one climb-a-thon worker who picked up the helium tank. But don't be so quick to snicker at BCED—it was the only real estate firm to sponsor the climb-a-thon. Developers' reasons for doing deals in a particular community can vary, but Opus Corp: s Mark Anderson had a novel explanation for the reason his firm decided to develop Eagandale Center, a 1,300-acre business park in Eagan. Speaking at a developers' luncheon a couple of weeks ago, he said Opus is in Eagan because it "couldn't pick up the land and move it someplace else." The comment raised some eyebrows but Anderson went on to say that Opus is pleas- ed with its Eagan projects, especially now that freEway extensions have improved access to those 1,300 acres. Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Oct. 29, 1997 • 3A or). 0,, DISCOVER THE BUS! • All day bus service and express bus service. • Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Savage, Minneapolis, Bloomington, Edina, St. Paul... • New Guaranteed Ride Home Program. • Free Park & Ride available for all bus riders. • Fares range from 500 to $2.00. • Call twenty four hours a day: 882-7500 MVTA is the public transportation agency for the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Pnor Lshe, Rosemount and Savage Townhome developer told to come back with details Eagan's council agrees in theory with 120-unit Cedarvale project. By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications Plans for a 22-acre townhouse develop- ment behind Cedarvale Shopping Center are on hold until the developer resubmits his proposal to the city along with the sub- division plan. Mark Parranto of Delta Development agreed to withdraw his request to change the land use, after the City Council sug- gested on Oct. 21 that he come back later with both the land use request and the sub- division plan. Most of the site is zoned for community shopping center use. If he gains approval, Parranto would be allowed to build up to 12 homes per acre, though he is only proposing to build about 7.4 homes per acre. Several of the council members spoke in favor of Parranto's plan to build up to 120 homes of various levels and floor plans. Only Councilmember Sandra Masin said she wasn't ready to discard the commercial zon- ing in favor of multi -family residential uses. On Sept. 23, the council's Advisory Planning Commission voted 5-1 to deny Delta's request for changing the land use. At that time, Delta presented vague plans ranging from 17 to 25 acres with a density from 125 to 228 housing units. Parranto, who also is building Boulder Ridge townhomes in Burnsville, told the council hehas cut in half the number of homes originally proposed. That wasn't enough to convince area residents that Delta should get the green light. They are concerned about possible increases in crime and traffic. "He's mitigated it but he hasn't made it go away," said Andrew Hogan, a Cedar Grove resident. "If you want to develop single-family homes or commercial, go for it. As far as I'm con- cerned, this is still the same thing." After viewing a 10-minute video of the current site, some council members seemed eager to replace the old buildings. Mayor Tom Egan said this project would help clean up blighted areas and eliminate the excess commercial zones in Cedarvale. "The more you pick up and clean up the better," he told Parranto. The land is a former homestead and farm. The portion along Beau D' Rue Drive houses a photography studio in an old barn, Gleason's Gymnastics and several other commercial businesses. "A healthy residential development such as this will create a win -win situa- tion," Egan said. The reason the council asked Parranto to withdraw the application and to resub- mit it with the subdivision plan was to en- sure that once the property is rezoned, a developer can't come back with a plan to build the maximum 12 homes per acre. "I think we can lock that in so we have the density we want," Egan said. The plan will have to go back to the Planning Commission for review of the subdivision before appearing before the City Council again. No return date has been set. • Pinetree Pass may put end to horse play Lundgren Brothers proposes new home development By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications There'll be no more horsing around on the Brown farm in Eagan. Lundgren Brothers proposes to build up to 129 single family homes on the 72-acre estate for- merly owned by John Brown, now deceased. For years, horses from Di- amond T Ranch grazed on the verdant pas- ture. Last winter, Diamond T's lease expired and the horses were restricted to the 50-acre ranch south of the Brown property, said Mike Thomas of Diamond T. —"We leased it for hayri�es. We offered to buy parts of it, but it didn't work out," Thomas said. Brown's sons, Bill, Jay and Jim, are the current property owners. With a purchase option in hand, Lundgren Brothers is asking the City Council to ap- prove a preliminary subdivision for "Pinetree Pass," the proposed name of the development. The homes will be worth an estimated $225,000 to $500,000 on lots with a minimum width of 85 feet, said Bill Anner, a Lund- gren Brothers representative. More than 100 south Eagan residents attended a meeting Oct. 6 to hear about the proposed development. Subsequent meet- ings and public hearings are scheduled before the city's parks and planning commissions and the City Council. Last week an informational meeting allowed adjacent property owners to hear about Lundgren's plans. Many who attended asked questions about how much park land Lundgren is required to turn over to the city. Eagan Parks Director Ken Vraa said developers are required to dedi- cate 10 percent of their property to park land or to make a cash donation to the city for parks' purposes. According to what is pro- posed, a Pinetree Pass Home- owner's Association would own and maintain about 10 acres of green space in the center of the development. A trails system with three access points would traverse through the central park, that includes some wet- land areas. PINETREE: To Page 12A Pinetree From Page lA Another 3.7 acres in the northeast cor- ner of the property is earmarked for public park land. The 3.7 acres would mirror un- developed park land dedicated from the Walden Heights development, doubling the size of Walden Heights Park. The re- sult would be an eight -acre park along Cliff Road between Pinetree Pass and Walden Heights. Some Walden Heights residents weren't happy with that proposal. "These people get their own park. We waited and get this little bit. It's just so unfair," said one woman. Vraa said city staff is encouraging Lundgren Brothers to propose options. "From a Park's (Department) perspec- tive, I think we see something different than this, I can assure you," Vraa said. "This space here is a little tough to work with especially if you lay the topography map over it." One resident called the 3.7-acre site a "berm," not a park. Lundgren Brothers is proposing that access to Walden Heights Park be from the south, off Thomas Lane. Homes would border it on the west. The main road through the develop- ment would be Thomas Lake Road, ex- tended from the north side of Cliff Road. Left turn lanes already are built into Cliff Road, Anner said. Thomas Lake Road would link to Covington Lane, another What's next What: Pinetree Pass development proposal public hearing. When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. Where: Eagan Municipal Center, 3830 Pilot Knob Road. Information: 681-4600. main collector street. Trenton Lane, which dead ends on the west border of the estate, was intended to be brought into the new development. However, the proposed grade for the new development will not match that of Tren- ton Lane. Lundgren Brothers is asking that the lane be closed to through traffic and used instead as a foot and bike path leading to Thomas Lake Road. This would give residents from the west access to Walden Heights Park via use of the trail and sidewalks. But the curvature of the roads makes the trip from Trenton Lane to Walden Heights Park a long and winding path. Some residents said they want to see improved access to the park. Questions also were asked about sig- nificant tree loss due to construction. Ea- gan's Tree Preservation Policy regulates tree loss. Anner said of the 847 signifi- cant trees on the site, about 325 would need to be removed. Not everyone who attended last week's meeting came to criticize. One woman asked Anner how soon she could purchase a lot. 8A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1997 Commission recommends denial of housing project By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications An attempt to replace Beau-D-Rue Drive commercial business in Eagan with a mix of residential housing was turned down by the City Council's Advisory Plan- ning Commission (APC) Sept. 23. In a 5-1 vote, the APC denied a re- quest by Mark Parranto of Delta Devel- opment to change the city's comprehen- sive guide plan. Parranto wants to rezone the land from Community Shopping Cen- ter to various residential zonings ranging from 0 to 12 units per acre. The issue will go before the City Council at its Oct. 21 meeting. The 17-acre property currently has a single-family home, metal warehouse, millwork manufacturing, a photog- raphy studio and a gym- nastics school. It is sur- rounded by the Cedarvale Mall, older homes that have been converted for commercial uses and the Cedar Grove neighborhood. Delta Development presented four con- ceptual ideas of how the property could be developed, using a mix of buildings each containing from two to eight homes. Alter- natives ranged from 17 to 25 acres with a density from 125 to 228 housing units. Con- cept 1 includes 125 units on 17 acres. To build any of the other three concepts, addi- w 4W 'Wiwi MI Mr !.l SLIM—I■I*iVaal *Mfai1■/*ICaiIa� W _ 7 TT3'g.�1■1■IIJMM.• ■IsIrL7 111 III III. 7 %i A 0 tional land purchases would need to occur. A neighborhood meeting on Sept. 15 was attended by 25 residents. Issues were raised regarding open space, traffic, density, tree removal and the possibility of a decline in their property values. Richard Jacobs of Eagan said the area is already saturated with multiple dwelling units. He knows that he doesn't want townhomes as a neighbor, but he said he isn't sure just what would be an appropriate use of the land. "If we had our choice, we'd like to see them develop single homes," Jacobs said. "Progress is going to happen, I'm sure of that. How, I don't know." Several Cedar Grove residents attended last week's public hearing to urge commis- sioners to deny the project. They resubmit- ted a petition that had been presented last December when a similar project had been proposed. Previously, a group known as Eagan Citizens for Responsible Develop- ment gathered more than 290 signatures and started a Web page with links to more detailed information about the project. Residents were concerned about the added traffic generated from such a de- velopment. "There's already gridlock. You cannot get onto (County Road) 77 going north or onto Silver Bell Road. That's going to be just a nightmare," Jacobs said. Traffic in the air also was considered by the APC. The property falls within an area that is expected to receive increased air traffic when the new north -south runway is constructed at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. According to a proposed noise pol- icy, the property would be within a noise zone that considers residential develop- ment as a conditional use of the land. Besides the residents' concerns, the APC also considered the likelihood that the property could become part of a larg- er Tax Increment Financing (TIF) rede- velopment district. Such a proposal is currently being considered by the coun- cil. Although a feasibility study is not yet finished, Planner Julie Farnham stated that several buildings on the proposed site would qualify as substandard struc- tures according to the tax increment law. Planning Commissioner Larry Frank was the lone vote in favor of the Delta Proposal, saying it would promote af- fordable home ownership for first time buyers, said APC Chair Carla Heyl. 3urrent/Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1997 ► nursing home living: Northfield offers 24 hour for those with memory Toss. carer %15 Forest Avenue Northfield, MN 55057 7-645-6611 CUT YOUR OWN TREE!!! 100,000 choice trees - WHITE PINE 5-6' Balsam & 00 Spruce $2 I 5 ■ Plus tax 1 Take Hwy. 55 So. to ' Hastings, So. on Hwy. 61 to So. Hwy. 316. I Approximately 2 1/2 miles to Co. Rd. 91. Watch for Signs. 2.00 OFF WITH THIS AD NOT VALID WITH OTHER COUPONS ESIGN Nails by Kandace Specialized in - • Gel Fiberglass - Artificial Nails • hot oil manicures • Pedicures Watkins welcome Mon. thru Sat. & Evenings Mention this ad for a discount (Expires 1 /31 /98) 890-7777 Lundgren Brothers project put on hold for two weeks Park land dedication issue nears resolution By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications Pinetree Pass, a proposed 127-lot Lundgren Brothers project, stalled Dec. 3 after the developer requested a two - week continuance from the Eagan City Council. Consideration by the council involves whether to approve or deny a prelimi- nary subdivision of 72 acres south of Cliff Road between Thomas Lane and Cam- bridge Drive. The council has 120 days from when the developer files the application to make its decision. Time runs out at the end of this month. Though council members and neigh- boring property owners favor the single- family housing plan, many have objected to the park land dedication as proposed by Lundgren Brothers. At first, the developer planned to con- struct a 10-acre private, passive park in the middle of the housing area that would be maintained by a homeowner's associ- ation. Lundgren also planned to dedicate about four acres of land to mirror the same amount of park land at the north- east corner of the property. Neighbors and city staff say that's not enough to give them the active park they've desired for a long time. Along the way, the developer said he has made concessions to please the city and neighbors in Walden Heights and Beacon Hill. Terry Forbord, Lundgren Brothers land president, agreed to make the private park public, add more side- walks through the development and not to extend Trenton Lane from the west. But he drew the line at removing up to five lots so that more land could be added to the active park in the northeast corner of the property. Forbord said it wouldn't be "economi- cally feasible" for Lundgren to reduce the housing density to that degree. Councilmember Pat Awada suggested What's next What: A decision is expected on Lundgren Brothers' application to build a 127-home development south of Cliff Road between Thomas Lane and Cambridge Drive. When: 7 p.m. Dec. 16. Where: Eagan City Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Road. Information: 681-4600. a reconfiguration of the property. If the developer is willing to swap five lots at the south end of the park for a similar amount of city park land to the north, Awada said she'd approve the subdivi- sion. The result would be a reconfigured neighborhood park, suitable for a base- ball diamond and soccer field. The pre- liminary plat would have to be altered to include a cul-de-sac on the north end of the park. "We've looked at that. We have 14 plans for this site," Forbord said. Shifting five lots would result in higher development costs for street construction, Forbord said. Fewer resi- dents would take access onto the road so there would be fewer properties to assess. Historically, developers have paid for road construction around neighborhood parks. If it were a community park, such as the Lexington-Diffley Athletic Com- plex, the city would pay for internal roads. As proposed, a parking lot for park users would abut the property of Paymon Najafzadeh, who lives on Thomas Lane. Three realtors have told him that if the lot is built as planned, his property value would decrease. If the land swap is approved by the city and developer, the parking lot could be moved farther to the west, away from Najafzadeh's yard, said Ken Vraa, city parks director. SUOICEiGinrent rArnv How to reach us: Send news items or letters to the editor to: C,m.f'.nrrvnt Opus sells Eagan Promenade By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications Less than one year after the first store opened, Eagan's Promenade shopping cen- ter at Yankee Doodle Road and Interstate 35E has been sold. A Cleveland, Ohio, cor- poration bought the center for $31.8 mil- lion, said Anne Loff, vice president for sales at Opus Corp., the center's developer. Minnetonka -based Opus sold a portion of the center to Developers Diversified Re- alty Corp. (DDRC) on July 2. The rest of the center will be sold to DDRC when con- struction is completed. Opus is still build- ing the 271,000 square -foot shopping cen- ter, now in its final phase of construction. A string of smaller stores known as The Shops at Promenade should be completed by the end of the year, Loff said. The Shops will include a Chinese restaurant, D'Amico deli, Papa John's pizza, an upscale toy store, General Nutrition Center, a mattress store, and services such as dentistry, dry cleaning, eyeglasses, travel agency, health and beauty and cellular phone service. The first phase included Byerly's gro- cery store, Barnes & Noble bookstore, HomePlace, Office Max, Pier 1, as well as the recently opened Old Navy and T.J. Maxx stores. The sale price brought an estimated $117 per square foot, which is a "pretty de- cent market price," Loff said. "Opus does generally build the real estate with the intention of selling." Developers Diversified Realty Corp. is a self -man- aged real estate invest- ment trust operating as a fully integrated real estate company that acquires, develops, owns, leases and man- ages shopping and business centers. In July 1996, Opus sold Maple Grove Crossing to DDRC for $22.9 million, which earned them less than $100 per square foot, Loff said. "That just shows the strength Eagan is generating. The price is derived from the rents of the tenants. The whole retail seg- ment in Eagan has been severely under - served," Loff added. Opus also worked with a separate de- veloper, who is building townhomes to the east of Promenade shops. Opus still owns six acres north of the Promenade which it plans to develop for either a hotel or as ad- ditional retail space, according to Michelle Foster, senior director of real estate devel- opment for Opus. In August, the City Council denied Opus' request to build an 85-room Studio Plus hotel on the property north of the shopping center. Council mem- bers had concerns regarding 24-hour hotel security. PARKS & RECREATION "1 ',+pars create their own scary cnc- Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wedni DISCOV: THE BU • All day bus service and express bus service. • Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Prior Lake, Savage, Minneapolis, Bloomington, Edina, S • New Guaranteed Ride Home Program. • Free Park & Ride available for all bus riders. • Fares range from 50¢ to $2.00. • Call twenty four hours a day: 882-7500 1 City rezones farm land for single-family homes By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications Farm land on Cliff Road in Eagan was approved for rezoning as single-family housing by the City Council Nov. 18. The rezoning was a preliminary step for Lundgren Brothers, which plans to con- struct 127 homes on the 58-acre site to be called Pinetree Pass. The plan became controversial with the surrounding neighborhoods, Walden Heights and Beacon Hill, because Lundgren wanted to include a 10-acre private park to be owned by a homeowners' association. Neighbors said they have been waiting years for the city to enlarge and develop a three -acre parcel at the northeast corner of the proposed development. They disagreed with Lundgren's plans for park dedication. The plan included adding about three acres of land at the northeast edge to mir- ror undeveloped city park land. The ter- rain is hilly and lined down the middle with established trees. After numerous meetings with the neighbors, Lundgren Brothers agreed to dedicate the 10-acre private park as public park land for passive use. "We considered the center park the jewel of this development. For us that was a major concession because it doesn't fit what we do," said a Lundgren Brothers spokesperson. The developer also applied for a prelim- inary subdivision that will divide the par- cel into individual lots. The council contin- ued that decision until its next meeting, Dec. 3. Approval of the variances also were continued to the next meeting. Walden Drive resident Brenda Bren- berg said the majority of the neighbors be- lieve they have reached a favorable com- promise with Lundgren Brothers. "The majority of us like what we see. While it isn't what we envisioned for 14 years,- it does create an opportunity to cre- ate a unique park system for Eagan," Bren- berg said. Her husband, John, said he'd like to see the city limit development on the northern park site. If the parks department decides to put in a soccer or baseball field, several trees will have to be removed. He suggested leaving the trees in place and providing bike or walking trails on the site. Parks Director Ken Vraa said the park also could be used as a sledding hill, if left in its natural state. Cambridge Drive resident Joe Degnan said Beacon Hill residents aren't so happy with the results. They fought for improved access to the proposed park. Lundgren Brothers has agreed to make Trenton Lane a dead-end road in Beacon Hill and to make it a trailhead to the parks. "Beacon Hill residents are worn down. There's no consensus on the west side," Degnan told the council. Still to be determined is where a well will be placed, what to do with existing utilities and the water level for the pond. Prior to approving the rezoning, the council expressed frustration over the lack of consensus on the proposal. The city's Ad- visory Planning and Parks Commission recommended the council deny the plan. However, the vote on the recommenda- tions was not unanimous. The council has about 60 days to decide whether it will approve or deny the pre- liminary subdivision, said a city planner. Horne requests school boundary change, again Kingswood lots fall into two districts By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications A developer is taking another stab at changing the boundary between school districts 196 and 197 in Eagan. The city is split into three school districts, whose boundaries pre- ceded urban development. Across from City Hall is an existing neighborhood known as Kingswood. Stu- dents who live in Kingswood attend District 196 schools, including Eagan High School. Kingswood builder, Horne Develop- ment Corp., also owns several vacant acres directly north of those homes. BOUNDARY: To Page 16A CtiV.rfQv\ Kingswood Ponds CT 9 ENGLERT ROAD Kingswood\ CT. 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"Ideg 'AepseupeM/luann3.ung ue6e3 lunowesoaptauIep Giddy V9l CAni110V111 Current August 13, 1997 Vol. 22, No. 34 Cedarvale area to be evaluated for TIF criteria Owners seek way to revitalize district By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer Creating a Tax Increment Fi- nancing (TIF) district to pro- mote redevelopment of the Cedarvale shopping district is being explored by property own- ers and Eagan officials. TIF is a funding mechanism used by cities to encourage real estate development. In this case, it would be to promote redevel- opment in and around the Cedarvale Mall. Developers are attracted to TIF sites because although they still pay property taxes, these taxes are used to pay for devel- opment costs, a benefit not available outside a TIF district. A Cedarvale Task Force has asked that an analysis be done to determine which properties meet the criteria for TIF status. They have the support of the Eagan Chamber of Commerce. In addition, 13 property owners presented a petition to the City Council Last week, saying they believe some type of financing mechanism is necessary to allow redevelopment to occur. Developers are drawn first to vacant land and can't be both- ered with the time and expense of buying developed land, said Jon Hohenstein, assistant city administrator. However, TIF gives developers an incentive to buy out another business, espe- cially if the location is more at- tractive than the vacant site. Eagan recently created a sim- ilar TIF redevelopment district along the Highway 55 corridor in northeast Eagan. The first step of the process is to determine which properties qualify for redevelopment. If a non -qualifying business sits in the midst of several that do, the law allows for its inclusion into the district. Normally, the city's inspec- tions department would evalu- ate the properties, but due to work load, the Dakota County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) will perform the feasibility study. Dan Sjolseth of Superior Col- lision Carstar has been in busi- ness for 10 years and is a mem- ber of the Cedarvale task force that supports this process. "For the hest of Eagan, some- thing has to happen in this area. This gives me a chance to be in- volved in the process," Sjolseth said. But TIF may not be what's best for all current property owners. "It might mean not everyone is going to stay. If my business stays here, I have a lot to gain. However, if a hotel displaces me, then I'm my own worst enemy," Sjolseth said. Hohenstein said being dis- placed isn't always a bad thing. Property owners are paid fair market value and can be reim- bursed for moving expenses, in- cluding changing the address on business stationery. The city's first priority would be to find an- other site within Eagan for dis- placed merchants who want to stay in business. TIF: To Page 17A TIF: Proximity to megamall a plus From Page 1A In the past, attempts have been made to breathe life into the area. This sum- mer, a weekend farmers' market was added to bring more traffic to the mall. Many blame inadequate road access as the root of the problem. Prior to the con- struction of the Cedar freeway, old Cedar Avenue and Highway 13 was a signalized intersection that sat next to the commercial area. When the new w Cedar replaced the old Cedar, the road moved further west and sound berms hid the mall from sight. Many believe that attempts to improve road accesses have failed. "It never happened and it won't hap- pen," Sjolseth said. City Council members have begun to envision what Cedarvale could become if it is a designated TIF district. Proximity to the Mall of America could make it an attractive site for a hotel developer, said Mayor Tom Egan. "If we could somehow create a critical mass we could establish some of that syn- ergy we talk about," Egan said. Bricks, mortar keep piing up in Eagan By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications Eagan continues developing albeit at a slower pace than the last decade. Some of the more noteworthy 1997 de- velopments included the Eagan Prome- nade Shoppes, a few hotels, and a larger branch U.S. Post Office. As large-scale tenants filled in the first Promenade storefronts, the focus moved to the second phase, the smaller retail services, and the opening of the townhomes adjacent to the shops. In the midst of development, Minnetonka - based Opus Corp. sold the shopping cen- ter for $31.8 million to Developers Diver- sified Realty Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio. Though new shopping experiences bloomed in central Eagan, growth in the retail industry was stunted in the Cedar - vale shopping mall on Highway 13. At- tempts to bolster interest by offering out- door markets on the weekends fizzled and the mall suffered the loss of one of its anchor stores, Snyder Drug. Subsequently, Cedarvale business own- ers approached the city to ask whether the area could become a tax -increment financ- ing redevelopment district. Studies for qualification are due next month. Eagan continues to be a mecca for hotel developers. Two extended -stay hotels sprouted during the past year, one at Yan- kee Doodle and Pilot Knob roads and one at Interstate 35E and Lone Oak Road. Hilton also has broken ground to con- struct a Garden Inn adjacent to the Holi- day Inn Express at The Crossings in the RahncliffShoppmg Center. Eagan's hospi- tality service will have grown to 1,134 rooms when the hotels are operational. Guests of the Hilton Garden Inn won't have far to travel if they want to see a movie next year. The City Council re- cently granted preliminary approval for a 16-screen Regal Cinema complex at the corner of Cliff and Cliff Lake roads. Government agencies also got into the development mode. The U.S. Postal Service opened a new and improved branch office in January at 3145 Lexington Ave. S., two blocks south of the former post office. The new facility has almost three times as many rental boxes as the former one. Dakota County did its part by remodel- ing the Wescott Library, which included in- stallation of automated check-out machines. The city of Eagan got into the devel- opment act when it approved plans for the second sheet of ice at the Civic Arena and agreed to request design concepts for a public swimming pool, both projects proposed for construction next year. In addition, the council approved plans to construct a two-story Fire Administra- tion Building to replace the current facil- ity at Pilot Knob and Wescott roads. Though council members talked about the addition of an amphitheater with the Eagan Rotarians, no site has been ap- proved for an outdoor theater. 6 CityBusiness September 19. 1997 REAL ESTATE DDRC is buying the properr , located at Cities retail the intersection of Interstate 35E and Johanson, viice�pres deet is n of ng. said for'� Ohio -based real estate investment Yankee trust (REIT) is picking up a high-pra6le iclkinDoodle Road. in phase» The first Bloomington -based Welsh Cos. "You're Eagan shopping center for ahigh- 179.000 square feet. which includes starting to push the upper end of some corn - profile $eel 's price. Y Y grocery store, Barnes & Noble. parables-" he said. "Grocery -centered retail Developers Diversified Realty Corp. Hn Place and Office Max. has already centers still have strong appeal." iDDRC}, based in changed hands for S20.5 million_ DDRC has Eagan Promenade is located in a rime buying Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is contracted with Opus to buy the remainder location.. said Mike Scott, vice P the 271.00O-square-foot Eaeaa as construction is co ie president Uof nited Promenade power center from the maI1's Henry, DDRC's director of to said Loren retail for Bloomington -based United developer, Minnetonka -baste Opus agement Properties. —They're at Main and Main of for S31.8 million Corp_rp . S117sale pie, which translates ro about the retail hub in Eke an. It's a very strong Per square foot. means that the Twin power center. a great tenant mix in a great. Purchase will be in phases; price tag indicates strong retail market in the Twin Cities REIT buying Prornenade$31.834 By Dirk DeYoung �i reporter i How to get long distance for as lithe as 6.7( a minute. M 0 growing suburb." The center is across the street from other' retailers such as Wal-Mart. Kohl's and Rainbow Foods. Scott said. Most of the shopping center is finished and leased, said Jay Scott, director of real estate development for Opus. which is han- dling the leasing. Most of the space that's still under construction is a 30.000-square- foot strip mail called The Shops at Promenade. across the street from the main shopping center, he said. In July 1996. Opus sold the 250.000- square-foot vlaple Grove Crossing in Maple Grove for S22.9 million to DDRC, accord- ing to the RE1T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. "We have a special relationship with DDRC as we develop shopping centers through the coun- try," Jay Scott said. DDRC also ovens Midway Marketplace in St. PatiL Its holdings nationwide include 146 shopping centers and five business centers_ PRINTINGy Plant twice as big National • Country Home Heights neighbors at odds over street improvements By ERIN HEMME FROSLIE Due to the exclusion of four affected lots in the published legal notice, a public hearing on Country Home Heights street improvements was post- poned Oct. 7. The postpone- ment, however, didn't stop neighbors from arguing over the need for paved roads in their neighborhood, and the City Council from debating which street improvement op- tion was more desirable. Country Home Heights is the last subdivision in the city with gravel streets. Since 1990, the City Council has denied two street improvement projects in the neighborhood because of high project costs versus the potential benefit to assessable properties. In August of this year, City Council directed staff to prepare a feasibility report considering street surfac- ing in the subdivision. According to City Engineer Russ Matthys, the benefits of paved roads include controlled erosion, no dust, safer driving conditions, and easier access to manholes and more efficient (See Streets, p.11A) wcu.k Streets (Continued from front page) snow removal. The two options presented were to update the streets to the full city standard with curb, gutter and storm sewer, or to pave the road with only two inches of bituminous. The streets that would be affected are Rainier Lane, Burnside Avenue, Egan Avenue, Fair- lawn Place, Vitas Lane, Inland Road and Beam Lane. "The need is there," said Council Member Bea Blomquist, "but it should be their decision (as to which op- tion we choose)." Of the two street improve- ment options presented, each has its benefits. A full city standard street eliminates erosion and the need for culverts underneath driveways, which often be- come clogged with leaves and debris. Total cost for the proj- ect averages around $12,000 per lot, Matthys said, but the estimated appraised benefit is approximately $3,000 per lot. The city would pick up the shortfall between assessments and project costs. With proper maintenance, the full city standard street is expected to have a life of between 40 and 50 years. The two-inch bituminous overlay doesn't offer as much erosion protection, Matthys said. Snow removal is also less efficient, because there isn't a curb to hold the snowplow. But cost for a bituminous overlay is approximately $2,700 per lot. The estimated assessable benefit is $2,000 per lot. The expected life of a bituminous overlay is between 10 and 15 years. w that approximately 30 residents supported full city standard streets for the cost of $3,000 per lot; 30 residents were op- posed to any street improve- ments and/or requested that the neighborhood be declared "rustic" to ensure its unique qualities. A sheet passed around at the Oct. 7 City Council meeting showed 12 residents opposed to any im- provements, and 19 in favor of option one. Council Member Ted Wachter told Country Home Heights residents that improv- ing the streets to full city stan- dards for $3,000 was the best deal they'd ever get. "I support option one," he said. "It's the best buy for the citizens, and it'll save money for the city in the long run." Council Member Pat Awada disagreed. "Of course the neighborhood will support op- tion number one," she said, "but I think this is a decision for City Council because we have to supplement the cost." "If we're going to do it, we might as well do it right," Council Member Sandy Masin said. "I support number one." Mayor Tom Egan declined to comment because of a conflict of interest. City Council directed staff to move forward with an appraisal of a few lots for full city stan- dard streets. The appraisals will be ready for the public hearing, which will be sched- uled at a later date. A final de- cision will be reached at the public hearing. il cV o $ - "_ eo .. ca o > _o L 0 a) C 0 >-. n) '0 cC 0) 0 0) 0 Q a) ro CV C (L) 0 G) c 0 0 .II a) 0 a) 0 F•� EAGAN December 10,1997 INDEX Opinion Page 4A Let it be known ....Page 18A Calendar Page 20A Sports Page 21A Classifieds Page 1 B Crossword Page 3B Northern exposure changes Eagan's face Redevelopment spawns along Highway 55 corridor By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications Eagan's northern exposure is getting quite a face lift since it became part of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Redevelopment District. Several events are occurring that will change the way visitors, entering or passing through Eagan on the northeastern edge, will view the city in the future. Roseville Properties acquired about 27 acres of land in the TIF district. The Roseville -based de- veloper has completed construc- tion of two 100,000 square -foot warehouses for the Terminal Warehouse Co. and is nearing completion on a 70,000 square - foot warehouse/showroom. The INSIDE Two families forced to move remain Eagan neighbors, Page 15A. company also plans to build a fourth showroom building. Four houses were moved to make room for the new build- ings and the fifth is expected to be demolished, said Jon Hohen- stein, assistant city adminis- trator. Roseville Properties Vice President Mark Rancone said the TIF financing program was an important component of the redevelopment project because it allowed the company to purchase land at reduced prices to offset the cost of the project, named Eagan Business Commons. DEVELOPMENT: To Page 14A 14A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1997 Development: Council focuses on removal of Airliner, Spruce hotels From Page 1A "It was somewhat constrained by its rectangular footprint," Rancone said of the 27-acre area. Despite the site constraints, Rancone said the property is a good site, accessi- ble to highways 52 and 55, and inter - states 35E and 494. "Eagan saw it as a prime commercial real estate corridor and we concurred," Rancone said. Eagan officials also saw it as an op- portunity to breathe new life into a dete- riorated area of the city. In May 1996, the City Council and the Economic Develop- ment Commission approved the redevel- opment plan. The city began buying out the residents and the county's Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) helped residents relocate. Council members now have turned their attention toward the removal of the vacant Airliner and Spruce hotels at Highway 55 and Lawrence Avenue. Res- idents who lived near the closed hotels have complained for years about the buildings attracting vagrants. A fire oc- curred at the Airliner Motel in October 1993, after which the city removed the meters and shut off the water. In August 1996, owners Phil and Ann Kor of Eagan discussed hopes of reopening the motel, possibly as a franchised business. Neigh- bors wanted the buildings torn down. The state fire marshal cited several code violations, including improper storage of combustible materials and non -working fire extinguishers. Now the Kors have asked the city to consider buying their property. The Kors. purchased the property in 1979 for $500,000. Current market value has been assessed at $89,600 for the Airliner and $100,500 for the Spruce Hotel. Both are expected to drop in value in 1998. To date, the city has spent $1.2 million in acquisition and relocation costs for 10 homes. Due to aggressive development by Roseville Properties and TIF start-up costs, the district is operating in a deficit. However, more tax increment will be available after the year 2004 for costs, such as acquisition, demolition and pub- lic improvements, according to a staff re- port. The tax increment financing is available until the year 2023. Three options are being considered: • The Kors, either voluntarily or by city mandate, could demolish the build- ings at their own expense and retain ownership of the land. Estimated de- molition cost is $100,000, plus addition- al costs if the buildings contain as- bestos. • If the Kors choose not to demolish on their own, the city could demolish the buildings following due process and assess the family for the costs. The Kors would continue to own the prop- erty but would have a special assess- ment attached to their property taxes for demolition reimbursement to the city. • The Kors have asked if the city would acquire and demolish the property in the same fashion as the residential properties adjacent to their property. During a recent work session, council members were reluctant to agree to these terms and said the purchase price would have to be fair market value minus the demolition costs. Hohenstein said other communities also are rediscovering the Highway 55 corridor. For example, Opus Corp. re- cently erected a 150,000 square -foot of- fice building in Mendota Heights called Gateway Commons. A manufac- turing plant replaced George's Golf and a SuperAmerica opened on High- way 55. File Photos Photos of the Airliner Motel property taken in 1994 illustrate the sub -standard condi- tions that neighboring residents complained about before the area was designated as a tax -increment financing redevelopment district. Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1997 15A Two families forced to move remain Eagan neighbors By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications To rephrase an old saying, you can't pick who your neighbors will be, add "but they might just follow you wherever you move." Eleven years ago, Merle and Sandra Duff bought one of two homes on Lawrence Avenue owned by John and MaryBeth Neska. The Neskas lived in the other home. Both families were told recently that they would have to move due to redevelopment efforts by the city. Five families who lived north of High- way 55 went in search of new homes. Now they are busy unpacking and get- ting to know their new neighbors. But for two of the five families, meeting the new neighbors is the same as living next door to the former ones. To their surprise, the Duffs and the Neskas are neighbors again, this time in the Country Home Heights addition of Eagan. The Neskas purchased the former home of Eagan's mayor, Tom Egan. Country Home Heights is one of the last remaining neighborhoods in Eagan to have gravel roads. Its rustic appeal is similar to what the families enjoyed in their Highway 55 neighborhood. Regard- less of why they chose their new homes, the two families have different attitudes about being forced to move. "I personally was glad to move," said Merle Duff, a 28-year Eagan resident. Duff told the City Council in May 1996 that he and his neighbors were concerned about what would happen to their prop- erties. From 1975 to March 1996, their homes were zoned as a Planned Develop- ment Area. Under that zoning, they were 'If I could have my old house back I would. We were going to let them build around us. I didn't think this was possible. I never really thought it would happen.' — MaryBeth Neska not allowed to increase the size or value of their homes. In March, their properties were rezoned to single family residential until June, when the tax -increment fi- nancing district was recommended. But making changes to their properties would be like "pouring money into some- thing you know won't be there," he said. For example, their former homes were retrofitted with new windows to reduce the air traffic noise. Duff asked the council to approve the tax -increment plan and asked that the five homes be purchased and the Airlin- er Motel be demolished with proceeds from the TIF funds. He said he received a fair purchase price and looks forward to the spring sea- son in his new home. "It's a nice quiet area. We have an acre lot and I plan to do some gardening," Duff said. MaryBeth Neska did her planting be- fore this winter's frost. She brought trees and shrubs from her former property and planted them in her new yard when she moved in October. "If I could have my old house back I would," Neska said. "We were going to let them build around us. I didn't think this was possible. I never really thought it would happen." The Neskas had 18 months left to pay on their mortgage. They planned to pur- chase their first new car and put money away for their children's education after satisfying the mortgage. Now, they have a new 15-year mortgage. Neska said she'll miss the wildlife. Her children fed bread crumbs to the pheasants and geese and they put food out for the deer each winter. "It's sad. Everything we loved about it will be gone," she said. "The kids had their own little wildlife area. I'll feel bad that (the birds and animals) won't have any place to go." Her primary objective when house hunting was to keep their children, ages 7 and 12, in the same schools. "It's not fair for them to give up their friends," Neska said. There is one aspect of her old neigh- borhood she doesn't miss. After 15 years of "barking about the Airliner Motel," she said she's glad she doesn't have to live next door to the closed business. That's one area where the Duffs and the Neskas agree. Duff called the former motel an "eyesore" that requires a bull- dozer. This HolidaySeason, celebrate with the gift of mince! It may be tempting to stay home by the fire, but if you visit your local Fred Astaire Dance Studio things will really heat up. Come to Fred Astaire Dance Studio, and give yourself the gift of fun, the gift of fitness, the gift of dance. Your friends will love it, so bring them, too! lit DANCE STUDIOS. www.fads.com HOLIDAY SPECIAL 4 Sessions of Dance $20"' New adult students only GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE 451-6300 4A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Aug. 13, 1997 Our viewpoint Raise expectations for success hcrementally Setting goals is important. Goals give our lives pur- pose and direction. But they have to be attainable to be of any use. School District 197's School Board recently set an un- realistic goal expecting that 90 percent of the district's standards test for gradu- One more makes pilgrimage to Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin — home of the largest annual air show in the world. One trip was not enough to immerse myself in the free -spir- it world of aviation. I like to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground. It's been years since I've washed second -floor windows on the outside of my house without feeling light-headed or sick to my stomach. So it was with great respect and awe that I at- tended my first Experimental a.nnr.nn n.- Sue Hegarty Eagan Editor viewed as a UFO. Its black mass against the pale blue sky turned heads on the ground as it cut the air like a razor-sharp knife. We also got to see Gene Soucy and his wing -walking assistant entertain the masses with his bi-plane. Blonde hair blowing in the wind and her body strapped snugly to a pole, the wing -walk- er would kick out a leg from time to time to let those on the ground know she was still alive. In contrast to what's new in Northeast Eagan will remain commercial City rejects idea of housing development by ErinJobnson The area, which is home to 25 acres, said it has not been able THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS businesses like Ecolab and the to find a commercial buyer for The northeast corner of Eagan Northwest Airlines flight train- the land for the past 30 years. will remain a commercial area ing center, is bordered by I-494, Loan Oak Development Partner - and will not be considered for Lone Oak Road, and highways ship oasdoe owned two85acreyears in the housing, the Eagan City Council 149 and 55. p said July 7. It is currently guided for of- The developers jointly re - The council agreed with the fice/service uses. quested a land use change to recommendation of a task force Developers Laukka Beck and build housing, along with a small that studied the area after two Loan Oak Development Partner- office/retail/transit center. developers requested a land use ship both own property in the The council put a area. Laukka Beck, which own See Northeast, 9Amoratorium change. Northeast/from lA on the area last July and hired a consultant to study the land use issue. The consultant's findings were reviewed by the task force, which consisted of members from the darks, planning, economic devel- opment and airport relations com- missions. Members of the task force pre- sented their findings to the council July 7 and unanimously conclud- ed that the area is incompatible with housing. "You should have a compelling reason to change, and in fact, there are compelling reasons to keep it what it is;" said Carla Heyl, chair of the Eagan Planning Commis- sion and the advisory task force. The area is directly under a pri- mary arrival and departure path of the Minneapolis -St. Paul Interna- tional Airport, so noise would be a major issue for residents, the task force found. It also concluded that the area is ideal for office/service use be- cause of its proximity to the air- port and highways. "Eagan doesn't have a better location for office/service," Heyl said. "And as we all know, Eagan was the largest growing employee base (in the metro area) in the last four years. This is where we can still grow" In addition, there are few simi- lar locations in Eagan for office/ service use, but there are other lo- cations for housing. Changing the land use would also create an "isolated island" of housing, the study found. "There's no parks, they're sur- rounded by freeways, they're sur- rounded by businesses;" she said. "You're just disconnected from the residential area of Eagan?' Peter Coyle, a representa- tive for the developers, said that commercial development of their properties is not feasible or practi- cal. "The properties that are in question for us are situated in a very remote portion of the city ... and they're going to continue to be an island," he said. "Not a residential island, but a no -devel- opment island." Coyle said housing would not be incompatible with the area, and pointed to developments in other cities like Edina and Burnsville's Heart of the City as successful ex- amples of residential use next to commercial use. Aupoit noise also isn't a jus- tification for denying residential use, he said, as evidenced by new housing in Cedar Grove under the path of the new runway. "When the city had its own best interest at heart in Cedar Grove, airport noise was no prob- lem whatsoever;" he said. Mayor Pat Geagan said the city is not in a position to change zon- ing just because a developer has a problem with it. "If my house is on the block for a number of years and it's not selling, maybe I'm asking too much or I shouldn't have bought it in the first place;" he said. Council Member Peggy Carl- son agreed. "This has been guided for about 30 years, and I never heard a complaint out of (the develop- ers) until about a year ago," she said. "It didn't seem like there was a complaint until a buyer came up and wanted residential for a quick sale" Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. • Council reluctantly approves grocery store Development met strong opposition from neighbors by Erin Jobnson THJSWEEK NEWSPAPERS Although the Planning Com- mission had recommended de- nial, the Eagan City Council reluctantly approved a contro- versial grocery store develop- ment called Diffley Marketplace at its Oct. 6 meeting. "I think it's always a surprise to people, and it certainly was to me, that we don't have near the ability to deny and approve that people generally think we do," said Mayor Pat Geagan. Reliance Development Com- pany plans to build a 42,600- square-foot building near the corner of Diffley Road and Lexington Avenue to house Ra- dermachers, a third -generation family grocery store with loca- tions in Savage, Jordan and Sha- kopee. The 11-acre site, east of the existing Walgreens, would also include two multi -tenant retail buildings that will likely contain coffee and sandwich shops. The proposal has raised the ire of surrounding neighbor- hoods, and council members ad- mitted they weren't too thrilled with it, either. Council Member Mike Ma- guire said he thinks the grocery store building is just too big, and Council Member Cyndee Fields said she would have preferred a more local, upscale grocery store on that site. Neighbors showed up en masse to voice their issues with the development. Occasional outbursts from the audience prompted Mayor Pat Geagan to ask for "some decorum here." Many reiterated the same concerns they presented to the Planning Commission, includ- ing increased traffic; the safety of neighborhood children, noise, the size of the development and how it would affect property values. "None of the other grocery retailers we have in Eagan out- let into a residential area," said one resident. "It's really incon- sistent, I think, with what we al- ready have going on in Eagan." The area has long been planned for retail/commercial uses, to which a grocery store conforms. Because the develop- ment largely meets zoning re- quirements, the council's hands were somewhat tied, said Eagan City Attorney Mike Dougherty. • "Neighborhood opposition is not sufficient legal reason for See Grocery, 5A Grocery/from 1A the council to deny an applica- tion," he said. Had the developer applied for straight zoning, the council would have had very little dis- cretion to deny the application, he said. Instead, the developer ap- plied for a planned develop- ment, which means that the project must provide some ben- efit to the city. Those benefits include above average architecture, more than the required amount of green space, and a unified develop- ment plan, according to John Trautz of Reliance Develop- ment Company. "This isn't something that's just going to develop in pieces. We're going to develop the whole thing," he said. The planned development also allowed the council to add conditions to make the project more palatable to its neighbors. Conditions include restrictions on outdoor storage, lighting and construction hours. It also prohibits access to the devel- opment from Daniel Drive, although that will have to be worked out between the city and the county, which controls access points on Diffley Road. "My concern is that if we vote to deny this tonight, a short-term win may well trans- late into a long-term loss," Ma- guire said. "There are a number of things, because it's in the context of a PD (planned devel- opment), we have more control of. In the context of straight ordinances, we don't have that control." The council unanimously approved the development with conditions. If the county does not approve of the city's access plan to and from Diffley, the is- sue will come back to the coun- cil. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. Plans for new Eagan grocery have neighbors concerned • Some residents fear the proposed Rademacher's Fresh Market store will bring too much traffic, light pollution and late -night activity. By SHIRA KANTOR skantor@startribune.com. Eagan residents near the intersec- tion of Lexington Av. and Diffley Road say they have always known a com- mercial development would be com- ing to their neighborhood. Some residents though, have been taken aback by a proposal for a gro- cery store that they say is too large and will cause too much of a disrup- tion in their quiet, residential neigh- borhood. "We have an elementary school di- rectly across and that's going to be a problem," said Doug Baird, who lives behind the proposed development. The proposed store, Rademach- er's Fresh Market, is "way too big," he said. He is concerned the high-pow- ered lights will be a nuisance, com- mercial truck traffic will overpower residential streets and that the store will attract youth late at night. "Law enforcement can only do so much," said Baird, an Apple Valley po- lice officer. The grocery store, part of a de- velopment called Diffley Market- place, would be 42,600 square feet, which compares to a typical grocery store at some 65,000 square feet. Al- so planned are two 10,000-square-foot multi -tenant buildings and two other retail buildings, likely a bank and a restaurant. Grocery: The developer still needs coun- ty approval before it can build. 514 N. Residents concerned about store 4 GROCERY FROM Si Though dozens of residents showed up at a council meeting earlier this month, they found themselves without much say in the matter. The city attor- ney informed council members that there was little likelihood the council could legally deny the proposal. The City Council approved it unanimously, but the devel- oper needs county approval to put a traffic signal in at Diffley — it's about 100 feet shy of reg- ular spacing guidelines for sig- nals. A county panel could take up the request as soon as in two weeks. County spokeswoman Jane Vanderpoel said the panel would not comment on the pro- posal until it took it up. If the county doesn't approve the signal, said Tom Garrison, city spokesman, the developer will have to return to the coun- cil to rework the proposal. The developer is willing to pay for three -fourths of the cost of the signal, Garrison said. The developer, Reliance Development, addressed resi- dents' concerns by agreeing to plant and maintain a barrier of trees and reducing the height of the main store sign from 20 feet to 18 feet. In a letter to the city, Vicki VanDell of Landform Engineer- ing Company, which is working on the project, wrote, "proximi- ty to homes is important so that shopping is convenient." Some residents agreed with that premise, e-mailing the city to express pleasure that Radem- acher's would add a new, high quality foods dimension to the city. The retailer specializes in fresh foods such as deli, meat, produce and baked goods, ac- cording to city documents. Still, some, like Cathy Neese, remained worried. "It's simply much to big for that area," Neese said. She is concerned that traffic will in- crease five -fold or more along her street, Daniel Drive, which is intended to give full access to Diffley Road and the mar- ketplace. As to whether the City Coun- cil acted appropriately, Neese said, "I think they maybe did the only thing they knew to do. Pretty scary that their hands are tied as much as they are." Shira Kantor • 612-673-7275 H6 • STAR TRIBUNE • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009 buying neighborhood spotlight eagan WEB RESOURCES Fannie Mae, the nation's largest source of funding for home loans, has a section for home buyers that includes links to lenders, Fannie Mae properties that are for sale, definitions of mortgage terms and calculators that help determine the cost of owning a home. Go to www.fanniemae.com. A dozen tidbits about our eighth -largest city 1. It is Minnesota's eighth largest city. Eagan cov- ers 33 square miles and has 67,500 residents, com- pared with 47,400 in 1990. 2.It has a handy location. The second -ring suburb is south of the Minnesota River, is only seven min- utes from the airport and almost equidistant from Minneapolis and St. Paul. 3. Family -friendly attractions: Cool off at the Cas- cade Bay outdoor water park slides, lazy river float and mini -golf Trapp Farm Park has a tubing hill and a fishing dock, walking paths, playfield and play- ground. The Holz farm, settled in the 1870s, is a liv- ing history farm and holds events all year. 4. Wide-open spaces: The city has ponds, lakes and 4,550 acres of open space. 5. Sports and leisure activities: Eagan has more than 50 city parks, 130 miles of walking trails, 30 soccer fields, 79 softball diamonds, BMX bike and skate- board parks and 350 lakes and ponds. 6.Range of home prices: Housing stock includes con- dos, townhouses and single-family homes (many built during the late 1980s housing boom). Condo prices start at $100,000, townhouses start in the low $100,000 range, 1950s and '60s ramblers range from $160,000 to $220,000 and two-story homes are priced from about $275,000. The most expensive home on the market today is a Toll Brothers $1.35 million mod- el home in the Steeplechase development. The av- erage sale price for a home in Eagan in 2008 was $241,531, with 681 closed homes. 7. Lots are still available. With the suburb 95 per- cent developed, most lots are in existing subdivi- sions in neighborhoods such as Steeplechase and near Red Pine Elementary. 8. Commuters care: Agent John Wily of the Edina Realty Eagan office said that because Eagan is clos- er to downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul than its neighbors to the south, home prices tend to be slightly higher. 9. Shopping and dining is minutes away. The Cliff Road Commons and Eagan Promenade have super- markets, restaurants, retailers and movie theaters. 10. A place to work and live. The city has 52,000 jobs. Major employers include Thomson Reuters and Blue Cross Blue Shield. It was No. 1 in Twin Cities job growth from 2000 to 2004. 11. Lots on the drawing board: The Cedar Grove redevelopment area, bounded by Hwy 13, Cedar Avenue and Silver Bell Road, will have a mix of housing, offices, retail and a mass transit station. Progress is dependent on the housing and retail markets, said city planners. 12. Help for home buyers and owners. The Dako- ta County Community Development Agency of- fers home buyer education classes and pre -pur- chase counseling. Go to www.dakotacda.org/ homebuyers.htm or call 651-675-4400. A free Fore- closure Information Workshop is from ll a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Farmington Library, 508 3rd St. For information, call 651-675-4555. MARKET UPDATE INFORMATION Eagan (Dakota County) New listings January Full year 110 114 2008 2009 Closed sales January 35 28 1,792 1,476 6! 17, 2007 2008 Full year 813 681 2008 2009 2007 2008 Closed sales January $233,886 $228,961 2008 2009 Detail area Full year 5262,599 2007 241,531 2008 Percent of original list price received Average days on Current 2008 January Year-to-date market until sale inventory ■ 2009 95.4% 204 233 199 92.9% 145 131 111 133 175 90.7% 90.8% 2008 2009 2007 2008 Jan. Full year Source: "The 100" from the Minneapolis -Area Association of Realtors Single- Town - family house/ detached condo by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The Eagan City Council gave the go-ahead to devel- problematic," said Kelly oper Doran Pratt to move Doran of Doran Pratt."So what we attempted to forward with the Cedar do was to look at what we Grove redevelopment proj- could identify as realistic ect after receiving an up- opportunities to move date at its April 7 meeting. wardpwith the development for - The developer presented Cedar Grove." more detailed information ofThe revised concept plan on sidewalks, trails, hous- for the area, long planned ing and retail and how they fit into the current plan. as a vibrant, urban village, "Late last year when the splits the development into financial world collapsed, two phases. Phase one in - this project became very eludes two hotels, an apart - City ready to move ahead with new Cedar Grove plan Residents to council: You can do better ment building, a child care center, a small retail build- ing, and senior housing. Phase two has yet to be de- termined. Several residents and some council members ex- pressed disappointment with the revised plan when it was approved March 16. The council gave the devel- oper feedback it wanted to see incorporated into the plan, such as more open space and less grayfield. See Cedar Grove, 8A Cedar Grove/from 1A Several residents who showed up to the April 7 meeting said they were dis- appointed those changes hadn't been brought back in a new drawing. One resident who wanted to see some kind of park or public space added to the concept said her heart sank when she saw the exact same plan as last time. Terry Johnson, who lives near the redevelopment area, said he is concerned the city is shortchanging the area based on current eco- nomic conditions. "I believe there's a lot more potential than what you're giving credit for to this area," he said. "This is a critical location." The city's financial con- sultant said it would cost $1.6 million for Eagan to do nothing in the area for the next two years•as the econo- my recovers. Resident Ed Finley said that's "chump change" if it means staying true to the original vision for the area. The current plan has no magnet to attract anyone to the area, he said. "I would like to give you a little bit of a pep talk and say, we can do better," he said. But Mayor Mike Maguire pointed out that the market has profoundly changed in recent years, and develop- ment everywhere has almost ground.to a halt. The Cedar Grove area has the unique opportunity to move forward with a plan that is market supportable, he said, and the city should take advantage of that. "If you walk away from it, you run the real risk of looking a development gift . horse in the mouth,"" he said. Changes to the plan could still occur during the application process, he said. One of those changes could include the addition of public open space. While open space has long been part of the vision for the area, Doran said the fund- ing just isn't there for it. If the city wants to in- corporate open space into the plan, it will have to find a way to pay for it, he said. Council Member Paul Bakken suggested the city "step up to the plate" and commit to providing some form of open space as part of phase two, to be devel- oped at the same time as phase one. Staff was direct- ed to begin working with area residents on addressing open space needs. Maguire said that while it is not perfect in his mind, "I'm fully behind this con- cept plan." He said he looks forward to working with the devel- oper and residents to "move it as close to perfect as we can at the end of the day." The developer is expect- ed to submit an application to the city for phase one in May, which would be heard by the Planning Commis- sion in June. Residents interested in giving their input on the open space issue are invited to a meeting with the Eagan Parks Commission at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, at Eagan City Hall. The phase one concept plan can be viewed on the city's Web site at www. cityofeagan.com. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc. com. It the Community, With the Community, For the Community www.mnSun.com -Thursday, April 16, 21 Council: Move forward on Cedar Grove plan Concerns persist about parks, retail in Eagan GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS With an opportunity for redevelop- ment in a tough economy, the Eagan City Council decided at its Tuesday, April 7, meeting that now is not a time to stall plans for Phase I of the Cedar Grove Redevelopment project. "I think it's important to move for- ward on this," said Mayor Mike Maguire, after the council received an update on the finances and a concept plan for the project. As requested by the council, a con- sultant from Ehlers and Associates said the city could lose about $1.5 million in tax revenue if it chose to wait two years to develop the area. "When you have development looking you in the face in this market, if you walk away from it and let it go in the hopes that you might get the same devel- opment or even a better one later on, you run the risk of looking a development gift horse in the mouth," said Maguire. The city, however, should still push for certain amenities it wants to see in the development, such as parks and trails, he added. Perhaps the most central issue in the discussion between the council, develop- ers and residents who attended the meet- ing was the possibility of a park in the new development. Parks and Recreation Director Juli Seydell-Johnson said nearby Woodhaven Park would meet most of the recreational needs for new residents in the area. However, work would also need to be done to connect the area by side- walks or trails with the park, which is east of the redevelopment area. Other residents voiced concerns about the safety of the park. Seydell- Johnson said the park has not had as many problems as other city parks in regard to crime. Developer Kelly Doran said the city could put a park in the area if it chooses, since it currently owns the property. However, he said the city would also have to finance the park, as the develop- ers currently could not afford to pay for one. "It will be a city decision," said Len Pratt, the other developer for the project. "We're not against parks, but we're charged with bringing something we can go to market with now." Doran also addressed the issue of making the new development attractive City Council to pedestrians. He said the sidewalks would feature benches and pedestrian - level lighting to make the area friendly to walkers. In addition to sidewalks along reconfigured main roads running east -to -west, there would also be streets running north -to -south featuring side- walks on both ends. Councilmember Paul Bakken said he liked many of the aspects of the first phase of the plan, but would be unlikely to approve any final plan for Phase I that didn't include concrete plans for a park or central gathering space. "It is something that's important to us as a community that we want it to be included and we have to step up to the plate and make it happen," he said, adding the city may need to put some of its own funds forward to get it accom- plished. Some residents voiced more general concerns about the area. Ed Finley, an Eagan resident for 27 years, said it was not in the city's best interests to proceed with the develop- ment without an attraction for people who don't already live there. "I don't think doing something, if it's the wrong thing, will help any of us," he said of moving forward with the plan as it is. The council also heard more about affordability issues in the new project. Both officials from the county and hous- ing advocates agreed that an affordable component in the first phase might not be an immediate option. "Doing development is significantly more difficult now than it was six months ago," said Mark Ulfers, director of the Dakota County Community Development Agency. Ulfers said it was an extremely tough time for the CDA to secure bonds and tax credits that it needs for affordable hous- ing developments. Mike Wold, president of the Metropolitan Interfaith Coalition on Affordable Housing, said many of his concerns about affordability raised dur- ing the last City Council meeting have been put to rest. He said he was looking forward to working with the city, the CDA and the developers on bringing affordability into the area. Both Wold and Ulfers said there might be other areas in the city that could also be targeted for affordable housing. In other news: • The council approved an extension of the development timeline for the Blue Gentian Corporate Center in northeast Eagan. The proposed office building develop- ment has yet to get off the ground due to the tough economy. Since the building is in a tax -incre- ment finance district, council members agreed it would be better to wait on the development. That way, the owners of the land would continue to pay property taxes until development begins. Developer finds grocers hard to come by in Eagan • A planned shopping center on Hwy. 3 has city approval, but it needs a grocery store as an anchor before it can be built By JOY POWELL jpowell@startribune.com Even in tough economic times, people have to eat. So you might figure that developers would have no trouble enticing a grocery store to set up shop at a prime southeast Eagan location, right? But Revestors Realty, a Burns- ville investment firm, has long been trying to get a grocer for a planned shopping center at the corner of Hwy. 3 and Red Pine Lane. This week, it received from the city of Eagan the final subdivi- sion approval for its project, a crit- ical procedural step needed for the certification of a new tax -incre- ment financing (TIF) district. But it almost didn't make it. In May 2006, the city had authorized the creation of the Southeast Ea- gan Renewal and Renovation Dis- trict, where Red Pine Crossing will be built. Revestors had asked the city for several deadline exten- sions for the final steps of creating the TIF district while it pursued a grocery store as an anchor tenant. Revestors did make the latest paperwork deadline of Feb.17, city officials said Wednesday, and the Grocery continues on B7 ► Developer finds grocer is hard to come by in Eagan GROCERY FROM B1 project has the green light. TIF districts help projects get off the ground by send- ing some tax proceeds from the property back to the own- er to mitigate the cost of devel- opment. Tim Anderson, vice presi- dent of development for Re- vestors, said his firm is in dis- cussions with a couple of gro- cery stores. "We have ongoing conver- sations with a couple and still pursuing others," he said. "Ob- viously, the economy has made it more complicated. We're still pursuing it. We still think that's the best use out there. We've had a really good partnership with the city and seen eye to eye with what we want to end up there." The center is planned for the southeast corner of Hwy. 3, which is also known as S. Rob- Site of proposed development Dakota County EAGAN Dakota Star Tribune County • f -64--Fri hay/1,e -Z 11 el /-re 9 0 ert Trail, and Red Pine Lane. The supermarket is to be the anchor, with a space ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 square feet, and the development will have several smaller shops and merchants. The grocer needs to be in place for others to want to sign leases, Anderson said. Studies have shown that southeast Eagan could use an- other grocery store, one with- in 2 or 3 miles of a big hous- ing subdivision, rather than the longer distance and many stoplights that locals must tra- verse to get to grocery stores near Diffley Road and Lexing- ton Avenue, for example, or out onto Interstate 35E, he said. Eagan already has five main grocery stores and a few small- er stores selling ethnic food. Red Pine Crossing would be a neighborhood center, a cate- gory typically smaller in scale than a shopping center an- chored by a Target store, for instance, Anderson said. Revestors is targeting a 2- to 3-mile area for a new grocery store because the area grew quite a bit during the last hous- ing boom, he said. The company acquired one big parcel and a hand- ful of smaller parcels, includ- ing some land that was unde- veloped and other parts that were zoned light industrial. The area beyond is mostly sin- gle family houses with families who sometimes have to travel 10 minutes to buy a gallon of (SO) THURSI milk, Anderson said. A number of projects have been slowed by the econo- my, including redevelopment projects like Southeast Eagan and private projects, Garrison said. City officials are noticing that some developers who plan to weather the downturn are doing homework now in antic- ipation of an upswing, whenev- er that occurs, he said. Anderson acknowledged that the Red Pine project hing- es on getting a grocer and said the firm can't commit to a cer- tain time that the project will be built, "but obviously, no- body wants it there faster than we do," he added. "We have grocery studies; it's a feasible plan. It's just a matter of the timing of getting all the details worked out, and obviously, the economy has a big part in how long that's go- ing to take." Joy Powell • 952-882-9017 Eagan proposes projects for Recovery Zone bonding by Laura Adelmann THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Federal Recovery Act provi- sions may help Eagan forward its multi -million dollar goals to redevelop two areas, including a hotel in Cedar Grove. Eagan has applied to Da- kota County for $7.5 million in bonding authority to build a 90- unit hotel in the Cedar Avenue/ Highway 13 area, once home to Cedarvale Shopping Center and many small businesses. The city is also seeking $12 million in bonding authority General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000 e Pt 111 hers, Inc. Y 34493 00023 6 for an 80,000-square-foot office building at the intersection of I-494, I-35E and Highway 55. Depending on its ultimate use, the office building is estimated to create about 50 construction jobs and anywhere from 40 to 400 jobs upon completion, while the hotel would create about 50 construction jobs, then 16 hotel jobs. Dakota County is authorized to allocate $20.9 million in Re- covery Zone bonds through the American Recovery and Rein- vestment Act of 2009, but an- other proposal has been submit- ted as well, leaving a $6.6 million bonding authority gap for all projects and a decision for coun- ty commissioners. The other application is a $7.5 million request from the South St. Paul Housing and Redevel- opment Authority for an office/ warehouse development at the old stockyards site. Commissioner Liz Workman said South St. Paul's proposal is better than Eagan's hotel, be- cause the city estimates the proj- ect will create and retain a total of 330 jobs. Of the hotel project, Work- man said, "I've got to think that the salaries aren't real good'," and "I just think .for $7.5 (mil- lion) 16 jobs just isn't a lot." Community Development Authority Director Mark Ulfers said they are verifying informa- tion in the applications and will present options for commission- ers to consider at the board's March 15 committee meeting. If approved, cities would have bonding authority only, and would have to get financing FEBRUARY 10th-15th ONLY! FOR FUN: ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGE - FOR REST: („11dIFORWARMTH: LUXURY SPA BATH{` FIREPLACE"` Celebrate this Valentine's Day with RED HOT SAVINGS, on a new Ryland homel But hurry in —these deals are too sweet to last) 1 IAisu) e-e.k 02 - 1 Z - .201 tttt. committed to their projects. "We hope this resource can be, used," Ulfers said. "One of the main things we're trying to drill down deeper on is what level of potential each of these applica- tions have to actually get the deal financed. There's obviously interest, but that doesn't neces- sarily equate to a firm financing commitment." Laura Adelmann is at dceditor@ frontiernet.net. RYLAND HOMES' RylandTwinCities.com 'Entertainment package is valued at up to S5,000 and includes 40- Flat -Panel LCD HDTV, 7-channel home theater ready wiring, premium front wall or ceiling speakers, subwoofer outlet, 2-room basic music package, and technology tube one (11 level. "Luxury spa bath is valued at up to $5,150 and includes a separate shower stall and oversize soaking bath with jets.•'"Fireplace is valued at up to S4,470 and includes a direct vent fireplace with ceramic tile surround and choice of trim. Incentives and promotions are available on applicable homes with contracts written between February 10th, 2010 and February 15th, 2010 only. To receive incentives and promotions, buyer must obtain mortgage loan from Ryland Mortgage Company and close with Ryland Trtle Company. Buyer may finance via any other qualified lender, but will not be eligible for any Ryland incentive offer. MN Builder License number 20035443.0 2010 The Ryland Group, Inc Residents oppose Slater Road office plan By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications Residents who live south of Cliff Road along Slater Road in Eagan object to a plan to build three office buildings in their neighborhood. Parks Real Estate requested a prelim- inary subdivision and a final planned de- velopment agreement from the city to subdivide six acres into three lots. Agent Chris Moarn said the company wants to build three office buildings for tenants such as attorneys and medical profes- sionals. The issue was scheduled to ap- pear before the Eagan City Council Feb. 3, after this newspaper's press deadline. Residents from the Slater Road area came to the Eagan Advisory Planning Commission meeting Jan. 27 to ask that the project be denied. Marcelle Reeder, whose back yard abuts the property, said she doesn't want people from a three- story office looking through her windows and into her back yard. The St. Charles Wood single family neighborhood abuts the property to the south. The Amoco gas station is to the north and Cedar Avenue is to the east. Planning commissioners agreed with the residents, saying the plan is too in- tense for that site. Moarn said his plan includes landscaping and placement of the buildings to avoid damage to wet- lands. Another resident said he fears the ex- isting pond would become a lake due to water runoff from the proposed parking lot. Traffic congestion also was feared by residents. The proposed development, re- ferred to as Prairie Oaks, would generate about 1,050 daily vehicle trips when fully developed. About 75 percent of that traf- fic (785 trips) is estimated to travel to and from the north. About 265 daily trips would be anticipated to travel through the residential neighborhood. Plans indi- cated not enough parking stalls, which caused residents to fear parking would occur on Slater Road. Commissioners said they would con- sider a plan that had only two office buildings. Moarn said he'd be willing to sell the southern third of the parcel to the city for park land. Since 1982 the site has been depicted as limited business use in the Winker - Jackson Planned Development. It cur- rently is a wooded, narrow strip of land sandwiched between Cedar Avenue and Slater Road. Wga111 Tell UCCK \,C4(11(nolVy Z ) !Mg Developer asks city of Eagan for cooperation on townhome project By MARK LARSON A local developer may get some help from the city of Ea- gan to turn a 25-acre commer- cial area into a 212-unit town - home development. Mark Parranto, a representa- tive for Delta Development Inc., proposed a plan to the City Council for the townhome development adjacent to Beau d'Rue Drive, south of Cedar - vale Shopping Center and north of single-family homes located in the Cedar Grove area. Parranto said he has already established purchase agree- ments for most of the property, but he may need the city's help to acquire the rest and demolish many of the buildings now existing on the property. At a Jan. 20 meeting with Parranto, the council reviewed the plans, which were an ex- pansion of plans Parranto pre- sented at an October City Council meeting. A majority of council members approved of developing the site because they said community shopping center zoning would not work in that area, but Parranto's original plans did not include development for the entire area. The new proposal would use the entire area and leave a large grouping of oak trees in the middle of the development as well as a storm water pond. "We have done all the nec- essary site work needed to complete a preliminary plat, but we don't have control of all the parcels of land. We will need the city's help," said Par- ranto. "The property is covered with buildings that will need to be torn down, including several concrete foundations that will need to be ground up and hauled away. That will cost a lot of money." Parranto asked the council if it would consider assisting Delta Development by exercis- ing condemnation powers and providing tax increment financ- ing for the development. Mayor Tom Egan said he would support the development because there has not been any interest in further commercial development at the site. "This is the first holistic ap- proach_I've seen for developing the area," said Egan. "Everyone wants _to nibble at solutions, but no one before this has come forward with a comprehensive plan." Several neighbors of the site opposed the development when it was first proposed. About 350 people signed a petition against the development, stat- ing they like the neighborhood the way it is and they would prefer single-family homes or commercial development on the site. Council Member Sandy j Masin said she would not sup- /port changing the land's com- 1 mercial use to residential and i she thought the council should take the entire Cedarvale area into consideration. "We shouldn't put constraints on the businesses already Ithere. We need to give them a chance," said Masin. However, Egan said he did not think there is any more support for commercial use in Ii the proposed area than when its development first began. The residential development, Egan said, will provide a new market for that area and clean up blight. Hedges said the city is facing a similar situation with the Air- liner and Spruce motels and the city may need to use con- demnation powers if the prop- erty owners are not willing to sell. He also said the city would consider allowing tax increment financing. "These are things we use very sparingly, but they would help to make the homes more affordable. First, we need to find out how the public feels about the development," said Hedges. Parranto said that with the city's help, Delta Development could break ground this spring. City Administrator Tom Hedges said part of the site has been occupied by a local cabi- net and liquidation company known as Lumber and Mill- work Barn. "It's not typically what we would see in one of our indus- trial parks," said Hedges. Most of the land is occupied by small businesses and di- lapidated warehouse space, according to Hedges. "It's almost as if the business owners have been in a rubber boat, paddling by hand and not getting anywhere," said Coun- cil Member Ted Wachter. 7 4A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan 5un•Current/Wednesday, June 30, 1999 OPINION Take time to take a look at Eagan's plans for the future By Tom Hedges Guest columnist The city of Eagan is updating its Comprehensive Guide Plan and has been working to involve the public throughout this pro- ject. A series of open houses were held earlier this year to re- view the land use portion of the plan. The entire draft plan is now complete and the city would like to again hear comment from the public. Therefore, a Commu- nity Open House has been scheduled on Tuesday, July 13, to invite public comment and discussion on the city's Draft Comprehensive Guide Plan and its proposed changes. The plan is a tool used to guide the city's vision for development over the next 10 to 20 years. The last thorough update of the plan occurred in 1983 when Eagan was a mostly developing community. Now, Eagan is a com- munity of nearly 62,000 resi- dents and is about 90 percent de- veloped. The plan is being updat- ed now to reflect the changes that have, for the most part, already occurred. The city is not propos- ing making broad sweeping changes with this update; rather, the new plan mostly reflects ex- isting development patterns. The plan includes sub -sec- tions which address land use, transportation issues, housing, utilities, parks, trails, natural resources, airports, housing, economic development, and public facilities such as schools, libraries, fire stations, etc. Up- dating the Comprehensive Guide Plan can impact zoning, development standards and long range development goals. The relatively few landowners, whose property is expected to undergo change with this up- date; have already been contact- ed directly and in most cases they are working with city staff to determine the impacts. We hope the open house will give residents and area business representatives an opportunity to become more aware of the types and intensity of develop- ment which may occur in their neighborhoods, to understand their own property classifica- tions and to express ideas re- garding the development vision proposed for the community. The open house is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Eagan Fire Ad- ministration building, second floor meeting room, 3795 Pilot Knob Road. The open house will be in- formal in nature. City staff and public officials will be on hand to answer questions and hear con- cerns. Maps illustrating future land use, zoning, roadways, utili- ties, parks, etc., will be on display for public review. Copies of the draft plan are also available for re- view at the Wescott Library and at the Eagan City Hall in the Com- munity Development Department. The public hearing on the Draft Comprehensive Guide Plan update will most likely be scheduled for early' August be- fore the Advisory Planning Commission with formal adop- tion of the final plan by the City Council later this fall. If you would like further in- formation or to review the Eagan Comprehensive Guide Plan, or the plans of bordering communi- ties, please contact Planner Julie Farnham at 651-681-4698. Tom Hedges is the city adminis- trator for the city of Eagan. 6 Weed M y 17, Wg City approves market, land use planning for Cedarvale By MARK LARSON Cedarvale, an area of Eagan some City Council members have called a "blight" to the city, may soon get help to re- develop its look. City Council members unanimously approved authori- zation for a redevelopment market plan and land use plan for the land that falls between Silver Bell Road, Beau De Rue Drive and Highway 13. Once completed, the studies will give the council and city staff a better understanding of what kinds of redevelopment can take place and how much it will cost, according to Jon Hohenstein, assistant to . the city administrator. The city may then decide to allow tax increment financing (TIF) to enable redevelopment. "The Economic Development Committee (EDC) has been interested in seeing revitaliza- tion in the Cedarvale area for some time. With the request from the (Cedarvale) Task Force, the EDC saw an oppor- tunity to get activity going in the area," said Hohenstein. "However, the studies are a precursor to tax increment fi- nancing." At its March 27 meeting, the Cedarvale Task Force, consist- ing of business property owners in the Cedarvale area, re- quested the city consider the creation of a TIF redevelop- ment district. Hohenstein said the redevel- opment could range from major structural renovations to all new construction. "TIF is not a clean-up, spruce -up tool," said Hohen- stein. "It's designed for new development. It's important for the city that the businesses al- ready there survive, but it is also necessary to attract new business to be an anchor for (See Cedarvale, p.24A) (Continued from fron t page) the area." Hohenstein said it is possible some businesses will relocate in the community. "Some fit in nicely, but the property owners say the layout is not efficient," said Hohen- stein. Hugh Fitzgerald, owner of Cedarvale Lanes bowling al- ley, said the area hasn't been the same since 1982, when Cedar Avenue was changed and the once -busy intersection of Cedar Avenue and Sibley Memorial Highway was elimi- nated. Without that intersec- tion, business suffered, Fitzgerald said. "We (Cedarvale Task Force members) have been trying to think of ways to revitalize the area," said Fitzgerald. "We hope a TIF district will attract developers to the area, allow- ing us to upgrade buildings." Fitzgerald said he realized some businesses may be forced to move, but the inconven- ience would be worth it for everyone. "If we sit here and do noth- ing, it will be hard for the area to revitalize itself," said Fitzgerald. The market and land use plans approved by the council will take approximately six months to complete. The stud- ies will provide information to plan land uses; a market analysis to identify desired businesses and intensities and strategies to include existing property owners within the re- developed area or community. Dan Sjolseth, owner of Supe- rior Collision Carstar, said al- most any outcome of creating a TIF district would benefit the Cedarvale businesses. _ "If I stay in Cedarvale and the roads are fixed, the in- creased traffic could only im- prove my business," said Sjol- seth. "On the other hand, mov- ing to another area may still open up some opportunity. My business might even flourish more in a higher traffic area. I feel something is going to hap- pen. It's in the city's best in- terest." According to Hohenstein, the city has been analyzing rede- velopment strategies used in other metropolitan communi- ties. Looking at Richfield's 78th Street area and Roseville's Highway 38 area, both successful TIF districts, could help Eagan plan its own redevelopment, according to Hohenstein. "We're not looking to rein- vent the wheel, but rather use other cities' successes as a model," said Hohenstein. Forty-seven of the 49 struc- tures being included in the study are deemed structurally substandard. A structure is con- sidered substandard if the cost of bringing it up to current code requirements exceeds 15 percent of the cost to build a similar new structure. TIF laws require only 50 percent of the buildings within an area to be substandard. If the council does eventually decide to create a TIF district in the Cedarvale area, future property tax increases resulting from the improvements would be allowed to be used for rede- velopment. Both council members and Cedarvale business owners hope TIF will be incentive enough to attract new develop- ers to the area. Council Member Pat Awada said she was interested in see- ing property on the north side of Highway 13 be included in the district. Hohenstein - said the properties, including the Silver Bell bus center, the Tesseract School and the Withering Heights neighbor- hood, would not be included in the study, but could be added later to the district. -111filiSlfife31( Because the news never stops :r3fL1/1 wwwthisweek-online.com Residents defend land, city ggovemment in '04 Contentious developments and a proposed charter inspire local activists game in Eagan in 2004. Big - ticket properties like the former Diamond T Ranch and Carriage Hills Golf Course were eyed for housing, as was a small slice of green space near the Caponi Art Park. Toll Brothers continues to seek a zoning change and planned development to build luxury housing on 37 acres that formerly housed Diamond T Ranch. The property has faced many environmental challenges, not the least of which is heaps of manure, oil drums and some as- bestos left on the land. But something more seri- ous was uncovered: debris from the old Met Stadium, including See Review, SA by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The past year in Eagan began with a challenge to maintain quality services without state aid or a bigger budget, and the challenge seems to have been met. Residents reaffirmed their satisfaction with Eagan's elected officials by sending them back to office, and retired Parks and Recreation Director Ken Vraa's shoes were so hard to fill they still remain empty. But what really stood out last year was the local activism that was inspired by several contro- versial proposals. Whether it was building houses on a small piece of land in the Eagan Core Greenway or considering a new Photo by Rick Orrtdorf Surprising debris at Diamond T was one of the year's big dis- coveries. form of city government, Ea- gan residents made their voices heard. Development Development, and opposi- tion to it, was the name of the EG 8A January 1, 2005 THISWEEK Review/from 1A seating, carpeting, glass, metal and concrete, as well as more asbestos and PCBs, which are known carcinogens. The land is still owned by former Diamond T Ranch pro- prietor Carol Thomas, who now lives in Florida. Toll Brothers is proposing to rectify the envi- ronmental damage as part of its development proposal. Neighbors of the property have organized and rallied against the development from the beginning, citing environ- mental and density concerns. Diamond T's fate could be determined next week, as the City Council decides whether to order more environmental testing or proceed with a deci- sion on the development. For the second time in eight years, the Eagan City Council denied a proposal to turn Car- riage Hills Golf Course into a housing development. Wensmann Homes was seeking an amendment to the city's guide plan to build 480 units of housing on the 120- acre golf course. The land is currently guided for public and quasi -public facilities. A similar proposal for the site was denied in 1996. Owner Ray Rahn said that the golf course has been failing for years and is $3 million in debt. The Carriage Hills Coali- tion, a highly -organized oppo- sition group, sent hundreds of letters and e-mails, as well as a petition, to the city, citing open space, traffic and safety issues as well as additional cost bur- dens. The council denied the pro- posal, and Rahn and Wensmann responded with a lawsuit. The suit, which has been moved to federal court, claims the city's denial violated the plaintiffs' constitutional rights to due pro- cess and equal protection. One controversial housing development did get the green light in 2004 despite much protest. The council approved Ray Miller's proposal to build 16 townhome units, called Lexington Ridge, on six acres between the Lexington Diffley Athletic Fields and the Caponi Art Park. Photo by Erin Johnson Neighbors of the former Diamond T Ranch protested the development that would turn this quiet cul-de-sac on Wellington Way into a through street. Opponents of the develop- ment said the land is a pivotal piece of the Eagan Core Gre- enway and should not be de- veloped, but Miller's proposal succeeded. Lexington Ridge marks the first time a private housing de- velopment in Eagan has access through a public park, the Lex- ington Diffley Athletic Fields. An notable development that did not take place in 2004 is Mary Jo Copeland's orphan- age. Copeland said she had hoped to open the doors to the children's home in 2004, but a shortage of funds has kept the project on hold. Copeland did, however, re- ceive a big boost in her quest to build an orphanage in Ea- gan last year: $5 million in matching grants from Best Buy founder Richard Schulze. The project is still $21 million short of its $30 million goal. Finally, a hard-won develop- ment came to fruition in Eagan last year. After lobbying the city to build more affordable housing for years, advocates were able to declare a victory with the construction of Cedar Villas and Erin Place. Photo by Rick Ontdo f The city rejected plans to turn Carriage Hills Golf Course into housing and is now being sued by the developer. Both are affordable rental townhome units, the result of a partnership between the CDA and private developer Shelter Corporation. ` 1 Preservation Eagan's prolific advocate group, Friends of the Eagan Core Greenway, saw victory on one major goal and steady progress on another in 2004. The Eagan City Council ap- proved in May the purchase of nine acres of land to be added to Patrick Eagan Park. The land, which was owned by Lee and Laurel Anderson, is adjacent to the east side of the 102-acre park, located north of Diffley Road on Lexington Av- enue. Steady progress was also made on preservation of the Caponi Art Park, although it is still not a done deal. Owner Tony Caponi has been working for years to make sure his land is protected. In 2004, the city received $500,000 in grants from the Minnesota Department of Nat- ural Resources (DNR) to help preserve 30 acres of the 60-acre park. The park also received a $3,000 check from Friends of the Eagan Core Greenway •as / well as a $2,500 grant from State Farm Insurance Compa- ny's Good Neighbor Grant pro- gram. Making noise The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) alienated many cities surrounding the air- port, including Eagan, by sig- nificantly cutting spending for its noise abatement plan from $150 million to $35.4 million. As a result, almost 500 homes in Eagan will not receive the level of noise mitigation expected. The city threatened MAC with a lawsuit, accusing the organization of breaking a promise to surrounding cities. The plan is currently await- ing FAA approval. Victories, defeats Eaganites re-elected incum- bents on all levels of govern- ment in 2004. Rep. Tim Wilkin defeated DFL challenger Christine Har- bron to keep his seat in District • 38A, and Rep. Lynn Wardlow retained his seat in District 38B, beating out DFL candi- date Jim Carlson. Residents also re-elected Cyndee Fields and Meg Tilley to a second term on the Eagan City Council. But a proposal to change the city's form of government did not fare as well. Eagan residents soundly defeated the proposed Eagan Charter, with about 80 percent of residents voting against it. Approval of the charter would have changed Eagan from a statutory to a council- manager form of government. It would have also separated Eagan into four political wards, each ward represented,by an in- dividual council member, two "at large" council members and a mayor. Proponents claimed the charter would allow more lo- cal control and representation for residents. Opponents said Eagan already has an excel- lent system of government and there is no need to change it. The Charter Commission's work is not done, however. The 13-member commission re- mains intact unless a majority of its members choose to dis- band, so it's possible the char- ter issue could appear again in the future. Members plan to meet in February to discuss the commission's future. Crime While Eagan remains among the safest communities in which to live, 2004 brought three shootings, one resulting in death, and homemade bombs left on three doorsteps. Eagan had its first murder in two years in September, when Cleveland Nason, 31, was shot and killed in his ex -girlfriend's apartment. Lavora Arneca Gal- bert, 42, was charged with one count of first -degree murder and two counts of second-de- gree murder. Nason was the father of Galbert's son and had been living on and off at Gal- bert's apartment since October 2003. Galbert, who said she shot Nason after he choked and threatened her and refused to leave, is currently being held in jail on $500,000 bail. In June, a Burnsville woman was shot in the neck as she was riding in a car near the Wescott Square apartment complex. She was treated and released from the hospital the same day. Two men, Todd Johnson, 19, and Emmanuel Killion, 17, pleaded guilty to the crime. Killion told police the men had been drink- ing and using drugs and that the shots were fired at random and not with the intent to harm any- one. In August, a 26-year-old man, Lee Murray, was shot several times near the 900 block of Wescott Square in Ea- gan. Revenge was the apparent motive. Richard Allen Lindorff, 45, was charged with attempted murder. Lindorff is the uncle of a juvenile that Murray killed in 1996.Lindorff's alleged ac- complice, Harvey Lee Eason, 37, was charged with assault. Murray, who had been re- leased from prison in March after serving time for the juve- nile's murder, was sent back to jail on a parole violation. In November, Eagan police responded to reports of home- made "MacGyver bombs" detonating on three residential doorsteps within a two-hour period. The homes were on Coving- ton Lane, Murphy Parkway and Ethan Drive. In all three inci- dents, residents were at home when the bombs detonated. No injuries were reported. Five juveniles have been charged with felony possession of explosives or an incendiary device. Final bows After 24 years and the de- velopment of 48 parks, Ken Vraa retired as Eagan's direc- tor of Parks and Recreation in March. His many accomplishments included development of the city's tree preservation policy, parks master plan and water quality management plan, de- velopment of partnerships with schools and youth athletic as- sociations, and the growth of the Eagan Art House and Holz Farm. The city also lost its longest - tenured employee to retirement in 2004. John Kreager was a street maintenance employee in Eagan for 33 years. When he first began plowing Eagan streets in 1970, there were only 43 miles of road, compared to 230 miles today. Business Last year, Eagan began seek- ing a master developer for the Cedar Grove redevelopment project to bring to life its long- range vision of a vibrant Cedar Grove area. The area will feature retail, housing, entertainment, dining, hotels and office space, with an emphasis on pedestrian acces- sibility. Ecolab announced that it will move its research and de- velopment center and a small data center to Eagan, resulting in 400 additional jobs and po- tential future expansion. The St. Paul Post Office also tagged Eagan as a likely new home. The move could bring up to 1,400 new workers to Ea- gan. The future 2005 will bring a bigger city budget, five new city positions and a reorganization of the po- lice department. Some of last year's business still needs to be wrapped up, like the hiring of a new Parks and Recreation director, the completion of the Caponi Art Park preservation, a decision on the Carriage Hills lawsuit, and a decision on Dia- mond T. Next year also marks the opening of the airport's new North -South runway, which is guaranteed to have an impact. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. 'Main Street' meets econbmic reality Long-term vision of vibrant, urban village in Eagan's Cedar Grove gets scaled down in new concept plan by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Eagan's long-term vision of Cedar Grove as a vibrant, urban village got a real- ity check when a revised concept plan was presented to the City Council on March 10. The new plan reflects the current econo- my, which has changed significantly in the years since the redevelopment area was cre- ated, said Eagan Director of Development Jon Hohenstein. Master developer Doran Pratt has spent months creating a new plan that will be supported by the current market and still meet the council's original goals for the area, said Kelly Doran. "I know this project has seen lots of iterations in the months we've been work- ing on it, but we think we've come up with something that's achievable and sustain- able," he said. Located east of Cedar Avenue along Highway 13, the Village at Cedar Grove has long been planned as a mix of commercial retail space, life -cycle housing, office build- ings, and open space. As the economy shifted, the city began looking at what could be accomplished in a first phase that is consistent with the city's goals, even if every goal is not included in the first phase, Hohenstein said. The new concept divides the area into two phases, with the east half of the rede- velopment area — bordered by Silver Bell Road and Cedar Grove Parkway — being developed as phase one. y...l., -., MM4 • ry»m•y..w..yw.r '+y. • 1. W n. I.11•1.1fl .I ...Y......,..., h . ,- .-.., ...lr «...1,1....,.i.w....,«...«,iwwr IM• s l.. M.y.y.i '1 ./r wle _.., Mt.l _„ ,.M.. .r•� ••.....,� wily �+• Y.y.nll.. !M 100.1.01. M�..� .Mul`1 •• ., tia. %41A Oa .w.. Submitted graphic The new concept plan showing a potential first phase of the Cedar Grove redevelopment area features more apartments, less retail and no public park. Two four-story, extended stay hotels would anchor the far east end of the development, with 150 units of senior housing at the west end of phase one. The green area represents a future development phase, which developers hope would include more retail. Gone is the planned public park with a possible amphitheater, as well as the grid street pattern with a "Main Street" running through the center. Also missing are the single-family cot- tage homes and the emphasis on retail at the east end of the development. Instead, the new concept for phase one features 150 units of senior housing, 250 apartment units, two four-story hotels, and a building for child care/commercial use. Cedarvale Lanes and Jensen's Supper See Cedar Grove, 9A Cedar Grove/from 1A Club will remain at their current locations, surround- ed by hundreds of new parking spaces. "There seems to be a lot of greyfield built in," Mayor Mike Maguire said. Maguire also noted that the configuration of the apartments — essentially forming a large square in the center of the develop- ment — seems a bit closed off from the larger area. "One of the things we had conceptualized was that there would be a feeling of connectedness to the whole district," he said. The concept also does not include any public open spaces, because the fund- ing for them just isn't there, Doran said. "We'd love to have a won- derful public open space, but there's some economic reality to this," he said. Council Member Cyndee Fields noted there are few new retail options for a large concentration of people. "That's been our goal all along ... to have an urban feel here," she said. The retail market has changed, Doran said, and there is a lot of uncertainty about when stores would be willing to locate in the area. . The hope is that by devel- oping the first phase sooner rather than later, retail will be drawn to the area for phase two, he said. "I think at this point it's probably the best we can do," he said. • The city still envisions a mix of retail, office space, public open space and pos- sibly additional types of housing in the future devel- opment phase, Hohenstein said. Maguire said there were small items in the concept plan that may need to be addressed, but overall the council expressed enthusi- asm to see the project move forward. Council Member Paul Bakken said it would be good to get some develop- ment started in the area now, which would help open up possibilities for the remainder of the land in the future. "I think if we waited too long and did absolutely nothing in the next couple of years, it would be harder and harder to get started on anything," he said. Sharon Hanson, a co- owner of Cedarvale Lanes, said she welcomes the new plan. "I am very excited to see this much in that triangle. It's been tough down there," she said. The plan at this point is just a concept, Doran said. The council will vote wheth- er to approve the plan at its March 16 meeting. If approved, the earliest construction would begin is late summer or early fall. The concept can be viewed on the city's Web site at www.cityofeagan.com. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. Eagan Council approves concept for Cedar Grove; some want more • The retail, green space and walkways in the plan are on hold because of the economy, drawing concern at a hearing Tuesday. By JOY POWELL jpowell@startribune.com Give us more green space, more retailers and the sense of commu- nity that you promised, Eagan res- idents told developers this week about the Cedar Grove redevelop- ment along Hwy. 13. The Eagan City Council on Tuesday night unanimously ap- proved a concept plan for the mixed -used development in a prime location touted as the "gate Nay to the city." But slowed by a sluggish econo- my, the plan has been whittled back and split into phases. In the first, developers propose market -rate apartments, senior housing and an extended -stay motel. Retail, green space, walkways and more will come in later phases, said developers, stressing that they want to move ahead with what the market can support now. They said they'll introduce more elements as the economy and construction ac- tivity rebounds. "It's important because it is a step in the process and they've identified some things they think will be mar - Eagan continues on B4 ► 61A A e___ 9/IPV2oo? B4 • METRO • STAR TRIBUNE • WEDNESDAY, MARCH EAGAN'S CEDAR GROVE DEVELOPMENT: A SCALED -DOWN VISION 2007 concept Market rate apartments 268 units Senior independent and assisted Hotel New retail Senior co-op Workforce rental Cottage homes Corporate office Parks and open space Remainder to be developed New concept 250 units 128 units 150 units 160 rooms 160 rooms 97,000 sq. feet 13,000 sq. feet 368 units 128 units 141 units 150,000 sq. feet 4.3 acres To be developed none 29 acres SOURCE: City of Eagan Economic Development Authority, 2009 New Cedar Grove concept gets approval and concern i EAGAN FROM B1 ket supportable, even in our tough economy," said Jon Ho- henstein, the city's economic development director. "It would be unusual at any time for someone to attempt to develop a 65-acre parcel in one phase but especially in the cur- rent economy, it would be un- reasonable to expect that," he said. Developer Len Pratt, co- owner of Pratt Homes, said he and partner Kelly Doran of Doran Companies have three developers ready to build. They include the NetHertz Corp. of Fargo and its plans to build a 160-room Candlewood Suites hotel, Hohenstein said. Tuesday night, Pratt told res- idents he was willing to rework plans to provide more park space, which had been scaled back since the 65-acre project was envisioned in 2007. The plans had begun a de- cade ago with a study of Cedar Avenue and Hwy. 13. Business owners, residents, Chamber of Commerce representatives and others worked with a con- sultant to identify a vision. It was a set of design prin- ciples and expectations of an "active -living" urban approach that centers on transit, given a new transit station is to be built in the west end of the develop- ment. "Walkability" is another key feature, along with plenty of public space. Among those at Tuesday's hearing on the concept plan was a 7-year-old girl who had moved into the Nicols Ridge townhouses with her mother and now has no sidewalk for bi- cycle riding. Their front porch overlooks Cedarvale, where a shopping center was razed and most businesses are gone. The girl's mother called for a park and plazas along walkways. Other citizens implored the council to ensure affordable housing gets built. And some warned against building too many condos at market rate. "I hate to see something like Burnsville," resident Dar- cy Kupczak told Pratt, refer- ring to a high vacancy rate among new condominiums in Burnsville. Some were auc- tioned off at fire -sale prices. The current Eagan plan does not include condos, though a previous developer had a large number of condos as a basis of his plan. That developer dropped out. Pratt told Kupczak that he knew of the condo situation in Burnsville and that it was a lesson for his firm. He said re- search shows that the Eagan market can now support 250 new market -rate apartments, a senior housing complex with 128 units and the motel. The retail development will incorporate the existing Jen- sen's Supper Club and Cedar - vale Lanes bowling center near Silver Bell Road, he said. A 2007 Cedar Grove vision had called for retail services, food, restaurants and shopping to serve neighborhood needs, including gathering spots. The problem, Hohenstein said, is that "nobody is build- ing in retail right now" The partners have not yet formally applied to the city to rezone and build but have pro- vided a concept to gauge City Council and citizen feedback. Mayor Mike Maguire said the city faces tension as it pushes to start building so the city can increase property val- ues in the new tax increment fi- nancing district. Those higher property values are to generate more taxes, which the city will use to pay for project costs. Now that the concept has been approved, the develop- ers will incorporate sugges- tions and submit their zoning and subdivision applications. On April 7, the developers are to update the council. Joy Powell • 952-882-9017 In the Community. With the Community, For the Community Eagan City Council looks at new Cedar Grove plan Developers say new plan reflects current economy GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS This summer could be the time when construction replaces demolition in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment District, but the original vision for the district may have changed. The Doran Pratt development team revealed its preliminary concept plan for the first phase of the redevelopment project Tuesday, March 10, at an Eagan City Council work session. The first phase would occur on the land on the eastern half of the district that lies southeast of the intersection of highways 13 and 77, where the Cedarvale Mall once stood. The first phase of the development would contain 2.95 to 250 units of market rate apartments, 150 units of senior apartments, and two 80- room hotels. If approval is granted, the developers would proceed with applications for each portion of the development. The preliminary concept plan may change slightly as specific developments come forward, as the main purpose is to give the developers a vision of what the council is amenable to. Although it only encompasses half the redevelopment district, the new plan could be interpreted as a scaled -down version of the original concept plan for the entire area that was approved by the council in November 2007. That plan called for 900 housing units, including 100 "cottage homes" that sur- rounded a park in the center of the dis- City Council trict. In the new plan there's no plan for a park or owner -occupied homes. "We think we've created something that's achievable and sustainable and meets the original goals of the project," said Kelly Doran, one of the project's developers. "The housing that's here is really what meets today's needs," said Len Pratt, another developer. Community Development Director Jon Hohenstein said that while the first phase doesn't contain some the key ele- ments laid out in the master concept plan, those could come in other phases in the development when the market is in better shape. Hohenstein said the master plan is meant to be a general guiding document, as the items in Phase I fit with the origi- nal plan, even though their locations may differ. "The master plan sets out all sorts of expectations, but Phase I might not have all of those," he said. "In a very tough economic environment, the fact they can put any of that together is significant." Currently there is no plan for the 29 acres on the western half of the district. The developers said potential uses for the area could include an office complex or a commercial area. The hotels would go in at the very eastern edge of the district, near the intersection of Silver Bell Road and Cedar Grove Parkway and will likely be extended stay hotels. CITY COUNCIL: TO NEXT PAGE In the Community, With the Community, For the Community City Council FROM PREVIOUS PAGE The existing Cedarvale Lanes and Jensen's Supper Club would remain and the apartments would be to the west. The senior housing complexes, which would be a mix of assisted and inde- pendent living would anchor the west end of the first phase. A Minnesota Valley Transit Association park -and -ride facility is already under construction at the very west end of the district, near Highway 77. Council members had a number of concerns about the proposal, yet were understanding that today's market con- ditions didn't give the developers a lot of flexibility. Councilmember Cyndee Fields said the hotels were a welcome addition, but voiced concern over the lack of retail space. "That's my concern is we're going to have a large group of people here and they're going to be driving to the gro- cery store," said Fields, as one of the council's goals for the district was to make the district as self-sustaining as possible. Mayor Mike Maguire said he was con- cerned about whether the new develop- ment was pedestrian -friendly, specifical- ly with the lack of green space on the east end near the hotel. "One of the things we had was a notion of connectedness in the whole area," said Maguire. "It looks like a place the public wouldn't feel appropri- ate in the middle of." Doran said with the market being the way it is, the vision had to change to a high- er density community with less green space. 'As blunt as I can be, it isn't there," he said of the original plan. "Instead what we're trying to do is intensify the urban edge of this." In preparation for the next meeting, the council directed city staff to bring forward an estimate of potential costs to the city if development was delayed on the site, which is using bond proceeds from tax increment financing (TIF) as a source of funding the project. Hohenstein said any delays in a TIF project mean a shorter period to capture revenue and pay off the bonds. "When you wait you have less time to capture increment and repay the dis- trict," he said. The TIF district expires in 2029, but the city is also in the process of lobbying the state Legislature to allow for extension of certain districts due to the slow economy. 111 - lit o Development , v :II of n ballot � `; and __Twp._InEaqan ev`i the A new development vas ap- proved in. Eagan recently •named Eagan's Carriage Hill, a 42-lot area being; constructed by Eagan i11 Development Company, with Nor- i bert Bisanz. president. 1 1''` The final plat was approved at. 111ALi the November 20 Eagan township „R Imeeting, Site of the area is on • Highway , 7 miles of Acacia Park19cemetery,' nearsouth the Lebanon township line. Land was . purchased in .the amount of 180 E W. I acres from Clifford Hellingg 'and named I Earl Marotzke, and includes alI a and the land surrounding Lake George ,yang I which may be renamed. Mr. Bi- " Per- I sanz said $25,000 homes are plan- , • ned. 1912, — • • ('nurt court —Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dupre "i'"°(a• and familX of . North St. Paul t'ul'It- were Thanksgiving dinner guests �'nunt>• g tuvIded at the home of Mrs. Dupre's par- tcnt.s, Mr.' and Mrs. George Eak- e115. `IKF.1( 40-42 Olt ruck nings ,1. ester tE PLUMBING and ,. Hot •W.ote Heating• Repair — Remodel & New. C—onns�trr-uction . - Call or see us ,abbut our Special Price on . Fully Automatic Water : Softening. No- money. down. 3 years to ,pay. , AVAILABLE • FHA FINANCING On All Home Improvem-nts WENZE'L Plumbing and Heating 1845 Co. Rd. No. 7 Rt. 1. St. Paul 11 For estimates or service Phone GL 4-1299 2 Apple Valley, Rosemount & Eagan Sun -Current -Thursday, March 26, 2009 - www.mnSun.com In the Community, With the Community, For the Community Council approves first phase of Cedar Grove concept plan GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS Count the Eagan City Council among those balancing current economic reali- ty with high hopes for the future. The Eagan City Council unanimously approved the preliminary concept plan for Phase I for the Cedar Grove Redevelopment District at a meeting Monday, March 16. Council members said that while the development did not meet all the city's desires in that area, they felt it was necessary to move forward. "I'm not 100 percent satisfied with what's in this concept plan," said Mayor Mike Maguire. `At the end of the day, we have to be committed to what is not only market sup- portable, but what can also help and support the tax -increment finance cash flow" The city has partnered with the Doran Pratt development team for con- struction in the district, as the city has purchased the land with the intention of selling to the developer. Doran Pratt will now have to come forward with specific plans for each piece of the development. The city is also using tax -increment financing, which uses bonds that are paid back by future property taxes in the district, to help cover construction costs. The phase would take up a little more than half of the district southeast of the intersection of highways 77 and 13. The plan calls for 225 to 250 units of market rate apartments, 150 units of senior apartments, two extended stay hotels and 13,000 square feet of retail space. While the concept plan lays out a gen- eral design for the phase, the specifics of it are subject to change, as are the loca- tions of the different developments. The plan was first brought forward to the council at a March 10 workshop. Maguire said the council would also be able to go over more particulars of the development, such as sidewalks and other amenities during the series of approvals of specific developments. Residents weighed in with a variety of concerns at the meeting. "Part of that vision was a community where our teachers could live here and our health care workers could live here," said Mike Wold, Eagan resident and affordable housing advocate with the Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH). "We want to make sure those commit- ments are still there for affordability. We're a little bit concerned about kick- ing the can down the road to that second phase." "What I notice in the previous plans are gathering places for people in the community," said Rebecca Cannella, who lives near the development in the Nicols Ridge Development. "If we wait on open space until Phase II, I don't see how it's going to serve the residents in this very high -density development." Canella also questioned whether it was appropriate for open space within the developments to be available only to the residents of those buildings. Other residents were happy that development was going forward. "We are very excited about the possi- bility of getting anything developed. It's been 10 years. The hotel and the apart- ments would be wonderful," said Wade Barber, Eagan resident and part owner Cedarvale Lanes, which will remain in the redevelopment district. While there isn't a park laid out in the new development, Community Development Director Jon Hohenstein, said streets will feature sidewalks or trails on both sides, with connection to adjacent trail systems. Residents also inquired about the pos- sibility of a walking area through the center of the development where the apartment and senior complexes are. Pratt said while such an amenity might be desirable to the public, it could pres- ent safety and privacy concerns for resi- dents in the buildings. Members of the council stressed that it was important to stay true to the orig- inal concept and purpose for the district. "I haven't actually seen a village con- cept emerge in Cedar Grove," said Maguire, although he expressed hope that the first phase of the development could set up that possibility. "It doesn't mean that the vision of public space, green spaces and walkabil- ity has gone away," he said. The council has placed an item on the agenda for April 7 where the developer is expected to address the issue of open space and phasing plans for future devel- opment. Those interested may view a render- ing of the concept plan at www.cityofea- gan.com. Construction begins on youth housing complex County CDA partnering with The Link in Eagan housing complex GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS Homeless youth may soon find a home base. Ground was broken June 4 on Lincoln Place, a 24-unit complex of effi- ciency apartments at the intersection of Cedar Grove Parkway and Gold Trail in Eagan that will provide rental housing for the county's youth who might other- wise be homeless. The Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) is oversee- ing the construction. The Link, a non- profit social services provider, is part- nering with the county to provide serv- ices for residents. If all goes as planned, the building will have its first occupants by next April. "It's unique from anything the CDA has been involved with," said Dakota County CDA Executive Director Mark Ulfers. The complex is also the first of its scale in the suburban Twin Cities. The Link provides services at a similar prop- erty in the Lindquist Apartments in North Minneapolis. "That's kind of the model that Lincoln Place will follow," said Steve HOUSING: TO PAGE 22 Thursday, June 18, 2009 - www.mnSun.com Housing FROM PAGE 1 Griffiths, director of development for The Link. "We do mentoring to help these kids learn how to make better choices." Young adults, generally ranging from 18 to 24 years old, are eligible to live in the building. Rent will be based on resi- dent's income, with the final goal of get- ting residents to the point where they can live independently. The county's human services depart- ment estimates that 50 young adults within the county are homeless at a given time and 500 are homeless at some point during the year. Many of the homeless youth may be those who have aged out of foster care, said Ulfers. "I'm expecting that a fair amount of demand will be coming from that popu- lation," he said. "The interesting thing about Lincoln Place is it's the only one like it in the suburbs," said Griffiths. "Kids will be much more successful in the environ- ment they're used to." Because of the lack of facilities, homeless youth are often sent else- where, he said. Residents at the site will each have a case manager that will counsel them on how to make it on their own. "They'll be talking about what are their barriers to self-sufficiency," said Griffiths. "Some of them may not even have a birth certificate or some of those things we take for granted." Aside from receiving help on how to land a job to support them, residents will also be taught about cooking and cleaning. Residents are encouraged to form their own support groups for any In the Community, With the Community, For the Community SUBMITTED ARTIST'S RENDERING Ground was broken June 4 on Lincoln Place, a 24-unit complex of efficiency apartments at the intersec- tion of Cedar Grove Parkway and Gold Trail in Eagan that will provide rental housing for the county's youth who might otherwise be homeless. number of issues, said Griffiths. No drugs and alcohol will be permitted on the premises of the complex. The $4.7 million building is funded largely through bonds and grants from Minnesota Housing that were author- ized by the Legislature in 2006. The CDA is kicking in about $500,000 of its own money for the project. Other than being the first complex for homeless youth in the suburbs, the CDA hopes to make it the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified multi -family complex in the state. "It's going to be a very environmen- tally -conscious complex," said Ulfers. Some of the green features will include an underground cistern to recy- cle storm water, high -efficiency mechan- ical systems and dual -flush toilets. Residents will also receive a handbook that will educate them on the environ- mentally -friendly features of the build- ing and ways they can make it even more efficient. Ulfers said the building should pro- vide a good starting point for youth who might have otherwise been chronically homeless. "We're expecting that once people become more self-sufficient, they'll want to move on to something with less struc- ture," he said. EAGAN Young adults with nowhere to go get a place to call home • A new apartment building will provide housing and support services for homeless adults age 18 to 24 in Dakota County. By KATIE HUMPHREY katie.humphrey@startribune.com Young adults who outgrow the fos- ter care system or find themselves couch hopping with nowhere to live may find a new home in Eagan. The Dakota County Community Development Agency, with Dakota County and the Minneapolis non- profit the Link, will break ground this spring on an apartment building for homeless adults between 18 and 24. The $4.71 million building, slated to open in spring 2010 at Cedar Grove Parkway and Gold Trail, will include 24 efficiency apartments, a caretak- er's apartment and on -site offices for social services staff from the Link. Residents will meet regularly with the case managers for guidance as they set life goals, receive workforce training and participate in support groups. Most of the funding for the con- struction comes from state bonds and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. There are similar "supportive housing" options for young adults in Minneapolis and St. Paul, but this is the first large-scale project in the suburbs. "It's very exciting," said Tina Isaac, deputy director of adult services for Dakota County. "It is unique and it does meet an identified need for us." Apartment continues on B4 ► 3} cTr;h� L / cf Youth with nowhere to go get a place to call home 41 APARTMENT FROM B1 Homelessness among young people is hard to see and track, especially in the suburbs, but it does exist. Isaac said the county's most recent annual study found about 60 youth and young adults who were homeless on a given day. According to a statewide 2006 study by the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, the num- Iber of homeless people age ll to 21 had increased since 2003. About half of the young peo- ple surveyed reported strug- gles with mental health. Half had been physically or sexu- ally mistreated and about one- third had been neglected by their parents. "One of the big themes is that these kids don't leave hap- py homes," said Tim Reneau- Major of the Link. Some grow too old for the foster care system or other public assistance programs. Others have left or been forced out of homes because of abuse or psychological problems. The homeless young adults in the Wilder survey report- ed that the biggest barriers to finding secure housing were the lack of a job and housing they could afford. They also said it was difficult to get an apartment because of their age, lack of rental history and cred- it problems, and the cost of ap- plication fees. The county social service staff will help the CDA iden- tify and screen potential resi- dents, who will pay rent on a sliding scale based on 30 per- cent of their income. There will be a minimum rent, but that has not yet been set. All residents will work with case workers from the Link to set goals, such as pursuing fur- ther education, and a plan to achieve them. There will al- so be lessons in life skills, such as financial planning and get- ting a job. Residents also will get refer- rals to social service agencies or health care providers. And they will participate in com- munity -building activities, such as volunteering. "It's not enough to just get kids into housing," Reneau- Majors said. "You have to give kids the skills to stay in the housing." Mark Ulfers, executive di- rector of the CDA, said there won't be a set length of time that young adults will be al- lowed to live in the Eagan building. Cases will be eval- uated individually, based on how prepared the residents are to move out on their own, likely in one to three years, he said. The live-in caretaker and 24-hour front desk attendant will provide an extra level of supervision and safety for the residents, and the building will be alcohol free, even for resi- dents of legal drinking age. "We do have quite a bit of oversight," Ulfers said. "We want this to be done well and be very responsible." Katie Humphrey • 952-882-9056 www.mnSun.com Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005 3A Copeland pushes on with fundraising for Eagan home Effort seeks $25 million more for Eagan Gift of Mary children's home BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers While Mary Jo Copeland's vision for her Eagan children's home remains as strong as ever, the financial support for the project has not been as robust. "We're working and we've made some progress so far," Copeland said of the fundraising effort for the Gift of Mary home. " I have faith that people will come forward because God always answers prayers." Since the Eagan City Council gave its approval to the project in December 2002, Copeland has been working to raise funds for the effort, which will cost about $30 million to build. The project envisioned by Copeland is a privately -run Rule 8 group home that would set up as 20 individual townhous- es on 36 acres in northeast Eagan be- tween Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. Each townhouse would accommodate up to 10 children with a married teach- ing couple and family assistant to live in the homes as well. The project also includes a communi- ty center with a K-12 private school, a teen center, recreational facilities, a chapel and gym. Copeland, the founder of Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis, has raised more than $5 million so far, not including matching funds pledged by the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. Schulze, the founder of Best Buy, pledged $2.5 million for the project in No- vember 2004 along with another $2.5 mil- lion in matching funds for any donations received for the home. That donation was especially helpful because it brought more attention to the cause and spurred some smaller individ- ual gifts. "We managed to raise more than $200,000 in one month following that gift," said Dick Copeland, Copeland's husband. "If we get more gifts like that, it will snowball." The effort has included books telling Copeland's story, a music CD and donat- ed radio advertisements from Clear Channel, which owns several radio sta- tions in the Twin Cities. Copeland said fundraising will come for the project because there is a need for it. "People have just been so generous with us for this home," Copeland said. "We really see the need for it out there and obviously many other people do too. As more and more people come forward, we will get this done." Copeland said the home is necessary because today's foster care system does- n't work well enough, especially for groups of siblings. She said too often families are split up in the foster care system and there aren't enough good fos- ter families available. "This will be a home for all the chil- dren in need of a stable, loving, nurtur- ing environment where they can grow physically, spiritually and academically to become happy, well -adjusted, con- tributing members of society," she said. Most of the funding Copeland has raised so far for the project, which in- cludes a $3 million donation from the Target Corp., has gone to buy the land and pay for architectural fees and other costs. However, Copeland can't start con- struction on the project until she raises the full $30 million needed to complete it, she said. The project does face several dead- lines, although Copeland said she is con- fident they can be met and even if they aren't that wouldn't completely derail the project. The Schulze matching grants pledge came with a December 2006 deadline of raising the money for the project. Copeland's permit for the Eagan site is good through 2007, but as Copeland said, if that permit expires, she could seek renewal from the city. "We've got a long way to go, but I am confident that we will get there because it's God's will," Copeland said. "Our prayers will be answered and we will keep working hard until then." For more information on Gift of Mary, visit www.giftofmary.org. EAGAN Developers, city spar ,„ over site Landowners want houses next to office park BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press In Eagan's sprawling landscape of corporate headquarters, strip malls, subdivisions and parks, available land has become the suburb's scarcest commodity. What ultimately gets built on the open patches of land is the result of an elaborate dance among buyers, sellers, developers and city officials. The fate of two such vacant parcels has taken center stage in the city and is at the heart of a fight that has brewed for a year between Eagan and two landowners who want to build a neigh- borhood bordering a prominent office park in the city's northeast quadrant. Any housing development cannot go forward without the city's rezoning of the land to allow for residential construction, an action the majority of the council appears loath to take. At least three Eagan City Council members, including Mayor Pat Geagan, believe The Waters LAND BATTLE, 2B CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Land battle (continued) — a corporate campus home to Ecolab Inc.'s research and development facilities and Northwest Airline's head- quarters — is too close to the airport and too commercial for residential development. They want to see the entire area preserved as an office park. And a new report from outside consultants supports that stance. But at one time, the city did back a form of housing in that area. In 2002, the city approved Mary Jo Cope- land's bid to build a 200-bed orphanage in northeast Eagan. The still-unbuilt Gift of Mary children's home was to be a 36-acre campus, replete with 20 town homes and outdoor recreational facilities. Eagan's former mayor Patricia Anderson led the council's effort to bring in the controversial develop- ment. Divisions among the council over the issue crept back in at a meeting earlier this month in which mem- bers heard from their Study Advisory Committee, which oversaw the city's Northeast �ORTUNE... NIT SEMINAR LTHY ne else's • • • 9th 7 PM el in St. Louis Park 651.204.1010 Your Seat Now! OF rT+TM COMPANIES Eagan Land Use Study. The group unanimously agreed the city should not change its zoning in northeast Eagan, said Carla Heyl, chair- woman of the city's Advisory Planning Commission and member of the study committee. But the property owners — Loan Oak Development LLC and the Laukka Beck Eagan Partnership — and land - use attorney Peter Coyle con- tend the land in question, a col- lective 111 acres, is not viable for commercial development, and city roads in the area cur- rently cannot support more businesses. Furthermore, Coyle said, the council's Copeland decision undercuts any policy against residential developments in the area. "They can call it an institu- tional use and say that (the orphanage) is not owner -occu- pied, but it will be the equiva- lent of families with kids living there and recreating outside," he said. "If it's OK to put those kids there and the council at the time was enthusiastic, I don't understand why it would be less appropriate in this case — with knowing and willing buyers and sellers." Geagan — and other city offi- cials — said Coyle was over- simplifying the argument and that the circumstances with the Laukka Beck and Loan Oak properties were quite different. "I've driven out there a num- ber of times, and it's hard to imagine residential in that area," Geagan said. Loan Oak and Laukka Beck came before the council in June 2004, looking to develop a mix of town -home -type housing and office space on the edge of The Waters office park. But they withdrew their proposal because the council instituted a nine -month devel- opment moratorium on the area. The council also approved the hiring of three outside con- sulting firms — at a cost of $57,700 — to determine how much new traffic the current road system could handle and what should be done with the open land in The Waters. Coyle dismissed much of the study process as a long and expensive way to justify a deci- sion that the city had already made. "But it's not up to the city to justify its plan. It's up to others to show why the city should consider changing it," coun- tered Community Development Director Jon Hohenstein. "As both the mayor and the study committee have pointed out, it's important to look at what is in the best interest of the whole city, not just what one group may want to do with one part of it." STUDY FINDINGS ne of the more significant recommendations is that the city meet with neighboring Inver Grove Heights and state and local transit agencies to begin the process of construct- ing a freeway interchange at I- 494 and County Road 63. Inver Grove Heights, which is work- ing on both residential and com- mercial development in the same area, supports the move and has put a 10-year time line on the project. Coyle said city officials have yet to confront how significant the traffic problem is. Hohenstein said the need for infrastructure fixesis typical at this stage of a development. "We are now taking steps to address it," he said. The study also found it to be in the city's best interest to maintain the entire area for commercial and industrial development. Council Member Peggy Carlson agreed. "The opportunity to have a campus area in our city is huge," Carlson said. "You can fill in residential anywhere.... This is going to develop." But Coyle said the remaining parcels his clients own have proved unsuitable to support commercial development. Although Loan Oak has owned its property since 2003, Laukka-Beck has been trying to sell its piece since the early 1980s. The partners owned much of The Waters and sold the lion's share right away. The remaining property has- n't had any takers in nearly two Eagan office park Developers want to build homes near a corporate campus in northeast Eagan, but a city study found the area better suited for commercial development. EAGAN ID0T GHTS --- 49a --- 149 s The Waters 0� office f °� park 11 Lone Oak Rd. I55I' 149 Source: City of Eagan PIONEER PRESS decades, Coyle said. "The market has been telling us and the city that commercial is a tough sell. That's why we have proposed other better, fair- er options," he said. Geagan and other officials did worry about the "isolated island effect" of putting homes in an area with little other residential development. The study found that overhead air- plane noise and expanse of businesses in the area provide further reason to block new housing. But Council Member Mike Maguire, who lives near north- east Eagan, and Council Mem- ber Meg Tilly raised questions about the study and asked for more public participation in the planning process. They also drew parallels to the cur- rent debate and the debate three years ago about the orphanage. Maguire said when he was a community activist, he remem- bered the council suggesting that more residential develop- ment actually should go up near Copeland's institute. "This argument that it would: be isolated doesn't hold much^ water for me and seems to me to • be ironic, to say the least,": Maguire said. Meggen Lindsay can be reached at mlindsay@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5260. EAGAN Neighbors decry store project's large scale City Council says its hands are tied BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press Tom Kukulski likes having an empty field behind his back yard just fine. The vacant land helps buffer his tucked -away neighborhood from the busy street it abuts — and makes for a better view. Like others in Eagan's Wild- flower subdivision, Kukulski knew there was a decent chance a commercial development ulti- mately would sprout on the prairie grasses and shrubs. The prospect didn't thrill him, but he'd made his peace with it. Never, however, did he imag- ine the development would be a 43,175-square-foot grocery store — roughly the size of the city's incoming Best Buy. "It's out of scale with the neighborhood. This is not the business we expected," said Kukulski, 55. "It seems as if the city is bent on creating another Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle intersection here. Let's save at least a little bit of what Eagan originally was." Kukulski is one of dozens of residents who live near Lexing- ton Avenue and Diffley Road and are aghast at the proposed store, Radermacher's Fresh Market. They say it will be far too big and the traffic it draws will ruin their quiet residential neighborhood. Others, albeit in smaller numbers, said they would wel- come the convenience of having a grocery store close by. Rader- macher's is a third -generation family grocery chain with stores in Savage, Jordan and Shakopee. Despite the city's Advisory Planning Commission 5-2 vote STORE PROJECT, 7B Proposed Diffley Marketplace development The Eagan City Council has approved construction of the Diffley Marketplace, which will include a Radermacher's Fresh Market grocery store. EAGAN o Proposed development �+ 0 o Diffley Rd. o-- ( 0 DAKOTA COUNTY Wilderness Run Rv Cliff Rd. 112 MILE Source: City of Eagan PIONEER PRESS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Store project (continued) to recommend denial of the controversial project because of its size, the Eagan City Coun- cil unanimously approved the development, called Diffley Marketplace, earlier this month. The 11-acre site, just east of an existing Walgreens, also would include two retail build- ings, likely with a bank and drive -through restaurant. Council members said their hands were tied after the city attorney told them there was lit- tle chance the council could legally stop John Trautz of Reliance Development. The property has long been slated for commercial retail use, and the development meets nearly all the zoning guidelines. "This project is within the parameter of uses for the site," said City Council Member Peggy Carlson. "We've been sued before and have had to settle over a development. In this case, what we could do is work with the developer and try to get the best deal we could." Resident Dave Giel, 60, blames the City Council for not changing zoning years earlier to prevent this type of situation. "It's very disappointing. To us, it seems as plain as the nose on your face that a store that big shouldn't be there," he said. The council approved the store as a planned development, which means the city could impose restrictions — such as buffers, architectural improve- ments and landscaping — it oth- erwise would have been unable to do. Council Member Mike Maguire acknowledged he's still unhappy with the scale of the development, a concern other city officials echoed. "I am disappointed. In spite of that, I think people are grati- fied that we've addressed the traffic issue," he said. The council stopped access to the grocery store from Daniel Drive — which leads into the neighborhood — but Dakota County must agree to Diffley Road as the store's main entrance. The county board should vote on the proposal Monday. Tracie Hughes, 35, lives on Daniel Drive and said that if the road remains unconnected, she has no problem with the store going in. "I just don't think residential and commercial traffic should be mixed. In two blocks, I count- ed 18 kids school age and under," said Hughes, who runs an in -home day care. "It's a big deal. We need those kids to be safe." Meggen Lindsay can be reached at mlindsay@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5260. + 5 c 4i 9/,5/24.za5-' www.mnSun.com Smaller retail plan near Eagan Community Center advances Larger development next door still to come BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers While the Eagan City Council awaits detailed plans for a larger retail develop- ment near the Eagan Community Cen- ter, it approved a smaller development next door Sept. 6. MSP Commercial plans to build an of- fice/ medical building and at least one restaurant on 3.5 acres along Yankee Doodle Road and Central Parkway across from Lockheed Martin and south of the Community Center. The office building will also serve as MSP's new corporate headquarters as it relocates from St. Paul, said Alex Young, MSP Commercial's vice president. The office building will have about 24,000 square feet spread over two floors with 3,500 of that occupied by MSP and the rest taken by up to eight tenants. MSP was seeking both preliminary and final planned development ap- provals on the office building because it would be the first phase of the develop- ment. The two restaurant spaces shown along Yankee Doodle Road would be sub- ject to the council's approval of the final planned development prior to their con- struction. MSP has worked with Paster Enter- prises, which initially submitted a pro- posal to the city in April seeking ap- proval to build a bigger retail develop- ment on 24 acres immediately to the west of the MSP property. The council discussed the Paster plan in May and asked for more detailed de- velopment plans and for Paster Enter- prises to work with MSP to create a co- hesive development. Preliminary plans for the Paster de- velopment included several clusters of retail space ranging from 45,720 square feet to 9,000 square feet along with two restaurants. Paster has not submitted those more detailed plans yet, but is scheduled to ap- pear before the council again in Novem- ber. The council denied a 2001 request for a land use change on the 24-acre parcel that would have cleared the way for a Su- perTarget proposal. Although council members were sup- portive of the MSP development plan, they did balk at allowing signage on the side of the office building for each busi- ness that would occupy it. MSP proposed placing that unlit, uni- form signage on the building rather than have a monument sign to help visitors to the building locate the office they are looking for. "We've used this signage and building standards in all of our newest build- ings," Young said. "It's not lit, it's all the same font and the same style. It's very consistent and clean." However, Councilmember Peggy Carl- son said that other businesses and office buildings have sought the same thing in the past, but have been turned down. "Other medical and office buildings have tugged and pulled in the past want- ing something similar," Carlson said. "I can't see giving it here. It would be a slap in the face of the others." Mayor Pat Geagan compared the look of the proposed building with the indi- vidual signage on it to a "reader board." "I look at these plans and it looks like you have a beautiful building and then you have writing all over the side of it," Geagan said. Instead, the council put a restriction in place allowing only the building's name and address on the side of it and granting a monument sign in front of the building. While initial plans show two smaller restaurants, Young told the council that could yet change. The company is contacting upscale sit-down restaurants about the space and some of those types of restaurants pre- fer bigger spaces, meaning the two 4,000 square foot buildings could be changed into one 7,000 square foot restaurant. "We have had some interest so far in our talks," Young said. "I think you would be pleased with who we are talk- ing with. We are going to be entertaining here, too, so we want to have nice restau- rants in there." Employers favor Eagan The city gained more jobs than any other Twin Cities suburb, adding 6,000 positions from 2000 to 2004. Large business park developments contributed to the trend. By Molly Kentala Star Tribune Staff Writer When Mesaba Airlines needed to move its corporate headquarters, the company immediately knew where to look: the Dakota County sub- urb of Eagan. Because of the prior busi- ness relationships Mesaba had in Eagan and the availability • NSW IN TOWN Some of the major em- ployers that have moved to Eagan: Argosy University Delta Dental Mesaba Airlines Skyline Exhibits Source: City of Eagan of office space, the company packed up 250 employees and headed south of the river. Other businesses have joined Mesaba, making Eagan a hot spot for employment. A recent Metropolitan Council report shows Eagan has the highest job growth of any Twin Cities -area suburb. JOBS continues on S12 S12 • Star Tribune JOBS from S1 Location, office space have helped job growth Eagan added 6,000 jobs from 2000 to 2004, surpassing second - place Maple Grove by 1,700 jobs. The addition of about 4 mil- lion square feet of office space and the city's prime location be- tween Minneapolis and St. Paul have contributed to the growth in jobs. "We have the airport nearby, the interstate system and two dif- ferent railroads corning through the city," said Tom Hedges, the city administrator. "Even though our population is leveling off around 67,000, the jobs have been growing at a rapid pace." The 6,000 added jobs fall in various areas of the workforce, Hedges said. Though the report did not figure in the type of jobs created, Hedges thinks most are "pretty good -paying positions." "A good share of these jobs are in IT, in the office, that type of workforce," he said. Kyle Uphoff, regional analy- sis and outreach manager for the state Department of Em- ployment and Economic Devel- opment, said part of the reason for the job growth "has to do with population trends and green space. A lot of people are mov- ing to the suburbs and want all of the services there, like retail, places to eat and entertainment facilities." Mesaba's new home Mesaba Airlines moved its corporate headquarters in Oc- tober 2003 from the Minneapo- lis -St. Paul International Airport to a new building in Eagan. Mesaba Airlines Primarily housed in Eagan is ^ — management and systems opera- ' tions control, or the "nerve center WWW.STAR1 Jennifer Simonson/Star Tribune moved its corporate headquarters and 250 of its employees to Eagan. 1— Hof the airline," said Dave Jackson, a Mesaba spokesman. Those em- ployees dispatch flights, schedule crews and maintain control func- tions. Maintenance is still done at the airport. In 2002, Mesaba signed an agreement with the Pan Am In- ternational Flight Academy in Eagan to use its training facility, Jackson said. When the compa- ny learned of the need to vacate its location at the airport, Eagan was the first place it looked. "We already had a relation- ship with Spectrum [the build- ing owners], and it seemed like a natural fit to move management to the same facility as the train- ing center," Jackson said. In addition to the flight acad- emy and Mesaba, the Spectrum Commerce Center is home to the Bryman Institute, which trains dental hygienists, medi- cal assistants and others. More than 300 people work there, with another 175,000 square feet of office space ready to be filled. Large business parks such as Spectrum that have sprung up in recent years have contributed to the city's job growth. "Eagan provides an atmo- sphere that's conducive to busi- ness," said Jon Hohenstein, Eagan's community develop- ment director. "The availability • GROWTH BY CITY Here is a list of metro -area cities and the number of jobs they added from 2000 to 2004. Eagan 6,054 Maple Grove 4,333 Richfield 2,719 Golden Valley 2,535 Shoreview 2,395 Shakopee 2,387 Woodbury 2,371 Inver Grove Heights 2,197 Coon Rapids 2,14d Lakeville 1,975 Apple Valley 1,825 Mendota Heights 1,697 Source: Metropolitan Council of quality space, the city's high- speed Internet infrastructure, and low property taxes of cit- ies our size make it attractive to businesses that are relocating or those continuing to grow." Transport America, a nation- wide trucking company, moved to Eagan in 1994. It remained in Eagan when it relocated its cor- porate headquarters in 2000 and employs 250 people in manage- rial and general office positions. An additional location, the Eagan Terminal, has the mechanics. "We chose Eagan because we wanted a location that was centrally located with access to major highways," said Larry Johnson, vice president of mar- keting services. "It also filled the criteria of being a southern sub- urb, where most of our employ- ees lived. It seemed like the best fit for our needs." Eagan's job growth is expected to slow in the future, with a 4 per- cent increase expected from 2020 to 2030, according to the Met Council, which is the regional planning agency for theTwin Cit- ies area. To compare, jobs grew 38 percent from 1990 to 2000. "Our employment forecasts are a way of seeing how much land is available," said Mark Vander Schaaf, director of plan- ning and growth management for the Met Council. "It looks at how many jobs that land is ex- pected to hold." Hohenstein said Eagan is get- ting closer to its build out — the time when all available space in an area has been developed. "But we will see continued growth in the area through re- developed use of existing prop- erty," he said. Contact the writer at 612-673-7616 Traffic/from 1A County denies grocery store traffic plan Neighbors, city oppose connection to Daniel Drive by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The city doesn't want it, nor does the neighborhood that would be impacted by it. But the county said that if a grocery store is developed at Lexington and Diffley, it must be accessible to nearby Daniel Drive. Daniel Drive is a residential street just east of the 11-acre site that will eventually be home to a 42,600-square-foot grocery store and other retail buildings. Neighbors vocally opposed the development, fearing an in- crease in traffic could compro- mise safety in their residential neighborhood. To allay some of those concerns, the city prohib- ited a connection to Daniel Drive when it approved the project. The Dakota County Plat Com- mission recently denied the plan See Traffic, 13A and said it wants to see access to Daniel Drive to accommodate local traffic. In addition, it will not allow the council's request of a signal- ized intersection at the current Walgreen's entrance on Diffley due to spacing guidelines. The county said it would be receptive to a three-quarters intersection at the Walgreen's entrance, which would prohibit left turns out of the develop- ment. It would also like to see more traffic from the develop- ment routed onto Lexington. Council Member Peggy Carl- son expressed frustration with the county's decision and said a three-quarters access would be "inconvenient and unsafe" for pedestrians. The current Walgreen's ac- cess point already allows full access, she said, and it makes no sense for the county to change it. "That access point has been there as a full access for how long? And now the county says 'No, I don't think so,"' Carlson said. "To me it's a little late. It's their access point — they could have closed it up a long time ago. Where is their planning?" Carlson said she wants to "go the distance" with the county and keep the full access point on Diffley with no connection to Daniel Drive. But Council Member Mike Maguire said he is not convinced that a three-quarters intersection would be unsafe. Maguire and Fields serve on the Public Works Commit- tee and will review the county's decision and explore the city's options before bringing it back to the council. Meanwhile, neighbors of the development remain concerned. Janet Westenberg, who lives on Daniel Drive, said that putting traffic from the development onto her street would be the "worst situation." "We've got three schools within walking distance of our neighborhood. We've got kids crossing the road and a huge development coming in," she said. "We choose safety over convenience. For us it's not con- venient to have our children at risk." Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. :urrent/Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005 www.mnSun.com Eagan City Council expresses traffic concerns The Eagan City Council made its views on the future of traffic in the Rose- mount -Eagan area clear Oct. 18 when it reflected on Rosemount's development plans. The city of Rosemount is seeking feedback on a proposed amendment to its comprehensive guide plan that would open up land on County Road 42 between downtown Rosemount and Highway 52 for a variety of residential and commer- cial uses. The amendment would re -guide and extend the existing MUSA (Metropolitan Urban Service Area) line for a 2,156-acre area. The MUSA line is a Metropolitan Council -defined area for water and sewer service intended to control growth and stop leapfrog development. Adjacent communities and affected agencies can comment on such amend- ments and although the area is directly adjacent to Eagan, the council felt it was important to comment, said Eagan City Administrator Tom Hedges. The city's response recognizes the de- mand for continued development in Rosemount and other communities south and east of Eagan. It also high- lights the impact the continued develop- ment will have on the traffic systems in the area, namely Highway 3, Highway 52 and Highway 55. "[Eagan] believes that there is a need for the cities. Dakota County, the region and the state to cooperatively address the need for transportation improvements in this part of the county and region be- tween County Road 42 and I-494," the re- sponse goes on to read. In other business at the meeting, the council: • Conducted final assessment hear- ings for street overlay projects in the Walden Heights/ Twin View Manor/ Hillcrest Additions, the Windcrest/ Birch Park Additions/ Deerwood Drive/ Denmark Avenue and the Cinnamon Ridge neighborhoods. • Authorized staff to enter negotia- tions for the possible purchase of the Eagan Eye Clinic property at 3908 Cedar - vale Drive as a voluntary sale to the EDA for future redevelopment purposes in the Cedar Grove redevelopment area. TRAFFIC: To Page 26A EAGAN SPPF i/B/zo'5 Road plans still up in air for project County has blocked attempt to cut off access from Daniel Drive BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press After months of opposition, Eagan homeowners had resigned themselves to losing a battle to block a large com- mercial project from sprouting next to their neighborhood. It was easier for many who live near Lexington Avenue and Diffley Road to stomach the loss because they felt they had scored a smaller but significant vic- tory by cutting off access to the develop- ment — anchored by a Radermacher's Fresh Market — from their neighbor- hood's Daniel Drive. A Dakota County panel, though, has thrown a wrench into that plan. Although Eagan City Council mem- bers said their hands were legally tied from barring the development itself, they backed the residents and voted last month to cut off access from Daniel Drive. But the county plat commission, which oversees the property's adjacent county roads, denied the city's attempt. It also voted against the installation of a four-way stoplight onto Diftley as the project's main entrance. Instead, the county prefers a three-quarter access with no signal, a decision neighbors and some council members believe is dan- gerous. The county's determination has left the Eagan council in a bind: On Tuesday, members deferred a decision on ROAD PLANS, 2B CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Road plans (continued) whether to fight or try to com- promise with county officials. "First and foremost, my pri- ority is getting Daniel Drive closed," Council Member Cyn- dee Fields said. She and fellow member Mike Maguire make up the city's public works com- mittee and are meeting to develop a new recommenda- tion by mid -December. "I also would have liked to have a signalized light there," Fields said. "I think it's impor- tant for the pedestrians and nearby schools." Fields did not rule out a compromise. "I'm not unreasonable," she said. "I've just never felt the county has been willing to work with us." The 11-acre development site, just east of an existing Walgreens store, also would include two retail buildings, probably with a bank and drive -through restaurant. Radermacher's is a third -gen- eration family grocery chain with stores in Savage, Jordan and Shakopee. The proposed Eagan store would measure 43,175 square feet. The project's developer, John 'Frantz of Reliance Devel- opment, has told the city and county that he would prefer that Daniel Drive not serve as a connection. Janet Westenberg, 36, lives on Daniel Drive and helped Proposed Diffley development Dakota County, the Eagan City Council and local neighbors are debating whether Daniel Drive should connect to the proposed Radermacher's Fresh Market grocery store. l 0 DAKOTA I COUNTY Cliff Rd. 1/2 MILE t—� Source: City of Eagan PIONEER PRESS launch a neighborhood survey and a petition signed by 125 people after she found out the county wanted to let the road connect to the Radermacher's development. The mother of two young children said there are three schools within walking dis- tance of her southeast Eagan home and more than 100 kids she's counted who routinely walk the roads. No one she has talked with supports Daniel Drive as a connector road. "We can't have that com- mercial traffic. It's so plain to us that it's been difficult for our neighborhood to understand why we have to fight this," she said. "If the rules the county is LESS OPEN: MON.-FRI. 8-6, SAT. 7-5 Prices good Friday & Saturday only. enforcing don't keep the neigh- borhood safe, then they need to be changed." She said the large scale of the development took her and other neighbors aback, but when they realized it was inevitable, they focused on pro- tecting their streets. "We moved on to the battle we knew we needed to win. We need to keep everyone safe," Westenberg said. She is gratified by the coun- cil's support but fearful of the eventual outcome, she said. Dakota County doesn't want to see the neighborhood overrun by traffic either, according to surveyor Todd Tollefson, secretary of the plat commission. He said the plat commission expects the developer to rework the parking lot's design so that traffic flows west to Lexington, rather than east to Daniel. He also said that limit- ing the Diffley Walgreens exit to a no -left -turn access is a "pretty large compromise" from the current guidelines — even though the access now remains unrestricted. The plat commission would review a new proposal from Eagan that reflects a closed Daniel Drive and a three-quar- ter Diffley access. It's unlikely the city would send anything to the county before January. "Maybe there'd be some compromise there," Tollefson said. Maguire said he hopes that happens: "We need to look at how to work with the county and not against them." Meggen Lindsay can be reached at mlindsay@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5260. ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2006 WWW.TWINCITIES.COM AKOTA COUNTY E EAGAN FARMINGTON HASTINGS INVER GROVE HEIGHTS LAKEVILLE MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROSEMOUNT SOUTH ST. PA PPENINGS IN BUSINESS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, CALLS TO LOC EAGAN Neighbors lose traffic fight County Board panel supports shopping center -neighborhood link over city's plan BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press Dakota County commis- sioners on Tuesday shot down the city of Eagan's attempt to protect a neighborhood from being linked to a grocery store, ending months of wrangling. "We were really hoping for a different outcome, but I guess I'm not surprised," resi- dent Janet Westenberg said after the meeting. The 11-acre planned com- mercial development — to be anchored by a Radermacher's Fresh Market — must connect to the southeastern neighbor- hood from Daniel Drive, a Board of Commissioners com- mittee decided in a 6-1 vote. In addition, the project's main entrance will not have a traffic signal, nor will left turns be allowed from the cen- ter onto westbound Diffley Road. City officials and resi- dents had lobbied for a four- way stoplight that would have allowed turns in all directions. Westenberg, who lives on Daniel, said the commission- ers rubber-stamped an earlier county decision, focusing more on arcane spacing guidelines than on the dangers to neigh- borhood children because of increased traffic. But Commissioner Nancy Schouweiler said that when she's driven through the neighborhood she didn't see kids out and that it was "ridiculous" to think many customers would drive through the neighborhood. "It's a long route," she said. "I don't think we'll see a lot of additional traffic other than TRAFFIC FIGHT, 2B EST ST. PAUL L POLICE 2B GOVERNOR'S RACE Hatch makes offer He asks Wetterling to be running mate BY BILL SALISBURY Pioneer Press Traffic fight (continued) residents who already live there (going to the store)," she said. The county plat commis- sion, which oversees the prop- erty's adjacent county roads, denied the City Council's attempt in November to keep Daniel Drive from becoming a thoroughfare. City officials also believed it would be safer to install a stoplight at the entrance, which is across from CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Northview Elementary School. But county officials believe their plan is actually safest for controlling pedestrian traffic. Two neighbors who spoke at Tuesday's meeting agreed. The development site, just east of an existing Walgreens store, also would include two retail buildings that most likely will house a bank and a drive - through restaurant. Radermacher's is a third - generation family grocery chain with stores in Savage, Jordan and Shakopee. The proposed Eagan store would measure 43,175 square feet. The project's developer, John Trautz of Reliance Devel- opment, has told the city and county that he would prefer Daniel Drive not serve as a con- nection. However, he initially proposed that it link to his development. Westenberg helped launch a neighborhood survey and a petition signed by residents at 125 addresses after she found out the county wanted the road connected to the Radermach- er's development. "We are a neighborhood of families and have never seen any reason why it should be open," she said. The developer has reworked the parking lot's design so that traffic flows west to Lexington, rather than east to Daniel. The developer's traffic consultant also told the commissioners he expected less than 5 percent of the grocery store's traffic — fewer than 50 cars each day — to cut through the development. Westenberg said the city's estimates have pegged the number far higher. The Eagan City Council is expected to vote on the changed development plans in February. Meggen Lindsay can be reached at 651-228-5260. Dakota County ends access debate Diffley Marketplace access at stake JOSHUA NICHOLS • SUN NEWSPAPERS Support from the city of Eagan and a developer wasn't enough to win over Dakota County in an effort to keep traf- fic from a new development out of their neighborhood. "What they are basically saying is the safety of school children in our neigh- borhood is not enough to cause them to bend the rules for us," Eagan resident Janet Westenberg said. Westenberg led a group of Daniel Drive residents neighboring the Diffley Marketplace development in opposing connecting the development to their street. The commercial development will be constructed along the south side of Diffley Road east of Lexington Avenue. During a meeting Jan. 17 of the Dakota County Board's Physical Development Committee of the Whole, they lost out as the committee voted 6-1 to approve a plat leaving the Daniel Drive access in the plans. ACCESS:. TO PAGE 20A 20A Apple Valley, Rosemount & Eagan Sun-Current/Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006 www.mnSun.com Access FROM PAGE 1A Throughout the process the Eagan City Council and the developer of the project, Reliance Development, sought the county's approval of the plat with- out the connection. When the county's Plat Commission rejected the development without the Daniel Drive connection in October, the city appealed that decision to the Physical Development Committee. Diffley Marketplace will feature a 42,600 square foot Rademacher's grocery store on the western portion of the site along with two 10,000 square foot multi - tenant retail buildings. Future use for the east side of the property would include a bank, a fast food restaurant and coffee shop. Besides eliminating the Daniel Drive access, the city was also seeking a vari- ance to allow a full -access, signalized intersection at the development's entry on Diffley Road, across from Northview Elementary. The county instead approved the Plat Commission's suggestion of a "three- quarters intersection" at that access point. The three-quarters intersection would allow free movement through an unsignalized intersection except for westbound turns from Diffley Marketplace and Northview. Assistant Eagan City Engineer John Gorder said that area has undergone changes since it was originally laid out. While it was originally envisioned as a mostly commercial area, that was changed to housing over time. Although the city originally included a "curb cut" or stub -street access on Daniel Drive for the development, that was put into place while the area was still being targeted for commercial development, he said. Westenberg and other residents in the neighboring Wildflower develop- ment surveyed their neighbors along Daniel Drive and discovered that 125 res- idents preferred the Daniel Drive access blocked so that traffic didn't spill out on local streets. "We would ask you not to open an access that's not necessary and not needed, not unless you can tell us why it's needed," Westenberg said. Westenberg and others opposed to the Daniel Drive access had one supporter on the County Board in Commissioner Tom Egan, whose district covers the neighborhood. "If you are going to look at this, you have to look at the unique circum- stances facing you," Egan said. "There are a lot.of safety concerns. There are a lot of sports and activities in the area generating a lot of pedestrian traffic." However, Egan was clearly in the minority. Commissioner Nancy Schouweiler said she spent the day before the meet- ing driving through the neighborhood and doubted that anybody would choose to head south from the development on Daniel Drive rather than getting on Diffley Road. Not all the residents neighboring the development agreed with Westenberg and other Daniel Drive residents. Two residents showed up at the Physical Development Committee meeting to sup- port the version of the plat favored by the county. "The plat commission has it correct," said Tom Kukulski. "The city failed to recognize and control the devel- opment and now it wants the county to solve their problem." In the end, the County Board said that the Daniel Drive access was needed to allow more access to the development while also keeping traffic from the neighborhood from having to use Diffley Road to access the development. "It's sort of like, you can see it, but you can't get there," Commissioner Willis Branning said of blocking the Daniel Drive access. "You need to have that access there. I can't see it any other way" County: Two access roads for Diffley Marketplace County commissioners deny Eagan's appcal by Laura Adelmann other traffic flows at the main in- THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS For the second time in 11 months, Dakota County com- missioners were amidst a road access dispute in Eagan. Commissioners denied on Jan. 24 Eagan's appeal of the County Plat Commission's rec- ommendation regarding Diffley Marketplace, a retail complex. The site is off of County Road 30 (Diffley Road), just east of Lexington Avenue, in a residen- tial area and across Diffley from Northview Elementary School. Proposed to be built is a gro- cery story, bank, fast food shop, two retail buildings and a drive - up coffee shop. Meeting as the Physical De- velopment Committee, commis- sioners required that the complex have both a three-quarter access off of Diffley, and that Daniel Drive be extended to the com- plex for local residential access. Concurring with the PIat Commission, the decision means traffic will not be able to exit left from Diffley Marketplace's main drive; it will be able to exit onto Daniel Drive where drivers can go right (east) onto Diffley. No tersection are restricted. County Traffic Engineer Kristi Sebastian said restricting left turns will help keep bus and parent drop-off traffic flowing at Northview Elementary. In a Jan. 3 letter to County Plat Commission Chair Todd Tollefson, Eagan City Admin- istrator Tom Hedges said the council chose to appeal to com- missioners because the traffic access restriction was deemed "unacceptable." Instead, Eagan officials sought one signaled access from Diffley Road and no Daniel Drive connection; the developer would finance part of the traffic signal. Many neighbors praised the city's plans, citing in e-mails to county commissioners concerns about increasing traffic and child safety. Tracie Hughes has a young child, is pregnant with another and runs a child care near the Daniel Drive access. She wrote that 12 of the first 18 houses on Daniel Drive where the access is proposed have See Access, 13A • Access/from 1A school age or younger children. "Their safety is in jeopardy if this access is forced to be made a reality," she stated. Don and Cheryl Seanoa said the neighborhood will soon be home to a member of the Courage Center who may want to traverse the neighborhood in his wheel- chair. Their message said that for him, getting out would not be an option with the dangers of in- creased traffic. Alan Klugman, a traffic engi- neer with Western Professional Services working with the devel- oper, said studies show about 5 percent of the traffic would be us- ing the Daniel Dri 'e access. "Of course, the vast majority of that 5 percent, which is about 250 cars on a daily basis, is people who live in the neighborhood and are already coming up to Diffley," he said. He said only 20 to 50 cars per day are anticipated to add to current traffic counts through the neighborhood. Some residents were not op- posed to connecting Daniel Drive, however. David Giel called the city's proposed traffic pattern "ridicu- lous" and said installing another signal on Diffley would bottle up traffic, which "will become in- creasingly congested if this devel- opment goes forward anyhow." Tom Kukulski, who had also e- mailed commissioners, approved of the county proposal. He said the city originally planned to locate Towne Center on what is now about 80 acres of residential. "It's a very problematic site. ... The city has just brought their problems to you," said Kukulski. Commissioner Joe Harris noted this marks the second time county officials have been charged with resolving road access issues in Eagan. Last February, commissioners made a decision to extend a cul de sac in order to provide county road access to the Diamond T de- velopment, Steeplechase. The issue was hotly opposed by neighbors who were under the impression the cul de sac would remain closed off. Said Harris, "I find myself for the second time in less than a year dealing with the city of Eagan on a zoning issue. ...Clearly this is their decision." Laura Adelmann is at dceditor@frontiernet. net. 1 EAGAN DEVELOPMENT New plan has one-way Daniel Drive City, developer hope to ease county's traffic concerns BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press The ongoing dispute in Eagan over a connector road to a planned grocery store development on Diffley Road took a new turn this week. In order to limit through traffic — and to comply with Dakota County's mandate that Daniel Drive must connect a nearby neigh- borhood to the 11-acre commercial develop- ment — the City Council is trying to make Daniel a one-way that allows traffic to enter but not exit the shopping center. Developer John Trautz hatched the plan after spending months in the middle of a debate among county and city leaders and various neighborhood factions. "We're not crazy about this," he told the council Tuesday night. "Whenever you give up any access at all (the development) loses something, but we wanted to compro- mise here." The development, anchored by a 43,175- square-foot Radermacher's Fresh Market, will have its main entrance — and only exit DANIEL DRIVE, 2B City submits new access plan for Diffley Proposal designates Daniel Drive as entrance only by Erin Jobnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS After months of wrangling with Dakota County over ac- cess to a proposed grocery store development, the city of Eagan will submit a plan it hopes will keep traffic on a nearby neigh- borhood street to a minimum. The development, called Diffley Marketplace, will be lo- cated near the corner of Diffley Road and Lexington Avenue, next to the existing Walgreens. At issue is access to the de- velopment from Daniel Drive, a residential street just east of the 11-acre site that will even- tually be home to a 42,600- square-foot grocery store and other retail buildings. The city and neighborhood residents are opposed to a con- nection on Daniel Drive, but the county will not approve the plan without one. The county's goal is to keep local neighbor- hood traffic off of Diffley, a county road, when accessing the development. The city initially prohibited a connection to Daniel Drive when it approved the project, but was denied by the county. The city then filed an appeal of the decision, which was also denied. At the Feb. 21 City Council meeting, developer Reliance Development proposed an al- ternate solution: make Daniel Drive an entrance -only access point into the development. "We think that this meets the concerns of the county in try- ing to focus the traffic towards Lexington Avenue as you exit the site, as well as addressing the local traffic getting into the site without having to travel on the county road system," said Eagan's Director of Public Works Tom Colbert. Many in the neighborhood continue to express concerns over increased traffic, calling for additional traffic -slowing measures like lower speed lim- its, more signs and even speed bumps. But one area resident said she is in favor of the en- trance -only proposal. "I actually think the en- trance -only on Daniel Drive is a legitimate, appropriate com- promise," she said. Some council members See Access, 6A Access/from IA wondered how effective a one- way entrance would be and whether wrong -way drivers would be a problem. Colbert said there are simi- lar entrance -only points into other developments in Eagan, such as Thomas Lake Cen- ter, "and I've just never heard of anybody going down the wrong way. We just don't see that as being an issue." The council agreed to sub- mit the new plan to the county along with a variance for a three-quarters intersection on Diffley at the current Wal- greens entrance. "I guess I worry that if we don't do this, we're just go- ing to be going back and forth with the county over this for months and months," said Council Member Mike Magu- ire. The council is also consid- ering adding a walking trail from Diffley to the Daniel Drive entrance. The proposed access plan is expected to go before the County Plat Commission on March 1. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. Because the news never stops It has been almost four years since Eagan approved Gift of Mary Children's Home, a 200- bed orphanage proposed by Mary Jo Copeland, yet not so much as a building permit has been completed. Copeland already owns the land, about 37 acres between Highway 55 and Lone Oak gan Clock is ticking on Copeland's orphanage www.thisweek-online.com A $5 million offer is set to expire after this year, city could terminate approval in 2007 by Erin Johnson Road near the Inver Grove THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Heights border, and she has the city's approval. What she doesn't have is enough money to fund the proj- ect. Copeland said she is still hav- ing trouble raising money for the facility, which is estimated to cost around $35 million. "I have $10 million, and I need another $25 million," she said, which is the same amount sistant to live with the children she needed to raise a year ago. around the clock. Copeland will also need to Plans also include a com- continue to generate funding to munity center that would house operate the facility. a K-12 private school, a teen Gift of Mary Children's center, recreational facilities, a Home is planned as a privately- chapel and a gymnasium. run group home, set up as 20 The next 18 months are im- individual townhomes. Each portant ones for the controver- townhome will accommodate sial project, which was rejected up to 10 children, a married by several cities before being teaching couple and a family as- See Orphanage, 8A Orphanage/from 1A approved by Eagan in 2002. A $5 million pledge offered by Best Buy founder Richard Schulze could expire at the end of the year if Copeland can't raise $2.5 million in matching grants. And next year, the city could have the opportunity to reverse its approval of the project if con- struction has not begun. According to the city, prelimi- nary planned developments are valid for five years from the time they are approved. Gift of Mary's preliminary planned development is set to ex- pire in June 2007, at which point the city can take action to termi- nate its approval of the project. If the city does not choose to terminate the project, it can still go forward. Although other projects in the city have expired, Eagan Se- nior Planner Mike Ridley said he could not recall the city ever ac- tually terminating one. But the makeup of the City Council will be different in 2007, and the proposed orphanage has stirred controversy from the start. Copeland has found support for the project from some politi- cal heavy -hitters, including Gov. Tim Pawlenty, while many child advocate groups have spoken out against it. Groups such as the North American Council on Adoptable Children, based in St. Paul, and the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform claim that institutionalizing children has proven detrimental in the long run. But Copeland disagrees. "It's a needed thing. The chil- dren need to have a place," she said. "But it's not up to me, it's up to God. The need is certainly out there." Copeland had hoped to open the doors to Gift of Mary in 2004, but said she is still hopeful that she will raise the money and the project will go forward. "I'm just going to wait and pray that God wants it, too," she said. "His time is not always our time." The city of Eagan, mean- while, has completed utility and frontage road improvements to the project area, which the Co- pelands petitioned for. The City Council postponed the comple- tion of a water main extension in 2004 in light of Copeland's fund- ing troubles. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. PAGE 2D ((-0/1 1\ TL-‹ ' DAKOTA COL Townhouses Planned In Eagan.... PICTURED IS one townhouse design planned for 25 acres south of Silver Bell rood and west of Blackhawk road, in Eagan township. Officials of Cedar Grove Construction company said there ore two types plonned there, one a colonial style for four families, and one a split foyer with four families. Price range is'519,S00 to $24,000. Some are three bedroom units with 1200 square feet. Exteriors are of aluminum siding or, sown cedar siding. The 208 family unit is os yet unnamed, J. E. Parranto, Inc., Eagan reactor, reported. Green area and shhobbery' planned as well as garages and patios. Park plat opposed. Eagan approves new River Hills addition Development of River Hills 9th Addition was vir- tually assured last week when the Eagan city coun- cil approved the prelimi- nary plat, subject to ap- proval of a utility agree- ment with the city of Burnsville and implemen- tation of park committee recommendations. The park committee had recommended against acceptance of an interior park because it did not meet minimum siie re- quirements and was more suitable for ponding pur- poses. IT WAS ALSO recom- mended that the NSP ease- ment be credited at 50 per cent and that the addition- al 10 per cent minimum park requirement of ap- proximately 2.1 acres be contributed by the develop- er in the form of improve- ment in the park and pond- ing areas, subject to ap- proval by the city council. Charles Slocum ap- peared on behalf of Unisource Corporation regarding a planned unit development, Mission Hills, in Sections 27, 29 and". 31. CONCERN WAS voiced .. over the underlying zoning and whether Unisource would enter into an agreement with the city of ' Eagan whereby the' proposed densities in, various phases would conform to prescribed • densities from initiation of the project rather than' _ prescribing overall densi- ties for the entire project, and then independently' prescribing from phase to phase, It was understood that the total density would not change -but tthere was concern that the densities in the earlier phases were greater than called for in the underlying zoning. CONCERN WAS also expressed that, in the event the PUD is revoked, reverting back to the underlying zoning could provide higher densities than the PUD concept approval may provide. Slocum was to report back to the June 4 meeting after conferring with the developer. Also held over to the June 4 meeting was the problem of street improve- ment on Beau d' Rue Drive. It was noted that the city engineer had provided for utility improvements, including sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water mains, subsequent to the time notice to the property owners had been mailed and published. IN DISCUSSION of the street improveinent portion of the proposal, several affected property owners and owners of single family homes objected to the project. That portion of the plan on Beau d' Rue Drive and Gold Trail was approved by the council, however, and it was announced that the assessment committee would review assessments on both sides of the street at a later date. The engineer was directed to prepare plans and specifications. SCHEDULED FOR hearing on June 18 were preliminary reports on sanitary sewer service to the Minnesota Zoological Gardens in Lebanon Hills and installation of sanitary sewer, water, storm sewer and street improvements In Woodgate 2nd Addition. A proposal for improve- ment of the westerly portion of Jurdy Road where It connects to Pilot Knob Road near the LeMay, Amel, and High - Site properties was approved, after it was noted that Creative Housing Inc. has offered, through its contractor, to complete the improve- ment, including streets and curbing. The cost is to be billed to Eagan to be paid directly by abutting property owners or through assessments.. LETTERS FROM the LeMays and Amels - Waiving notice of hearing on the assessments project had been signed and submitted to the council. The council agreed to the proposal, subject to submission of appropriate. documents by the affected property owners and the acquisition of a street seasement for the southerly portion of Jurdy Road, from High -Site. ViliE McGUFFEE ST. PAUL, EAGAN Post office waits on relocation Federal efforts slowed by Katrina, survey BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press The timetable for the down- town St. Paul post office's potential move to Eagan has been pushed back nearly a year, after the U.S. Postal Ser- vice diverted resources to com- munities hit by Hurricane Kat- rina and worked to finish a sur- vey of its national network. The proposed move — which needs two more levels of federal approval — would transfer St. Paul's mail -sorting operation to existing Postal Service -owned land where a bulk mail site was built in the early 1970s. St. Paul area officials are eager for the relocation because they plan to remake the 12-acre post office site and old Union Depot across the street into a regional transit — mainly for the jobs it could hub for commuter rail, light bring. But the city's excitement rail and buses. Eagan also backs the move POST OFFICE, 6B U.S. Postal Service property Bulk mail center 0 DAKOTA i COUNTY Lone Oak ,t Rd. ce Clubview per— Dr. • N c) X' .4)rthwood pk • in 14 EAGAN • Yankee Doodle Rd. —\ PIONEER PRESS III \ Post office (continued) is tempered by traffic -gridlock fears prompted by the site's heavy volume of trucking traffic. Postal officials in June pre- dicted the agency's Board of Governors would give the final go-ahead by this summer to sell the 17-story St. Paul building and move. But in a meeting ear- lier this month, Ed Bavouset, the national manager of realty asset programs, told local leaders from both cities and Dakota and Ramsey counties that approval would no come until 2007. "We Are behind schedule in evaluating what the require- ments would be if we relocate to Eagan," Bavouset said in a phone interview from his Denver office. "But we're back on track under the new schedule and are work- ing to complete some prelimi- nary (cost) estimates." The delays will push the final move past the target date of 2009. "We've always expected a long timetable, and that's what's happened," Eagan community development director Jon Hohenstein said. The Postal Service's work on the project has started, however. The agency has undertaken ini- tial cost studies, completed an early traffic analysis in Eagan and begun wetlar ds delineation. "We're pleased that we are having more communication with the Postal Service and starting to see some of the things we've asked for in terms of studies." Jon Hohenstein, Eagan community development director Its land stretches for 75 acres along Interstate 35E south of Lone Oak Road, in the middle of a break in Denmark Avenue. Eagan is seeking a federal commitment to pay for road improvements needed to accom- modate the increased traffic, including an extension of Den- mark and a freeway overpass. "We're pleased that we are having more communication with the Postal Service and start- ing to see some of the things we've asked for in terms of stud- ies," Hohenstein said. "But we're reserving judgment because despite the move's support to our local economy, traffic is going to be a substantial issue." Bavouset plans to come back to Minnesota in May to update local leaders. Meggen Lindsay can be reached at mlindsay@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5260: EAGAN Mary Jo Copeland Richard Schulze 'God always hears prayers' Copeland celebrates S5M orphanage pledge from Best Buy founder BY LAURA YUEN Pioneer Press Mary Jo Copeland uttered a Hail Mary on Wednesday after announcing a $5 million gift from the richest man in Min- nesota for the orphanage she has been trying for years to build. Copeland said a foundation started by Best Buy founder Richard Schulze was pitching in $5 million — half of it in the form of matching grants — to build the Gift of Mary Children's Home in Eagan. If others match the ante, the gift could provide a total of $7.5 million of the $30 mil- lion needed to build the facility. "People thought it was dead, you know, but you see, God always hears prayers," Copeland said. "He's never, never late." The prominent advocate for the poor said she expected Schulze's contribution to embolden other donors and invigorate a slow -moving fund- raising campaign for the contro- versial children's home. Schulze's personal tale of self-made wealth is well-known, as is his record of giving. Although the chairman of the Richfield -based electronics retailer never attended college, Schulze personally pledged $50 million to the University of St. Thomas in 2000. But the Gift of Mary contri- bution was the first to come from the new Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, said the foundation's executive direc- tor, Nancy Tellor. Schulze's late wife, Sandra, ORPHANAGE PLEDGE, 6B CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Orphanage pledge (continued) was "very fond" of Copeland's Sharing & Caring Hands in Minneapolis, a center for the poor and the homeless, Tellor said. When he and his current wife, Maureen, toured the Minneapolis facility about a year ago, "it really re -ener- gized their decision to help (Copeland) make more of an impact." Richard Schulze said in a statement: "The work Mary Jo Copeland has done for so many people in need inspired our family's support. We hope that these grants carry with it additional support and the success she so richly deserves." The Schulze gift aside, Copeland has raised a total of $4.5 million, which she used to buy the land and pay for archi- tectural fees and other costs. A new book that chronicles Copeland's care for the needy, called "Saving Body and Souls: The Mission of Mary Jo Copeland," has not generated any large donations, she said. Despite her success with other facilities, Copeland's vision for a 200-bed children's home has faced resistance. A number of cities spurned her plans until she secured approval to build 20 cottage - style homes and a school on 37 acres in Eagan. Copeland said Schulze has given her a dead- line of December 2006 to com- plete raising the rest of the money. — - 4yq acthwest Pkwy. 0 DAKOTA COUNTY Hornbeam Lake Lone Oak Rdiii W. 70th St. N PIONEER PRESS Even today, some counties question the need for what they call a modern-day orphanage. Copeland said she wants to find a stable home for kids who are leapfrogging fos- ter homes and for siblings who would otherwise be separated. She said she'll make one of the Gift of Mary structures into a crisis center for teens with a history of abuse or drug use or who are unmarried and preg- nant. Some of the operating costs, such as the schooling, would receive state money. Brian Guidera, a child -pro- tection manager for Hennepin County, said he hasn't seen the need for a "separate facility that would bypass the foster - care system." The majority of children in his county are reunited with their parents, and most others live with rela- tives or find refuge in other foster or group homes, he said. Laura Yuen covers Apple Valley and Eagan. She can be reached at lyuen@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5498. after council's concerns I they had done everything they could to address the council's concerns. "We felt that we responded to the feed- back we had received, although I think we understood that erroneously," Coyle said. "I think at this time it's better for us that we withdraw this and see if we can figure out a better way of doing this." In other news at the meeting: • The council certified the city's 2005 property tax levy at $21.7 percent, a 6.5 percent increase over the 2004 levy, and approved the 2005 general fund budget at $22.9 million. • The council agreed to a memoran- dum of understanding between the city and Anthony and Cheryl Caponi, owners of the Caponi Art Park, to pool the city's $720,000 contribution with other funding sources to secure the 60-acre Art Park. Various sources of funding including Dakota County grants, DNR grants and funding raised by the non-profit Trust for Public Land, will be used to purchase the land. The Caponi Art Park (CAP) nonprofit corporation will attempt to raise $1.9 million over the next five years to secure the rest of the funding neces- sary. Under the agreement, the city would solely own 10 acres of the land with an- other 20 acres owned by the city under a joint powers agreement with Dakota County. If the CAP raises the $1.9 mil- lion, the organization would own the re- maining 30 acres, which would be cov- ered by a conservation easement with the city. The Caponis will retain the right to use the 10 acres where their home, their studio and the sculptures are locat- ed. • The council agreed to enter into a Common Interest Agreement with the city of Minneapolis regarding the noise mitigation program recently adopted by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The agreement provides both cities, and their respective legal counsel, the oppor- tunity to confidentially share informa- tion related to investigating and bring- ing potential claims against the MAC. Minneapolis has publicly stated that it is pursuing legal action with regard to the scaled -back noise mitigation plan. Minneapolis is also seeking participa- tion from other cities surrounding the airport. Richfield entered into the same agreement Nov 23. By entering into the agreement, Eagan has not committed to supporting any legal action taken by Minneapolis, City Administrator Tom Hedges said. The agreement allows Eagan to learn more about the lawsuit to determine whether it has any interest in supporting or joining the suit at a later date, Hedges said. Eagan twinhome project pullecjj Developer withdraws proposal following discussion at council hearing BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers Cedarstone Development may yet de- velop a plot of land along Wescott Road previously owned by Eagan City Coun- cilmember Meg Tilley, but not without making changes first. "Quite frankly, I think there is too much being shoved onto this property," Eagan Mayor Pat Geagan said of the de- veloper's twinhome proposal before the Eagan City Council Dec. 13. Although the council members raised various concerns about the proposal and were poised to vote against a rezoning of the property to allow the development to proceed, Peter Coyle, an attorney for Cedarstone, withdrew the proposal be- fore a vote was taken. The action means there currently is no proposal for the land and Cedarstone is free to come up with another proposal to submit to the city. Tilley, who- no longer owns the land, excused herself from the council chambers during the discussion. The proposal by Cedarstone Develop- ment called for seven buildings with two units each on the five -acre parcel north of Wescott Road and east of Lexington Avenue. The property currently features a single-family house and is mostly un- developed. Four of the buildings are along the northern side of the property and three along the southern side bordering Wescott Road with an existing wetland between the two clusters. Cedarstone Development was seeking rezoning of the property from agricul- ture to planned development. Planned development allows deviations from usual city regulations in exchange for benefits to the city. The Eagan Advisory Planning Commis- sion (APC) reviewed the proposal during a Sept. 28 public hearing and recom- mended denial. The APC suggested pub- lic streets rather than private although members were concerned setbacks could not be met. The APC also concluded that the Planned Development provided little benefit to the city and may not be consis- tent with the surrounding area. Several residents spoke during the Dec. 13 meeting, raising concerns that the development doesn't fit in with the surrounding neighborhood, which fea- tures single-family houses. "The developer has not yet addressed the neighbors' concerns," said Dan En- ders, who lives to the north of the prop- erty. "We'd really like to see it trimmed down. The developer has shown a re- markable lack of innovation and respect for our concerns." Another neighbor of the parcel, Irvin Dahl, said he was worried that the nar- row private streets and one access onto Wescott for 14 units would cause traffic problems, especially in an emergency. "I look at it and get claustrophobic right away," Dahl said. "I'm concerned with safety if you need to get all of them out of there quickly. A few houses there would be fine, but this is too much." This was the second time the request appeared before the council. Council members had reviewed the request dur- ing their Nov 4 meeting before asking Cedarstone to address some of their con- cerns, including access to the property from Wescott, the use of narrower pri- vate streets and the lack of a turnaround area on the northern portion of the prop- erty. Although Cedarstone worked with neighboring landowner Bob McDonald on a shared access drive to both proper- ties, the council said not enough was done to address the other concerns cited during the Nov 4 meeting. "I don't see enough of all those direc- tions having been worked out," Coun- cilmember Mike Maguire said. "I just don't see how it gets worked out without trimming down the units or cutting down on the footprint of the units." During both the Nov 4 and Dec. 13 meetings, several council members said they have no problem with twinhomes, but said that Cedarstone was simply try- ing to put too many units on the parcel. They suggested twinhomes along Wescott with single-family homes on the northern edge of the property would make more sense and solve some of their other concerns as well. After asking to withdraw the propos- al, Coyle said the development does meet the city's comprehensive guide plan re- quirements for density and said he felt i Eagan Council delays twin home proposal Council members voice approval of concept, concern over details BY JosHUA NlcHoLs Sun Newspapers Although some Eagan resi- dents complained that a twin home development along Wescott Road would adversely affect their neighborhood, the Eagan City Council found its own problems with the plan. "I don't have any problems with twin homes," Councilmem- ber Peggy Carlson said. "We need that kind of housing diversity in the area, but it's just trying to put too much on too little land." Carlson's comments came while the City Council considered a request to rezone the property luring its Nov 4 meeting. The proposal by Cedarstone Development calls for seven )uildings with two units each on )roperty previously owned by ;ouncilmember Meg Tilley north )f Wescott Road east of Lexington Avenue. Four of the buildings are along the northern side of the property and three along the southern side bordering Wescott Road with an existing wetland between the two clusters. The council ended up voting to continue the proposal until Dec. 13 to allow Cedarstone time to ad- dress some of the council's con- cerns and also work with neigh- boring landowner Bob McDonald on other issues. Tilley excused herself from the discussion be- cause of her connection to the proposal. Several residents spoke during the meeting, raising concerns that the development doesn't fit in with the neighboring land uses. "It looks to me like something that has been shoehorned in as tight as possible," said Dan En- ders, who lives to the north of the proposed development. The property currently fea- tures a single-family house and is mostly undeveloped. TWIN HOME: To Page 12A www.mnSun.com Twin home From Page 1A "Understand that some neighbors are going to have to get used to seeing hous- es from their backyards," said Peter Coyle, an attorney for Cedarstone. "Right now they basically have a park- like area in their backyard." However, some residents said they re- alized that the land would be developed and didn't expect it to always be left un- touched. Sue Vruno, who lives to the north of the proposed development, said al- though there are twin home develop- ments in the area, they were planned in advance of the single-family homes de- velopment. "They were not dropped into the neighborhood years later," Vruno said. "We really want to keep this a single-fam- ily neighborhood like we expected it to be." McDonald also spoke out against the proposal, noting that he bought his own property with plans of building a single- family house for himself on the land. He was seeking a rezoning of his property to R-1, single family residen- tial, but asked for a continuance, saying that if the neighboring piece of property went with twin homes, he likely would do the same. Cedarstone Development is seeking rezoning of the property from agricul- ture to planned development. Planned development allows deviations from usual city regulations in exchange for benefits to the city. The Eagan Advisory Planning Com- mission (APC) reviewed the proposal during a Sept. 28 public hearing and rec- ommended denial. The APC suggested public streets rather than private although members were concerned setbacks could not be met. The APC also concluded that the Planned Development provided little benefit to the city and may not be consis- tent with the surrounding area. Following that hearing, Cedarstone revised the site plan to provide public ac- cess to parcels on the east and west by in- cluding a public frontage road along the south of the property and Wescott Road. Coyle said the Planned Development designation gives several benefits. It al- lows for less impervious surfaces, cut- ting down on runoff, and the designation requires a homeowners' association that would be responsible for the upkeep of the wetlands. However, Councilmember Peggy Carl- son said that just because the city does- n't require a homeowners' association for other designations, doesn't mean they can't still exist. Several residents and council mem- bers also questioned Coyle's statement that the property could feature 20 homes under R-2, residential double, or 12 under R-1, single family residential, as compared to the seven buildings and 14 units proposed. Although the density limits estab- lished by those zones would allow that many homes on the five -acre parcel, with the wetland taking up the middle of the property such numbers would be hard to achieve. The council members also raised con- cerns over the private road along the western side of the property connecting the two groups of houses. They worried that the 24-foot-wide road combined with only two visitor parking spaces per unit would lead to safety issues with cars parking on the street. They also were concerned with the ability of emergency vehicles to be able to turn around on the northern part of the property since the development does not provide an adequate turnaround area. Diamond T Ranch study available for review An environmental study for a proposed residential devel- opment on the former Diamond T Ranch is now available for review. In response to a petition from adjacent property own- er, the Eagan City Council ordered preparation of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) to assess the potential for environmen- tal impacts of the proposed project. Toll Brottifes Inc. proposes to develop the 38-acre former Diamond T property with 36 single-family homes and 73 attached townhomc in clus- ters of four to eight'inits. Former use of the site resulted in placement of dem- olition debris and accumula- tion of animal waste, both to be removed and remediated prior to construction of the homes. The EAW comment period, which is prescribed by state law, began Nov. 8, 2004 and will end Dec. 8, 2004. Copies of the EAW are available for inspection at Eagan City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, as well as at Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan. The EAW is also posted on the city's Web site at www.cityofeagan.com. Enter Diamond T Development Update in the search box and click on View EAW Report. Written comments received by the city during the com- ment period will be consid- ered by the City Council in making their decision as to the need for further environmental study. For further information, contact Mike Ridley, city planner at (651) 675-5650 or mailto:mridley@ci.eagan.mn.us. ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS WWW.TWINCITIES.COM EAGAN Diamond T proposal challenged Group appeals loss of wetlands BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press An Eagan neighborhood group is challenging the city's approval of a plan to replace wetlands that would be destroyed at a controversial housing development. Residents on Saturday peti- tioned the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources to take up their appeal of the wet- lands replacement plan the Eagan City Council unanimous- ly approved in April. The wet- lands in question total 0.4 acres. This action marks the latest hang-up for the proposed Steeplechase subdivision at the former Diamond T horse ranch. Before it was approved last month, neighbors had spent more than a year trying to block the proposal, which creates 37 single-family houses and 58 upscale town homes on a 37-acre site west of Pilot Knob Road and just south of Cliff Road. The group, called the Friends of the Diamond T property, continue to raise a litany of environmental and density concerns. In their petition, residents accuse the City Council of being "arbitrary and capricious" for not providing written reasoning behind its decision to allow the wetlands to be destroyed and replaced elsewhere. It also argues that had the developer shaved off five housing units from its plan, all of the impacted wetlands could be saved. "We are talking about going from 95 to 90 (units)," said the neighbors' attorney, Brian Bates. "That mere reduction would avoid all wetland impacts. How is it that the 90-unit option has been overlooked or ignored? "What I'd like to see is a statement from the council — that there was no other accept- able alternative and this is why they approved it. I want them to clarify why nothing else is acceptable," he said. An official with developer Toll Brothers Inc. — a national builder based in Pennsylvania — said the company has bent over backward trying to please the neighbors and is "quite com- fortable with the level of techni- cal scrutiny." "This plan has been scaled back already to address all of the environmental issues," said Michael Noonan, division vice president for Toll Brothers in Minnesota. "They are entitled to their opinion, but after over a year of review by the city and other stakeholders, they have made the determination that this plan is appropriate and con- sistent with the public interest." Neither the city nor Toll Brothers has seen the petition yet, but both said the entire project went through an exhaustive environmental review process. City spokesman Tom Garri- son said "there was an exten- sive environmental assessment worksheet, which included com- ments by Dakota County, the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) and the MPCA (Min- nesota Pollution Control Agency) — all of which conclud- ed that the plans were adequate and sufficient." The council went along with the recommendation of the Technical Evaluation Panel — a board comprising experts from the city, the county's Soil and Water Conservation District and the state board — to miti- gate the 0.4-acre loss by creating 0.8 acres of wetland elsewhere in Eagan, rather than on site. That's partly because the land had a history of pollution. The ranch's owner — the late Jerry Thomas, a former Eagan City Council member — illegally stockpiled horse manure at the site, according to city and county officials. And in 1985, demolition debris from the former Metro- politan Stadium in Bloomington was dumped illegally on at least 2 acres of the ranch. Resident Sharon Holbeck, who lives on a pond connected to the former ranch, said she feels as if the city and builders tried to "out -wait" the residents, and that the wetlands and sur- rounding trees should be pro- tected, even if they are no longer in pristine condition. "It's terribly difficult to see this proceed and go in the direc- tion it has. I had high hopes to get the property cleaned up, and I don't oppose development," she said. "Frankly, I'd prefer good neighbors to horse manure. I just had no idea that it would be as exploitive a develop- ment as it has turned out to be." The state board has 30 days to decide if it wants to hear the wetlands appeal. If it doesn't, the neighborhood group will then go to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, Bates said. Meggen Lindsay can be reached at mlindsay@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5260. City seeks new proposals for Cedar Grove by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The City Council is ex- pected to give staff the green light next Tuesday to begin sending requests for propos- als to developers interested in creating a new plan for the Cedar Grove redevelop- ment area. Eagan is looking to find a new master developer for the area after terminating its agreement with original de- veloper Schafer Richardson last month. The new developer is not expected to simply imple- ment the plan created by Schafer Richardson, but to interpret the city's overall vision for the area in -a new proposal, said Community Development Director Jon See Developer, 9A Developer/from lA Hohenstein. The new plan must work within design guidelines and incorporate the city's goals for the area, which include elements such as walkability, green space, transit, and a mix of residential and com- mercial uses. "The underlying factor is it all needs to be market sup- portable," Hohenstein said. The city terminated its agreement with Schafer Richardson after th.e firm said its approved plan, which included 900 condo units, was no longer supportable in a flat condo market. Requests will be sent to developers who have con- tacted the city about the project, as well as develop- ers listed in trade magazines. The city will also advertise nationally for developers on the League of Minnesota Cities Web site. The search will focus on developers with a proven track record of working closely with cities on projects that reflect the community's vision and are implemented within a reasonable . time frame. The deadline for propos- als is March 15. Staff will screen initial proposals and identify a short list of de- velopers to interview, out of which four or five will go on to- be interviewed by the council. The target date to approve a new developer is June 5, Hohenstein said. The city has already pur- chased more than 60 percent of the properties in the Ce- dar Grove redevelopment area, which is planned as a vital urban center with a mix of housing, retail, office space, entertainment and transit. THISWEEK January 13, 2007 9A Acquiring the properties and assembling the site were originally intended to be the responsibility of the devel- oper, but the city decided to take over that part of the project after it was ap- proached by willing sellers. The acquisition and as- sembly portion was per- ceived as a barrier by some developers, Hohenstein said. Having the city take the lead role removes that barrier and ultimately gives the city more control over the proj- ect. For more information on the Cedar Grove rede- velopment area, visit www. cityofeagan.com and choose "Current Development" from the News and Events menu, then click on "Cedar Grove Redevelopment." Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. Eagan properties a ed for `Bioscience Zone' Y Communities in Dakota County look to attract biotechnology, health science businesses with tax exemption and credits by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Dakota County could at- tract new bioscience business- es, and the high -paying jobs that come with them, to Eagan and surrounding communities by creating a special tax-ex- empt zone for those willing to locate here. That's the goal of Dakota Future, a county -wide eco- nomic development organi- zation that is spearheading the effort to get Dakota and Goodhue counties designated as Bioscience Zones by the state. The Minnesota Legislature created the Biotechnology and Health Science Zone Program in 2003 after recognizing that bio-related businesses hold immense promise in improv- ing quality of life and growing thousands of new, high -pay- ing jobs. Bioscience Zones are des- /'hn,n hr Rh A Orndnrf Vacant and underutilized properties near the new Ecolab facil- ity in northeast Eagan could be designated as Bioscience Zones, which allows tax breaks and credits for bio-related companies, if the state approves. ignated areas that allow such businesses to receive an ex- emption from state franchise taxes and sales taxes on sup- plies and construction. They would also get tax credits for research and development. The program was tempo- rarily closed when additional funding was not authorized for the 2004-06 legislative ses- sions. The legislature has since re -opened the application pro- cess for communities to desig- nate properties as a Bioscience Zone and become eligible for future funding. Businesses that would qual- ify include those that focus on food science, medicine, medi- cal technology, chemicals or alternative fuel sources. Each participating commu- nity within the county would identify the site it wants to designate. Eagan is looking at several vacant properties in the northeast part of the city, near or adjacent to the new Ecolab research facility. "Biotechnology is a high - growth business," said Eagan's Community Development Di- rector Jon Hohenstein. "It is See Bioscience, 6A Biosciencelfrom 1A also an area that tends to pro- vide high -quality, head of household jobs." Bill Coleman, executive di- rector of Dakota Future, said his organization is always look- ing for opportunities to work with groups of communities and businesses. "There's really no downside to this for the county or cities because the companies will still pay property taxes," he said. "This is all really state funds — it won't be local dollars." Dakota County already has a good base of biotech busi- nesses to build on, he said, and the nanotechnology program at Dakota County Technical Col- lege is a unique resource that should appeal to businesses. "Every community in Min- nesota would like these busi- nesses to relocate there," Cole- man said. "Communities that don't have Bio-Zones will be at a distinct disadvantage." The Dakota County Board must approve the application for the Bioscience Zone desig- nation before it is sent to the state, and it is expected to make a decision at its Oct. 3 meet- ing. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, which oversees the Bioscience Zone program, will announce the winning ap- plicants in December. Once approved, Bioscience Zones would become active on Jan. 1, 2007 and would remain active for 12 years. For more information on Dakota Future or the Biosci- ence Zone program, visit www. dakotafuture.com. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecru-inc. com. Diffley Marketplace compromise is denied County rejects city's second access proposal by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS "Dumbfounded" is how some city council members de- scribed feeling after the county rejected Eagan's latest access plan for Diffley Marketplace, a proposed retail development at Diffley Road and Lexington Avenue. "I've been an advocate of trying to meet the county half way on this, and I just don't understand it," said Council Member Mike Maguire. "We're certainly not in the driver's seat," said Mayor Pat Geagan. Diffley Marketplace, an 11-acre development east of the existing Walgreens, will in- clude a 42,600 square -foot Ra- dermachers grocery store and two multi -tenant retail build- ings. The development will have an access point on Diffley, a county road, but the city and county have been locked in a battle over a second access point on Daniel Drive, a resi- dential street. The city initially prohibited any access point on Daniel Drive after residents protest - See Access, 9A Access/from lA ed, but the county said it wouldn't approve the plan without that access. The county's main concern is keeping as much local traffic as possible off of county roads. According to the county, hav- ing access on Daniel Drive would allow more neighbor- hood traffic to stay off of Dif- fley. County Commissioners, acting as the Physical Devel- opment Committee, denied the city's modified proposal on Tuesday, which allowed an entrance -only access point on Daniel Drive. The County Plat Commis- sion had previously recom- mended approval of the plan. Commissioner Tom Egan was the lone vote in favor of the one-way access point, call- ing it "an acceptable compro- mise." But Commissioner Nancy Schouweiler said it was always the county's intention to have a two-way access point on Daniel. "I do believe this is anoth- er situation where there is, in fact, a difficult relationship between the county board and the Eagan City Council," she said. "But ... the council has dumped this issue on us, and I think that's part of what makes this relationship between these two units of government so difficult." Schouweiler said that com- missioners are using an es- tablished process with clear guidelines, the same guidelines every other city in the county must work within. Meanwhile, residents of Daniel Drive are angry that their street has become a po- litical hot potato, said neigh- borhood representative Janet Westenberg. "My neighbors and I have been sitting here trying to fig- ure out, what's the reasoning behind this?" she said. "It's pure politics as far as I'm con- cerned. But they're playing with people's lives." Residents fear an increase in traffic could compromise safety in their residential neighborhood. So far 125 resi- dents have signed a petition to keep Daniel Drive closed to the development, which will be presented to the city coun- cil when the issue comes up at its April 4 meeting. "The main issue here should be how do we protect this pre-existing neighborhood from this very large, incoming development, not how do we get cars into this development site," Westenberg said. "We intend to ask the council to stand firm on neighborhood safety and keep Daniel Drive closed." Laura Adelmann contributed to this article. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc. com. i;; GovT - Pew PERMITS/FINAL REPORTS/TESTS sMMW Mt n No. 153C HASTINGS. MN LOS ANGELES-CHICAGO-LOGAN, nH McGREGOR, TX -LOCUST GROVE. GA U.S.A. An Retai returns as option for Eagan land Plan would put smaller stores, restaurants on land near Eagan Community Center BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers The Eagan City Council May -gave balked at an earlier retai proposal for land near the Eagan Community Center, but a new pro- posal could have the city buying into the plan. "I didn't want a major, major big box [retailer] there," Coun- cilmember Peggy Carlson said of the earlier proposal. "But two things I always hear people say we need more of is retail and empty nester housing. I'm more comfort-. able with this plan." The council previously denied a request for a land use change in 2001 that would have cleared the way for a SuperTarget proposal. The council praised aspects of the new plan during its May 17 meeting, but stopped short of guaranteeing the comprehensive guide plan change necessary for the project. RETAIL: To. Page 10A www.mnSun.com Retail From Page 1A St. Paul -based Paster Enterprises has drawn up a plan proposing 177,320 feet of retail space spread over four buildings on ,the 24-acre site north of Yankee Doo- dle Road and west of Central Parkway. Because the city's comprehensive guide plan calls for "office/service" on the land, Paster Enterprises was seeking a change to "retail commercial." The development would include out- door dining areas, landscaped boule- vards, public spaces, pedestrian walk- ways, fountains and traffic calming mea- sures. "We see this really as a gathering place for the community," said Howard Paster, development manager for Paster Enterprises. "The way it's designed is in- tended to promote walking, lingering and spending time not just shopping, but relaxing." The Eagan Advisory Planning Com- mission recommended denial of the guide plan request during its April 26 meeting, with commissioners raising concerns about traffic volumes and stat- ing the land is still a better fit for office use. Mary Perron, who has owned the site for 15 years, said that it appears impossi- ble to sell it for office use. "I have two notebooks filled with names of interested buyers and not one of them wanted to put office space on the property" Perron said. "How long are we supposed to wait?" That aspect of the situation, along with the unique design for the retail de- velopment, were reasons council mem- bers warmed to the new plan. "I really feel this is a unique type of shopping area that will work well," Councilmember Meg Tilley said. "We also really need to think about our citi- zens who have held the property for 15 years and have proof that buyers are not interested in office use." Paster said his company's vision for the land is a better fit than office space and that the traffic levels generated from the retail use would not affect traffic sig- nificantly more than an office use would. A representative from Gramercy, a se- nior condominium next door to the pro- posed development, said that the build- ing's board of directors unanimously supported the new plan and that the ma- jority of the facility's residents were also supportive of it. However, Neal Black, a Gramercy res- ident who also opposed the SuperTarget • proposal, said many residents remain against developing the land for retail. They are concerned they will one day look out at loading docks and garbage bins at the backside of the retail center, he said. There were a couple details that kept the council members from endorsing the plan immediately and granting the comp guide change. Council members said they would like to see two abutting undeveloped pieces of property included in any land use desig- nation change. They also said they would rather wait for the feedback provided next month when the results of the an- nual resident survey, which includes a section on retail services this year, are received. There were additional details of the plan the council wanted to see worked out before going ahead with any changes. Those issues would be worked out as part of a planned development proposal that would go back before the Planning Commission later this summer before returning to the council. The council will receive an update on the process at its Tuesday, June 21, meet- ing. "I still have some concerns," Mayor Pat Geagan said. "I was against it com- ing into tonight, but you have gone a long way already toward answering many of my concerns." EAGAN Neighbors skittish about fancy homes But big houses sell fast at former Diamond T BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press Stylish black picket fences hint at Steeplechase of Eagan's equestrian past, but little else in the neighborhood reveals it once was a horse farm. Replaced by new luxury homes, the pastures of the Dia- mond T Horse Ranch officially are a memory. National builder Toll Broth- ers opened the development's $1.6 million, fully furnished model home in June after a lengthy battle with neighbors who opposed the development's scale and its use of natural resources. The land was one of Eagan's last private open spaces. "The location is one that DIAMOND T, 10B �QB M WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2006 s < iamond T (continued) many in my business drooled over," said Toll division presi- dent Michael Noonan. "Oppor- tunities for new housing to be built in Eagan are few and far between given that it's a fairly mature community." As construction booms at the Pilot Knob Road locale, the desire for high -end hous- ing is apparent. Nearly half of the subdivision's 37 single- family homes have been sold already, a staggering pace for the industry. The model, at about 5,000 square feet, is described as a "McMansion" by neighbors, with its gourmet kitchen, basement theater, library and built-in outdoor grill. Most homes in Steeplechase will carry base prices of $542,000 to $618,000, with town homes starting in the mid $300,000s. "It's important to have a variety of homes at both ends of the spectrum," city adminis- trator Tom Hedges said. "A diverse housing base is impor- tant as Eagan works to bring more corporations and their executives into the city." Many neighbors feel it shouldn't have come at the land's expense, however. They are upset about the loss of wetlands and oak trees and have not been impressed with the new plantings so far. "We're resigned to this because what else can you do?" said Brad Moir, who lives adjacent to Steeplechase. "It's a bit maddening to look out and ... see how stripped out it looks now. But that's the reali- ty to just accept at this point." Noonan and project manag- er Chad Carroll said they haven't heard much from neighbors except for routine concerns about traffic and construction. "Neighbors have even toured the model home," Car- roll said. "And people who live nearby are under contract to build." Noonan said Toll tried to retain much of the rural look CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B JOE ODEN, PIONEER PRESS The new development is called Steeplechase of Eagan. Many neighbors opposed the construction at the site, which formerly was the Diamond T Ranch. But Toll project manager Chad Carroll noted that "people who live nearby are under contract to build." and feel of the site. "It's actually in better condi- tion than when it was suppos- edly a pristine, bucolic horse farm," he said. The land had a history of pollution. The horse ranch's owner — the late Jerry Thomas, a former Eagan City Council member — illegally stockpiled horse manure at the site, according to city and Dakota County officials. In 1985, demolition debris from the former Metropolitan Stadi- um in Bloomington also was dumped illegally on at least two acres of the ranch. Moir and his neighbors still are fuming about the develop- ment's encroachment on a pond, loss of wetlands and removal of nearly 600 trees at the former ranch. In addition, they opposed the extension of Wellington Way, the cul-de-sac they live on — which ends just west of Steeplechase — to Pilot Knob. Neighbor Sharon Holbeck remains resentful of the devel- opment — and of the City Council that approved it. "The city needed all of that "Good neighbors are preferable to horse manure and I never objected to the idea of a development, I just wanted a responsible one." Neighbor Sharon Holbeck dumping out of there so it was willing to knuckle under to a greedy corporate entity," Hol- beck said. "Good neighbors are prefer- able to horse manure and I never objected to the idea of a development, I just wanted a responsible one." Noonan said Toll is a responsible steward of the land and has cleaned the site and removed the waste, debris and chemical spills. "We even have the Good Housekeeping seal of approval from Minnesota Pollution Con- trol Agency," he said. The Eagan development marks Philadelphia -based Toll Brothers' first foray into the Twin Cities market. Similar communities are planned in Prior Lake, Blaine and Maple Grove, with models opening later this summer. Toll is not a custom builder. Instead, the company has a half -dozen different models that buyers can choose from, with different interior and exte- rior designs. "This is a very respected builder. And Toll is being very intentional in the way they enter new marketplaces, so it's exciting to have a national builder enter our market- place," said Remi Stone, direc- tor of public policy at the Builders Association of the Twin Cities. "They obviously see some- thing about our region and economy to make us a desir- able place to be. We should feel good about that." Meggen Lindsay can be reached at mlindsay@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5260. Co ✓1 ,�y rcL.c.:6 Is )fiod-` IU- 1tiPC� 44> city of eagan MEMO TO: TOM HEDGES, CITY ADMINISTRATOR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION FROM: KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION DATE: AUGUST 20,1999 SUBJECT: PARKLAND STUDY: COMMUNITY CENTER AND FESTIVAL SHE BACKGROUND: The City Council requested that the Advisory Parks Commission review the 80-acre Scenic Enterprise land parcel to review its suitability for a future "Community Center" location and an area for `Festivals"; primarily a July 4th celebration. PREVIOUS REVIEW: In 1996 the City Council established a citizens task force of residents to review this land parcel and the site that became the Promenade, for a possible "Central Park". The task force identified primary components needed in a central park. Those components included an amphitheater site, fireworks, art fair (a commercial event similar to the Edina Art Fair), and a Community Center. This study was coordinated through the efforts of the planning division, who hired Brauer & Associates, specialists in land use planning and design. A copy of the July, 1996 report from Brauer & Associated is attached. The firm was retrained later in the year to help evaluate a proposal from Scenic Enterprises for a land use change including multi -residential. COMMISSION EFFORTS: The Advisory Commission identified potential components of a Community Center at its first meeting on August 10. Attached are the meeting notes, which summarize the discussion: Important issues that surfaced at that meeting were: • The difference in program use for gyms between athletic needs and use by the Eagan Athletic Association and the leisure and fitness programming components in most community facilities. These differences are significant and may very well be in competition which each other or require multiple gyms. • The Bubble, which can support soccer, golf baseball, softball, football, walking and running track, when combined with the athletic use of gyms by EAA, may warrant being located at another location from community components of meeting rooms, banquet facility, senior center, etc. In short, is it two facilities? • The July 4th celebration seeks changes that might be made to enhance its presence in the community. With an amphitheater, would it be better to have almost continuous musical performances and talent from Eagan on stage vs. a carnival to draw people? It was the general feeling of the Commission that the parade and fireworks were the big draw that supported the carnival and the various vendor tents and games area. • That existing community centers have a central "anchor" as the main building component that is the most attractive to the community. Several communities have, or those in planning, have an indoor leisure pool as the main feature. Fagan already has an outdoor pool and an ice arena. These do not seem to be a logical anchor for this facility. SUMMARY OF OTHER COMMUNITY CENTERS: Staff has attached information on various other community recreation centers. While each center was built with a different objective and circumstance, there is some commonality that can help Eagan in this process. 1. Will this be an enterprise fund facility or what portions will be? Virtually each of the community centers was losing money on their operations, at least to some degree. Those that allowed no fee and/or reduced fees for community rooms were losing more money then those that had a set fee policy for all users. 2. Senior Programs and teen components are "high maintenance" in terms of staff time to keep programs on going and successful. They require a community investment. Will they be the responsibility of the "center" to operate or is this a general fund function? 3. Banquet rooms large enough to hold wedding receptions, with the appropriate policies in place, made money. Maplewood was clearly the most successful with its "business" approach to hosting and catering of food and beverages. 4. Indoor playgrounds have potential for making money and support other programs that can contribute to income, such as birthday parties and room rentals. However, they can initially be expensive components to develop. 5. The importance of "fitness" was underestimated in original designs in most facilities. The four major facilities are all in the planning stages of increasing this space allocation. This includes free weights, cardio vascular equipment, and space for related programs. 6. There is no singular approach to memberships. Apple Valley, for example, allows residents to use their facility free; with no membership. Only leagues pay a fee, which includes a relatively small fee for space use. Other communities have a daily admission fee or some type of seasonal membership. Quarterly or annual memberships are most closely associated with indoor pool facilities. . Marketing to the community and business groups was very evident to insure a revenue stream for the building. 8. The "community" used gym space rather than `youth athletics." That is to say that community programs and activities took precedent over youth athletics. Open gym times, camps, senior dances, etc. are typical uses. 9. Careful planning of building design is required if senior functions are to occur in the same facility as other activities. Seniors want their own space. Common areas and access are important to insure that a workable relationship exists. FOR DISCUSSION It may be appropriate to identify what philosophical differences there may be in use considerations for a community center/ bubble facility/community park to facilitate community events. Futher, would this 80 acre site, or a portion of it, provide the space needed for the identified priorities of the group. TO: city of eagan MEMO TOM HEDGES, CITY ADMINISTRATOR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION FROM: KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION DATE: AUGUST 20, 1999 SUBJECT: COMMUNITY RECREATION, LEISURE AND SPORTS CENTERS Attached for your review are summary sheets of various community recreation and sports centers selected from the metro area. These centers contain most, if not all, of the components previously mentioned or likely to be included in a facility for Fagan. The Director of Parks and Recreation and both Parks and Recreation Superintendents recently visited these facilities to gather additional information about their success, elements they would change, costs, budgets, staffing, programming, etc. It is hoped this format will provide you with a brief overview of each of the facilities. Staff also talked to three other communities that have plans for a facility; Plymouth, Inver Grove Heights and Richfield. • Plymouth is currently under construction with a $7 million project called Plymouth Creek Center. This facility consists of an activity/athletic center, which features arts, crafts, cultural center, senior center, and banquet rooms with a catering/teaching kitchen and a "fireside room". This two-story facility also has an attached sports bubble that will be kept open for 6 months of the year. The bubble is to be operational in late October and will be rented at $210 an hour. Primary use is soccer and walking/running track around the perimeter. • Richfield has been working for the past year with an architect on a community center plan. The proposal is scheduled for a referendum this November. The proposed facility has 91,000 square feet at an estimated cost of $9.5 million. The facility features an indoor leisure pool and the typical mix of uses to include banquet and meeting rooms, seniors, fitness, arts and crafts and other programming space. Richfield staff has not yet developed an operational plan. • Inver Grove Heights has also been working on a community center that will feature an indoor pool along with other community programs and meeting space. The project estimate is over $8 million. APPLE VALLEY Apple Valley, MN 612-953-2300 Population: 42,000 Year Built: 1987 1998-addition Facility Size: 17,518 sq.ft. Cost of Construction: 1987-$1.2 million 1998-$1.2 million Owner: City of Apple Valley 1999 Operating Budget: $204,884 FACILITY COMPONENTS/USES • Gymnasiums 13,000 sq.ft. Hardwood floors and sport court Used for basketball, volleyball, archery ranges, open gyms and special events. • Locker Rooms 2,000 sq.ft. (1,000/each) • All purpose room 1,040 sq.ft. • Kitchen 154 sq.ft. • Arts and Crafts room 880 sq.ft • Multi -purpose room 1,444 sq.ft. • Storage garage 373 sq.ft. BURNSVILLE TEEN CENTER "THE GARAGE' Burnsville, MN 612-895-4578 Population: 57,578 Year Built: 1998-99/Open June 1999 Facility Size: 6,000 sq.ft. Cost of Construction: $262,000 Owner: City of Burnsville Operating Budget: Expenses: $84,000 (approx.) Revenues: *Unknown at this time $30 memberships or $1 daily use FACILITY COMPONENTS/USES • Game room • Concessions/Lounge • Computer room • TV/Movie lounge ADJACENT TO TEEN CENTER AND OUTDOOR SKATE PARK BURNSVILLE TRAINING CENTER • Belongs to Hockey Club - not a part of teen center LAKEVILLE SENIOR CENTER Lakeville, MN 612-985-4622 Population: 37,303 Year Built: 1985 Facility Size: 5,100 sq.ft. Cost of Construction: $500,000 Owner: City of Lakeville 1998 Operating Budget: Expenses: $110,000 (estimated) Serves 500 members FACILITY COMPONENTS/USES • 6 meeting rooms • Kitchen • Craft shop • Pool room • Card/game room • Library - computers MAPLE GROVE 12951 Weaver Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55369 612-494-6500 Population: 48,000 Year Built: 1997 Facility Size: 118,831 sq.ft. Cost of Construction: $14,500,000 Owner: City of Maple Grove 1998 Operating Budget: Expenses: $1,663,900 Revenues: *$1,219,000 *Revenues from membership, rental and user fees. Balance from General Fund. FACILITY COMPONENTS/USES • Indoor Leisure Lap Pool 20,029 sq. ft. • Indoor Playground 3,926 sq. ft. • Teen Lounge 2,058 sq. ft. • Community Meeting Rooms 2,922 sq. ft. 7 rooms of various sizes • Banquet Room 4,564 sq. ft. Full kitchen Catering • Community Room 1,305 sq. ft. • 275 seats • Ice Arena 40,555 sq. ft. 1,200 Capacity Olympic Size Sheet • • Senior Center 1,510 sq. ft. Concessions 846 sq. ft. 2 levels Gymnasium 8,405 sq. ft. 6 baskets MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER 2100 White Bear Avenue Maplewood, MN 55109 612-779-3555 Population: 30,000 Year Built: 1993-4 (14 months) Facility Size: 90,000 sq.ft. Cost of Construction: $12.6 million (TIF and General Obligation Bonds) Owner: City of Maplewood 1998 Operating Budget: Expenses: $1,615,000 Revenues: *$1,608,000 *Revenues from membership, rental and user fees. Balance from General Fund. FACILITY COMPONENTS/USES • Leisure Pool Leisure and lessons ■ Community Room Seats 350 Used for banquets, meetings, receptions, etc. ■ Performing Arts Theatre Seats 276 • Fitness rooms Exercise machines and free weights. • Walking track 1/10 mile • Aerobic Room For aerobic and dance programs • Massage Center Contracted space ■ Gymnasium City programs, open gym, 1 large gym with curtain to make 2 smaller courts. • Concessions ■ Raquetball/Wallyball 2 courts Leagues and rentals ■ Child care rooms - 2 Provides on -site care as a service. FAMILY SERVICE CENTER City of New Brighton 400 10th St. NW New Brighton, MN 55112 651-638-2120 Population: 22,000 Year Built: 1994 Facility Size: 70,000 sq.ft. Cost of Construction: $5.2 million Owners: City 83% ISD 621** 177. 1998 Operating Budget: Expenses: $535,500 Revenues: 499,000 36,500* *funded by general properly tax **approximately 3,400 sq.ft. used for ECFE classes FACILITY COMPONENTS/USES ■ Indoor playground 4,400 sq.ft. Daily fee to use • Gymnasium with maple floor 7,400 sq.ft. Accommodates 1 full court, volleyball, small stage. Used for open gym, basketball, volleyball, stage performances. • Men's and Women's Locker Rooms 22 lockers in each ■ Walking track 1/11 of a mile ■ Fitness equipment 1,500 sq.ft. • Meeting rooms 1,325 sq.ft. 2 rooms available for groups. 28 person space equipped with sink, whiteboard, overhead, TV/VCR ■ Multi -purpose rooms 1900 sq.ft. 2 large rooms for a variety of uses; birthday parties, meetings, etc. • Community Room 4,600 sq.ft. - Seats 250 Parquet dance floor used for banquets, receptions, etc. ■ Teen Lounge 1,200 sq.ft. Snack bar • Senior Exchange (senior center) 1,200 sq.ft. (3 rooms) Library, computers, card tables, pool table, darts. Administrative Offices 1,500 sq. ft. Parks & Recreation staff ST. CROIX VALLEY RECREATION CENTER Stillwater, MN 651-430-2601 Population: 16,000 Year Built: 1998 Cost of Construction: $7.5 million Owner: City of Stillwater 1999 Operating Budget: incomplete information at this time FACILITY COMPONENTS/USES • Athletic Dome 240 x 312 Approximately 70' high • Soccer • Batting cages • Golf range • Indoor softball • Indoor football • Ice Arena SHOREVIEW COMMUNITY CENTER 4580 North Victoria Street Shoreview, MN 55126 651-490-4700 Population: 25,000 Year Built: 1990 Facility Size: 70,000 sq.ft. Cost of Construction: $10 million Owner: City of Shoreview 1998 Operating Budget: Expenses: $1.3 million Revenues: *$1.3 million *Revenues from membership, rental and user fees. ($ 200,000 from General Fund) FACILITY COMPONENTS/USES ■ Leisure Pool 3 story water slide, zero depth entry, leisure swimming and lessons ■ Banquet Room 3,525 sq.ft. Seats 250 Used for banquets, meetings, receptions, etc. ■ Fitness room Exercise machines and free weights ■ Walking track 1/10 mile • Gymnasium 6 Baskets Gymnastics room • Meeting Rooms 2,016 sq.ft. 5 rooms • Concessions Fireside Room 300 sq.ft. General socializing space Administrative Offices Parks di Recreation offices Outdoor skate park Aerobic Room For aerobic and dance programs WOODBURY BIELENBER6 SPORTS CENTER Woodbury, MN 651-714-3740 Population: 30,000 Year Built: 1995 Cost of Construction: Unknown at this time Owner: City of Woodbury 1998 Operating Budget: Expenses: $610,549 Revenues: *$610,549 FACILITY COMPONENTS/USES • Athletic Dome 210 x 135 Approximately 55' high • Soccer ■ Batting cages • Indoor softball • Indoor football • Ice Arena FACILITY SUMMARY ICE ARENA POOL DOME WITH TURF GYMNA- SIUM FITNESS CENTER TEEN CENTER SENIOR CENTER COMM. ROOM MTG ROOMS KID CARE OUT- DOOR FACILI- TY STAFF ON SITE CONCE- SSIONS OTHER APPLE VALLEY No, located next door - - 4 - No, game room No, located next door Yes, rental Yes - Yes, ball fields, rink Yes, programs Vending - BURNS- V1LLE - - - - - Yes - - - - - Yes, programs Vending - LAKE- VILLE - - - - - - Yes - - - - Yes. programs - - MAPLE GROVE I Yes, with programs - 2 Yes Yes Various rooms Yes, rental Yes Yes Yes, skate park Yes, programs Yes Indoor play ground MAPLE- WOOD - Yes, with programs - 2 Yes Various rooms Yes, rental Yes Yes - Yes, programs Yes Theater NEW BRIGHT- ON - - - 2, with stage Yes Yes, closed Various rooms Yes, rental Yes Yes - Yes, programs Yes Indoor play ground SHORE- VIEW No, Located next door Yes, with programs - 2 Yes Game room Yes, designated room Ycs, rental Yes Yes Yes, skate park, fields, rink Yes, programs Yes - STILL- WATER 2 - Yes, multi- purpose - - . - - Yes, contract Yes - WOOD- BURY 2 - Yes, multi- purpose - - - - - - - - Yes, programs Yes - city of eagan MEMO TO: COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVES FROM: CITY ADMINISTRATOR TOM HEDGES DATE: AUGUST 30,1999 SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR REPRESENTATIVES FOR NEW TASK FORCE Per a direction from the City Council, the City of Eagan is creating a task force to study space needs fnr nnccihle fithirp ri cr?ptinnal nrnnratiac and facilities Me'rbere of the grc.. .:11 1.• a� residents and representatives from community organizations and City of Eagan advisory commissions. Currently, the first meeting of the task force is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, 1999, in the Community Room on the second floor of the Eagan Municipal Center. We would appreciate having a representative from your organization to help us determine recommendations for parameters and needs for future park/recreational facilities within the City of Eagan. Would you please contact Joanna Foote, Communications Coordinator, at 651-681-4604 to indicate whether there will be a representative from your group on the task force and, if so, the name, address and phone number for that individual. Thank you. City A inistrator TO: city of eagan MEMO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE FROM: ASSISTANT CITY ADMINISTRATOR DUFFY DATE: OCTOBER 1,1999 SUBJECT: THIRD MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE The third meeting of the Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force of the City of Eagan is scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 1999, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The meeting will again be held in the second floor training room at the new Fire Administration building across Pilot Knob Road from the Municipal Center. Parking is available at that facility. Lists of suggestions that were made at the second meeting are currently being coordinated. The "homework" assignment for the third meeting is to bring suggestions for internal elements that would be included in a facility or facilities at the site. If any member has any questions, please contact me at (651) 681-4602. o\ P.1k 9 Assistant City dministrator TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: city of eagan MEMO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE ASSISTANT CITY ADMINISTRATOR DUFFY OCTOBER 13,1999 FOURTH MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE The fourth meeting of the Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force of the City of Eagan is scheduled for Monday, October 18, 1999, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the conference room at the new east Civic Arena building south of the Municipal Center. Parking is available at that facility. The main item on the program is a presentation by George Watson of Brauer and Associates. He has been at the last two meetings and has taken notes regarding desirable external and internal elements that were mentioned by members of the task force. He has put together a space analysis and will demonstrate how the various elements can fit together on the land in order to help the task force decide what amount of land is needed If any member has any questions, please contact me at (651) 681-4602. \OIL‘ )‘)1�L Assistant Citydministrator TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: city of eagan MEMO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE ASSISTANT CITY ADMINISTRATOR DUFFY OCTOBER 20,1999 FINAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE The final meeting of the Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force of the City of Eagan is scheduled for Monday, October 25, 1999, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Community Room on the second floor of the Eagan Municipal Center. Enclosed please find the schematic map requested by the task force members which was discussed at the October 18 meeting. Also enclosed are a number of informative pages including the Community Center Needs List which was developed at the October 7 meeting. The City Council has scheduled a special City Council meeting for 4:45 p.m. on Monday, November 1, 1999 to receive the recommendations of the task force. If any member has any questions, please contact me at (651) 681-4602. 4-1°1LI lb Assistant Cidministrator Community Center Needs List Senior Center: • Large kitchen w/ 2 refrigerators, 2 stoves, lots of cupboards • Large library w/TV • Exercise room/game room/craft rooms/computer rooms • Several smaller rooms for more activities --some carpeted, some tile • Shared space for storage • PA system • Piano EAA: • Gymnasium(s) (basketball, inst baseball/softball • 4 full -court basketball/hard court - bleachers, spectator space, movable benches, equipment room • 4 lane indoor track • movable batting cages (ceiling) • Office space - computer space • Kitchen • Eating/meeting room space Lioness: • Space for style show or similar events • Banquet space/hall • Garage sale space • Area to display awards • Beer tent Historical Society: • Space for storage/filing, archiving of materials • Office/computer work area • Work area for processing/inventorying and clean-up of materials • "Library"/Public work space for public access of H.S. Files/documents • Display Cases in public community center areas/hallways, etc. • Display room for larger exhibits/public displays Art House: • Larger space to orient large groups • Display area rooms/sales area Youth/Teens/Family Programs: • Coffee House "hang-outs" - Comfortable couches/bean bags • Sound system • Computer/games • Day care centers - days & evenings • Non -adult size spaces/bathrooms/fixtures (could be child care space w/other programs • Family -oriented space • Multi -purpose areas & storage Park Program Categories Central Park Program and Land Requirements - July 15, 1996 1. Fourth of July Celebration Area - includes an area for fireworks display and parade assemble and ending area. 1. Amphitheater - as proposed in the earlier study the facility was to accommodate significantly larger stage productions with a much larger seating capacity than has been contemplated by this Task Force. The study in 1996 anticipated concert style seating for up to 6000 people that would be used for both stage performances and fireworks display. This Task Force indicated a preference for structured seating for 400 to 500 hundred spectators. Seating for this civic stage can contain both structured and concert style seating. It is reasonable to anticipate the civic stage and structure seating area will overlap the fireworks display and seating area. It is also reasonable that the additional concert style seating required for the fireworks could act as over flow for stage productions. Similar suburban communities in the southwest metropolitan area currently estimate their capacity for fireworks displays to be 6,000 to 10,000 spectators. 1. Art Fair - this use, as identified in the 1996 study, is identical to the program developed by this Task Force. 1 Community Center - the most notable change between the 1996 study and the program developed by this Task Force is the deletion of an aquatics center and addition of 4 full court basketball gyms. This change will increase the total floor space required for the community center by 17,500 square feet. This change would make the single floor building foot print 81,000 square feet. There maybe efficiencies in the design of this facility that this study has not evaluated. This report will take a conservative approach to the size of the community center to insure that the final determination of land required will allow for unforseen program / architectural conditions. The 4 lane track to be included in the community center will require approximately 5,500 square feet space. It is assumed for this study that the track could be elevated above the gyms and would not increase the footprint size of the building. Land Area and Infrastructure Requirements for Program Uses - Central Park Program and Land Area Requirements - July 15, 1996 Program Use Event Land Area Parking Area Access Required Utilities Required Land Form IN ACRES IN ACRES V 1 T O R HC O M S N W T ERE R S T MR P W Municipal Fireworks Display 16.5 16.5 Y Y Y Y Gently Sloping to Flat Municipal Amphitheater 2 4 Y Y Y Y Y Gently Sloping to Flat Municipal Art Fair 1.7 NA Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Flat / Paved Municipal Community Center 2.5 4 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Flat to Gently Rolling HC = Handicapped Access OM = Operations and Maintanence Access Suitable Land Table LAND AREA SUITABLE AND ADDITIONAL LAND REQUIRED FOR "CENTRAL PARK" PROGRAM USES Item Description Land Required Land Suitable Difference 1. Area suitable for Community Center structural building & parking development 6.5 AC 23.7 AC 17.2 AC 2. Area suitable for the development of an Art Fair. 1.7 26.9 AC 25.2 AC 3. Area suitable for the development of amphitheater and fireworks seating. 4 29.2 AC 25.2 AC 4. Area suitable for the development of one or all of the "Central Park" recreation uses. 1.7 to 27.75 AC 29.2 AC 27.5 to 1.45 AC 5. Area suitable for the development of all of the "Central Park" recreation uses. 27.75 AC 23.7 AC - 4.05 AC ti Land Area Recommended for Acquisition Minimum Land to Be Acquired Description Amount in Acres Below the 100 year flood elevation. Within the 3 foot vertical building setback. Suitable for the development of all program facilities. Visual and physical access & significant vegetation. 10.8 acres 4 acres 8.2 acres 8 acres Total Minimum Land to be Acquired. 131 acres Additional flexibility in the area determined to be best suited for the development of the community center could be gained with a realignment of Federal Street. The addition of approximately 3 acres of land would allow for the future expansion of the building and parking. This additional land would also increase the options available for siting the building. The addition of three acres would make the ideal total land to be acquired 34 acres. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: city of eagan MEMO TOM HEDGES, CITY ADMINISTRATOR KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION DECEMBER 28,1999 LAND ACQUISITION COMMUNITY FACILITY TASK FORCE BACKGROUND/PROCESS Staff facilitated two task force meetings (December 14 and 21) along with a tour of community center sites on December 18. At the first meeting, the task force was updated on the land acquisition along with the responsibility of the group as directed by the Council. The members were asked to identify potential components of a facility or to identify important programs that need to be included in the facility design. Task force members were also provided the opportunity to identify issues of concern. Concerns or issues could be submitted verbally or written and handed in later. It was also suggested that the task force develop a vision statement for the proposed facility. A compilation of issues raised at the first meeting was distributed to task force members prior to the tour of sites. At the second meeting, task force members were asked to give their impressions of the tour; what they liked, disliked or saw as concerns. The group then addressed the need to develop a vision statement, which resulted in the following: "To provide a public gathering place where programs and activities bring people of all ages together to build and foster pride, relationships. fitness and wellness in our community" The group was then asked if they were ready to define needs versus wants through a collective agreement or by individual identification. The group's response was that they were not ready to do so, primarily because they felt that there were not sufficient task force members present to represent the diversity of interests expressed. Others wanted to gather more comments from the community. Moreover, after review of the original Council direction, the group felt it was appropriate to bring the following items forward: 1. Attached for the Council is a composite list of possible community center components and programs derived from the task force's review. The components on the list are not prioritized. It is believed that the cost for all of these components may be more then what can be afforded. 2. Also attached is a composite of issues/concerns raised by the members regarding the proposed future facility. 3. A summary of the important elements are: • The need for a Master Plan for the site to insure that a future building meets the needs of the users while complementing the program needs of the park site. The Master Plan for the site would not delay continued planning efforts for a community center. • The feeling that the planning process should include more members of the community to help define the important elements of the facility and the importance of soliciting their support. There is a need to develop a strong communication effort, particularly because it is likely that any such facility will have to be constructed with the proceeds from a bond referendum. • There is a concern for cost, both for construction and operation. This may help to identify priorities. In addition, some members were concerned that if a fee membership is applied to seniors, they may not be able to afford a facility designed for them. • The City might consider building this facility in stages by grouping various components together into `pods" of organization, i.e. athletic activities. Again, cost and affordability play a role in this regard. It is believed that Clyde Thurston, and others on the task force, will be at the January 4 meeting to provide the Council with highlights of their conclusions and discussions. KV:cm Attachments: Components List Concerns and Issues List Meeting Attendance List COMMUNITY CENTER COMPONENTS Name ATHLETIC ELEMENTS 6RAMMING ELEMENTS Gymnasium • Track • Locker Rooms Volleyball, Basketball, Organized League Play, open play, 6-8 mini bb courts, 2-3 bb courts, 4-6 vb courts, fitness walking, running, pre- season EAA practice Air Supported (Bubble) Soccer, Football, Golf, Baseball, Softball, Track Tennis Courts Leagues, Lessons, Tournaments Racquetball Courts Leagues, Lessons, Tournaments Locker Rooms Men's, women's, family FITNESS/HEALTH Weights Classes, Exercise Machine Equipment Classes, Exercise Aerobic Studio Lessons Lap Pool Lap swim, Swim Lessons, Water aerobics Therapy Pool Climbing Wall Lessons, Exercise Gymnasium GENERAL PROGRAM SPACE SU/LD/NG PER/METER • Outdoor P/ay Ares • Skate Park • Plaza ■ Pond/Garden Pubic Gardens Festival booth/tent set-up, admissions access Administrative Office Area Staff offices, membership/ticket sales, equipment checkout, main desk for registration/money Senior Center • Large Kitchen • Library • Smaller rooms; carpeted & tiled • Shared storage space Seminars, dinners/lunches, breakfasts, crafts, videos, cards, informal "visiting", entertainment, intergenerational activities EAA Office Space/Storage Computer work area (all equipment or some) Historical Society Office Space/Storage With Senior Center; computer, files Display cases/Ga/lery for displays Teen Center • Comfortable space for "hanging out" (Couches, chairs, coffee house style) • Computer/game space Informal mentoring, intergenerational opportunities, volunteer projects Concessions Similar to Aquatic Facility GENERAL PROGRAM SPACE -1t46RAMMIN6 ELEMENTS PA, video & audio equipment, mass registrations, wedding receptions Banquet Room • Catering Kitchen • Teaching Kitchen • Area for sty/e show/garage sale • Dance Moor Meeting/Conference Room • Business Seminars Technology Room/Ares Classes, access to use of computers Cable Access Studio Indoor Playground Birthday parties, open hours Arts/Crafts Rooms Birthday parties Preschool Rooms Contract Day Care Drop -in child care; participant registered space Music Room Dance Studio Auditorium Stage - Formal Stage - Informal Atrium • Entry presentation of the facility • S/gnage Denotes additions made 12/14/99 LAND ACQUISITION COMMUNITY FACILITY TASK FORCE DECEMBER 14, 1999 1. What building element needs to be added? 2. What program element needs to be added? 3. What are the significant issues that need to be addressed with the facility components? 12-14-99 identified issues 1. Concern for potential conflict between the athletic components that EAA wants and other uses. Should there be two buildings? What about separation of noise and quiet space? 2. The need to generate some income from various elements; not a total drain on budget. 3. Is there a conflict between the Cedarvale Task Force Plan that contains a teen center and community recreational components and this task force? 4. How are we going to get an idea on costs? 5. Are there opportunities for bringing in some private sector components with this facility? 6. Can office space that EAA and Historical Society mentioned be combined so they share the same desk/computer but have different files? What about sharing storage needs? 7. Should there be "expandable space" for the future that can be grown into. Should a phased approach be considered? 8. Are there locker rooms for the gym area and locker rooms for other areas too? 9. Is the concession a snack bar or more of a restaurant style eating space? 10. Are we moving too fast on this? How can we get other people's comments and thoughts on this? 12-21-99 comments about the tour ■ Liked Maplewood's banquet facility • Liked Shoreview's openness/warmth • Each seemed to have chosen components that fit their needs - target demographics • Seniors and teen facilities were lacking; not much there • Concern that what we (seniors) saw on the tour may not be affordable. (New Brighton's membership fees were mentioned) 12-21-99 additional comments/concerns • Because of the time of year, players in the community that could have been included in the process were not present. How do we bring more people into the process? • Need to find an effective forum for a more broad -based community dialogue about the needs of the community for this facility. How do we communicate this and get real 'buy -in"? • Pre -mature to rank wants vs. needs (this was in response to an effort to have a group or individualized process for identifying the needs/wants) ■ What are the cost implications of building and operating this facility? • What is the actual location? Do we really know until a master plan has been done for the site? ■ We need to build in flexibility for future add-ons. Can this be built in pods; athletic space/transitional space/group use? • By storage, does EAA envision storage for all of its equipment? • What percentage of EAA's gymnasium based programs would move out of the schools to this facility? • What are EAA's expectations for access based on its offer of financial support for construction of the facility? • What advantage is there for the City to enter into a private/public partnership? Disadvantages? • What is known about need vs. nice to have for the various proposed elements for the community center? COMMUNITY FACILITY TASK FORCE AGENDA TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2000 5:00 P.M. I. What has happened since we last met? ■ Bringing everyone up to date. II. Explanation of the January 14th memo to the City Council on costs. ■ Understanding what it means! III. We need a leader. Who is it? IV. The Council is asking us to do what? V. Let's get organized to accomplish the tasks. VI. What else do we need to concern ourselves with as a task force? VII. Let's meet again! • Set the next meeting date. VIII. Anything else before we go? city of eagan MEMO TO: COMMUNITY FACILITY TASK FORCE FROM: KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION DATE: JANUARY 19, 2000 SUBJECT: JANUARY 25 TASK FORCE MEETING 5:15 F.M. FIRE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING Following the presentation by representatives of the Task Force at the January 4 City Council meeting, a public hearing was set for January 18 to solicit public input for a community center. Staffwas also requested to provide a report of projected construction costs at that same meeting. The report presented to the City Council is attached for your review. Staff will expand further on this report at the January 25 meeting. The City Council has asked that the Task Force be brought together again to continue the refinement of a community center concept and to make a recommendation regarding a bond referendum to finance the project. In addition, the Council asked for a projection of operational costs with the expectation that this facility will "as nearly as possible, break even". Thank you for your continued efforts in helping the City Council move forward thoughtfully with this community center project. We look forward to having everyone back together again to continue the refinement process. Ken Vraa, Director of Parks and Recreation Attachment KV:cm cc: Mayor and City Council Tom Hedges, City Administrator Tom Colbert, Director of Public Works Gene VanOverbeke, Director of Finance/City Clerk dkit city of eagan MEMO TO: City Administrator Hedges FROM: Finance Director/City Clerk VanOverbeke Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa Director of Public Works Colbert DATE: January 14, 2000 SUBJECT: Community Activity Center Cost Projections, Bond Referendum Questions and Timelines and Request For Direction At your request we are developing this material and providing the information to you in one consolidated memo. We are providing the best possible answers that we can put together for each of the questions, however it must be noted that each conclusion is based on very specific assumptions. Any change to those assumptions will probably generate a different set of answers; consequently caution should be used as the material is reviewed. For example, building location could have a significant impact on final utility costs and items such as building finishes and atrium spaces will have a significant impact on total building costs. Therefore, this memo should be looked at as providing only a basic frame of reference for discussion and for additional research. It should not be viewed as providing definitive cost estimates. Infrastructure Cost Projections The development and construction of a potential Central Park Community Activity Center would require the installation of the following public infrastructure facilities to service the property. Total estimated cost: $ 1,821,000 Note: All costs reflect an estimated 20% for design and construction related engineering services. Also, only the parkland's anticipated share is reported. Public Street Access (Ring Road — Northwest quadrant) $ 550,000 Proposed as a 2-lane divided roadway with an 18 ft. landscaped center median and 10 ft. bituminous trails on both sides separated by a landscaped 12 ft wide boulevard. • Park land street frontage is approximately 1700 feet (29% of total). • Anticipates a respectable amount of grading but no significant soil correction. Pedestrian Underpass $ 240,000 A 220 ft long, 12 ft. wide and 10 ft. high concrete box culvert underpass with retaining walls, interior lighting and required fencing. 40 Landscaping $ 40,000 Trees to be located in median and boulevard similar to Civic Center Drive Street and Trailway Lighting $ 165,000 Continuous lighting on 30 ft. poles for street and 15 ft. poles for trailway. Right of Way $ 500,000 Right of way and temporary easement acquisition required from land not provided for through plat dedication. Sanitary sewer $ 18,000 Estimated 270 ft of service main to within 10 feet of building. Due to invert elevation limitations of trunk sewer, may only be able to serve first floor of building with gravity flow. Lower level will require an ejector pump (part of building plumbing cost). Water Main and service $ 185,000 Provides for 2,200 ft. of a 10 inch main looped through the site as necessary for water service and fire protection. Storm Drainage $ 123,000 Provides for drainage of parking lot west to Pond CP-3. The Outlet (Lift Station and Forcemain) for CP-4 in the center of the site will be financed in full by the Trunk Storm Sewer fund. (est. $ 300,000) Proposed Community Center: Potential Costs Staff has looked at recently constructed facilities in the metropolitan area as well as facilities constructed in other regions of the country that profile the elements proposed as part of the Eagan facility. Staff has also prevailed upon the willingness of former contractors and the Construction Manager for Cascade Bay to provide their perspectives on the construction industry and cost trends. For this projection, staff has taken the gross square foot method to determine a projection. This method encompasses estimating the number of square feet for the facility and multiplying it by an average square foot cost for projects of similar size and scope. An attempt has been made to further refine this estimate by defining square foot cost by area within the proposed structure. For example, the square foot cost for locker rooms and the kitchen is much higher then the square foot cost of office areas and storage areas. Because of insufficient design information at this early stage, this method could not be completed in its entirety. Assumptions as to cost for the Eagan facility include the following. Site development, to include such items as rough grading, parking lot, and access to utilities are not part of the building construction costs, but are considered as part of the site development package. Design fees and Construction Management fees have been included along with an allowance for equipment. Soil conditions are assumed acceptable for building construction. 41/ Various cost assumption scenarios are presented to help frame the cost potential for this facility. The scenarios reflected begin with a 65,000 square foot design at a cost of $115 per square foot and end with a high side design scenario represented by an 80,000 square foot facility at $135 per square foot. 65,000 square feet @ $115 = $7,475,000 65,000 square feet @ $135 = $8,775,000 70,000 square feet @ $115 = $8,050,000 70,000 square feet @ $135 = $9,450,000 80,000 square feet @ $115 = $9,200,000 80,000 square feet @ $135 = $10,800,000 In an effort to determine the potential size of a future building staff has projected the previously identified components (as outlined by the City Council on January 4, 2000) and assigned the following approximation as to size. Component Banquet Room Banquet Room Kitchen Gym Walking/running track Exercise/Fitness Enclosed Play equipment Dedicated for Seniors Dedicated for teens Meeting Rooms / Program Space for Seniors Locker Rooms EAA/Historical office Concessions Storage (EAA) Storage (Historical) Pre-school / Child care Offices/Administration Entrance / Lobby Net Total* Gross Total* Net Square Feet 5,800 (Maplewood) 1,400-1,600 10,000-10,200 (Four Courts) 600 5,300-5,600 4,400-4,800 1,400-1,600 1,800-2,000 3,400-3,800 4,800-5,200 450 1,800-2,000 4,000 400 1,200-1,400 4,600-4,800 1,750-2,150 53,100-56,400 66,375-70,500 4c2. *Net Total only provides for the actual room requirements. It is a generally accepted practice to add 25% to the net to allow for hallways, janitorial spaces, public restrooms, mechanical areas and the like. Its unlikely that, given the general sense of direction and expectations exhibited on the recent bus tour and by the Task Force that a facility at the smallest size and at the smallest square foot cost will be acceptable. Further, contractors and owners alike are indicating that there are few contractors bidding projects and owners are paying a "premium price" because of the abundance of construction projects. Depending on the final design program, the 80,000 square foot assumption may be larger than necessary . Staff believes that it would be more prudent to look towards a facility encompassing about 70,000 sq. feet and at a cost between $115 and $135 per square foot, generating a total projected cost of approximately $8,750,000. Site Development Costs Site development assumes that soils are suitable for the construction of a building pad for a future building and that utilities are in near approximation to be brought into the building. In addition to grading, site development would include re -seeding of disturbed soils, trails for pedestrian access, primary electrical service, trail lighting, parking lot, development of a building pad for future construction for a band shell or for a portable stage. Funds have not been designated for construction of the amphitheater stage. An allowance for landscaping has been provided along with entrance signage. Detailed design and engineering services have been included. Once again, a range of potential cost has been provided. Component Parking/Access Dr. Clearing/Grading Pond Modifications Trails/Hard surface Building Utilities Turf/Landscaping Primary Electrical/ Lights (site security) Entrance signage Exterior Plaza Site Development Lump Sum Projection $450,000-$500,000 $175,000-$200,000 $50,000-80,000 $125,000 $50,000 $65,000-85,000 $100,000-$125,000 $25,000 $35,000 $1,075,000 — $1,225,000* *There is a potential cost implication associated with the need to lower the gas main and relocating a portion of the sanitary sewer line that is in the 100-foot wide easement. This has not been included as a cost pending an understanding of building design and layout beyond what is currently known. 4,3 The potential cost for the building at $8,750,000 and site development costs at $1,225,000 totals $9,975,000. A contingency of $500,000, representing half of the usual contingency at this phase, brings the projected cost to approximately $10,475,000. Total costs based on the assumptions included in this memo excluding the land acquisition are as follows: Infrastructure $1,821,000 Building 9,250,000 Site Development 1,225,000 Total $12,296,000 Bond Referendum Questions The basic administrative issues and time line related to a referendum are first, the 49-day requirement for notification of the County Auditor before a special election can be held. And second, setting the election date also requires adoption of the referendum ballot question wording, including the dollar amount. All other administrative election requirements can be met after the election date has been set. Those other requirements include the availability of absentee ballots, posting and publication requirements, election judge appointment and training and a number of similar activities. Eagan will probably be between election systems, having traded in the old machines and awaiting the arrival of the new equipment scheduled to be in place before the primary election on September 12, 2000. A referendum with only one question would probably utilize paper ballots, so the unavailability of the electronic equipment should not be an issue. Communications The communications process required to effectively educate and inform the public about the issues related to a referendum is covered in the enclosed memo written by Communications/Recycling Coordinator Foote. Financine Issues There are basically three components related to the financing of this undertaking. The first component relates to the purchase of the land. While the City Council has not taken formal action on this question, staff work has been proceeding under the assumption that available cash balances from the Community Investment Fund (CIF) and the Park Site Acquisition and Development Fund (PSAD) would be used first and then additional debt financing would be obtained through some sort of lease purchase arrangement. Discussions are underway with the Dakota County HRA as a potential agent for the sale of bonds. To be feasible the transactions must result in tax-exempt bonds and the debt service tax levy requirements must be outside of the City's levy limit. In the event that the Dakota County HRA is not able to participate in the transaction it is possible that the City could create an Economic Development Authority to allow for the sale of this type of bonds. There are some issues requiring a legal interpretation, however. We expect to receive a response from the Dakota County HRA in the near future concerning their participation in this financing. This transaction is basically a general obligation bond without an election and results in slightly higher interest rates. The second fmancing component relates to the construction of the facility and improvements to the site. Again, the City Council has taken no formal action, although a referendum and 100% bond financing seems to be receiving the most consideration. Assuming a successful referendum, debt service payments would be made from tax levies not subject to the City's levy limit. There is certainly some concern about the second component being undertaken before the first is completed and what citizen reaction might be to that process. The third financing component relates to the operating costs of a completed facility. The extent to which this type of facility can be self-supporting has not been determined. The components actually constructed, the City Council's pricing policies and citizen utilization will ultimately determine the final operating results and required operating subsidy, break-even potential or positive income. Given the undefined nature of the issues, no work has been done on trying to complete a pro -forma and project operating results. However, this could become an important question in any referendum process. City Council Direction at the close of the Public Hearing At the direction of the City Council at the meeting on January 4, 2000 the Task Force that worked first on the land acquisition issue and than preliminarily on the Community Activity Center will be reconvened. A meeting has been noticed for January 25'h. It would be helpful if the City Council were to delineate their expectations for the Task Force regarding their process and expected outcome. Perhaps the following items could form the basis of a work plan for the Task Force: • Seek additional community input to determine the appropriate elements to be included in a Community Center and prepare a final recommendation for the City Council. • Explore any public/private partnerships that would be beneficial to the success of this project. • Explore phasing options. • Recommend an election date for a referendum to provide financing for the project. To effectively complete this work plan, staff is also recommending that authorization be provided by the City Council to hire a consultant to provide the professional expertise necessajy to prepare a site plan to assist t Task f orce. Director of Public Works Director of Parks & Rec ector of Finance TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: city of eagan MEMO LAND ACQUISITION FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES TASK FORCE MEMBERS KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION DECEMBER 15,1999 DECEMBER 21,1999 TASK FORCE MEETING Thank you to the task force members who were able to attend the December 14 meeting during this hectic holiday season. In an attempt to keep focused on the project, the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 21 at 5:00 p.m. in the Training Room at the Fire Administration Building, 3795 Pilot Knob Road. The group that was assembled on December 14 was asked to again identify potential components for the facility or potential programming needs. They were also asked to indicate any issues or concerns they bad. The group's input has been compiled and is enclosed for your review. The December 21 meeting will provide the opportunity to continue the refinement of these components. Thank you again for your responsiveness and willingness to continue the task force's work. Your time and commitment are truly appreciated. I look forw d tt9 seeing you at the meeting. /// Ken Vraa, Director of Parks and Recreation Attachment cc: Mayor and City Council Tom Hedges, City Administrator Tom Colbert, Director of Public Works Gene VanOverbeke, Director of Finance/City Clerk KV:cm COMMUNITY CENTER COMPONENTS Name ATHLETIC ELEMENTS Gymnasium • Track • Locker Rooms O6RAMMING ELEMENTS:_ .. Volleyball, Basketball, Organized League Play Air Supported (Bubble) Soccer, Football, Golf, Baseball, softball, Track Tennis Courts Leagues, Lessons, Tournaments Racquetball Courts Leagues, Lessons, Tournaments Locker Rooms FITNESS%HEALTH Weights Classes, Exercise Machine Equipment Classes, Exercise Aerobic Studio Lessons Lap Pool Lap swim, Swim Lessons, Water aerobics Therapy Pool Climbing Wall Lessons, Exercise Gymnasium GENERAL PROGRAM SPACE 'e �: SU/LOVNG PER/METER • Outdoor Play Area • Skate Park • Plaza ■ Pond/Garden Pub/lc Gardens Administrative Office Area Senior Center • Large Kitchen • Library • Smaller rooms; carpeted & t//ed • Shared storage space EAA Office Space/Storage H/stor/ca/ Society Office Space/Storage D/sp/ay Cases/Gallery for displays Teen Center • Comfortable space for "hang/ng out" (Couches, chairs, coffee house style) • Computer/game space Concessions GENERAL PROGRAM SPACE ,.h.. "PROGRAMMING ELEMENTS V• Banquet Room • Catering Kitchen • Teaching Kitchen • Area for style show/garage sale Meeting/Conference Room • Business Seminars Technology Room/Area Cable Access Studio Indoor Playground Arts/Crafts Rooms Preschool Rooms Contract Day Care Music Room Dance Studio Auditorium Stage - Formal Stage - Informal Denotes additions made 12/14/99 LAND ACQUISITION COMMUNITY FACILITY TASK FORCE DECEMBER 14, 1999 1. What building element needs to be added? 2. What program element needs to be added? 3. What are the significant issues that need to be addressed with the facility components? 12-14-99 identified issues 1. Concern for potential conflict between the athletic components that EAA wants and other uses. Should there be two buildings? What about separation of noise and quiet space? 2. The need to generate some income from various elements; not a total drain on budget. 3. Is there a conflict between the Cedarvale Task Force Plan that contains a teen center and community recreational components and this task force? 4. How are we going to get an idea on costs? 5. Are there opportunities for bringing in some private sector components with this facility? 6. Can office space that EAA and Historical Society mentioned be combined so they share the same desk/computer but have different files? What about sharing storage needs? 7. Should there be 'expandable space" for the future that can be grown into. Should a phased approach be considered? 8. Are there locker rooms for the gym area and locker rooms for other areas too? 9. Is the concession a snack bar or more of a restaurant style eating space? 10. Are we moving too fast on this? How can we get other people's comments and thoughts on this? city of eagan MEMO TO: LAND ACQUISITION FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES TASK FORCE MEMBERS FROM: DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION VRAA DATE: DECEMBER 8,1999 SUBJECT: DECEMBER 14,1999 TASK FORCE MEETING In official action at the December 6, 1999 meeting, the Eagan City Council passed a motion to begin investigating the construction of a community center. A copy of that motion is attached for your information. In order to accomplish this task, we are reactivating the Land Acquisition Task Force and also adding some additional members from the Advisory Parks Commission, the Historical Society and City of Eagan youth. We would like to invite you to a task force meeting on Tuesday, December 14, at 5:00 p.m. in the Training Room at the Fire Administration Building at 3795 Pilot Knob Road. At that meeting, we would like to build on those items expressed at previous meetings and hear what features various individuals and representatives of community organizations would like to see considered for inclusion in a community center. We will follow this meeting with a bus tour of a couple of existing community centers in other municipalities. That tour will be held on Saturday, December 18, for those task force members who wish to participate. We will meet at the Municipal Center at 8:30 a.m. and will board the bus at 8:45 a.m. The tour should be over early in the afternoon. Please R.S.V.P. by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 15, to Mary Swenson at (651)681-4605 if you plan to join us on the tour. We will also provide an update on the status of land acquisition for the central park area at the December 14 meeting. I look forvlard to seeing you at the meeting and receiving your input. 7) Director of Parks & Recreation Attachment cc: Mayor & City Council Tom Hedges, City Administrator Tom Colbert, Director of Public Works Gene VanOverbeke, Director of Finance/City Clerk KV/vmd TO: Mayor and council FROM: Member Carlson COMMUNITY ACTIVITY CENTER MOTIONS Direct staff to prepare information for schematics, infrastructure, actual location and cost estimates for a proposed community activity center. Direct staff to schedule a mobile workshrp to tour metre community centers that includes the task force and city council within the next two weeks. Direct staff to schedule task force meetings during December to construct a "wants and needs" list of the community center and present their findings at the Jan. 4, 2000 city council meeting. Welcome the expansion of the task force by including teens representatives, residents for recreation representatives and representatives from the EAA basketball programs. LAND ACQUISITION COMMUNITY FACILITY TASK FORCE AGENDA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1999 5:00 — 6:30 P.M. I. Welcome/Introductions H. Status of Land Acquisition Process III. Council Action of December 6, 1999/Direction to Staff (What the task force is asked to do) IV. Identify Community Activity Center Components (Continue the process of identifying what the needs and wants are for a facility; both space and program.) V. Administrative Issues • Others who want to attend meeting • Saturday December 18 tour • Additional meetings — set date/time VI. Other Items VII. Adjournment REPORT FOR LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE During the initial meetings, the Eagan Historical Society gave a list of wishes to be includedin the overall list of space, in the event a civic center became a reality. The Hisrory Society wants to avoid repitition. Our previous list is on record. However, at this time we would like to explain our reasons for desiring space. Two years ago we were given space for two file cabinets, a table and three chairs in the basement of the municipal center. We have no security in our area and additionally, our area is adjacent to the city's files that are confidential. This situation is detremental to our growth, therefore our 'wish list' is reasonable. Our existance is deemed benificial to the city. Eagan History Society Chair person Raymond Wade December 14, 1999 v • I ti / tgl as Wf 1 et l/ • ' •. 1 1 41411b' City of Eagan Scenic Enterprises Inc. Property and Surrounding Area 1➢(i!111NIhliihli A f Ring Road (Future) ,FAN,- Easement Line Parcel Lines IVe lliant your ?eeAack/ tntroutk *turn By Marcti ff-1 The City of Eagan has purchased property in the central area of Eagan near the intersection of Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob Roads. This property is intended to be developed as a community central park. The City Council has created a task force of residents, representatives from community organizations, and businesses to assist in the planning and development process for this property; however, the task force and the Council would also like to bring as much community input into this development process as possible. They have, therefore, asked for community feedback to be gathered regarding the needs and vision for this property including passive and active recreational features, site facilities, and a community activity center. Please fill out the following form ranking your top 1- 5 choices in each category (1 being your highest priority). You may also mark (X) any other features which you would utilize or which you believe are priorities for this facility. Please include any additional features and comments you wish to have considered. Outdoor Site Components: Community Activity Center Features/Functions: Bandshell Aerobic/Exercise Area Community Gardening Plots Festival Grounds Formal or Display Gardens Informational Kiosks LaunchNiewing Area for (July 4th) Large Aerial Fireworks Displays Lawn Games Area (croquet, bocce ball, etc.) Outdoor Ice Skating Rink Picnic Shelter/Pavilion Playground Plaza/Fountain Putting Green Skateboard Ramps/Area Sliding/Tubing Hill Sports Fields --specify type(s) Tennis Courts (outdoor) Walking/Biking Paths Other: ?bank you for /our ssisMance 8C led ackt Art/Craft Rooms Banquet Facilities Preferred seating capabilities Basketball/Volleyball Courts Climbing Wall Computer Room Historical Society Health and Fitness Equipment Area Informational Kiosks Informal Gathering/Lounge Space(s) Indoor Play Equipment Locker Rooms Meeting/Multi Purpose Rooms Music Room Preschool/Child Care Area Racquetball Courts Senior Center Teaching Kitchen Teen Center Video Conferencing Center Walking/Running Track Other: If there are items, facilities, or functions which you do not see on this list, please list them as "other" or make any comments below which you wish to have considered: Questions? Calf 66t-68f-46of rFax, f roo-off or Mail. Back Tax 65(-68t-46f2 city of eagan Please 'turn 6.y ?March f' ifie Want your 7ee4ack1 Give us your ideas a6ouf what you m96i like to see in a cenira%park/communifJs center sff Out gc Return Marck 1-' CitJ1 of Zagan 3830 Pilot Rno6 TpaI Zayan, MN 55(22 Place Postage Here To return 6y mad, foie!wits tliis flap on top. 4ttac1 proper postage. Tape or staple closed Community Center Needs List Senior Center: • Large kitchen w/ 2 refrigerators, 2 stoves, lots of cupboards • Large library w/TV • Exercise room/game room/craft rooms/computer rooms • Several smaller rooms for more activities --some carpeted, some tile • Shared space for storage • PA system • Piano EAA: • Gymnasium(s) (basketball, inst baseball/softball • 4 full -court basketball/hard court - bleachers, spectator space, movable benches, equipment room • 4 lane indoor track • movable batting cages (ceiling) • Office space - computer space • Kitchen • Eating/meeting room space Lioness: • Space for style show or similar events • Banquet space/hall • Garage sale space • Area to display awards • Beer tent Historical Society: • Space for storage/filing, archiving of materials • Office/computer work area • Work area for processing/inventorying and clean-up of materials • "Library"/Public work space for public access of H.S. Files/documents • Display Cases in public community center areas/hallways, etc. • Display room for larger exhibits/public displays Art House: • Larger space to orient large groups • Display area rooms/sales area Youth/Teens/Family Programs: • Coffee House "hang-outs" - Comfortable couches/bean bags • Sound system • Computer/games • Day care centers - days & evenings • Non -adult size spaces/bathrooms/fixtures (could be child care space w/other programs • Family -oriented space • Multi -purpose areas & storage r=•=1MO411141.=MIUMIM14==01.11110.1==d1MIIMOM=MIMMOMMOMMOMIMOMMIDO 11 • 1 1 8;5.6 • BUILDING A SETBACK ELEVATION LAND SUITABLE FOR STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT - 8.2 ACRES Ia. • el iN4IFFIlr•MII 410 4 IIII. mimillit wit . • '• ....• • ' .....••• L STUD Y AREA - 45 +/- ACRES .••• - . i \ - ' • ....' ...... NSP EASEMENT UTILITY EASEMENT 000000000000000000000000000 ADDMONAL AREA "OUTSIDE STUDY AREA" LIMITS RECOMMENDED FOR ACQUISITION L• MINI • • • IMIM • • 1=11 • • IMMI • MN • NM • MEM • Duke Realty Development Central Park Property Analysis SQfrmat&LslachliscCANKM Scale: 1" = 400' North 1 1 min • IlEn • mow • • •• • imri on•• • mom • I ! 0 , LAND WITHIN 3 VERTICAL FEET OF 100 YR. FLOOD - ELEVATION - 4 ACRES LAND WITHIN 100 YR. FLOOD ‘A, ELEVATION- 10.8 ACRES CIVIC STAGE AND STRUCTURED SEATING FOR 400-300 SPECTATORS POSSIBLE CONCERT STYLE SEATING EXPANSION FOR 5.500 SPECTATORS I • UNISYS Donald M. Schlafer MS F1 K05 Unisys Corporation 3199 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, Mn. 55121 November 1,1999 Thomas L. Hedges City of Eagan Administrator 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, Mn. 55122-1897 Dear Mr. Hedges; I enjoyed meeting with you, Mayor Patricia Awada, and Ken Vraa, Director of Parks and Recreation, and appreciate your time in discussing the proposed Eagan Community Park. Unisys agrees that the proposed Community Park would be of value not only to Eagan residents, but to our employees. We feel that some type of partnership could be developed of benefit to both parties. Unisys is not opposed to occasional usage of sections of our parking lots for special events, or of the possibility of some type of shared land usage of the south west corner of the Unisys parcel. I would suggest however, that additional meetings be held to discuss specifics of the agreement once more information is available on the details of the Park plan. A liability agreement would also need to be developed acceptable to both parties. Please call me at your convenience to discuss a possible time for another meeting. Sin rely, Donald M. Schlafer Unisys Eagan Facilities Management Cc: Jean Krueger - Unisys Corporate Facilities • Other There are at least a couple of Funds that have the capacity to loan money to another fund for the purpose of acquiring land, however that type of loan would need to be approved from a legal standpoint and there would need to be a defined and dedicated revenue stream to make repayment. This type of funding could be seen as circumventing the referendum process, especially if tax revenues are used to repay the loan. There is at least one parcel of City owned property within the City that could be sold with the proceeds used as a revenue source for purchase of something else. However, that particular parcel was purchased with Storm Sewer Trunk funds, and sale proceeds should probably go back to that source. I believe that these are the options that could be given consideration for funding of the acquisition of land to be used for Recreational or Park purposes. Perhaps with some brainstorming the list could be expanded or modified. Please let me know, if you would like anything else or if you would like clarification on anything in the memo. Finance Director/City Clerk Eagan City Council directs staff to pursue acquiring land for a park by Lori Hall Staff Writer The dream of creating a cen- tral community park in Eagan was kept alive at the Nov. 16 City Council meeting. The City Council accepted the Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force Report and directed staff to pursue pub- lic -private partnerships, to con- tinue negotiations to acquire a piece of property and to explore funding options. This fall, the city formed a task force to examine the possi- bilities of a parcel of land. The proposed property, owned by Joe Miller, is an old piece of Unisys land located near Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road. It is surrounded by Northwest Airlines, Unisys and Lockheed Martin. The 88-acre parcel is current- ly under contract for sale to Duke Realty to develop. However, Duke is willing to meet with the city to discuss selling all or a portion of the land. The property includes some severe slopes and a portion of it lies in a 100-year flood plain. A See Park, 3A Park/Continued small portion of the site is also covered with some mature trees. The task force presented its findings to the City Council during a special meeting Nov. 1. The group recommended the city purchase 34 acres at the bare minimum to meet today's program needs, but 45 or more acres would better serve future needs. The proposal — based on 34 acres — for the property included an 80,000 square -foot community center, parking for 500, a band shell and structured seating for 400 to 500, plus room beyond for blanket and lawn chair seating for up to 2,000 on the Unisys property. A launch area and safety zone for fireworks was located within the flood plain. An area on a parking lot near the community center was also identified for potential use for an art fair. The task force recommend- ed the city purchase as much property as possible, possibly the entire 88-acre parcel, since this is one of the last large parcels left in Eagan available for this type of use. The city is currently work- ing with the neighboring busi- nesses in an effort to develop public -private partnerships. The city hopes the businesses will allow the city to use their parking lots during larger city events and a portion of the Unisys property for informal seating near the band shell. The city received a letter from Unisys saying the pro- posed community park would be beneficial to Eagan residents as well as its employees. The letter also stated a partnership with the city could be devel- oped. Lockheed Martin told the city in a letter, "This proposal for a central park and city facil- See Park, 13A Park/Continued ity is an excellent land use for this environmentally sensitive property. The proximity to our operations -will be great for our employees to utilize." Lockheed Martin also stated it would be willing to work with the city to allow use of a parking lot for city events. The city of Eagan has also gotten initial feedback from Northwest Airlines indicating its willingness to cooperate with the city. Though the council debated how much land the city should consider purchasing, all mem- bers agreed the parcel should be pursued. "We're going to have to look at some creative ways to fund this," said Council Member Bea Blomquist. "We need to do this. We need to protect this land. It's a dream come true to think this could be part of our central downtown area." "This has been a dream of the City Council since before my time," said Mayor Pat Awada. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: city of eagan MEMO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION VRAA NOVEMBER 10,1999 FORMAL CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE First of all, on behalf of the Mayor, City Councilmembers and City staff, I would like to thank you for volunteering to serve on the Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force. As you know, the recommendations of the task force were presented to the City Council at a special workshop held on November 1, 1999. Formal consideration of the task force's recommendations is now scheduled for the regular November 16 City Council meeting. Attached please find a copy of that agenda along with the information that is being sent to the City Council regarding this item. Also attached is a draft copy of the minutes from the November 1, workshop. I would like to encourage as many of the members of the task force as possible to attend the regular City Council meeting in case the Council needs more information or has more questions. I hope to see you there if your schedule allows. Thank you again f f all yo work regarding this important issue to the City of Eagan. Director of Parks & Recreation Attachments MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL EAGAN, MINNESOTA November 1, 1999 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Monday, November 1, 1999 at 4:45 p.m. at the Eagan Municipal Center building. Present were Mayor Awada and Councilmembers Bakken, Blomquist, Carlson and Masin. Also present were Director of Public Works Colbert, Director of Finance VanOverbeke, Assistant City Administrator Verbrugge, Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa and City Administrator Hedges. AGENDA City Councilmember Masin suggested that Item 2, Council Update, of the Administrative Agenda for the regular City Council meeting on November 1, be added to the Special City Council agenda for consideration during discussion of Item V, Roundtable & Additions. Councilmember Bakken moved, Councilmember Carlson seconded a motion to approve the agenda as amended to include Council Update as Item 1 of Other Business. Aye: 5, Nay: 0 COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND AC TASK FORCE REPORT City Administrator Hedges provided an Acquisition Task Force meetings that were hel reviewed meetings that have been held with explore public/private partnerships tha land is acquired for a central park. parkland followed by a presentatio f the Community Facilities Land ptember and October. He further Airlines, Unisys and Lockheed Martin to the City and the neighboring corporations if aff will present drawings of the proposed ce members. Director of Parks and Recreation as reviewed several drawings that provided topography, elevations, wetlands (including the 100 year flood plain), also analysis of trees and an overview of the entire proposed central park development. Director Vraa stated that the drawings were prepared by George Watson representing Brauer & Associates. He further discussed a location of the fireworks explaining the need for an appropriate safety zone. Director Vraa completed his presentation by reviewing the program elements such as space for a proposed Community Center, band shell, athletic dome and other similar uses. Mike Ferber, a member of the Task Force, was first to speak stating that the use of this property is supported by the Task Force as a community gathering place. He stated that the land acquisition should be extended as far west on the property to link Quarry Park. Mr. Ferber stated that some members of the Task Force would propose acquiring the entire 80 acres, however, the group consensus is 45 acres with the very least amount considered for acquisition to be 34 acres. Mr. John Willenberg, a member of the Task Force, addressed the Council stating that he is a 23 year member of the community and would encourage the City to purchase enough property to plan for the future 15 to 20 years, adding that even if the property is not developed right away, owning the property would be important to the community. Special City Council Meeting Minutes September 23, 1999 Page 2 Mayor Awada asked about trails and access between the band shell and Community Center. Councilmember Carlson asked about the additional seating at the amphitheater. Task Force member Ferber stated that there is a trail connecting the band shell and Community Center and also that the amount of seating is possible due to the natural topography of the property; however, in order to locate the band shell, it would be necessary to acquire property from Unisys. Councilmember Blomquist commented on the proposed central park area and remembered a time when the Minnesota Orchestra, sponsored by Sperry Corporation, played a community concert. Lee Markell, a member of the Task Force and Chairperson of the Advisory Parks Commission, along with Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lawrence discussed senior needs. Shirley Lawrence, a member of the Task Force, presented the many locations that are currently used to hold senior meetings and stressed the need for a central location for seniors to meet on a regular basis for potlucks, cards, provide storage and other opportunities. Mayor Awada asked if the location for the proposed central park is a good site for the seniors. The Lawrences stated that the location is excellent in the center of the community and further emphasized the need for a facility that the seniors can use on a regular basis. Councilmember Masin asked if there is a senior center, could community education monies be used to fund operations or capital. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that he was not certain whether they would be applicable, but would research the question. Councilmember Carlson stated that she has looked at community centers with members of the EAA and the level of by seniors is quite high. Councilmember Carlson stated that she wou e to keep all the development on the north side of the proposed ring road. Mayor Aw ate at as a part of the ring road design, pedestrian crossing should be considered from Martin to the park site. Judy Stewart, a member of the Task Force and representing t a ioness, also supported the need for a central location for community festival - ' a e 4th of July celebration. She also supported the proposed proposal for a commu cent- to g that additional facilities for banquets, community wide displays and ma •er use- sre needed by community groups. She further stated that this land is one of the final p. s . vailable in the City and it could be used for a central park and the City needs to acquire t ' - land at this time. She further stated that the site could be used year round for various community festivals and events. Ann Carlon, a member of the Task Force and Executive Director for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, stated that she likes the concept, however, would suggest that the band shell be located closer to the Community Center. She also stated that she is a member of the Rotary Club and the committee responsible for proposing the band shell. Councilmember Carlson asked about the land area west of the proposed Community Center and south of Northwest Airlines and if a golf driving range could be designated on that property as a temporary use that could generate funds for future development options. Clyde Thurston, a member of the Task Force, shared background on the efforts of the Central Area Task Force that considered a community park for community festivals at the time the Eagan Promenade was being considered and, since that did not occur, he looks at this site as a last chance opportunity to create a central park for those purposes. He stated that the City should look at acquiring the west portion of the property up to Quarry Park for future use, further commenting that this land area will help bring the community together for the many festivals and other uses proposed for the Community Center, band shell and other development potential. Cathy Clark, a member of the Task Force, representing the Economic Development Commission, stated that this property is a jewel and could be used as an economic development Special City Council Meeting Minutes September 23, 1999 Page 3 tool for corporate promotion and is what the business community looks at for future business expansion. She further stated that acquisition of this property for a central park is a real vision and will attract others to spend money in the community and that we need to think beyond today and plan for this facility. Councilmember Carlson asked if the Community Center should be large enough to include banquet facilities. Task Force member Clark stated that in her opinion this would be a strong asset to companies as they continue to have needs for banquet type facilities, especially with kitchens. Mayor Awada returned the discussion to the City Council regarding the recommendation of the Task Force to acquire property for a central park that is currently under contract with Duke Weeks Realty. Councilmember Carlson stated that staff should continue working with the corporate neighbors to determine their needs if the City acquires the property for a central park. Mayor Awada stated that it is her hope to have recommendations from the adjoining corporations within the next two (2) weeks. Councilmember Blomquist asked about the plans Duke Weeks has for development of the property. City Administrator Hedges responded by summarizing their preliminary development plans that include two (2) office buildings, two (2) office/warehouse buildings and some retail adjacent to Yankee Doodle Road. He stated that their preliminary plans make exception for the City to develop the central park and assume acquisition of the Perron property as part of the development proposal. Mayor Awada stated that she is very supportive of the Task Force recommendations and would like to ate with the neighboring corporations to determine what can be donated and shared under b • •'vate partnership and also pursue various methods to acquire the property. Councilmember Bakken suggested that t s be deferred to the November 16 regular City Council agenda for further deliberation fu commented that the land acquisition is a large investment for the community, b e nvestment especially for the future. Councilmember Masin stated that it ' . impo t t at the City proceed ahead with consideration for the central park. Councilmem. ' omqui agreed with the proposal and indicated that the City should consider all of its financial . ... for funding acquisition of the central park. After further discussion and in a motion by Coun lmember Bakken, seconded by Councilmember Carlson with all members voting aye, direction was given to place the Task Force recommendation regarding the Community Facilities Land Acquisition for a central park on the November 16 City Council agenda. Paul Teske, a member of the Task Force, asked if he could comment. He suggested that the City acquire enough land for future development purposes pointing out that due to the 100 year high water levels, much of the land could be under water and not be buildable. Mayor Awada stated that this will definitely be taken into consideration as the City pursues its land acquisition alternatives. Mayor Awada, on behalf of the City Council, thanked the Task Force for their meetings, findings and recommendation. Councilmember Carlson stated that as a suggestion, it might be well to consider that this Task Force be renamed and meet as the Central Park Task Force once the land is acquired by the City. Councilmember Blomquist agreed and also suggested that the History Committee be represented since they also have space needs that could be included in a Community Center building. PROPOSED AQUATIC FACILITY FUND PUBLIC ENTERPRISE BUDGET 2000 City Administrator Hedges stated that at the last Special City Council meeting held on October 26, there were four (4) policy issues to be further addressed by the City Council. He AGENDA EAGAN CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER BUILDING NOVEMBER 16,1999 6:30 P.M. I. ROLL CALL & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE II. OATH OF OFFICE - Chief of Police Therkelsen III. ADOPT AGENDA & APPROVAL OF MINUTES (BLUE) IV. VISITORS TO BE HEARD (10 MINUTE TOTAL TIME LIMIT) V. RECOGNITIONS & PRESENTATIONS (BLUE) A. RECOGNITION of Dr. Tom Wilson, recipient of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award VI. DEPARTMENT HEAD BUSINESS (BLUE) A. CAMPUS generator VII. CONSENT AGENDA (PINK) A. PERSONNEL ITEMS B. EXTENSION for recording the Final Plat, Gramercy Park of Eagan C. CONSIDER approving renewals of existing liquor licenses for 2000, subject to review of applications, payment of fees and Police Department reviews D. ORDER public hearing, public right-of-way vacation (Wescott Woodlands) E. CONTRACT 99-12, approve final payment, authorize City maintenance (Silver Bell Rd, Galaxie/Blackhawk, Heritage/Blue Cross - Street & Traffic Signal Improvements) F. RECEIVE petition/authorize feasibility report (Chapel Hill Baptist Church - Sanitary Sewer & Water Improvements) G. RECEIVE petition/authorize feasibility report (TH 3 South of Diffley Rd - Sanitary Sewer & Water Improvements) H. CONSIDER approval of the on -sale liquor licensee name change for HGIE, LLC dba Hilton Garden Inn Eagan, currently licensed as Nue & Torgerson II, LLP and GRME, LLC dba Green Mill Eagan currently licensed as Nue & Torgerson, LLP I. CHANGE ORDER, Cascade Bay J. APPROVE amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement for the Black Dog Watershed Management Organization K. LICENSE RENEWALS for the year 2000, trash hauler, tree contractor, tobacco and paintball VIII. 6:45 - PUBLIC HEARINGS (SALMON) A. HOST approval for the issuance of revenue bonds to finance housing facilities and adoption of a housing project -Dakota Communities, Inc. B. CERTIFICATION of delinquent false alarm bills C. VACATE portion of Old Sibley Memorial Highway public right-of-way (John J. Young - Parcel 013-56, Sec. 19) IX. OLD BUSINESS (ORCHID) A. ACCEPT report, Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force B. OFFICIAL Map (Northwood Parkway) C. PROJECT 663, adjustment to final assessment roll, Valley View Plateau (Streets and Storm Sewer) X. NEW BUSINESS (TAN) XI. LEGISLATIVE/INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS UPDATE (GREY) XII. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA (GREEN) XIII. VISITORS TO BE HEARD (for those persons not on agenda) XIV. ADJOURNMENT XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services, activities, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or status with regard to public assistance. Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities will be provided upon advance notice of at least 96 hours. If a notice of less than 96 hours is received, the City of Eagan will attempt to provide such aid. Updated 11/9/99 — 12:45 p.m. Agenda Information Memo November 16, 1999 Eagan City Council Meeting VII. OLD BUSINESS A. ACCEPT REPORT, COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: To accept the Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force Report and provide direction to staff to continue to pursue the public -private partnerships, continue negotiations to acquire the property, and to explore all possible funding options. FACTS: • The Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force was formed as a result of discussion at a Special City Council meeting held on August 24, 1999 and ratified at the regular City Council meeting held on September 7, 1999. • The Task Force was charged with the responsibility of determining how much property would be necessary to acquire to meet the needs of the community for a "community park" and a future community/recreation center. • There have been five well -attended Task Force meetings that have been facilitated by the Director of Parks and Recreation. • George Watson, principal planner for Brauer and Associates attended three of the meetings and provided technical expertise in helping the Task Force to develop their recommendations. • At the Special City Council Meeting on November 1, 1999 members of the Task Force presented their report and recommendations to the City Council. The report contained the following general concepts: 1. The area in the northwest quadrant of Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob Roads is an appropriate location for this type of park. 2. At a very minimum 34 acres is needed to meet today's program needs, 45 acres is better and is the consensus recommendation and finally, some support exists to acquire the entire 80-acre site. 3. As much property as possible should be purchased today to allow for the future. 4. This site is probably the last property in Eagan potentially available for this type of use. 5. In addition to the uses specifically noted in the Task Force Report, potential uses of a park and various facilities at the site are unlimited. 6. The opportunity for public -private partnerships exists with the corporate neighbors. 7. Acquisition of this property for a central park provides an opportunity to develop a vision beneficial to the entire community. 8. The Task Force has not spent time refining any type of facilities, instead focused on the amount and location of land to meet current program needs. • After discussion on the report, the City Council directed that the item be brought back to the November 16, 1999 regular City Council meeting for further deliberation and official action. • Staff has continued to work on the public -private partnership opportunities and funding options. All three neighboring corporations have been contacted to explore joint use of land, parking and other partnerships relative to a Central Park. Enclosed is an official response from UNISYS. Similar responses are expected from Northwest Airlines and Lockheed Martin. • Upon receiving formal City Council direction, staff is recommending that the following activities continue to receive top priority: 1. Staff continue to pursue the public -private partnership opportunities. 2. Staff continue negotiations to acquire up to 45 acres of the property. 3. Staff continue to explore previously noted and any additional funding options that may be available. • It is probably premature to establish a firm timeline to complete related tasks at this time, however every effort is being made to prepare a response for consideration by the City Council in early December. • Future activities, if the property is acquired, could potentially utilize a task force that could consist of both existing and new members. The task force mission could include the development of a master site plan reflecting the community needs and the adjacent corporate interests. The task force could also explore various building options, i.e. a community center and the amphitheater/band shell proposed by the Eagan Rotary Club as two examples. • Once the City acquires the property a rezoning to public facilities would be necessary. • Task Force members have been provided this information and invited to attend the City Council meeting to make a presentation or to answer questions as desired by the Council. ATTACHMENTS: • The findings of the Task Force are enclosed on pages through • A letter from UNISYS outlining their interest in pursuing the partnership is attached on page TO: FROM: DATE: city of eagan MEMO TOM HEDGES, CITY ADMINISTRATOR KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION OCTOBER 29,1999 SUBJECT: COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND ACQUISITION TASK FORCE The Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force completed their task and are prepared to present their recommendations at the workshop session on Monday, November 1. The Task Force was charged with the responsibility of determining how much property would be necessary to acquire to meet the needs of the community for a "community park" and for a future community/recreation center. The site was limited to the "Scenic Enterprise" property located north of Yankee Doodle Road and West of Pilot Knob Road. (Attached is an aerial photo of the site with adjoining properties along with various easements that cross through the property) The Task Force met for five meetings. The Task Force's first meeting was September 9 and was open to everyone who wanted to participate. (A list of those who participated in the Task Force is attached.) The group is a broad based representation of the community and included nearby residents to the site. The first meeting included a review of the assignment given the Task Force, a review of the physical constraints on the property, adjacent property use and the process the Task Force would follow. The Task Force was also given a "homework" assignment to prepare them for the subsequent meetings. That assignment was to define how they would use the property for an event or activity in terms of number of people, elements required for the activity, critical relationships between elements, etc. to help define what they required to meet the activity's needs. For the second part of the assignment, they were asked to visit the site to become familiar with the property in question. Subsequent meetings of the Task Force focused on the needs of the community and the potential elements of a future community/recreation center in order to help define the potential foot print and parking lot requirements. Attached is a brief summary of the various program components the Task Force identified. George Watson, principal planner for Brauer and Associates also attended the meetings. Brauer and Associates is the park planning firm used by the Community Development Department to study a residential/park development proposal in 1996 for the 80 acre site. Mr. Watson recently presented to the Task Force a response to the needs they expressed. A reduction that reflects the minimum space needed to meet the program needs expressed by the Task Force is attached. This analysis was reviewed by the Task Force at their October 18 meeting. TASK FORCE CONCLUSIONS: At the final meeting of the Task Force on October 25, the group asked clarifying questions about the described area and then came to a consensus that the entire area shown in the Brauer graphic is the minimum area that needs to be acquired. The group then went on to say that the area did not provide for future needs of the community. They continued that it did not allow for expansion of programs identified for the site. Consequently, the Task Force unanimously agreed to recommend that the City Council seek to acquire approximately forty acres. Some members of the Task Force even went further, suggesting that the Council try to acquire the entire 80 acre parcel, and what is not ultimately used could be sold later as "surplus property". Some members were concerned that if the City were to pursue this proposal, it might delay the development oft ;e project site (community center and park) because it would take all the funding. Representatives of the Task Force were selected to speak to the Council about the site and the community/recreation center needs. The Council may see other Task Force members at the meeting. Raleigh Seelig 1774 E. Bluestone Dr. Eagan, MN 55122 Robert Kane 1795 Carnelian Lane Eagan, MN 55122 Larry Lundberg 4140 Prairie Ridge Road Eagan, MN 55123 Clyde Thurston 4712 Penkwe Circle Eagan, MV N 55122 Susan Mandel 3154 N. Jurdy Court Eagan, MN 55121 Cathy Clark 3246 Black Oak Drive Eagan, NL'V 55121 Patsy Schroeder 12970 Exley Ave. Apple Valley, MN 55124 Sue Hegarty Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau 1474 Yankee Doodle Road Eagan, MN 55122 Carla Hey' 1306 Kolstad Lane Eagan, MN 55123 Mike Ferber 725 Granite Drive Eagan, MN 55123 Jeff McCormick 14366 Ebony Lane Apple Valley, MN 55124 Lee Markell 895 Park Knoll Drive Eagan, MN 55123 Margo Danner 2037 Flint Lane Eagan, MN 55122 Gunnar Isberg 1528 Blackhawk Rd. Ct. Eagan, MN 55122 Pete Malamen 3053 Woodlark Lane Eagan, MN 55121 Kevin Larson 4225 Yorktown Drive Eagan, MN 55123 Tim Staley 4236 Trenton Road Eagan, MN 55123 Paul Teske 2292 Clark Street Eagan, MN 55122 Joe Bari 3033 Timberwood Trail Eagan, MN 55121 Mike McGinn 1451 Blackhawk Lake Dr. Eagan, MN 55122 Tom Wilson 1476 Englert Rd. Eagan, NENT 55122 John Willenburg • • 4068 Magnetite Point gan, MN 55122 Ann Carlon Eagan Visitors & Convention Bureau 1474 Yankee Doodle Road Eagan, MN 55122 Jan Stapleton Northern Dakota County Chamber 1474 Yankee Doodle Rd Eagan, MN 55122 Jerry Marko )60 Herald Way Apple Valley, WLN 55124 George Watson Brauer & Assoc, Ltd. Suite 1 10417 Excelsior Blvd Hopkins, MN 55343 Donna Tilsner Holly Duffy Ken Vraa Tom Hedges Jamie Verbrugge Joanna Foote Paula Nowariak Jeff Asfahl Terry Davis 4895 Safari Pass Eagan, MN 55122-2690 Dan Kahnke 781 Elrene Ct Eagan, MN 55123 Judy Stewart 4106 9lackhawk Eagan, MN 55122 Shirley Lawrence 3885 Cinnabar Dr. Eagan, MN 55122 Ray Wade 4283 Amber Dr Eagan, MN 55122 Dan Klekner 4336 Dorchester C Eagan, MN 55123 Martin DesLauriers 4526 South Mallard Trl Eagan, WEN-55122 (gone) Identifiable Elements: Primary User/Event Open Face Stage, w/elect. & lighting Bandshell, Espress, July 4 Natural Bowl (1/2-bowl) shaped terrain Changing Area/Room Bandshell, July 4, Yankee, Espress Storage Room/Space Bandshell, July 4, Yankee, Espress 100 Amp. / 220 plug Electrical Service July 4t°, Yankee Doodle min. 20 outlets Sound System Espress Fest, July 4th, Bandshell 15,000 watt P.A Bathrooms All Flat ground area (for vender booths, etc.) Yankee, July 4tb Parade Route w/feeder streets & staging/drop-off areas July 4m, Eagan Go Bragh Drinking Water All Non -drinking water July 4`h, Yankee Parking Fireworks, Bandshell events Pathways All Pedestrian Lighting Sufficient safety radius w/viewing radius Fireworks Marquee/Reader Board All Fencing/Gated Entrance Large Music/Ticketed Events Telephone(s) All ADA Accessible All Large Movie Screen/Projection surface Picnic Area/Benches Public Gardens Bon Fire Ring Other representative events suggested and "features" Farmers Market, Winter Activities, Tree Lighting, Celebrations centered around holidays, landscaping, flower beds, (urban gardens) fountains, art exhibits, concessions booths. Community Center Needs List Senior Center: • Large kitchen w/ 2 refrigerators, 2 stoves, lots of cupboards • Large library w/TV • Exercise room/game room/crafl rooms/computer rooms • Several smaller rooms for more activities --some carpeted, some tile • Shared space for storage • PA system • Piano EAA: • Gymnasium(s) (basketball, inst baseball/softball • 4 full -court basketball/hard court - bleachers, spectator space, movable benches, equipment room • 4 lane indoor'track • movable batting cages (ceiling) • Office space - computer space • Kitchen • Eating/meeting room space Lioness: • Space for style show or similar events • Banquet space/hall • Garage sale space • Area to display awards • Beer tent Historical Society: • Space for storage/filing, archiving of materials • Office/computer work area • Work area for processing/inventorying and clean-up of materials • "Library"/Public work space for public access of H.S. Files/documents • Display Cases in public community center areas/hallways, etc. • Display room for larger exhibits/public displays Art House: • Larger space to orient larg, groups • Display area rooms/sales ea Youth/Teens/Family Programs: • Coffee House "hang-outs" - Comfortable couches/bean bags • Sound system • Computer/games • Day care centers - days & evenings • Non -adult size spaces/bathrooms/fixtures (could be child care space w/other programs • Family -oriented space • Multi -purpose areas & sto: e fMil. •_• _ • _ •_• Man •_•_•_ •_•_• ONO •_• _ • 1 • 1 4.5 • BUILDOIG 4 SETBACICELEVATION f., ▪ LAND SUITABLE FOR STRUCTURAL 00000000000000000000000000 ADDITIONAL AREA 'OUTSIDE STUDY AREA' LD+TITS RECOMMENDED FOR ACQUISTTION • L._•_•_•_•_•_•_•EMU •NM s • Duke Realty Development Central Park Property Analysis Schematic Land-Usc Coi ez o 200 400 tonna Scale: 1" = 400' too 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 _•_ . _ • mom • i • _ •_ • _ •alowTi _ • on. • • • • I O • LAND WITHIN 3 VERTICAL FEET OF 100 YR FLOOD ELEVATION - i ACRES • /^ LAND WITHIN 100 YR. FLOOD ELEVATION • 10.i ACRES CIVIC STAGE AND STRUCTURED SEATING POP. 400.500 SPECTATORS 1 I 1 POSSIBLE CONCERT STYLE SEATING `; EXPANSION FOR 5,500 SPECTATORS 1 _ I I 1 Fig.10 j city of eagan MEMO - TO: City Administrator Hedges FROM: Finance Director/City Clerk VanOverbeke DATE: October 28,1999 SUBJECT: Potential Funding For Land Acquisition At your request, I am providing this information about potential funding sources available for use in the acquisition of land to be used primarily for recreational or park purposes. While it is somewhat difficult to determine actual dollar amounts that might be available on short notice, I believe that the following options and estimates provide a reasonable starting point. I have considered only potential sources from non -operating funds. • General Obligation Bonds This funding source provides the most flexibility in terms of how much money could be available, tempered by the fact that it requires a referendum. Bonds could be used in connection with amounts available from any other source or combination of sources. • Park Site Acquisition & Development Fund The Advisory Parks Commission in their 2000-2004 CIP recommendations calculated that there would be $2,550,000 available to spend during that five-year time frame. The estimate was based on approximately $2,058,960 in cash being available at January 1, 2000. The cash balance could probably be increased by another $400,000 due to additional Park Dedication revenue received during 1999, generating a total available of $2,458,960. Any assumption that some or all of this money is available for a current acquisition should recognize the impact on the proposed CIP, as there are no replacement funds available absent a referendum. Given the time frame on the request for information, I have not had the opportunity to review this information with Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa. Certainly, Ken and the Commission understand the implications of redirecting his revenue source better than I do. • Community Investment Fund The CIF has a currently available cash balance of approximately $1,133,000. I am not aware of funding priorities for this balance. If the generator project goes forward, the CIF is a possible funding source for that expenditure. There will be additional money coming into the CIF over a period of time. For example, there is an assessment balance of $221,000, however it is currently deferred under green acres. The money will be available when and if the property looses its green acres status and is collected. There are a number of other receivable balances that will be collected over a period of time. Since they are not cash, I do not consider them available to finance anything else at this time. I expect that in future years as more special assessment bonds are retired additional money from those debt service funds will be available for the CIF as well. However, I feel that it would be inappropriate to attempt to use any of that money at this time. Task force recommends property for a community park by Lori Hall Staff Writer Over the years, Eagan has periodically sought a site for a community gathering place. Once again the city is consider- ing finding a location for such a place, and many are saying the time is now or never because few large parcels of land are left in the city. This fall, the city formed a Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force, com- prised of members of the com- munity and organizations, to examine the possibilities of a specific parcel of land. The task force reported back the City Council during its Nov. 1 spe- cial meeting. The proposed property, owned by Joe Miller, is an old piece o Unisys land located near Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road. It is sur- rounded by Northwest Airlines, Unisys and Lockheed Martin. The 88-acre parcel is current- ly under contract for sale to Duke Realty to develop. However, Duke is willing to meet with the city to discuss selling the land. The job of the task force was to determine how much proper- ty would be needed, what the needs of the community are, what future needs will be and how the property would be used. "They've had their sleeves rolled up and worked hard the past several weeks," said City Administrator Tom Hedges. The task force presented a proposal and some suggestions to the City Council during its report. See Park, 14A Park/Continued The proposal uses 34 acres of the parcel. The property includes some severe slopes and about a third of it lies in a 100- year flood plain. A small portion of the site is also covered with some mature trees. A private road splits the 88-acre parcel, but Parks and Recreation Director Ken Vraa said Northwest would be willing to relocate the road if needed. Included in the proposal is an 80,000 square -foot community center, parking for 500, a band shell and structured seating for 400 to 500 plus room beyond for blanket and lawn chair seat- ing for up to 2,000 on the Unisys property. A launch area and safety zone for fireworks was located within the flood plain. An area on a parking lot near the community center was also identified for potential use for an art fair. Judy Stewart from the Eagan Lions Club supported the pro- posal saying it is hard to find a site every year for the Fourth of July celebration. The proposal also considers obtaining a small area outside of the study area, to the immediate south, to acquire for the expan- sion of the community center and art fair. This is an easement, so the city would not be able to build on it. However, it could be used for parking or a grassy area for the arts fair. "All of these uses we have known are needed," said Council Member Sandra Masin. "This is the last chance. This is it. I don't see we have any other options at this point." Members of the task force expressed support and excite- ment for the proposal. "It would meet the needs of the diverse group of the commu- nity," said Task Force Member Mike Ferber. "It would be a community gathering place." Ferber said the task force is also interested in obtaining the west side of the 88-acre parcel for a festival area, an athletic bubble or field and as a link to Quarry Park. He added it was the group consensus of the task force that the proposed 34 acres is the bare minimum needed and that 45 acres would provide more opportunity, flexibility and room for growth. "Eagan is a thriving commu- nity. It is exploding," said Task Force Member John Willenburg. "If something is there and it is available, my thoughts are is to take what you can get. Who knows what Eagan will need 10, 20 years down the road." Willenburg suggested getting the extra land even if it sits empty for a while. "The more land you can get for us, the more we can do with it," said Walter Lawrence, from the task force. Several seniors also spoke during the report citing their need for a senior center, which is proposed to be located in the community center. "We are desperately in need for some place to call home," said Task Force Member Shirley Lawrence. "We have nothing to keep us together." Currently a seniors' group is active through the Park and Recreation Department. However, they must meet at McDonald's and other locations while those in other cities have their own central senior centers. Mayor Pat Awada echoed Lawrence's plea for a senior center. "Eagan has a very youthful population, but it is aging quick- ly," she said. The City Council and the task force agreed the site is ideal for a community gathering place. "l think this is just the perfect location for something," said Awada. "I think we are seeking the right area," said Council Member Bea Blomquist. The city is holding discus- sions with the neighboring cor- porations to explore the possi- bility of using their parking lots during larger events and a por- tion of the Unisys property for informal seating near the band shell. According to Hedges, Lockheed Martin is asking its corporate offices in New York for cross easements to allow the city to use its north parking lot. The city is also talking with Unisys about a possible land donation or land use easement, use of its nal road c parking lot and inter- �nnections. Northwest Airlines has indicated the city would be "an excellent neigh- bor." "1 can't imagine they would be hard to deal with," said Blomquist of Unisys and the neighboring corporations. "1 have a lot of faith the negotiations ... will be fruitful," said Awada. The task force also encour- aged the City Council to look toward the future, to plan for growth and upcoming needs of the community. "We have to think beyond today," said Economic Development Commission rep- esentative Cathy Clark. Potential funding for the land acquisition has not been studied in depth, but Finance Director Gene VanOverbeke listed a few possibilities. General obligation bonds would provide the most flexibility but would require a referendum. In the next five years there will he money avail- able in the Park Site Acquisition and Development Fund. The Community Investment Fund has a modest 'cash balance. Finally there are several funds that are capable of loaning money to another fund for the acquisition of land. City staff will continue to gather information on the pro- posal and continue to talk with the neighboring businesses for a formal presentation to the City Council and the public at the Nov. 16 City Council meeting. The council will then decide whether to pursue negotiations with the property owner and to set some parameters on size and cost. "It's clear to me that we need to do this," said Awada. "Every one of these uses is appropriate. I'm committed to supporting purchasing this land." "This is probably our last best chance to create an Eagan central park," said Task Force Member Clyde Thurston. FAMILY SERVICE CENTER PARKS AND RECREATION 400 10TH ST. N.W. NEW BRIGHTON, MN 55112 TEL: 651-638-2130 FAX: 651-638-2135 BUILDING HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY EAGLES NEST HOURS: MO N DAY-FRI DAY SATURDAY SUNDAY BUILDING HOLIDAY HOURS: EASTER SUNDAY MEMORIAL DAY J U LY 4TH LABOR DAY - 9/8/00 THANKSGIVING CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY NEW YEARS EVE NEW YEARS DAY 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 12:00 Noon-5:00 p.m. CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED for maintenance CLOSED 6AM - 3PM CLOSED 6AM - 5PM 10AM - 6PM FOR GYM AVAILABILITY, PLEASE REFER TO THE SCHEDULE POSTED BY THE GYMNASIUM DOOR. Over for Price Information...4 FSC PRICES DAILY ADMISSIONS YOUTH (1-17yrs) ADULT (18-61yrs) SENIOR (62yrs & over) WALKING $4.00 $4.50 $4.00 $2.00 PUNCH PASSES 12 PASS (12 visits for the price of 9) 12 PASS (Walking Only) YOUTH $ 36.00 ($3.00Nisit) N/A ADULT $ 40.50 ($3.38Nisit) $ 18.00 ($1.50Nisit) SENIOR $ 36.00 ($3.00Nisit) $ 18.00 ($1.50Nisit) MEMBERSHIPS 3 MONTH ANNUAL YOUTH Resident $ 35.00 $ 95.00 (1-17 yrs) Standard $ 40.00 $120.00 SENIOR Resident $ 35.00 $ 95.00 (62 & Over) Standard $ 40.00 $120.00 ADULT Resident $ 55.00 $165.00 (18-61yrs) Standard $ 95.00 $275.00 FAMILY Resident $ 95.00 $275.00 Standard $125.00 $375.00 G:\DATA\FSC\WPIFSCIFDESKIFLYERS\HRSFEES.WPD RESIDENT: Anyone who resides within the New Brighton City Limits or anyone who works full time or permanent part time within the New Brighton City Limits is considered a resident in the New Brighton Family Service Center price schedule. FAMILY: All members of an immediate family who reside in the same household. The immediate family is considered mother, father, sons, daughters and grandparents all living in the same household. Sons and daughters will be considered family members until age 23 if they are considered dependant and living in the family household. Anyone aged 24 and older must pay the adult fee separately from the family, unless full-time student status can be proven. Full-time student status must be proven each quarter/semester. NEW BRIGHTON FAMILY SERVICE CENTER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE PART OR ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS IF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT FOLLOWED. Shoreview Community General Information and Hours Community Center Hours Monday — Friday Saturday Sunday 5:45 6:30 8:00 A.M. A.M. A.M. — 10:00 P.M. — 8:00 P.M. — 6:00 P.M. Water Park Hours (waterslide, floatables, Beach area available) Friday Saturday Sunday Tuesday and Thursday Monday and Wednesday Holiday Hours Thanksgiving Friday, Nov. 26 Christmas Eve Christmas Day New Years Eve New Years Day Winter Lap Swim Monday - Friday Saturday Sunday Center 4:00 — 9:45 P.M. 12 NOON — 7:45 P.M. 12 NOON — 5:45 P.M. 4:00 — 9:00 P.M. (No floatables 5 -6 p.m.) 4:00 — 9:00 P.M. (No floatables 6 - 7 p.m., 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.) Community Center 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. 5:45 A.M.— 10:00 P.M. 5:45 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. 5:45 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. 12:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. 5:45 — 9:00 A.M. 6:30 — 8:00 A.M. 8:00 — 11:45 A.M. Water Park 12 NOON — 3:45 P.M. 12 NOON — 9:45 P.M. 12 NOON — 3:45 P.M. 12 NOON — 3:45 P.M. 12 NOON — 3:45 P.M. 12 NOON — 3:45 P.M. Trtapics Indoor Water Park 4580 North Victoria Street Shoreview, MN 55126 Telephone: (651) 490-4700 Pool Information • Pool is open for general use during most hours that the Community Center is open, how- ever classes may be in session or pool amenities may be unavailable. • The pool is reserved exclusively for instruction Saturdays from 8 A.M. — NOON. • Complete pool schedules and lap swim policy are available at the service desk. Dai Fees TREATSEATS Ticket Discounts Q TARGET Tuesday Night is Family Night! Bring in a TREATSEAT coupon and receive $5 off a regularly priced ($ 16) family admission. Valid Tuesday nights, b — 9:45 p.m. (Includes pop and popcorn. ) $11 Tuesday Fimly Admission Includes admission to the Tropics, the gymnasiums, fitness rooms, and track Daily Pass Adult (18 and over) Youth (1-17; under 1 free with paying adult) Family (immediate family, living in same household) Regular Fee Reduced Fee for Residents $ 6.50 $ 5.00 $ 5.50 $ 4.00 $ 16.00 $ 13.00 Seniors (65 and older) $ 5.50 $ 4.00 Component Use Track or Gym only Track only, Seniors Coupon Books Adult Youth/Senior Family $ .75 $ .75 $ 55.00 $ 45.00 $ 130.00 $ 40.00 $ 30.00 $100.00 Weekday Weekday Discount Discount for Residents 5 4.00 $ 3.50 S 3.50 $ 3.00 $ 3.50 $ 3.00 $ 1.75 $ 1.50 $ .75 $ .75 Includes 10 daily passes. A savings of up to $27.50 or morel Weekday Discount rates apply ,vlondav — Friday. 9.00 A.M. — 3:00 t'.M. only. They do not apply at any time on s haol district #621 or #623 days off \%'hen using the pool, all children six years and under should be accompanied in the water by a parent. Fees are subject to change. We welcome payment by Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Web Page:ci.shoreview.mn.us Community Center Membership Community Center Membership for fitness and family fun! r The Shoreview Community Center is the perfect place to spend time with your family and get your daily workout! Annual Membership Special 15% Off During the months of November and December, all Annual Memberships are 15 percent off. Sorry, the discount does not apply to God Neighbor rates. t 1 Seasonal & Annual Membership includes: • Unlimited family fun at the Tropics Indoor Water Park, • cardiovascular and strength training facilities —for adults and Teen Conditioning Club members only, • full size basketball and volleyball courts, • indoor running/walking track for adults and Teen Conditioning Club members, • whirlpool —for adults, • Center Points, a quarterly member newsletter, and • a "members only" appreciation event. Annual members receive: • Two family daily guest passes, • a 10 percent discount on a meeting room rental, or free room rental with a purchase of a birthday party package, • for non-residents, a special Recreation Program registra- tion day, and the ShoReview mailed to your home, • three free seminars on family health & fitness, and • coupons for 5 free drop -in fitness classes during winter quarter ($30 value). Membership Fees Regular Fee Reduced Fee for Residents Annual Membership Family Adult Youth/Senior° $ 550.00 $ 325.00 $ 240.00 Seasonal Membership (Three month) Family $ 180.00 Adult $ 110.00 Youth/Senior° $ 80.00 $ 415.00 $ 240.00 $ 180.00 $ 140.00 $ 80.00 $ 60.00 Persons aged 65 and older qualify fca the senior citizen discounted rate. Youth are 17 and under. Purchase your Annual Membership during our Annual Membership Special and you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to double your membership! 6 Fees are subject to change. 11'e welcome payment by Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Web Page:ci.shoreview mn.us Volume 8, Number 11 Official City Newsletter 2000 BUDGET November 1999 Debt Service 11.5% Operations 63.8% TOTAL EXPENDITURES $37.9 MILLION Notice of Public Hearing on the Proposed 2000 Budget Monday, December 13, 1999 7 P.M. City Council Chambers, City Hall Details on Page 4 Administration 1lllli - NOVEMBER Dear Citizens, Within our area, there is an organization called the Citizens League that has recently published a document relating to the finding of their interviews with a number of city and school officials from the Metro Area. I found this report to be very interesting reading. I am going to take my copy to the Ramsey County Library and ask them to have it available for anyone who might ask. It presents a host of remarks and information regarding the problems and concerns of your city officials. With an election coming up shortly after you receive this Maplewood in Motion, we know there will be some new faces on the council in January, and I hope the victors will attempt to find and read this report. Let me quote a few paragraphs the Citizens League wrote about the survey results: "The 26 city officials we interviewed identified numerous different problems. Development and redevelopment of commercial and residential neighborhoods was the most common problem. The second most common problem facing cities was supplying the services demanded with the taxes people are willing to pay. We also heard concerns about supplying services in a fair and reasonable manner, and frustration about which level of government should be responsible for a particular service. The county officials we interviewed failed to produce any overwhelming consensus, but they shared the problem of supplying the services demanded with the tax revenue available." The League goes on to express concerns of school officials and others. It also goes into great detail about problems created by the open meeting law which was passed with the best of intent, but needs in many peoples opinion much clarification and revision. The role of the media comes under close scrutiny and their "pathological desire to find fault" discourages good people from seeking local public office. Getting the younger generations more involved was another concern. The difference in core values among the generations, education, crime, race problems, and a host of subjects pop up in the report. If you want to know more about this report, you can contact the Citizens League at (612) 338-0791, or the entire report is on their web site at www.citizensleague.net. I think you might find a lot of "good stuff" on page 27 of the report. Good reading and don't forget to vote! Sincerely, George Rossbach Mayor Fundraiser for Bruentrup Farm Comedian Scott Novotny will be at MCC Theatre Thursday, November 18, 7:30 p.m. His unpredictable comedy will lead a fun -filled family show, raising funds for restoration of the Bruentrup Farm buildings. The Bavarian Club Enzian Dancers will open the show and Barbara Vaughan, former Channel 9 news anchor, will emcee. All seats are reserved. $10 admission, $8 for MCC members, seniors and students. Purchase tickets at MCC or call 779-3555. (Visa & MasterCard accepted over the phone.) Jointly sponsored by Maplewood Area Historical Society and Minnesota Comedy Club. l ass NON ember 1999 Emergency Management Y2KCountdown - 60 Days In past issues of Maplewood In Motion, we covered many important aspects of preparations for Y2K or January 1, 2000. Important general information was provided as well as specific actions you can take now. The October issue specifically covered the City of Maplewood's plans as we approach midnight on December 31. We also announced a Y2K Information Hotline that can be used if you need any additional information. The Hotline number is 770-4547 and is presently staffed from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional hours will be announced in the December issue. As a brief review, remember that.the City is recommending you treat the Y2K phenomenon as you would a 2 or 3 day winter storm. This covers food, water and other essentials. Also, we must point out that individual people or family units will be expected to care for themselves in the event disruptions do occur. The City's plans involve primarily the uninterrupted flow of essential and emergency services such as power, water, phone, fire, police and medical services. As this article is being prepared in late September, we see no need to change our original appraisal of the situation. Based on information we have received so far, we are optimistic that there should be no major disruption of essential services. Hopefully, any disruptions that might occur will be minor. As you know, however, the City must plan for a worst case scenario starting small and building up as the situation develops. In keeping with this worst case planning, several items have come to our attention that you may not be aware of. 1. The U.S. State Department has recently advised American travelers that problems such as power failures, telephone outages or water shortages are likely in China, Russia and several other large countries due to Y2K-related problems. For more information check the agency's website at http://travel.state.gov. 2. The Governor of our state has named a Y2'0'K Superboard that supports public awareness of Y2K. This support will likely take the form of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that will air over TV and radio. Watch for them. 3. The federal government will activate the National Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on December 31 and will require special situation reports from all state emergency operations centers. In turn, the State will require input from all Minnesota county E0Cs. Maplewood's EOC will be operational and will provide information to Ramsey County. This gives you an idea of the importance the federal government places on Y2K. Crnes AWARE Crnes PREPARED Y2 Information H 770-4547 otline 4. The City of Maplewood is concerned that disruptions in phone service may occur due to problems only indirectly related to Y2K. U.S. West has assured us that its switching systems have all been upgraded for Y2K. However, a temporary "overload" of the system could result if a large number of people decide to wish their friends a Happy New Year 2000 or pick up the phone to see if its still working. Temporary "overloads" mean you may have to wait for a dial tone. This could be disastrous for someone trying to make a 911 call for emergency help. To reduce this risk, we are asking everyone to please refrain from unnecessary calling between the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on New Year's Eve. In addition, we will be setting up emergency communi- cation locations in strategic areas of the city so that emergency calls can be placed with no more than a short walk or drive. If the phone system does go down, residents with emergencies (police, fire, or medical related) can go to the nearest communication site for help. These communication locations will be available for as long as the phones may be out and will be radio equipped with a trained operator. We are in need of residents to volunteer at emergency communication sites. All equipment, along with brief instructions, will be provided by the City. The radios are easy to use - just press the button to talk and release the button when you are done talking. Yard signs will also be provided to indicate communication sites. If you are interested in helping out, contact the Emergency Management office at 770-4547. Please be sure to save the December issue of Maplewood In Motion since it will contain a complete list of these emergency communication locations. 5. You may have read about the danger of certain dates before January 1, 2000 that also may cause computer malfunctions. One of the most watched dates was September 9, 1999. This date, numerically 9-9-99, was a concern because some computers were programmed to shut down when a series of 9s was entered. We are happy to report that no computer problems occurred on 9-9-99 (or several earlier dates) that we are aware of across the country. We hope that the information provided in this article as well as earlier ones has helped you to decide on your planning for the Y2K "millennium bug". We urge you not to wait until the last minute. Make your plans now and implement them as soon as possible. Use our earlier articles as checklists and above all, watch for and SAVE the December issue of this newsletter for important information on dates, times and locations as we countdown to Y2K. \o, ember I999 Community Development White Bear Avenue Planning Study Underway The White Bear Avenue Business Association (WBABA), in collaboration with the cities of St. Paul and Maplewood, the District 2 Community Council, and a number of other civic and community groups, have been working with the consultant team of Close Landscape Architecture, SRF Consulting Group, and Hokanson/Lunning/Wende Associates, Inc., to develop a corridor vision and a streetscape plan for White Bear Avenue, from I-94 on the south in St. Paul, to I-694 on the north in Maplewood. WBABA, which has members in both cities, has committed $25,000 to the study, and the City of Maplewood is contributing $10,000. St. Paul and Ramsey County are providing the professional services of traffic engineers and an urban planner, as part of the effort. The study area of White Bear Avenue stretches from the I-94 intersection on the south, to the I-694 intersection on the north. The final consultant report, which is expected in February 2000, will contain a narrative account of an overall concept of the vision of the Avenue, and a functional analysis of a number of issues including land use, zoning, traffic, parking, pedestrian flow, safety and security, commercial and retail requirements, special needs of large institutional entities, city and neighborhood boundary lines, and the like. It will also include a streetscape plan, showing how the basic design elements of paving, lighting, fencing, landscaping, public art, transit stops, signage, architecture, and buffers from commercial activities, etc., can be utilized to improve the appearance and functionality of the corridor. The study will also address preliminary land use planning for the area around the old Builders Square site on Van Dyke Street and the vacant land around Maplewood Mall. Scott Venne, Executive Director of WBABA, announced that the steering committee will shortly be selecting five properties along White Bear Avenue and providing free architectural services showing how the buildings can be spruced up. The architectural firm of Hokanson/ Lunning/Wende Associates, Inc., has been retained, as part of the larger corridor planning study, to do "before and after" type sketches of building facades. The properties will be selected based upon potential impact, and the willingness of the owner to proceed with the improvements. Owners who are interested in applying for this free architectural service should call Brian McMahon at (651) 439-5951. Beam A County Road C — MAKCINOO7 uY Road 6 _ F Ss. �� BuiidNS Spume Larpente.r Aveie muct ke-yI Sleoppiht■.0 Cent* lake �v Jbi" Maqiinel Stolwaferive Nal Perk .sit t}a A e. r. ■� el m UAW' !Ave d Some financial resources to implement the recommendations of the study have already been identified in St. Paul. This includes a $20,000 STAR Small Grant for landscape improvements in front of Hillcrest Entertainment Center, matched with a commitment of $20,000 by WB ABA, and a $125,000 city allocation for improvements at the intersection of Minnehaha Street and White Bear Avenue. Additional funds will be sought to implement other phases of the plan. Residents and business owners are encouraged to participate in this planning study. If you are interested in upcoming meetings or getting information about this study, please call Melinda Coleman, City of Maplewood, at (651) 770-4562. You may also share ideas or concerns with Barbara Skogland, resident representative on the Steering Committee. Her phone number is (651) 748-9771 or E-mail at barbara.skogland@state.mn.us. Public Safety Information That Will be Very Helpful to All Drivers - When driving you may notice a spotlight on top of the signal light come on and stay on; there is an emergency vehicle approaching from behind you. You should start moving to the right side of the road. If the spotlight is flashing on and off, this means there is an emergency vehicle approaching from the side or coming directly towards you. Please be very careful when approaching the signal lights when you notice the spotlight activated! City Clerk In September 1999, the Maplewood City Council conducted two regular meetings. Below are highlights of these meetings: • Approved Beth Heights Third Addition (Ferndale Street, north of Linwood Avenue) final plat. Approval is subject to the county recording the deed restrictions and covenants required by the city. Also approved a 10-foot-yard setback variance for lots in the Beth Heights Third Addition. • Approved Resolution 99-09-84, gambling license for St. Paul Foundation at the Chalet Lounge. • Authorized staff to execute a contract with the City of St. Paul, the White Bear Business Association and Bob Close and Associates to undertake the White Bear Avenue Corridor Study. The City of Maplewood will contribute $10,000 to this study. • Approved an emergency contract for repair of the Markham Pond inlet for County Ditch 18 in the amount of $37,391.15 • Approved a Conditional Use Permit Revision for Minnesota Motors at 135 Century Avenue North. The City shall install no parking signs on the boulevard. • Directed staff to established a deer management program including staff, neighborhoods and other entities. • Awarded a bid for a floating boardwalk at Nature Center to Sunram Construction Inc. in the amount of $65,000. • Requested that Ramsey County establish a "no parking" zone on McKnight Road from Mailand Road to I-94 on the east side and investigate no - parking on the west side of the same portion of McKnight Road. • Authorized a budget transfer from the General Fund contingency account totaling $59,560 to finance 1999 wage increases granted after the budget was prepared. • Authorized a transfer of $314.02 from the Tax Increment Economic Development District # 1-3 Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the 1993 Tax Increment Bonds and to make the appropriate budget adjustments. • Authorized the Maplewood Police Department be allowed to accept $2,750 from the Rotary for their participation in the D.A.R.E. Bike-a-thon fundraiser. • Authorized the purchase of protective helmets and semi -automatic shotguns at a cost of $18,500 with drug forfeiture funds. • Authorized staff to contact Ramsey County and request a loading zone be established in front of 1510-1512 and 1490-1492 East County Road B. • Authorized staff to refund a cash connection charge paid by the owner of 2325 Maryland Avenue in the amount of $3,080 plus interest. • Approved a Gasoline Filling Station License for David and Joanne Knutson at Keller Lake Convenience, 2228 Highway 61. • Approved a Cigarette and Tobacco Sales License for David and Joanne Knutson at Keller Lake Convenience, 2228 Highway 61. • Declared that 24 self-contained breathing apparatuses which are 15 years old be surplused at no value and donated to the Somerset Fire Department in return for a waiver prepared by the city attorney. • Approved a change order in the amount of $8,900 to replace the insulation in the park maintenance building and the Finance Director utilize the contingency monies. • Approved the final sale of Lot 1, Block 1 in the amount of $42,000 with the proceeds to be placed in the city's PAC. • Adopted the Robinhood Park Master Plan as developed by the neighborhood residents and approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission. • Adopted a resolution proclaiming Saturday October 9 as Fred Abbot Day and moved that a plaque be installed at Hazelwood Park commemorating his soccer accomplishments. • Adopted Resolution 99-09-87, a Conditional Use Permit for a US West Monopole — Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 1725 Kennard St. • Approved the site and design plans for a 73-foot- tall telecommunications monopole and equipment in the parking lot at 1725 Kennard Street. • Adopted Resolution 99-09-88, Resolution for Changes to Tax -Increment Plan for Home Replacement Program. • Authorized an expenditure for professional landscaping services on the Harvester Avenue and Sterling Street Improvement, City Project 97-16. • Awarded a bid for the 1999 first issue Bonds to Porey Summit and the second issue bonds to Piper Jaffery. Inr No.cmLrr 1999 Finance Proposed 2000 Budget Operating Budget The Operations portion of the budget covers basic City services such as police, fire fighting, street maintenance, recreation programs, park maintenance, planning, building inspections, recycling, and utility maintenance. The proposed budget for operations is 3.3% more than 1999. Expenditures by department are as follows: Human Resources 1.1% Parks & Recreation 16.4% Police Department 21.5% General Government 24.4% Fire Department 4.5% Finance 2.5% Community Development 5.0% Public Works 24.7% Operating Expenditures By Department $24.2 Million The total number of full-time employees included in the budget is 146, Which is one more than the 1999 Budget. Six dispatcher positions have been eliminated (due to the transfer of the dispatching function to Ramsey County in 1999) and seven positions have been added, five of which are in public safety. They include a police officer, community service officer/paramedic, community service officer, and the part-time secretary and assistant fire chief positions which have been changed to full-time. An MIS/GIS technician and a recreation program assistant have also been added. Debt Service Budget The Debt Service portion of the budget covers the payment of principal and interest on the City's bonded indebtedness. The breakdown of these expenditures is shown in the following chart: 71% Principal Payments iiimull"281)/0 Interest Payments 1% Miscellaneous Debt Service Expenditures By Type $4.3 Million Expenditures for 2000 are 21.9% more than 1999. The large increase is caused by prepayments in 2000 on bonds being refinanced at a lower interest rate. If prepayments were not included in the budget, debt service expenditures would be 11.6% more in 2000. At the end of 2000, the City's indebtedness will be $30.2 million, which is 27.4% more than projected at the end of 1999. If the November 1999 referendums are not approved, the City's indebtedness will be $23.2 million, which is 2.2% less than projected at the end of 1999. Capital Improvements Budget The Capital Improvements portion of the budget covers the acquisition and construction of major facilities. The projects in this portion of the budget are from the first year of the 2000-2004 Capital Improvement Plan which was adopted by the Council earlier this year. Projects in the 2000 Capital Improvements Budget are as follows: PROJECT TITLE COST Capital Improvement Projects Fund: Fire Department mobile digital communications Public Works Building roof replacement Public Improvement Projects Fund: Tilsen North Streets Bartelmy Acres Streets Gladstone West Streets Carsgrove Meadows Gladstone North Streets Ripley, English to Hazelwood Hazelwood, Gervais — County Road C Parks Special Projects Fund: Referendum Projects 3,470,000 Fire Safety Projects Fund: Referendum Projects 3,540,000 Total capital improvement expenditures for 2000 compared to the 1999 Budget are: 1999 2000 $2.0 million $ 64,400 103,000 155,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 1,180,000 10,000 600,000 $9.4 million $0 $2 $4 $6 $ Million $6 $10 Further information on the City's 2000 Proposed Budget can be obtained by contacting the Finance Director at 770-4510. A copy of the 2000 Proposed Budget is available for review at the Ramsey County Public Library m Maplewood. \ nil. r IVVV Public Works Snow Removal Reminder With winter approaching, it won't be long until our snowplow drivers are out in force clearing snow and ice— making our roads safe for motorists. Our public works department urges that When You See a Snowplow STAY BACK — STAY ALIVE! Keep a safe distance —at least 100 feet from the rear of a snowplow, especially near corners —as the snowplow often has to back up to replow the corner radius and sand the intersection. Motorists will often attempt to crowd or pass slower moving snowplows, or homeowners will attempt to protect their shoveled drive by standing at the entrance. Both practices invite disaster due to the lack of maneuverability of snowplows, the icy conditions, and the inability to see perfectly under blowing snow conditions. Remember, snowplows and other road maintenance equipment use flashing blue lights while plowing. Please use caution when you see blue lights —slow down, keep a safe distance, and prepare to stop if necessary. Don't assume plow drivers see you - Their field of vision is limited. Rear View Mirror Plow driver's field of vision Sand '. Plow driver's field of vision Don't pass a snowplow unless you see the whole plow, including its blade. ACK STAYALJVE Snow Removal Ordinances Our public works department would like to remind all residents of a few ordinances that when adhered to result in faster, more thorough service, and provide safer driving conditions for everyone. Cars left on the street greatly hinder our drivers from doing the first-class job of snowplowing that you are accustomed to in Maplewood. Additionally, many of the city's streets are not wide enough for vehicles to get through if cars are parked on both sides of the street. This is especially true for fire fighting equipment. The following is a list of ordinances that affect the snow removal operation: Ordinance Section 18-26: Parking of any vehicle on any street or road for more than 30 minutes during the time intervening between a snowfall and the plowing or removal of such snow is prohibited. Ordinance Section 18-27: Parking of any vehicle on any street or road for more then two hours between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. is prohibited. Ordinance Section 18-24: Parking on bridge approaches or on any boulevard median strip, lawn, or grass plot is prohibited. Children + Snowplows = Danger Children and snowplows can be a very dangerous combination. We appeal to residents to keep children away from curbs and boulevards when snowplows are working, and to discourage digging or tunneling in snow piles on the boulevards. During heavy snowfall, plows are throwing tons of snow that can quickly bury a child or cause a tunnel to collapse. Snow Removal Around Mailboxes and Fire Hydrants Each year public works receives calls concerning damage to mailboxes. The damage is usually caused by snow rolling off the snowplow and hitting the mailbox. Check now for loose boards, rotted wood, or deterioration of your mailbox and post. The city will not repair mailboxes damaged by snow thrown from the plow. Consult your local post office for mailbox replacement and height specifications. It is also to each resident's advantage to help keep fire hydrants clear of snow so that the fire department has quicker access in case of a fire. Remember that it is illegal to deposit snow back into the streets after they have been plowed and sanded. \ ,, rtub,•r 1999 0 Calendar of Events and Important City Meetings for November 1999 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday `.�,-; • a;..,� Q a' I Planning Commission, l pm 2 Election Day Karate ELECTION DAY 3 Human Relations Commission, 1 pm 4 5 FREE Blood Pressure Checks at Mall Community Office od am by Department, Department, 8-9 am Scuba 6 Mayor's Forum 10 am - 12 noon Maplewood Room Maplewood City Nall Basketball, Edgerton Meet the Animals, NC !P y , l 2 „'I Aw 7 3M Symphony Orchestra MCC, 3 pm 8 City Council Meeting, 7 pm Scuba 9 Community Design Review Board, 6 pm Housing & Redevelopment Authority, 7 pm Mudworks Tumbling, Carver 10 Maplewood Historical Committee, 7 pm Conference Room A, City Hall II Rebroadcast of Nov 8 City Council Meeting, 8 pm ** Story Hour at Mall Office, 7 pm 12 FREE Blood Pressure Checks at Mall Community Office by Maplewood Police Department, 8-9 am "Into the Woods" Heritage Theatre, MCC 7:30 pm 13 Snorkeling Community CPR Personal Safety Jr. Girl Scouts Wildlife Badge, NC Compass Treasure Hunt, NC "Into the Woods" Heritage Theatre, MCC 7:30pm 14 "Into the Woods" Heritage Theatre, MCC 2 pm 15 Park & Recreation Commission, 7 pm Planning Commission, 7 pm 16 Family Shelter Committee, 6:30 pm 17 Wednesday Wellness, "Humor 8 Aging" 18 Fundraiser for Bruentrup Farm —Scott Novotny, MCC Theatre, 7:30 pm 19 Drama Performance, Weaver School, 7 pm FREE Blood Pressure Checks at Mall Community Office by Maplewood Police Department, 8-9 am "Into the Woods", Heritage Theatre, MCI 7:30 pm 20 Youth Dance, Edgerton Birdbanding for Youth Groups, NC "Into the Woods", Heritage Theatre, MCI 7:30 pm 21 "Into the Woods", Heritage Theatre, MCC 2 pm 22 City Council Meeting, 7 pm 23 Community Design Review Board, 6 pm White Tail Moon Walk - NC 24 Gym Fun. Carver 25 Rebroadcast of Nov 22 City Council Meeting 8 pm* _�aaOtki _11/1 26 FREE Blood Pressure Checks at Mall Community Office by Maplewood Police Department, 8-9 am "Into the Woods", Heritage Theatre, MCC, 7:30 pm "Big Band Cabaret" Ashland Production, MCI 27 "Into the Woods", Heritage Theatre, MCI, 7:30 pm "Big Band Cabaret" Ashland Production, MCC 28 "Into the Woods", Heritage Theatre, MCC, 2 pm "Big Band Cabaret" Ashland Production, MCI 29 Gym Fun, Carver 30 * The City government channel on cable TY ope ates 24-hours-a-day. If you have basic cable service, current City information and programs can be viewed on Channel 16. 1f you are interested in a special viewing of the City Council meetings contact the City Manager's office. Tapes of the meetings are kept for 30 days. Maplewood City Council Mayor Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member City Manager George Rossbach Sherry Allenspach Dale Carlson Marvin Koppen Kevin Kittridge Michael McGuire City Hall 1830 County Road B East Maplewood, MN 55109 (612)770-4500 TDD-(612)779-4995 Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This brochure is completely recyclable. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #4903 St. Paul, MN *******ECRWSS** Residential Customer Upon request, this newsletter will be made available in altemate format such as large print or audio tape. Contact the City of Maplewood at 770-4500. DATED MATERIAL Deliver by October 25, 1999 Dear Citizens, logetiier bye Lan On November 2, 1999, Maplewood residents will decide on three very important referendums. First, at no cost to taxpayers, is an opportunity to vote to increase our on -sale liquor licenses. The additional on -sale licenses will provide the opportunity to expand our food and beverage industry to include new restaurants and hotels. It is important to remember that every commercial tax dollar earned today is one residential tax dollar that does not have to be spent tomorrow. Second, you have the opportunity to vote to improve our fire safety services. This referendum will allow for the necessary improvements in modern equipment it takes to be one of the finest fire departments in the state of Minnesota. When the Maplewood Fire Department was established three years ago, minimal dollars were allocated for capital equipment replacement. This referendum will provide a new Gladstone fire station and new equipment to serve all Maplewood residents. Third, you have the opportunity to vote for a park system redevelopment and restoration referendum. The park referendum will allow the City to make the necessary upgrades for our aging park system. The referendum will develop three new neighborhood parks, upgrade existing parks and athletic fields, create two new trail corridors and restore open space parcels. The City Council does not take spending requests lightly. We believe that all three referendums are important to continue the quality services you have come to expect. We encourage you to vote "YES" on all three referendums. Sincerely, George Rossbach, Mayor Sherry Allenspach, Council Member Dale Carlson, Council Member Marvin Koppen, Council Member Kevin Kittridgg, Council Member On -Sale Liquor License Referendum "No Cost to Taxpayers" On -sale liquor licenses are issued to establishments where liquor is sold and consumed on the premises such as hotels, restaurants, bowling centers, etc. Minnesota State Statute 340A.413 places restrictions on the number of on -sale liquor licenses that may be issued to cities. In 1982, the number of allowable on -sale liquor licenses was increased by referendum to its present number of 25. The proposed liquor license referendum would increase the total number of on -sale liquor licenses the City can issue to 32. As the City continues to develop, the number of requests for liquor licenses from businesses increases. In the first six months of 1999, the City received requests for a liquor license from three food and beverage establishments. The City had to turn the potential economic growth away because all the licenses (25) were issued. The City receives approximately $6,000 from each establishment for license fees plus property tax revenue. It is estimated that a restaurant generates about $50,000 a year in property taxes. Currently, the City has one on -sale liquor license available and it expects to issue the license by the end of the year. ) YES ) NO Sample Election Ballot CITY OF MAPLEWOOD RAMSEY COUNTY MINNESOTA "Shall the City Council be allowed to issue seven 'on -sale' licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquor at retail in excess of the number now permitted by law?" INSTRUCTION TO VOTERS If you wish to vote in favor of the above proposition, fill in the oval before the word "YES." If you wish to vote against the above proposition, fill in the oval before the word "NO." Questions about the On -Sale Liquor License Referendum? Please call City Clerk Karen Guilfoile at 770-4577. Fire Safety Improvements Referendum "Help Us Help You" The Maplewood Fire Department is serving the community for its third year. It was formed through the consolidation of three fire departments - Gladstone, East County Line, and Parkside, and continues to build upon a 54-year tradition of providing quality fire protection service. It is presently the second largest and the busiest paid on -call fire department in the state of Minnesota. A successful fire safety referendum would allow the Maplewood Fire Department to continue to provide a first class level of fire protection and emergency medical services to the community. What is included in the Fire Safety Improvements Referendum? • Replacement of Fire Station #2, the former Gladstone fire station at 1900 Clarence Street The current 54-year old fire station simply does not meet the needs of the Maplewood Fire Department. It is too small and out-of-date in design and function. The proposed station will have three truck bays capable of supporting standard -sized fire trucks. The department currently must buy special -order, short trucks and use smaller -than -normal tires on them so they can fit in the building. It will also serve as a central facility that will have administrative offices, meeting rooms, training areas, and provide the much needed storage space for gear. Estimated Cost: $1,517,500 for construction of a new fire station plus $300,000 for professional fees and site preparation for a total cost of $1,817,500. • Fire Apparatus The department would like to purchase three new emergency vehicles to replace four aging vehicles. The new vehicles will have increased capabilities and require less maintenance. The three emergency vehicles are: 1. A fire truck with a 100-foot aerial platform. This truck will replace a 22-year old truck with an 85-foot aerial platform. 2. A fire truck with a 75-foot squirt nozzle. This truck will replace a pump truck and a snorkel truck. 3. A fire truck with an engine pumper. This truck will replace a 26-year old engine pumper. Estimated Cost: $1,417,500 Current Fire Station #2 — above Proposed Fire Station #2 — below • 75 self-contained breathing apparatus (S.C.B.A.) S.C.B.A. provide firefighters with clean, life sustaining air while they are fighting fires. The department would like to purchase 75 new S.C.B.A. to help standardize its equipment. Currently, the department uses 70 S.C.B.A. from three different manufacturers. More importantly, approximately one-half of the current S.C.B.A. will be outdated for use in the year 2000 due to State Department of Transportation regulations. Estimated Cost: $217,500 • 2 helmet -mounted infrared imaging cameras These cameras will help firefighters locate people inside smoke - filled buildings. They can also be used by firefighters in training and HAZ-MAT incidents to respond effectively and safely to hazardous material releases. Estimated Cost: $87, 500 Fire Safety Improvements Referendum Facts about the Maplewood Fire Department • The Department is the second largest paid on -call fire department in the state of Minnesota. • 125 of your neighbors are paid on -call firefighters. • The Department is the busiest paid on -call fire department in the state of Minnesota. They respond to over 2,000 medical and 900 fire calls per year! • 12 educational programs are given to 2,500 — 3,500 individuals per year. These include programs like "Fire Prevention" and "Stop - Drop -Roll". Why is this Referendum Important to You? • Improved emergency response time • Access to high-rise apartments • Better service to shopping centers • Improved organizational efficiency • Incorporation of improved technology • Extended vision in smoke -filled rooms • Greater rescue range • Better trained staff Why this Referendum at this time? The current 54-year old fire station does not meet the functional needs of the Maplewood Fire Department. A centralized departmental headquarters is needed. Construction of a new fire station has been proposed in the Capital Improvement Budget since 1988, but the resources have not been available to make the much needed improvements. Additionally, the condition of the older pieces of equipment are beginning to affect the efficiency and delivery of the fire and emergency services. 'J YES ) NO Sample Election Ballot CITY OF MAPLEWOOD RAMSEY COUNTY MINNESOTA "Shall the City of Maplewood, Minnesota, be authorized to issue its fully registered general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,540,000 to defray the expense of the acquisition and betterment of a fire station, fire equipment, and apparatus for the City?" NOTICE: BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. INSTRUCTION TO VOTERS If you wish to vote in favor of the above proposition, fill in the oval before the word "YES." If you wish to vote against the above proposition, fill in the oval before the word "NO." Estimated 2001 Tax Impact of Fire Safety Referendum Assessor's Market Value $ 70,000 $ 90,000 $110,000 $130,000 $150,000 Estimated Annual Cost $12.31 $15.82 $19.34 $22.86 $26.37 Estimated Monthly Cost $1.03 $1.32 $1.61 $1.91 $2.20 Taxes are based on market value; therefore, the impact is the same for residential or commercial property. Estimates are based on 2000 market value affecting taxes payable in 2001. Bonds issued would be paid back over 20 years and would, therefore, have a 20-year tax impact. Future growth should lessen the tax impact. Questions about the Fire Safety Improvements Referendum? Please call Fire Chief Joel Hewitt at 770-4535. Park System Redevelopment Referendum "Parks on the Grow" The City of Maplewood has 33 parks totaling 462 acres and 13 open space parcels totaling over 200 acres. The park system redevelopment referendum will allow the Parks and Recreation Department to upgrade and refurbish many of the City's aging parks and to begin the job of restoring open space land. The nine projects that the referendum will support were selected as a result of community focus groups, resident surveys, and a comprehensive study of the park system approved by the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Sample Election Ballot CITY OF MAPLEWOOD RAMSEY COUNTY MINNESOTA "Shall the City of Maplewood, Minnesota, YES be authorized to issue its fully registered general obligation bonds in an amount not ) NO to exceed $3,470,000 to defray the expense of the acquisition and betterment of land, buildings and facilities within the City for its program of public recreation?" NOTICE: BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. INSTRUCTION TO VOTERS If you wish to vote in favor of the above proposition, fill in the oval before the word "YES." If you wish to vote against the above proposition, fill in the oval before the word "NO." Estimated 2001 Tax Impact of Park System Redevelopment Referendum Assessor's Market Value $ 70,000 $ 90,000 $110,000 $130,000 $150,000 Estimated Annual Cost $12.04 $15.48 $18.91 $22.35 $25.79 Estimated Monthly Cost $1.00 $1.29 $1.58 $1.86 $2.15 Taxes are based on market value; therefore, the impact is the same for residential or commercial property. Estimates are based on 2000 market value affecting taxes payable in 2001. Bonds issued would be paid back over 20 years and would, therefore, have a 20-year tax impact. Future growth should lessen the tax impact. ii�llllllllll1111'll�iil"''" Haim HMI I if Proposed Park Projects 1. Applewood Park Development of this new neighborhood park will include a children's play area, hardcourt surface area, informal play area, basketball court, volleyball court, trails and general landscaping. Estimated Cost: $275,000 2. Sterling Oaks Park Development of this new neighborhood park will include a children's play area, hardcourt surface area, informal play area, basketball court, volleyball court, trails and general landscaping. Estimated Cost: $275,000 3. Goodrich Park Development will focus on improvements to the existing adult softball fields and development of a neighborhood park including a new children's play area, hardcourt surface area and general landscaping. Estimated Cost: $400, 000 4. Afton Heights Park Redevelopment of athletic fields, a new children's play area, hardcourt surface area and construction of a parking lot off Upper Afton Road. Estimated Cost: $500,000 5. Edgerton Park Development will focus on improvements to the existing athletic fields, construction of a new parking area and expansion of the children's play area. Estimated Cost: $300, 000 6. Harvest Park Improvement to youth ball fields and development of a multipurpose building with restrooms and concessions. Upgrades to the neighborhood park include an expanded children's play area, trails and general landscaping. Estimated Cost: $600, 000 Park System Redevelopment Referendum Hoa RESTING SYSTEM W CONNECT TO NTINT 03SFNELL I TENS SESTET.. ECGEITTCN PRESERVE ilre PRESERVE E pU0 WESTERN HiLtS TO ROSESSLLE 11NL SYSIFAT Proposed Park Projects (continued) 7. Hazelwood Park Lighting of two additional soccer fields and construction of indoor rest room facilities. Estimated Cost: $200,000 8. Neighborhood preserves/open space restoration and management We will begin to restore and manage neighborhood preserves/open space. This will include the development of trails for public use, signage and informational kiosks. Estimated Cost: $600, 000 9. Trail corridor development for links between key parks and natural areas The first focus will be a trail link from the Maplewood Nature Center north to Sterling Oaks Park and Priory Open Space. Additional trails will connect Hazelwood Avenue to Highway 61 and Walter Street to LaBore Road. Estimated Cost: $320, 000 Questions about the Park System Redevelopment Referendum? Please call Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Anderson at 770-4573. SUNSET OJUHTY 01.0 COTM!TOR TINT HMVEST rrry/wT, ACM Of IILLSSED vIRCEN ,RNATFT LARPEMEUII trt.rn"rOR iRAa LAND USE LEGEND COppUOL YNTIT ATHLETIC mWLEa r1 MINI PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PARK COMMUNITY PARK 1 1 YOUTH ATHLETIC PARK F-1 COMMUNITY ATHLETIC COMPLEX NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVE /OPEN SPACE SPECIAL USE PARK n RESERVE LAND I I SCH001 SITE El REGIONAL PARK / COUNTY OPEN SPACE LAND 0 COMMUNITY CENTER TRAIL LEGEND - STATE / REGIONAL TRAIL PARK TRAIL - CONNECTOR TRAIL PARKS TO BE IMPROVED UNDER REFERENDUM FUNDING PUBLIC OPEN SPACE LEGEND El EXISTING OPEN SPACE 0000000 NEIGHBORHOOD PARK PRESERVES APPLEWOOD PARK STERLING CLKS PARK GOODRICH PARK AFTON PARK EDGERTON PARK HARVEST PARK HAZELW000 PARK Preliminary Park and Trail System Plan ITT T� NNAR CREEK CYAN, OKA rAME RATITE OIEER REGION. PAN Brauer 3 Associees. Ltd. MIT uVIFU000 FRU MURRAY SCHOOL SCIALKX IrRNATN PRESERVE 011 FTIANNIAER ARK vItN, rwc raaoRHOOD r u Tnrvl xAH�4� UFASVETL LAn NATURE CENTER On HATACARVER CAR[ `ypn CEANTuNTY CENTER LRLSTv,Lw PAIN ASTA TREES EVE RIO HrJm000 r>.n m+N6LTOR TTwI CREEK RECK:NAT ANTxiIN;�AR..AN Get -Out -To -Vote Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the November 2nd General Election Polling Sites: Precinct Maplewood Fire Station #3 (Parkside) 2001 McMenemy Road Precinct 2 St.Jeromes School 380 E. Roselawn Avenue Precinct 3 Edgerton School 1929 Edgerton Street Precinct 4 Maplewood Fire Station #2 (Gladstone) 1900 Clarence Street Precinct 5 Gladstone Community Center Frost Avenue at Manton Street Precinct 6 Maplewood Fire Station #7 (Hazelwood) 1530 County Road C Precinct 7 First Evangelical Free Church 2696 Hazelwood Street Precinct 8 Concordia Arms 2030 Lydia Avenue Precinct 9 Maplewood City Hall 1830 E. County Road B Precinct 10 Ramsey County Home 2000 White Bear Avenue Precinct 11 Maplewood Middle School 1896 Lakewood Drive N. Maplewood's Election Precincts Little Canada m 0 0 Vadnais Heights <a'4 10 St. Paul Larpenteur Ave Precinct 12 Beaver Lake School 1060 Sterling Street N. Precinct 13 Maplewood Fire Station #1 (E. Co. Line) 1177 N. Century Precinct 14 Carver School 2680 Upper Afton Road Precinct 15 Maplewood Fire Station #4 (E. Co. Line 2) 2501 Londin Lane Precinct 16 Maplewood Fire Station #4 (E. Co. Line 2) 2501 Londin Lane White Bear Lake 8 rk, North St. Paul m c 2 15 Linwood Ave 16 aD Tis 0 0 a 0 0 Newport Maplewood City Council Mayor George Rossbach Council Member Sherry Allenspach Council Member Dale Carlson Council Member Marvin Koppen Council Member Kevin Kittridge City Manager Michael McGuire Maplewood City Hall 1830 East County Road B Maplewood, MN 55109 (651) 770-4500 TDD - (651) 779-4995 Hours: Monday — Friday, 8:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Vi;te Postal Patron Maplewood, MN Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 4903 St. Paul, MN City Council seeking input from residents about central park by Lori Hall Staff Writer Though the city has defined what it wants from a communi- ty park, the details and costs of such a project are still in ques- tion. To further define community needs and wants in a central park, the Eagan City Council will hold a public hearing dur- ing its Jan. 18 meeting to receive public input. During the month of December, the Land Acquisition Community Facility Task Force met twice to identify potential components and programs of a community facility and then toured other city ^�•nmunity centers. The tour of other facilities was helpful to the task force and City Council members because it raised important questions and issues, according to City Administrator Tom Hedges. "It established some bench- marks for the task force to work with," said Hedges. Over the years, Eagan has periodically sought a site for a community gathering place. This fall, the city formed a task force, comprised of members of the community and organiza- tions, to examine the possibili- ties of a specific parcel of land. The proposed property, owned by Joe Miller, is an old See Park, 8A Park/Continued piece of Unisys land located near Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road. It is sur- rounded by Northwest Airlines, Unisys and Lockheed Martin. The city is currently in nego- tiations to purchase the proper- ty. The task force developed a proposal for the site in November, which includes an 80,000 square -foot community center, parking for 500, a band shell and structured seating for 500, plus room beyond for blan- ket and lawn -chair seating for up to 2,000 on the Unisys prop- erty. A launch area and safety zone for fireworks was located and an area on a parking lot near the center was identified for potential fair use. Since that time, the City Council directed the task force to develop specific uses for the community facility, which the group presented to the council during its Jan. 4 meeting. Though the task force did create a list of components, the group thinks the list may cost more than what can be afforded (see related article). "We focused down on the community facility aspect of this project," said task force member Clyde Thurston. The task force was also charged with defining needs versus wants for the facility and park. However, because it met over the holidays, the group felt it did not have enough members present to represent a diversity of interest to address the issue. The task force also thought input from the community was needed at this point. "We felt strongly there should be open dialogue on this," said Thurston. "As we move forward we need extraor- dinary effort to communicate to the people who will be using this (facility)." "There is a need to develop a strong communication effort, particularly because it is likely that any such facility will have to be constructed with the pro- ceeds from a bond referendum," according to Director of Parks and Recreation Ken Vraa. The task force found it diffi- cult to address the specifics about the facility because of the lack of information on the land acquisition and finances, said Thurston. "We need to thoughtfully look at the big picture," he said. The task force stressed the need to develop a master plan for the community park. Planning for future growth and needs while staying within a budget were concerns for the group. Construction and operation costs for the facility were also a concern for the task force. Some members thought that if a fee membership is applied, it would prohibit some groups, such as seniors, from using the facility. One suggestion the task force had to address the cost and future needs issues was to con- struct the facility in phases, in accordance with a master plan, i Potential community facility components Athletic elements Gymnasium Track Locker rooms Air -supported dome Tennis courts Racquetball courts Locker rooms Fitness/health Weights Machine equipment Aerobic studio Lap pool Therapy pool Climbing wall Gymnasium General program space Building perimeter Outdoor play area Skate park Plaza with pond/garden Administrative office area Senior center Large kitchen Library Small rooms Shared storage space Eagan Athletic Association office/storage space Historical Society fire -proof office/storage space Display cases/gallery Teen center Comfortable space for "hanging out" Computer/game space Concessions Banquet room Catering kitchen Teaching kitchen Area for style show/garage sale Dance floor Meeting/conference room Business seminars Technology room/area Cable access studio Enclosed indoor playground Arts/crafts rooms Preschool rooms Contract day care Music room Dance studio Auditorium Formal stage Informal stage Atrium Entry presentation of the facility Signage when funds are available and when need for expansion arises. "We're looking at a long- term investment in our commu- nity," said Thurston. "There needs to be design considera- tions as to how this is laid out." The city has received a pro- posal from local developer Chris Moarn of Parks Real Estate to construct a multimil- lion dollar HOOP U.S.A., Inc. basketball facility on the site. Moarn discussed his pub- lic/private partnership proposal with the City Council during its Dec. 16 meeting and plans to bring a more specific plan for the facility back the council within the next month. The Eagan Athletic Association (EAA) addressed the City Council during its Dec. 6 meeting requesting a commu- nity center with athletic facili- ties for its use. The EAA said it would sup- port a city bond referendum to build a community center and that the EAA would commit $400,000 over a 10-year period, paying $150,000 up -front and $25,000 per year for the next 10 years. EAA President Dan Klekner was also in attendance at the Jan. 4 meeting, seeking a com- mitment from the City Council for 20 percent of available gym time at the proposed facility. "I think your request is a lit- tle premature," said Council Member Sandy Masin. "On the other hand, 1 appreciate your enthusiasm." Klekner said the EAA wants a commitment from the council for the gym time before a bond referendum is held. To keep the process moving, Mayor Pat Awada moved to set the public hearing for Jan. 18 for citizen input. She also moved to direct staff to compile costs for the facility, which will be presented at the same meet- ing. "1'd like to get some cost estimates and I'd like the coun- cil to start discussing this," said Awada. Though supportive of includ- ing the community in the process, Council Member Bea Blomquist abstained from vot- ing on the public hearing because she was unsure of the actions that may be taken during that meeting. "The more enthusiasm we can build in the community, the sooner we can get this done," said Blomquist. "I'm all for this. 1 want this to go forward. I'm just not sure what we're doing at the public hearing." It is possible for the council to take the necessary action required to move forward with a bond referendum during the public hearing. The soonest a referendum could be held is 49 days after the council motion. Eagan City Council looking for greener future Letter of intent approved to buy 60 acres for park at a cost of $7.5 million By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers The Eagan City Council moved into one of the final phases in securing 60 acres of land for a central city park when it approved a letter of in- tent to buy the land for $7.5 million. Although council members said the cost might seem high, they agreed that the price was a bargain for land in Eagan and might represent the last chance for the city to buy a large open piece of land. "The land will not be avail- able if it's sold off and build- ings are put on it," said Coun- cilmember Bea Blomquist. "We have to do something that's a little gutsy and we need to do it on behalf of our community." The $7.5 million figure in- cludes $100,000 in earnest money and breaks down into $2.85 per square foot, below the going rate of $3.25 per square foot for comparable land in the area, said Joanna Foote, Eagan communications coordinator. The land is be- tween Unisys, Lockheed Mar- tin and Northwest Airlines at the northwest corner of Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle roads. The city's Park Site Acquisi- tion and Development Fund, which contains money con- tributed by area developers for parkland, would cover $1 mil- lion of the cost. An additional $1.5 million would come from the Commu- nity Investment Fund, which is earmarked for major capital projects, and $3 million would come from the General Fund. PARK: To Page 6A 6A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 Park: www.mnSun.com 2 million of facility's cost would be covered by bonds From Page lA Although the majority of the funding for the land purchase would come from existing city funds, $2 million would be covered by bonds issued by an Eagan Economic Development Authority, said City Administrator Tom Hedges. To set up the EDA, the city must first set public hearings on the issue and the establishment of a development district for the site. The City Council set that hearing for 6:45 p.m. during its regular March 6 meeting. After that public hearing, the council could establish the EDA with a target of selling the bonds sometime in April or May. With interest, that figure would rep- resent a total of $2.4 million to be re- paid over 20 years in $228,000 annual debt service. The debt service would push property tax levels up $4 annual- ly for those properties with $100,000 es- timated market value; $6 for $125,000; $7 for $144,00; $10 for $200,000; $12 for $225,000 and $14 for $250,000. Councilmember Sandra Masin said that it is especially important for the council to seek out this land because previous councils passed over such op- portunities as open land around the city was being snapped up. "It's a huge purchase, but it's also an important purchase," Masin said. "Un- fortunately the lack of foresight by pre- vious councils has left us in this posi- tion. There is not any other open land left in Eagan and we are left with few options." The idea for the park started as it be- camemore difficult for the community to find locations for events such as the Eagan Fourth of July Festival and the Arts Festival. "For several years now the Fourth of July celebration has had to be moved around to various locations in the city due to the lack of available space and parking," Hedges said. "For several rea- sons, we have outgrown ourselves as a community." In August 1999, the City Council Yearly Tax Impact of $228,000 Annual Debt Service Assumes 2000 Payable Truth in Taxation Valuation Estimate) Estimated Market Value $ 100,000 $ 125,000 $ 144,000 $ 200,000 $ 225,000 $ 250,000 Taxes $ 4 $ 6 $ 7 $ 10 $ 12 $ 14 This is the amount of additional property taxes that Eagan homeowners would pay to cover $2.9 million in bonds repayable over 20 years. The taxes are on an annual basis. This is to cover part of the cost for the $7.5 million land purchase for a central park of 60 acres in Eagan. formed the Community Facilities Land Acquisition Task Force to determine how much property would be necessary to meet the demands for a community park. A factor that makes the land even more appealing to the city is that Unisys, Lockheed Martin and North- west Airlines have all agreed to work with the community to allow parking in their lots during large events, Hedges said. After five meetings, the task force came to the consensus that at least 34 acres should be acquired with 45 acres being more desirable. Some task force members supported buying the entire 80-acre parcel of land. The task force presented its recom- mendation to the council in November and the council agreed to pursue at least 45 acres for the park. Since then, Hedges, city attorney James Sheldon and other city staff have been in negotiations with Dukes -Weeks Realty to buy the property. "Given the configuration of the land, the ring road that will circle the prop- erty and the property's proximity to Pilot Knob Road, it was decided that buying 60 acres of the land would be the most appropriate way to go," Hedges said. Buying the smaller parcel of land is also more cost beneficial than buying the entire property, he said. The city could still sell some of the land once it is determined how much land will be needed to complete the long-term vision for the site. Any money raised from the sale of excess land would first go to pay off the bonds, then would be used to replenish the other funds used to buy the land, Hedges said. The council's vote not only finalizes the letter of intent to buy the land, but also authorizes Mayor Pat Awada and the city clerk to execute the purchase agreement, which was signed last week. According to the letter of intent, the city now has a 30-day inspection window on the land and the purchase has to be closed by March 31. The task force is continuing to meet to discuss how the land should be de- veloped and what features should be in- corporated into a possible community center. Whatever suggestions the task force comes up with would be subject to review by the Advisory Parks Commis- sion and the City Council. The council previously directed staff to estimate the cost of a center includ- ing four gyms, a banquet facility, a se- nior center, exercise space, meeting rooms, offices for the historical society and the Eagan Athletic Association and several other possible features. Those preliminary estimates place the cost of the center, not including the cost of the land, at about $12.3 million. While the council has begun to dis- cuss the details of a possible communi- ty center, Eagan may seek a referendum to help pay for the cost of the center. - Developer proposes basketball centerfor community park by Lori Hall Staff Writer The buzz of Eagan consider- ing building a community cen- ter and park has spread. The Eagan Athletic Association (EAA) and a group of senior cit- izens recently requested a com- munity activity center, and now a private developer is proposing to build a basketball facility. Chris Moarn of Parks Real Estate proposed a multimillion dollar basketball facility to the Eagan Advisory Parks Commission during its Dec. 16 meeting. Moarn wants to build a facil- ity with one NBA (National Basketball Association) size court, six high school courts and one volleyball court on the site the city is currently considering for its community park. The city is pursuing a parcel of land owned by Duke Weeks Realty near Yankee Doodle Road and Pilot Knob Road. The basketball center would be built through The Hoop U.S.A., Inc., a basketball, vol- leyball and fitness club. The Hoop would design and own the building and run the programs. The Hoop currently owns four privately owned facilities across the nation and is working on two more centers proposed to be owned through public/pri- vate partnerships, according to Moarn. Moarn is proposing such a partnership with the city Eagan. He has requested the city donate the land required for the center and The Hoop could then work special prices and practice times for the city and city organiza- tions. "We're talking about basket- ball, but we're also talking about partnership," said Moarn. The city of Eagan has never donated land to a for -profit busi- ness in recent history though it has assisted several ventures through tax increment financ- ing, according to City Administrator Tom Hedges. The center being proposed for Eagan is between 50,000 and 70,000 square feet. The focus of the building would be the NBA size court, which would drop 14 feet and be sur- rounded by 900 padded seats. Attached meeting rooms and changing rooms, retail stores and restaurants are also includ- ed in this initial design. "I'm convinced a stand- alone facility like this works," said Moarn. He said such a facility is ideal for basketball tourna- ments, playoffs, summer camps and training camps as well as other events such as volleyball, cheerleading, danceline, gym- nastics, wrestling, town meet- ings, business fairs, proms, political rallies, pet shows and auctions. "There's all kinds of vari- ables involved here," said Moam. EAA President Dan Klekner said Moarn's proposal is a two- edged sword. Though the EAA is desperately in need of space and practice time, Klekner said The Hoop's rates for gym use are "extremely high." See Hoop, 5A Hoop/Continued The Hoop typically incorpo- rates both membership fees and single event fees for special events. Klekner said the EAA would be open to the idea of a pub- lic/private partnership between The Hoop and the city, as long as Eagan's youth programs have the time and space they need. "My main job is to make sure the needs of our youth are met," said Klekner. "If the city is unable to provide a facility, we will be forced to go to an outside organization." Moarn said he would like to bring The Hoop President Larry Steele to the City Council with- in the next 30 days to present a more specific proposal for the facility and the site. Advisory Parks Commission Member Terry Davis recom- mended the board integrate the proposal with the work current- ly being conducted by the Community Facility Land Acquisition Task Force. The City Council expects to receive feedback on the issue from the Advisory Parks Commission during its Jan. 4 meeting. A public hearing is set for the Jan. 4 City Council meeting to receive information for schematics, infrastructure, and location and cost estimates for the community center. n rcv-4 mcol Gre KSTP TELEVISION 3415 UNIVERSITY AVE.- MINNEAPOLIS 55414 • ST. PAUL 55114 • MINNESOTA (6121 645-2724 EYEWITNESS NEWS POLL • _3 THE STADIUM A Survey Conducted November 18-20, 1978 There are several different proposals — to build a new stadium or remodel the old one, to build a domed facilitity, and so on. Here's what Minnesotans think: A new stadium should be built with a domed top and more seating. Minnesotans agree overwhelmingly that a new stadium should not be paid for by the taxpayers. How do you think a new stadium should be financed? Metro Outstate Statewide Taxes 4% Metro Outstate Statewide Users 30% 37% 33% 31% 45°;; 38 (Higher prices for tickets, parking, etc.) A new stadium should be build with more seating, but should be left open like the present stadium. 5% 5% 5% The old stadium should be remodeled. 40% 27°0 The old stadium is fine as it is. 33% 14% 8% 11% Don't know. 9% 15% 12% Note that half of all Minnesotans think the old stadium should be retained in some form. Private Enterprise 23% 20% 21% Other 9% 9% (Such as revenue bonds) Combination 18% 15% (Higher prices and private enterprise) Don't Know Variety 9% a 16% 8/0 0% 7% 8% 17% 12% -4- -5- Minnesotans are emphatic that a new stadium should not be paid for with taxes. Do you feel that taxpayers' money should be used to finance the remodeling or building of a new sports stadium? Metro Outstate Statewide Yes 12% 18% 15% No 83% 80% 82% Don't Know 5% 2% 3% The respondents told the interviewers they were too heavily taxed now, that they do not think they should be taxed to pay for a sports stadium. A small majority of all Minnesotans think there should be a new stadium, though the feeling is strongest outside the metropolitan area. What is your personal feeling on this matter? Do you feel that we need a new sports stadium? Metro Outstate Total Yes 46% 58% 53% No 46% 31% 38% Undecided 8% 11 % 9% Those who support the new stadium give the obvious reasons: The present stadium is too small. It needs to be expanded. It is old. It needs to be renovated. But the most frequently given reason reflects civic pride: The present stadium is not as good as others in the country. -6- -3- This is not a metropolitan issue. It is statewide. The KSTP-TV survey shows that virtually everyone in Minnesota knows about the issue. Are you aware that a new sports stadium is being con- sidered? Metro Outstate Statewide Yes 99% 91% 95% No I% 9% 5% Perhaps as important, most think the stadium should stay in Bloomington. If a new stadium is built, where do you think it should be located? Do you think it should remain in the same area of Bloomington? Or do you think it should be built in downtown Minneapolis? Metro Outstate Statewide Bloomington 67% 63% 65% Minneapolis 20% 8% 14% Other 4% 7% 5% Don't Know 9% 22% 16% Those questioned told the interviewers they think Bloomington is much more accessible than downtown Minneapolis. Others said they are used to the Bloomington site and would be uncomfortable trying to get to a new location. -2- -7- And, finally .. . In the past year, have you attended any sports event, either amateur or professional, at the present Metro- politan Stadium? Introduction The seven -member Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission has been in business for eighteen months, trying to answer the stadium questions. Should a new stadium be built in the metro area? If so, Metro Outstate Statewide should it be in Bloomington, at the present site, or in downtown Minneapolis? Should it be domed? How Yes 62% 40% 51% should it be financed? No 38% 60% 49% The commission's recommendations are due within a few days. But what are Minnesotans thinking about these Thus, while outstate Minnesotans most strongly favor a questions? new stadium (Question 2), those who live within the metro area actually use the stadium the most. KSTP-TV commissioned Frank M. Magid & Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to find out. Interviewers contacted a random sample of 405 Minnesotans from throughout the state by phone November 18, 19 and 20. Here's what they said... -8- -1- Dropping Eagan as stadium site one goal in drive to oust rulers By DAVID PETERSON Minneapolis Star Staff Writer A grass -roots takeover of the Ea- gan City Council is in the works, and one of its goals is to drop that suburb from consideration for a new sports stadium. The movement is being led by a group of homeowners who orga- nized in June to successfully stall the proposed upgrading of a key city street, Pilot Knob Rd. Now, under the name Residents Concerned for Eagan, they say they're joining with citizens un- happy about some other recent city council actions in an effort to gain a council majority in the Nov. 8 municipal election. "To heck with petitions and jam- ming meetings," said Robert Lo- sinski, 2899 Fairlawn Pl., chairman of the group's election committee. "Let's just get a 3-to-2 edge on the council that's sensitive to what the citizens want." Losinski and others contend gov- e,trre,ent in Eagan has for years beet'. controlled by persons who are closely tied to real estate and development interests. As a result, they say, the council has done sev- eral things that aren't necessarily in the best interests of its residents. THE STADIUM is one example. Although the city council has wa- vered amid public opposition, it has endorsed an Eagan stadium site. The citizens group, in the words of mayoral endorsee Svenn Borger- sen, is "dead set against having the stadium here" because the city can't afford the additional police and fire protection and other ser- vices that would be required. The group also opposes upgrad- ing Pilot Knob Rd. to a four -lane highway, opposes routing traffic off the proposed Hwy. I-494 onto Pilot Knob, opposes dividing Cliff Rd. (the primary access to the Min- nesota Zoological Garden when the zoo opens in May) when it is up- graded to four lanes and opposes routing the proposed Hwy. I-35E across Blackhawk Lake in central Eagan. All of these are positions the council has taken to promote de- velopment in and access through the city, despite citizen opposition and at the expense of Eagan resi- dents, the group says. The group's opponents, such as council candidate Mark Parranto, a real-estate salesman and a nephew of stadium -site developer Pete Par- ranto, say the group represents only a small minority of the citi- zenry and is "essentially no - growth oriented." BUT LOSINSKI denies the charge, saying that while the group would like to see Eagan re- main a basically residential com- munity, it does support such things as freeway development and mod- est industrial growth. It wants only minor design changes in the freeways that wouldn't hold up construction, he says. Mayoral candidate Borgersen, 33, lives at 1529 McCarthy Rd. Council candidates are Joe Kellner. 50, 1349 Quarry Lane, and Tom Egan, 30, 2969 Inland Rd. Another council candidate, Har- old Miller, 34, 1767 Hickory Hill, is not aligned with the group but lives near the zoo and takes basi- cally the same position the group does on Cliff Rd. He thinks it should be made a basic, functional four -lane road without medians to reduce the impact on the neighbor- ing area. Three other candidates essential- ly oppose the group's platform. One is mayoral candidate Leo Mur- phy, 61, 1625 Deerwood Dr., a county commissioner from 1972- 76. Murphy said he owns a 40-acre farm in the Hwy. 1-35E access cor- ridor but said that he will not bene- fit from the freeway development. He said he bought the the land in 1946, long before the corridc)r was designated. - PARRANTO, 31, 1290 vildmark Dr., described himself as a self-em- ployed real-estate salesman con- nected with the Eagan real estate firm J.E. Parranto Inc. He said that though his uncle is handling the development of the stadium property, he doesn't stand to make any money from it. He would support the stadium, he said, but only if the state can promise to finish the proposed Hwy. 1-494 nearby by the time the stadium opens. Council candidate Neil Coates, 50, 4605 Pilot Knob Rd., has been a park commissioner in the city for about 13 years. He said he is "non- committal" about the stadium, though he thinks it could benefit the city, and favors the upgrading of Cliff and Pilot Knob Rds. BLOOMINGTON SCHOOLS Laying down law may mean By DAVID PETERSON Minneapolis Star Staff Writer Bloomington school principals have been warned that a lawsuit could result if a student flunks a class because he was given deten- tion time. The message came from Supt. Fred Atkinson in a memorandum on student discipline. The memo was prompted, Atkinson said, by a school board member's review of the disciplinary rules at Jefferson High School. "The principals have all been trying to respond to a need for more discipline, with the public thinking we've been too lax in con- trolling students," Atkinson said. But in Jefferson's case, he added, "there was some feeling from one board member's view that it was too repressive." The second time a student at Jef- ferson breaks a serious school rule —truancy, for example, or smoking in school —he is made to sit in a detention room all day and can't go to class. The third time a rule is broken, the student stays in the room for two school days. The fourth time, the student is suspended from school. "BUT WHAT IF a test is going on in third -hour chemistry" while the student is in detention, Atkin- son asked. "Could that affect their grade? We need some provison for that." A legal opinion on the issie was requested from school boar( attor- ney Kingsley Holman, who con- cluded that the district coild get into trouble for denying tie stu- dent the right to take necessary tests. "We cannot put a studeit in a position where it becomes inpossi- THE MINNEAPOLIS Tues., Oct. 11, 1977 1B STAR i MEMO TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: ALL FULLTIME AND CONSULTING STAFF CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES AUGUST 15, 1977 STADIUM SITE PROPOSAL As I am sure you are all aware of the City of Eagan was recently chosen as a proposed site for the new sports complex. It is my understanding that the Metropolitan Sports Commission is planning to select one of the three (3) proposed sites by December 1978. Several consulting firms have been hired to examine the Environmental Impact of a new stadium on each site, and it appears that this review is now under way. I have spoken with Barbara Lukerman of the State Planning Agency, who is coordinating various aspects of the E.I.S. She has informed me that the Planning and Architectual Firm of Saski from Watertown, Mass. was hired as the main consulting firm. This firm was the key consulting firm involved with the E.I.S. for the 1980 Olympic site. Another firm from Washington D.C. was also hired, name unknown to this office. Representatives of the Sasaki Planning and Architectual Firm will be at the Eagan City Hall for a meeting on Thursday, August 18,1977 at 1:30 P.M. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss various community concerns pertaining to a stadium in Eagan with City staff. This could include our economy, tax base, utilities, streets, zoning, labor force, transportation, etc. I would like you to be present at the meeting and it would be helpful if you organize questions and concerns for the consultants in advance. See you on Thursday! (—\\&•41,c4ikkif City Administrator cc: Robert Rosene John Voss Dale Runkle Dale Peterson Bill Branch Barb Schmidt Martin DesLauriers Bill Schultz �tlyce Bolke Doug Reid g/2 / 7 CA4 Dropping Eagan as stadium site one goal in drive to oust rulers By DAVID PETERSON Minneapolis Star Staff Writer A grass -roots takeover of the Ea- gan City Council is in the works, and one of its goals is to drop that suburb from consideration for a new sports stadium. The movement is being led by a group of homeowners who orga- nized in June to successfully stall the proposed upgrading of a key city street, Pilot Knob Rd. Now, under the name Residents Concerned for Eagan. they say they're joining with cv'izens un- happy about some other recent city council actions in an effort to gain a council majority in the Nov. 8 municipal election. "To heck with petitions and jam- ming meetings," said Robert I o- sinski, 2899 Fairlawn P1., chairman of the group's election committee. "Let's just get a 3-to-2 edge on the council that's sensitive to what the citizens want." across Blackhawk Lake in central Eagan. All of these are positions the council has taken to promote de- velopment in and access through the city, despite citizen opposition and at the expense of Eagan resi- dents, the group says. The group's opponents, such as council candidate Mark Parranto, a real-estate salesman and a nephew of stadium -site developer Pete Par- ranto, say the group represents only a small minority of the citi- zenry and is "essentially no - growth oriented." BUT LOSINSKI denies the charge, saying that while the group would like to see Eagan re- main a basically residential com- munity, it does support such things as freeway development and mod- est industrial growth. It wants only minor design changes in the free ays that wouldn't hold up construction, he says. Mayoral candidate Borgersen. 33, lives at 1529 McCarthy Rd. Council candidates are Joe Kellner, 50, 1349 Quarry Lane, and Tom Egan, 30, 2969 Inland Rd. Another council candidate, Har- old Miller, 34, 1767 Hickory Hill, is not aligned with the group but lives near the zoo and takes basi- cally the same position the group does on Cliff Rd. He thinks it should be made a basic, functional four -lane road without medians to reduce the impact on the neighbor- ing area. Three other candidates essential- ly oppose the group's platform. One is mayoral candidate Leo Mur- phy, 61, 1625 Deerwood Dr., a county commissioner from 1972- 76. Murphy said he owns a 40-acre farm in the Hwy. I-35E access cor- ridor but said that he will not bene- fit from the freeway development. He said he bought the the land in 1946, long before the corridor was designated. PARRANTO, 31, 1290 Vildmark Dr., described himself as a self-em- ployed real-estate salesman con- nected with the Eagan real estate firm J.E. Parranto Inc. He said that though his uncle is handling the development of the stadium property, he doesn't stand to make any money from it. He would support the stadium, he said, but only if the state can promise to finish the proposed Hwy. I-494 nearby by the time the stadium opens. Council candidate Neil Coates, 50, 4605 Pilot Knob Rd., has been a park commissioner in the city for about 13 years. He said he is "non- committal" about the stadium, though he thinks it could benefit the city, and favors the upgrading of Cliff and Pilot Knob Rds. to m a' >, a> a V , '•- v m p3� Goon' U-0 y s miry ry C..-' 4.� = wM x .c a as gi• '0, y GO •> .0 — .= -ci O p a) c .. 3 O >, N.., e.= „, a)0O•�y c,= 4.aO n13 c°, O'U•F> y Gn aOOO ••--•en'O ctlxa� tnc tr o ��0 a� �cs o i, .n m WDvO at : .a 'v 0 .a o v Q a>. V 2 . �Owonc(ns,-�a)a�0a�'0c°'wo cc. Qua on�v;�o°aca0 Eoco F;v 0 N—• 0= 0 Q,3 0� ° °� ;- -8- -.-' y ° Cl.c W a c) 030 - 6- w 0 "0 a.c dN 0 FO C 0 (-• ,, " v1 a0. 3�rr~ �:� O d c �c�vE�,c -12I• E�•�p�oD O_yv°,8e�a� Q> d 0 v, uJ V cC > .0 i_ 0 04= O N tm L TRINITY LOflE OAK LU T HERAN CHURCH. Mr. Erwin Ulrich appeared as a represen- +/L/ tative of Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church at Highways #49 and {r`55 and stated that the church is celebrating its 100th anniversary during 1977. He also indicated that the congregation is concerned about the stadium plans adjacent to and East of the church property. He further indicated that the congregation is considering the acquisition of additional land and its compatability with commercial development to the East. He showed the proposed future development plan for the church property and asked that consideration be given to the church development in the future. Wachter moved and Rahn seconded a motion that the City Planning Administrator, Dale Runkle, be authorized to study the impact of the stadium on the City of Eagan in general and the specific areas surrounding the proposed stadium site. A11 members voted yes. DMED STADIUM COMPLEX. Tir. E.E. (Pete) Parranto appeared with prelimin ry plans and layouts for a proposed domed stadium and shopping center complex en Cie Dayton -Hudson property in Section 1 at the Northeast corner of the city. He indicated that the proposal included a combined domed stadium and shopping centr complex at an estimated cost of $100,000,000 to be financed through industrial revenue bonds either through the City of Eagan or through a metro wide bonding authority. Members of the APC and audience questioned Mr. Parranto conzernirg the proposal and no formal action was taken. ZOO AREA PLAN. Because the City Planner was unable to be present, a proposed review of planning proposals Ground the zoo area in Eagan was continued until the next regular meeting. Property owners were present and questioned development in the area. Upon motion by Murphy, seconded Blomquist, all members voting in favor, it was RESOLVED that the meeting adjourn at approximately 10:00 p.m. Marcl . 25, 1975 -3- MICHACL J. DOHERTY 11112.19771 W III PID C. FUMBLE 1119.'1971/ fRANCSS D. BUTLER J. C. FOOTC IRVING CLARA HAROLD JORDAN THCOPHIL RUSTERMOL2 CLATBOURNC PIERCE BUTLER JOHN L. HANNAYORO ANDREw SCOTT JOSEPH M. FINLCY HENRY D.rLASCH CUGCNC M. wARLICN JOHN J. MGGIRL.JR. THOMAS C. ROHRICHT PERRY M-wILSON.JR. BOYD M. RATCHYC BURTON O. ROSS RALPH R. MORRIS BRUCE E.HANSON DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER ATTORNEYS AT LAW 1500 FIRST NATIONAL BAHR OUILDING SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101 TCLCPHONC 1612)2fl1-G333 MINNEAPOLIS OFFICE 730 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS. MINNESOTA 55402 TELEPHONE (6,21 333 5424 wRITERS DIRECT OIAL NUMBER February 5, 1975 Mr. E. E. (Pete) Parranto c/o Parranto Bros, Inc. Commarce Building Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101 J.I*WHENCE M.INS 6N[ RICHAND A. W.I. NOIS 71MO7HY J. HALLC •N JOHN G. HOCSCHI 1 R WILLIAM J.CO JG1117f DANIEL w•OBRICN JAMCS R.w177CNDCRG ',ANC( R. JOSEPH R. RCRNAN,JR. MICHACL T. M' R'M RICHARD B PE•ERSON ROBERT L.601 LE RONALD A.ZAMANSRY JErrRCT D.SHCRMAN TMOMA5 M. DAILEY SUZANNE E. FLINSCM ROBCR'. J.SCHMIT C. ROBCRT BEATTIC GCRALD C.OSNAu0HNCSSY JAMCS C.SCHAT2 • Dear Mr. Parranto: The purpose of this letter is to ::.xplain a financial arrangement under which a complex could ba constrUcted. ,The project would consist of a shopping canter (with adequate parking), office building, hotel, domed stadium with a sating capacity of 80,000, including play_r dressing rooms and und_rground parking, and a transportation canter. The corrplax would be locatad in Eagan, Minnesota, on land presently ownad by the Dayton Corporation or one of its affiliates. The proposal, as outlined below, contamplates ownership of the entire complex by tha City of Eagan, Minnesota and its leasing of the shopping cr.ntar and office building to a private davelopar, ownership of the hotal by tha City of Eagan which it will operate through a management contract with a private hotel operator, its leasing of the transportation canter to anothar gov_rnmant unit, and its leasing of the domed stadium to the Vikings, Twins and University of •Iinnesota and other parties who desire to usa such a facility. It is further contemplated that the entire complex (axclusiva of the hotal) would be :nanagad by the Daveloper of the shopping enter under a management contract with -the City of Eagan. The complex would be financed through industrial ravanua bonds batwaen $70,000,000-$50,000,000 issuad by the City of Eagan and betwaen $20,000,000-$30,000,000 from other sources. It is contemplated that a revenue ruling from the Intarnal Ravanu_ Service will ba obtained as a pre -condition, the ruling to hold that the interest from such bonds would ba tax fres. DOHERTY, RUMBLE is BUTLER Page Two 3asad on information supplied to us from your office, we have assumed construction costs for the complex to be approximately $100,000,000 as follows: Shopping Canter (1,200,000 square faat x $26 per square foot) Offica Suilding (240,000 squara fast x $31 par square foot) Hotel (300 rooms, estimated, x $35,000 par room) Domed Stadium (including underground parking and drassing rooms) Transportation Cantar founded off to $31,200,000 7,440,000 ' 10,500,000 42,000,000 0,000,000 $�9 143:090 $100,•000,000 • The cost to.acquire ne land is inclucc=d in the above cost projections. and is based on an estimated purchase prica for the land not in :cess of 55,000,000. The annual income derived from use of the complex has ban estimated as follows: Low Ra ta1 iiieh Rental Shopping Canter $4,800,000 $4,800,000 Office Building 1,200,000 1,200,000 iiot€l 925,000 925,000 Viking rental of Stadium 750,000 1,100,000 ::innesota Twins rental of Stadium 230,000 260,000 University of :;inn=_rota rental of Stadium 170,003 225,000 Transportation Canter 320,000 320,000 Parking Faas 350,000 350,000 :`•iscellanaous r=ntel fans from stadium, including concession parcestage _ 500,!»� 500.000 Total $9, 215,000 $9.6C0,000 DOHERTY. RUMBLE & BUTLER Page Threw Tha foregoing computation of annual rental income includes tha following assumptions: (a) Tha shopping center shall be leased by the to a privzta developer for an annual rental of $4.00 par a net lease arrangamant. (b) The office building shall be leased by the to a private devalopar for an annual rantcl of $5.00 per undar a net lease arralgamft. (c) The hotal shall ba o nsd and oparated by the City of Eagan and shall be nanag'd by a private management company who shall receive no r..anao_ ^ant fee until tha hotel earns an amount equal to the debt servicing costs allocable to that part of the financing costs attributable to the hotel facility. Ws have rssurr_d that this annual dabt servicing cost would ba rpproNitataly $925,000 and that a cash flow equal to this amount probably can ba achieved if the hotel is operata& at an avaraga roots rate of approximately $25.00 and an occupancy factor approximate to 55 percant. (d) R rital incoma darivad from use of tha domed stadium by the i„ l.T � legs, Twins and L'nivarsity of ninnssota has bean astitaatad on tha following assumptions: City of Ea ;an squara foot under City of Eagan squara foot, also (i) The Vikings will pay for its usa of the stadium 17 parcant of the gross receipts from ticket sales for 10 gangs at an avaraga ticket prica par parson of $9.00. The "high" computation as sat forth above assumes an avaraga attendance of 72,000 persons par damn and tha computation on the ''low" side assumes an average attendance par game of 49,500 parsons. (ii) The. Twins will pay for its use of the stadium 12 percent of the gross racaipts from ticket sales for 31 gataas at an avaraga tick at price par parson of $3.00. The "high" computation as set forth above assures an average attendance of 9,000 parsons par game (i.a. 730,000 paid attendance per year) and the "low` computation assureas an avz_rage attendance of approximately 7,000 parsons par ,;eras (i.e. 570,000 paid attendance par year). (iii) Tha University of 'finnasota will pay for its use of tha stadium 17 parcant of tha gross racaipts from tichat sales for 6 football ga:asat an avaraga ticket prica par parson of $5.50. Tha 'high" computation as sat forth abova assu as an avaraga attendance of 40,000 par gana (i.a. 320,000 paid attendance par yzar) and the -low" computation assu^as an avaraga attendance of 30,000 parsons par gaZ2 (i.- 240,000 paid attendanca par year) . DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER Page Four (e) Tha transportation center shall be laasad at $4.00 par square foot (rentable squara footage being C00,000 square feat) under a nzt lease arranganant. (f) Parking fees and riscalla neous income (which includes concession income) are based on astiratas which correspond clnsaly only to the present revanuss being uarivad from parking, concessions and other niscallaneous uses of the axisting stadium at Bloomington, ninnesota. Under Section 103 of the 1954 Internal R_venus Code, under certain circumstances tha intcrast paid on bonds iss►ad by a municipality (or other government agency) is not subject to the FedFral income tax. The requirements imposed under Section 103 to obtain this tax -favored status, however, are substantial. ;: varthalass, it is felt that under Saction 103 the financing for the corplc:: can be achievad by an issua of a bond which qualifies for this tax -favored status. 1/. . Saction 103(a))(1) providas in general that gross income does not include int=rest on "the obligations of a State, a Territory or a possession of tha Unitad States or .any political subdivision,of any of the foreaoing•or tha District of Columbia." (Emphasis eddad) Section 103(c) provides, however, that "cny industrial Davalopn:nt Bond ("ID;'') shall ba traatad as an obligation not dascribad in subsection a(1)" that is th= interest aarnad on an IDB shall be taxable unless an exception undar subs -^action 103(c) is found to be applicable. Wa balieva, upon analysis of tha above construction costs and projected annual intone, that it is appropriate to suggest considaration be givan to funding the construction of tha complex by tha issuance of a bond which while under state law has characteristics of an IUD, will not, undar tics Internal P.=venue Cod_, ba traatad as an IDB and, tharafora, the intarast paid on the bonds will be tax fre.a. We raconn.nd, therefore, that if you ara in general agrear._nt to tha analysis givan to the sugg stion contained herein to finance tha complex, tha City of E-en b_cona involved to dstarnina its willingnass to participata.in tha issuance. of such a bond. 1/. Unless indicated otharwisa, refarenca to a section will ba to sact!ons of tha 1934 Internal R=venue Coda, as am nd_d. DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER Fags Five '.da shall first discuss the federal income tax aspects of such a bond issue. Section 103(c)(2) dafinas an IDB as "any obligation which is issued as part of any issue all or a na1or portion of tha_procaeds of which are to be used directly or indirectly in any trada or business carried on by aPj' parson who is not an exsmpt person '`• '► *rand] 'the payment of the principal or intarast on which (under the terms of such obligation or any underlying .irrangamsnt) is, in whole or in major part, (i) sacurad by any interest in property used or to ba usad in a trade or business or in payments in respect of such prop-rtias, or (ii) to be derived from payments in respect of tha property or borrowed money, used or to ba used in a trade or business." (Er?has is add_d) An "exempt parson", as used in Saction 103(c) is dafin_d as any go arnmant unit, or any organization which is ax::::pt from the Fadaral income tax uadar Saction 501(c)(3) which dots not usa the proc_ads derived from a bond issue to carry on an unrslatad trada or business. 2/. In sureary than, Saction 103 doss not exclude from income any intarast derived from I dustrial D:valopmant 3onds. A bond issue by a ;;ov:rnnent a:; ncy is considared as an Industrial Davalopmant Bond if (1) all or a major portion of tha proceads darivad from tha issuance of tha bonds ara t:sad by any parson othar than an ax npt parson in the conduct of its trcda or business and (2) tha proceads to rctira such bonds ara darivad from tha property for which the bond is issuad. If one of rhos: two conditions ara not 7,st, thaa tha bond issued by tha govern: ant unit is not considerad as an Industrial Davaloprant Bond and thus the intarast from tha bond would ba tax fras undar Section 103. Thus, for example, if lass than a major portion of the proceads is nada availabla to non-axet:pt parsons, tha bonds would not be considared as Industrial Davalop►^ert Bonds, and leads to tha conclusion that if less than a major portion of the bond proceads issued by the City of Eagan are for the use of a private davalopar, the interest payable on those bonds will ba tax fraa. 2/ . An unralat_d trada or businass is one which, in general, is an activa business conducted in competition against taxable businassas and which businass is not functionally part of the oparation to perform the exaapt purposes for which the entity was for, -lad. DOHERTY, RUMBLE 6. BUTLER Page Six Rajulation .S::ction 1.103-7(b) (3) (iii) provides as follows: The use of r..ora then 25 r,rc.=nt oaf the procs cis of an issua of obligations in tha trades or businesses of non_}:enpt persons will constitute the use of a major portion of such proc=ads in such canner. In the case of the direct or indirect use of tha proceeds of an issua of obligations, or the direct or indirect usa of a facility constructed, r=constructed or acquired with such proccads, thz use by all noaaxznpt parsons in their trades or businasses, rust ba aggrcgatad to datarrina whsthsr the trade or business test is satisfied. If more than 25 psrcent of tha proczads of a bond issua is used in the trades or businesses of nonaxcmpt parsons, the trada or business test is satisfied. . . (Emphasis added) While this regulation section does not affirmatively indicate that use of 25 psi -cant or lass of tha proceaus derived from a bond issue is not a major use of tha proca=c'_s, since the regulation doss state that usa of -more than •25 parcent of such proc2cds doss constitute a major usa of such proceeds, it seams reasonable to conclude that usa of any proczads from a bond issua for the usa by non-exempt parsons in their trades or businesses which does not excssd 25 parent of the antira bond issua, will constituta a use of lass than a major portion of the bond proc=ads. It would appear thsrafora that if the construction of the complex ware in part financed by the issucnca by tha City of Eagan of a bond issua, 25 parcant of tha procaads from that issue night ba applied for the construction of the shopping center and office building complex to be operated by a private davcloper. Since the transportation facility would be leased to a govarrumsnt unit, tha transportation facility will ba used by an a::ampt parson and thus the cost for the transportation facility, is a cost incurred for the usa of an exempt person. Similarly, the hotel facility if ownad by the City of Eagan and if opan for use of the ganaral public can ba corsidarad a proper function of a governmental agency and thus also qualifias as a business operated by an exanpt person (See Example 6, Rag. Sec. 1.103-7(c)) . DOHERTY, RUMBLE b. BUTLER Page Sayan It is contemplated that the domed stadiun shall be owned and operated by the City of Eagan and that this facility shall ba available for the usa of any private commercial group for a short specific tarrn. If an arrangement with the Twins and Vikings (or any othar comnarcial or non-corzarcial entarprisa) is drafted in a manner which provides that their usa of the stadium shall be for a spacific number of days per year, as a transient, than in such avant the use of the stadium nay be viewed also as a use by the City of Eagan, an axampt parson. If the rights to tha use of the stadium given to the Vikings and Twins ara too extensive, than the proceeds from tha bond issues allocable to the stadium will be deemed to be for the use of the Twins and Vikings and therefore for the usa of a non-exempt person. (The usa by tha University of Minnasota will be for the use of an exa:.apt person and would therefore not ba taken into account) . As noted above, a ravanua ruling from the Intarnal Ravenue Sarvice .-dust be requested to the effact that any intarest payable on tha bonds will •be'tax free. We have soma doubts as to whether the Internal Ravenue Sarvice will rule favorably because of the potential substantial and extensive use' of tha stadiun by tha Vikings and Twins since tha cost of the stadium would then also have to be includad in tha computation to dctermina whether 25 percent of the proceads are used by a non-exempt parson; nevarth_less, for purposes of this discussion we have assumed that tha appropriate legal relationships can be established betwaen the Twins and Vikings, at least to provide a legal basis to support the exclusion of the stadium's cost as a cost incurred for the usa by an exempt person. The construction cost for the stadiun, hotel and transportation centar as sat forth abova is approximately $80,000,000 as follows: Stadium $42,000,000 ::ota1 10,500,000 Transportation Canter _ 3.000,000 $60,500,000 Conscquantly, $80,000,000 of bonds could be issued by the City of Eagan and $20,000,000 of tha procaads darivad could ba used for the benefit of the DQHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER Page Eight shopping center and office building d, valopar: $ 600110.,000 y 75 X 100 = $80,000,000 Allocation of use of proccads Stadium, etc. $60,000,000 Shopping Canter 20,000000 $80,000,000 If we assume that the seller of the land also will ba the Davalopar of the shopping canter and offica building and assuring further that tha Developer would realize $6,000,000 from the sale of the land, the additional funding required by the Dav=lopar to complete the co:zpla.x would be $14,000,000 (i.e. $20,000,000-�$6,000,000 from land sale = S14,000,000). Assuming that the bond would carry nn interest rates_ of 87. and a tarn of 30 years, th= debt servicing constant applicable would ba approximately 5.303 .E/•'sing a 3.80S debt servicing constant for $80,000,000, the annual dabt servicing cost for the bonds will be $7,046,000. Assuming tha Developer (or tics City of Eagan) obtains financing of $14,G00,000 with a nortgaga tang of 30 years at a rate of 9 1/2%, the annual debt servicing constant would be 10.09% and the. annual dabt servicing costs would be approximately $1,400,000. Consaqusntly, the total dabt servicing cost for the bond and mortgage would be approximately $8,446,000. If tea assume_ that tha Developer will lease from the City of Eagan tha shopping canter and office building for a bass rental aqual to the rental projected above, with the Developar agreeing also to pay any additional rent in an amount, if any, equal to the difference betwasn the dabt servicing cost for tier, bonds lass reva:iu_s earned from the compla::, under the annual rantal income projections of hatwean $9,215,000 and $9,680,000, there would not be any additional rental payable. _ 3/. The debt ratirs-;_nt of bonds doss not corraspond exactly to the Laval amortization rates applicable to real estate mortgage transactions, but it is closely p arall a1 to such co:1putations . 2 have not used a 1-va1 bond a-nortization schar1ula but have usad the 1_val amortization rats applicabla to real estate r..ortga3as in making our co-mputation and consaqu`ntly thara will bs a slinht varianca z:han co puting the actual debt servicing constant involy=d. DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER Page ::ine As noted above, depending on the usage raquiramants of the Twins and Vikings, the 25 percent test nay be n_t and the bonds would tharcfore be IDB and the interest thereon would ba taxable. Accordingly, if this contingancy should occur consideration should be given to the following r.ltarnative. Under Saction 103 bonds issued for "certain exempt activities" me considar d to ba bonds which are not IDB's. Saction 103(c)(4) provides in partinant part as follows: (4) CERTAI` L•XE?TT ACTIVITIES. --Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any obligation which is issued as part of an issue substantially all of the proc_eds of which are to be used to provide-- (B) sports facilities, * .(D) airports, docks, wharves, mass commuting ffacilities', parking facilities, or storage or training facilities diractly related to any of the foregoing. . Reg. Section 1.103-S(c)(2) provides as follows: (2) Sports facility dafinad. (i) For purposas of section 103(c)(4)(B) and this paragraph, the tam 'sports facilities' includes both outdoor and indoor facilities. Tha facility raay ba designed wither as a spectator or as a participation facility. For example, tha terra includes both indoor end outdoor stadiums for baseball, football, ice hockey, or other sports avants, as wall as facilities for the part- icipation of the ganaral public in sports activities, such as golf courses, ski slopes, swimming pools, tennis courts, and cymn isiu:zs. The tarn doas not include, however, facilities such as a golf course, swimming pool, or tannis court, which ara constructed for use by naibers of a private club or as irtasral or subordinate parts of a hotel or rotsl, or the use of which will be restricted to a spccia1 class or group or to u_sts of a particular hotel or motel, sinca thay are not facilities for the use of tha ganaral public as requirad by paragraph (a)(2) of this section. DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER Page Ten (ii) LTadar paragraph (a)(3) of this saction, facilities which are functionally ralatad and subordinate to a sports facility, such as a parking lot, clubl)Ousa, ski slope warning house, bath house, or ski tow, are considered to be part of a sports facility. . . nag. Sac. 1.103-3(a)(1) and Rag. Szc. 1.103-S(a)(2)(iii) providas as follocas : (a) Certain transportation facilities--(1) Ganaral rule. Section 103(c)(4)(D) provides that section 103(c)(1) shall not apply to obligations issuad by a State or local govarnrantal unit which are part of an issue substantially all of tha procasds of which are to ba usad to provida (i) airports, docks, wharvas, mass com:.tuting facilities, or public parking facility _s, or (ii) storage or training facilitias directly ralatad to any such facility. In order to qualify under saction 103(c)(4)(D) and this paragraph as an ax_npt facility, the facility rust'satisfy tha public use raquiramant of paragraphs (a) (2) of this saction by baing availabla for use by iranbars of tha ganaral public or for usa by cone on carriers or chartar carriers which sarva nambars of tha ;;anaral public. A dock or wharf which is parr of a public port (or a public port to be constructed in accordanca with a plan which has bean finally adopted on the data tha obligations in question ara issuzd) satisfies the public use test. A parking lot will ba availably for us: by tha sin=rat public unless nore than an insubstantial portion thereof will be used exclusivaly by or for tha banafit of a nonaxa_npt parson by reason of a formal or informal agraanznt or by reason of the remote geographic location of tha facility. (iii) A pass co:r uting facility includas real proparty tog_thar with irrprovarants and personal proparty used th=rein, such as nachinsry, equipment, and furniture, sarving the general public cor•nuting on a day-to-day basis by bus, subway, rail, f:rry, or other convayanca which Wows ovar prascriba_d routes. Such proparty also includas terminals and facilitias which, under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, ara functionally ralatad and subordinate to tha mass co -muting facility, such as parking ;ara:g_s , car barns, and r_p2ir shops. Usa of pass commuting facilitias by noncctt utars in co-._ on with commuters is immatarial. Thus, a tar.^ina1 larsad to a common carriar bus line which serves both coa'utars and long distance travalars would qualify as an ::.azpt facility. DOHERTY, RUMBLE Z. BUTLER Pa,_ Eleven It is thus clear that a separate bond nay be issued to fund construction of the stadium and transportation facilities provided "substantially all of thc- procaads" are used to construct those facilities. The example undar rg. Sic. 1.103-8(a)(6) indicates that if not nore then 10% of the proceeds ar= usad for a non- empt activity th. bond issue shell not be an IDB and thus the intzrast payable on such bonds wi11 bs tax frzs.4/.Thus as an alternative the City of Ea£an could issue two bonds -- one bond to own and op: -rate the_ hotel under which 25% of the proceeds could ba usad by the c;:valopers and a second bond issued to construct the stadium and transportation facilities undar which the Davaloptr could use 10;e of the procacds derived. T9 result undar this financing arrangamant can ba summarized as .follows: Hotel Cost $10,500,000 Additional Bond Issue for Use by Dave1opsr $10,50Q,000 y 75 $14,000,000 $14,000,000 - $10,500,000 = $3,500,000 Stadium and Transportation Costs = $50,000,000 Additional Bond $50 000 000 j 90 Y, 100 = $55,555,000 $55,555,000 - $50,000,000 = $5,555 000 Total Portion of Bond Issue Allocabla for t;ss by Davalopar $9,055,000 (round:d off to $9,000,000) 4/. Any us:r of th _s=_ facilities cannot own directly or indiractly any intarast as - hold:r of these bor.. s. (Sac. 103(c) (7) and R g. Sac. 1.103-(±i) . DOHERTY. RUMBLE b. BUTLER PaSs Twelve Sources of Financing Bond Issues Land Additional Financing R _quirad $69,550,000_(Call it $70,000,000) $70,000,000 _6 000,000 $76,000,000 _14,000,000 $100,000,000 Assuming a debt servicing constant of 8.802: on the bonds and 10.09% debt servicing constant on the additional financing the annual dbt servicing cost: Bonds Additional Financial 2, 422.000 $ 6,537,000 $6,165,000 Consequently, the annual projected rental income from the project of batween $9,215,000 and $9,6C0,000 adequately covars the dabt servicing costs under this altarnativa. As mentioned, any bond issue must disqualify as an IDB for Federal incona tax purpos_s in one of the two ways suggested in the analysis abova if tha income derived thsrefron is to be tax free to the holder of the bond. The issue must also oualify as a ?!unicipal Industrial Davelopmant R_vanue Bond under stata laws for tha financing altarnativas discussad above to be available. Iiinnssota Statutes, Chapter 474, otherwisa known as "The nunicipal Industrial Development Act" provides that any runicipality of any class (Eagan is a third class city) shall have the power (1) "to acquire, construct, and hold any lands, buildings, casanants, water and air rights, inprovatants to lands and buildings and capital aquipmant.r. .which are daanad necasscry in connaction with a rroiact to be situatad within the State. . • , and (2) to "issue r_vanua bonds in anticipation of the collection of ravanues of such a project, to financa, in whole or in part, the ccst of the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, improvement, battarmant or exte.nsion tharaof Th:s::.ons :ay ba issued by an ordinance or resolution of tha govarning body, adoptod by tha affirmative vote of a majority of its jaanbars. DOHERTY, RUMBLE S. BUTLER Pass Thirteen The proposed Eazandala Complex should coma within the definition of "project" which is de.finad under M.S.A. 5474.02 Subd. 1 as "any propartias, r=_al or personal, used or useful in connection with a revenue producing ant=rprise, or any combination of two or more such enterprises engaged in any business." Ravanus bonds issued und_r Chapter 474 are not ganaral obligation bonds and the full faith and credit of the municipality is tharafore not olsdgad. 2:.S.A. Section 474.10 provides that "the revenue bonds issued shall not be payable from nor charged upon any funds other than the ravanus pledgad to the paym-nt thereof, axcapt as provided in [Saction 474.101, nor shall the municipality. . .issuing the sang be subject to any liability tharaon". ;'unicipal Industrial Dsvelopmant Ravanua Bonds may mature at my tir a within 30 years from data of issue, bearing an interest rate which is agrsad upon by 1€.ssaa or vandaa, purchas_r, and r..unicipality. There are two araas which should now ba analyzed and.?(.. the .Sunicipal •Industrial Dsvalopr:. nt Act. The first area is tha requiramant under tha Act that "No yunicipality. . .shall undartaka any project herein authorized, until tha Commissionar [of Economic Davalopment] has approved the projact, on tha basis of such pralininary information as ha may raquira, as tending to furthar the purposes and policies of Sections 474.01 to 474.13. The purposas and policies of the act are set forth in N.S.A. 54/4.01. They include: The active promotion, attraction, ancouraganent of acononically sound industry and co:mn_rce; encouragaaant of action by local government units to pravent economic daterioration; and retention of existing and related industries and the development of naw industries to usa tha available �esourcas in Each community. Tha approval by the Co::rnissionar of Economic Davalopr'Ent of the Ecgandale project is not assurad, and tharcfora is a potential problam. In order to recaive approval from the Commissionar, tha following minimum DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER PzZ2 Fourtear information :rust be submitted on forms supplied by the Dpartm_nt of Economic D .velopr:ent: 1. Nana of first. 2. Nature and description of the first's business. 3. Scope of project (land, building, machin=ry, etc.), stipulation of project bring either industrial or conrarcial. 4. Proposed term of the 1_ase. 5. Estinatad dollar cost of projact and allocation of bond proca.ds . 6. Estimated number of new jobs to be created. 7. A resolution of the issuing municipalities containing find- ings of fact in support of the conclusion that tha project appears to further tha purposes and policies of the :;inn-sota Municipal Industrial Davelopmant Act. S. Include latter of intant from an undarwriter, to pitrcitasa the bond issue. 9. A market fusibility study must accompany all applications for comnarcial projects. ' The second ratter is tha ouastion of the payn_nt of real estate ta:;ss. E_al sstate taxes have not baan taken into account in the above -discussion since the stadium and transportation facility (and probably the hotel facility, as wall) , subject to the discussion below, would be exempt from real astata taxes and the office building and shopping canter would be laasad under a nat lease arrangam_nt. If the hotal ware subject to real estate taxis, presumably under the '__anagenant Agraament, any faa paid by the City of Eagan to the Management Company would ba payable only if and to the extent that tha cash derived from operations of tha hotal are in e::cass of tha debt servicing costs attributable to the hotel and any rsal estate taxes imposed. M.S.A. :;474.03(3) givas the City the powar to lsasa or sell on an installr.ant basis, ''projects" to any parson, firm or public or private corporation, or fadaral or state govarnmantal subdivision or agency in such a rannar that rant or installment purchase payments to be charged for the use or purchase of such projects shall be fixsd so as to produce income and ravanue sufficiant to provide for the payment of principal and intarast on the bonds issued. This section goes on to state that a tax shall ba laviad against tha 1asssa or purchesar of the pranisas so leassd :,r 5014 by install::=nt sale, pursuant to M.S.A. ;272.01 Subd. 2, for the privily a. of using and possessing the project, in tha same a ro nt and to tha sans a.:tant as though the lasses. or v_ndaa ...era tha owner of the property comprising the project. This section therafore would :-sake- ts::abla, property laasad from tar City to th= Davalopar. The statute, iow•avar, dogs not eir=ct that tea municipality l asa tha entire projact or any part thereof. Thsrafore, DOHERTY. RUMBLE b. BUTLER Page .Fifte=n those portions of tha project owned and op rated by the City of Easan and not leased par s= :way not ba subject to real estate taxation. To be Exempt from taxation, property rust be considarad "public proparty exclusively us_d for any public purpose", essentially the sane standard imposed under Section 103(c) (4) relating to an "exar.:pt activity". A municipal stadium which is not 1a-2sad to a us:r but is otherwise made availabla under non-t.Xclusiva use agreements toL7evera1Svransientdusers.19. :ay be ex_r..pt from taxas underM.S.A. J_72.01, "a beliava that any use by the Twins, Vikings and University of "innasota would ba dascribad as a non-taxabla type of us: for real a:state tax purposas. The foregoing analysis is intandad to present an arrangement which wa beliava conceptually is permissible under applicable law. Until such tin.._ as tha specifics concerning such an arrangement ara formalized we a_rs unable to render any opinions with respact to this proposal. Assuming a spacific proposal can be developed within the framework of tha above concept wa beliava at that time we will be in a position to considar favorably- an -opinion which in substance will provide' that the financing for the conplax can be legally davalopad under the framework indicated. Any parson reading this Etter tharafora should not consider tha foregoing as a legal opinion by this firm with raspect to the proposal. 0n this basis wa therefore authorize you to present this lattar to anyone who you desire to present the proposal to. Yours very truly, D4'li- EF UNBLE rrL R ,�. p 'V Burton u. Ross EGR : m as Page Sixteen Qi - T}IE FOLLOWIIIG IS A LIST OF QUESTIONS TIIAT HAVE BEEN ASKED REGARDING THE PROPOSAL The entire proposal is based upon certain federal tax exemption assumptions that may be questionable. We should have them reviewed before proceeding further. The basic assumption is that up to 25% of the proceeds of the industrial development bond issue can be utilized by a private developer in a trade or business without jeopardizing the exempt status of the entire issue. The other 75% would be utilized to finance the stadium transportation center and hotel which would either be owned or leased to "exempt" organizations. One of the problems with this assumption is that in this particular proposal the use of 25% of the proceeds generates about $20,000,000 of financing for the private developer of the shopping center and office. Congress placed a tax exempt ceiling of $5,000,000 on industrial development financing for any one firm with- in a six year period. The Parranto proposal would seem to circumvent such a ceiling. IRS may not accept this arrangement even if the shopping center and office building are parceled out to 3 or 4-companies. Al. Concern is expressed over the use of 25% of any proceeds obtained from a "tax exempt" bond issue for use by a private developer. Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") provides generally that any interest paid on bonds issued by a state or any political sub- division thereof is tax-free. By way of limitation, however, Section 103(c) IRC provides that the interest earned from an industrial development bond is not tax- exempt. Generally under Internal Revenue Code Section 103(c), an industrial development bond is a bond which 'is issued as a part of an issue all or a major portion of the proceeds of which are to be used directly or indirectly in anv trade or business carried on by any person who is not an exempt person and the payment of the principal or interest on which is in whole or in part secured by any interest in property used or to be used in a trade or business or in payments in respect of such property or to be derived from payments in respect of property or borrowed Honey used or to be used in a trade or business." We have indicated to you in our prior correspondence that the regulations under Section 103(c) IRC indicate that Page Seventeen use of 25% or less of the proceeds by a nonexempt person is not considered a use of a major portion of the proceeds by a nonexempt person. Regulation_ Section 1. 103-7 (b) (3) (iii) . Consequently, a bond issue in which 75% or less of the proceeds are used for the construction of the stadium and related facilities used by an exempt person would not be considered under Section 103(c) as an issue of in- dustrial development bond. Rather, the bonds would be issued under the provisions of Section 103(a) IRC, and therefore its interest would be tax-free to the holders thereof. We wish also to point out to you however, that in our prior correspondence we have indicated some reservation as to whether the use of the stadium would be considered a use by a nonexempt person, and that the Internal Revenue Service may well contend that all of the proceeds are for use by nonexempt persons and therefore would consider the bond an in- dustrial development bond under Section 103(c), mean- ing therefore that the interest from such bonds would be taxable to the holders thereof. Thus, in our correspondence we discussed an alterna- tive to the above. We.referred to Section 103(c)(4) IRC which indicates that the interest on a bond issue • will be tax-free under the general provisions of Section 103(a) IRC if the bond is "any obligation which is issued as part of an issue substantially all of the proceeds of which are to be used to provide" sports facilities or "mass commuting facilities, park- ing facilities, or storage or training facilities directly related" to such mass commuting facilities. ;:e thus indicated to you that even if aJbond issue for the construction of a stadium and mass transportation facility were considered by the Internal Revenue Service as an industrial development bond on the ground that more than 25% of the proceeds would be used by a nonexempt.person (the basis of this con- clusion possibly being that substantial use of the stadium by the professional sports teams is a use by nonexempt persons) that nevertheless an "insubstantial" part of the proceeds from a bond issue for the con- struction of sports and mass commuting facility may be used by a ,private developer. The regulations under Section 103(c)(4) indicate that 10% of such proceeds may be used by a private developer, (See Regulation Section 1.103-(a)(6). which erefore set forth an alternative proposal e stadium would be funded under this 10% exception and the hotel and other facilities used by a nonexempt person would be funded under the 25% exception. Page Eighteen Reference to the $5,000,000.00 limitation is with reference to an exemption which applies to industrial development bonds. Specifically, Section 103(c)(6) IRC provides in substance that even though the in- terest on industrial development bonds is taxable, under certain circumstances, the interest on in- dustrial development bonds will not be taxable if issued in an amount no greater than $5,000,000.00. Bonds issued under the 25% exception which we discussed in our prior correspondence and here are not consider- ed under Section 103(c) IRC as industrial revenue bonds and thus accordingly the interest from such bonds would be deemed to be tax-free under the general pro- visions of Section 103(a) IRC regardless of the a,'ount of the issue. Likewise, interest on bonds issued under the 10o exception which we discussed, is not taxable under Section 103(c) (4), a separate provision from Section 103 (c) (6) . Q2. The bonds would be sold under the Minnesota, "Industrial Development Tact". The Commissioner of Economic Development must find that the project furthers the Purposes of the Act. The "purpose" language reads (in part) as follows: ...preventing, so far as Possible, the emergence of blighted and marginal lands and areas of 'chronic un- employment." "Other factors necessitating such action are the in- creasing concentration of population of persons in urban and metropolitan areas; the consequent increase in the amount and cost of governmental services re- quired in these areas; and the need for more intensive development and use of land to provide an adequate tax base to finance these costs." Eagan isn't quite blighted or an area of chronic un- employment. Its tax Lase per capita is one of the highest in the state. Unless the project is considered in a metropolitan or state wide context, or has the political support to generate a favorable finding, "no matter what", I believe there may be serious question about the ability to get state approval. This concern is prompted in large part because of the controversial nature of the entire stadium auestion plus the fact that some of the existing or future commercial businesses that ray be competing with the shopping center, hotel and office ray loudly complain that this is an inappropriate use of public financing and interest subsidy. Page Nineteen A2. We have discussed this question concerning approval by the Commissioner of Economic Development and have indicated that a case can be made that the economic development of the seven county area would be served by the construction of a stadium facility which would not be subject to any general obligation bonds of the state or any municipality which would in effect benefit all of the taxpayers. Q3. Since the exemption from federal taxation is in a real sense an indirect federal subsidy of the project, there is a strong likelihood that the whole proposal might he subject to an E.I.S. review under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). It certainly would undergo a Minnesota EIS review. The project is certain to be controversial. The EIS reviews could be dragged out for one hell of a long time and cost a lot of money. A3. Clearly, this is a consideration which must be taken into account and may or may not involve a substantial cost but this essentially is a business decision which must be reviewed. It is also a condition that will exist on any site that is named. This site, because • of its size, and because.it is surrounded by highways and proposed inner -state highways, probably would have an easier time being accepted. While EIS reviews can be time consuming, they can also in this case be combined with the EIS review which is being done by the highway department on 35E and 494 interchange. Q4. The municipal bond friends tell me that in today's market industrial bonds are difficult to sell for terms over 16 years. They are marketing for about 8% - 8 % under these conditions. re might raise a question about the proposal assumption that the bonds would carry an interest rate of 8% and a term of 30 uears. A4. In basing our analysis on an 80, 30 year term we discussed with certain investment houses in New York City what interest would he carried on a 30 year Double A Credit industrial revenue bond issue. It was indicated to us at that time that perhaps 81% would be appropriate. The investment houses further indicated, however, that there was a softening in the i-,ar'ket and that for our purposes it would be seemingly appropriate to use an 8% interest rate. If a higher interest rate is used, obviously a higher rental would have to he taken into account to cover any shortage of cash flow to cover debts costs. Page Twenty Q5. I find nothing in the cost estimate for underwriting costs or interest during construction. The discounts on revenue type bonds without general obligation backing are substantial. They may have assumed that interest earned on invested bond proceeds would off- set interest during construction. A5. In answer to the question regarding "off -sets", this is precisely the method that was used to handle the problem of interest rates for construction loans and discounts. In addition to this however, in dis- cussions with people from :;ew Orleans and Dallas and in discussions with Mr. Harvey :'ac1:ay of the Minneapolis Task Force, we found that there is sub- stantial income derived from the project in its later stages in the narking revenue and sightseeing tours which we do not include in our estimate of income, but which we feel will add to the off -set achieved. Q6. The cost of the necessary 15,000 to 25,000 stall parking facilities is hard to locate in the estimate. This must be at least a $3,000,000 to $12,000,000 item. I don't believe the $26/sq. ft. for the center or $31/sq. ft. for the —office will pay for the parking they need. The $42,000,000 for the stadium certainly doesn't leave much if anything for parking. A6. With regard to the $8,000,000 to $12,000,000 required for parking and the general setting of costs with regard to the stadiurn,.office buildings and hotels, the parking costs are in fact included in all of them. In the case of the stadium, I refer you to the new home for the Detroit Lions (a copy of a recent excerpt included in this letter) which is being built for a total cost of $46,000,000 as a free standing domed stadium including land costs, narking facilities and all other amenities necessary to thecompletionof the complex. In our discussion with our architects, who have worked in conjunction with construction of three major stadiums in the last 10 years, they feel that our costs are definitely in line and I am happy to say that the new study recently completed by the Real Estate Research Inc. for the Twin Cities Task Force reinforces my position that an earth stadium domed will come in at around $42,000,000 including land and parkin°. Page 'Twenty=one Q7. The proposal apparantly assumes no significant con- tributions for such off site facilities as inter- changes, etc. Considering the financial plight of the Highway Department, this is a highly questionable assumption. A7. This assumption is absolutely correct. The plans drawn by the Highway Department showing interchanges and access ramps to the area were considered to be an integral part of the program in the area. The enormity of the development would lead me to believe that the 90 10 Federal sharing will apply with regard to all access ramps to the freeway system. The on -site construction to these ramps and exits will be our problem and is considered as part of the $100,000.00 expenditure. Q8. I'm not sure the 1JTC wouldn't find it to their ad- vantage to build and own the transportation center with their own tax exempt financing. Their bonds have a metropolitan wide G.O. pledge and would sell for 2% - 3% less. The same might be said for the University of. Minnesota. A8. In my discussions with the PITC there are two reasons why they would have interest in such a facility: 1. There is no reason why they could not issue their own bonds at a reduced rate and be a part of the package, however, it would reduce the amount of funds available for private use. The current rate on their bonds is slightly under 5%. How- ever, there is a limit to the amount of bonds that they can issue and if they are to be a part of this particular proposal, they would be in a position of a long term lessee and it Would not affect the bonding power that they feel they would need if rapid transit becomes the reality they expect it to be in 1980. 2. They were included in this project after dis- cussions with Mr. Doug Kelm as to the facilities being considered. While Mr. ::elm certainly will not be bound by any discussion that he has had with re, he has been fully informed of the nature of the project and method of financing. Page Twenty-two Q9. The hotel may be possible to finance according to IRS regulations, but the Minnesota Industrial Development Act seems to include hotels as per- mitted projects in only those portions of the state outside of the seven county metro area. A9. We do not feel that the Minnesota Industrial Develop- ment Act permits hotels as accepted projects only to outside the seven county metropolitan area. Whether the Minnesota Industrial and Development Act in- cludes hotels as permitted prjects only in portions of the state outside of the seven county metro area, is a matter of statutory construction. NSA Section 474.02 Subd. 1B states that the term "project" shall include any properties, real or personal, located outside the seven county metropolitan area, used or useful for the promotion of tourism in the state. This section goes on to state that such properties may include hotels, motels, lodges, resorts, and re- creational .facilities, of the type described under I!SA Section 471.191 Subd. 1B further states "the provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to muncipalities.. located in -whole. or in Part in the metropolitan areas as defined in Section 473 B.02." Subd. 1B of NSA Section 474.02 does not expressly limit the broader scope of I•1SA Section 474.02 Subd. lA which provides the term project shall also include any properties, real or personal, used or useful in connection with a revenue producing enterprise, or any combination of two or more such enterprises engaged in any business." It can therefore be argued that Subd. lA of Section 474.02 in regard to hotels is broader in scope than Subd. 1B. The municipal In- dustrial Development Act requires that the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development be informed and give written approval of any project undertaken by a municipality, as tending to further the purposes and policies of the Act. Without judicial clarification, the argument can certainly be made to the Commissioner that a hotel facility located in the seven county metropolitan area is a "revenue producing enterprise engaged in a business" which beneifts the commerce of the city of Eagan and furthers the purposes of the Act, without necessarily being property "used or useful in the promotion of tourism in the state and thus limited by MSA Section 474.02 Subd. 1B. Certainly a hotel in a metropolitan commercial or financial district does not necessarily function to attract tourists. Such a facility would serve a much broader function, within the definition of Section 474.02 Subd. 1A. Page Twenty-three Since the above provisions are subject to varying interi.:retations and are in need of clarification in regard to the question of whether Subd. 1E1 is in addition to or in limitation of Subd. lA Section 474.02, preliminary discussions on this matter should he had with the Director of Finance, Minnesota Department of Economic Development. Our preliminary telephone conversations with Orvin L. Olson, Director of Finance for the Department of Economic Development, indicates that he personally shares our view with regard to Section 474.02. Q10. The inclusion of commercial projects in the Minnesota Industrial Development Act is a result of legislation adopted during the last session. Until then the act was strictly for industrial facilities. To date there have been seven commercial projects financed with these bonds. The total of these issues is $13,150,000. They include $3,700,000 for an office and parking ramp for the Minneapolis Labor Temple Association in Minneapolis; $2,200,000 for an American State Bank in Moorhead; $950,000 for the Marquette La1;e State Bank in Minneapolis; and, $4,000,.000 to Gold Medallion Corporation for a 161 room Ramada Inn in St. Cloud. A10. The statement made in Question 12 is correct. There is no limitation under state law as to the amount of the bond issue under the Municipal Industrial Develop- ment Act. It should not be assumed, therefore, that the size of the issue necessary to finance the Ea, an - dale Complex will pose any obstacle to the approval of the bond issue by the Commissioner of Economic Development. n_11. I don't see how the shopping center and office (and perhaps even the stadium and hotel) can avoid paying oroperty taxes. The Act seems very clear on this. There is no provision for such taxes in the estimate. All. Real Estate Taxes: MSA Section 474.03 empowers a .municipality to acquire, construct, and hold any buildings c.eer ed necessary in connection with a pro- ject. The city is not required under the language Page Twenty-four of the Act to lease all of the buildings of a project to a tenant. It is true, the city has the power to lease the project to a private corporation in such a manner that rents to he charged for the use of such projects shall be fixed so as to produce income and revenues I to provide for the payment of principal and interest on the bond issued. The Section further states that any Lessee shall be required to pay all expenses, insurance, and taxes during the period of the lease pursuant to MSA Section 272.01 Subd. 2, for the privilege of using the project, in the same amount and to the same extent as if the Lessee were the owner of the project. The Lessees of the shopping center and office building would clearly be required to pay ;real estate taxes as provided in Section 474.03. how- ever, as mentioned in our prior correspondence those taxes and other costs would be passed on to the Lessees of the shopping and office;space under net lease arrangements. :whatever increase in cost due to real estate taxes due on the shopping center and office building wouldibe picked up as additional rent. 4 As to the stadium and hotel, as mentionediabove, it is not required by the language of the'flunicipal Industrial Development Act that the municipality lease all of the buildings of a project tp a private developer who would then pay property taxes. It is contemplated that the municipality would sown the stadium and hotel and manage the same through a management agent who would be paid a fee. The stadium would be made available to several sports teams and other users on a nonexclusive use basis and not leased to a primary tenants. The property would therefore presumably qualify under MSA Section 272.02 as "public property exclusively used for any public purpose." The application of Section 272.01 Subd. 2 underlines this exemption where a municipal stadium is concerned; and it would seem that MSA Section 273.19 would not modify this exemption as the property would not be leased to a teant for a term of 3 or more years. For the hotel to be exempt from real estate taxes the same test ("used exclusively for any public purpose") would be applied. A municipality is empowered by MSA Section 474.03 to 'acquire, construct and hold" any Page Twenty-five buildings deemed necessary in connection with a project. It would appear therefore that the municipality may own the hotel and manage the same through a managing agent who would be paid a fee. The determination of whether the property would be tax-exempt would depend upon a finding that this use was exclusively for a public pur- pose Q12. $80,000,000 of public bonding for the collection of private facilities being proposed may be very difficult to justify politically. It is certain to become a state and not just an Eagan issue. The proposal has a regional shopping center as a key factor. Al2. In this questions, I cannot justify in any of the studies that we have done, the Task Forces have done, or Real Estate Research has done. There is definitely animosity on the part of the citizens of the State of Minnesota to a State owned tax payer funded stadium. . roth 'Task Forces have agreed that the private sector is the most agreeable method for financing a stadium. In all of the surveys that have been done with recard to the stadium itself and the continued operation of the Viking and Twins in the Twin Cities area, the overwhelming response has been in favor of the snorts facility. The only objection is to the public having to pay for it whether in increased taxes or some form of assessments. MICHAEL J. DOH CRTY 'I882-1973) WILFRID E.RUMBLE 1891-1971; F RANCIS D, BUTLER J. C. FOOTE IRVING CLARK HAROLD JORDAN THEOPHIL RUSTERHOLZ FRANK CLAYBOURNE PIERCE BUTLER JOHN L. HANNAFORD ANDREW 5COTT JOSEPH M. FINLEY HENRY D. FLASCH EUGENE M. WARLICH JOHN J. MLGIRL,JR. THOMAS E. ROHRICHT PERRY M. WILSON,JR, BOYD H.RATCHYE BURTON G. ROSS RALPH K. MORR15 BRUCE E.HANSON DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER ATTORNEYS AT LAW 15GO FIRST NATIONAL. BANK BUILDING SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101 TELEPHONE (612) 291-9333 MINNEAPOLIS OFFICE 3750 IDS TOWER MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402 TELEPHONE (612) 340-5SSS 291-9280 WRITERS DIRECT DIAL NUMBER March 22, 1975 Mr. Peter Parranto Parranto Bros., Inc. 1202 Commerce Building Saint Paul, Minnesota .55101 Re: Analysis of Peter H. Seed's Memorandum Concerning S.F. No. 263 Dear Mr. Parranto: J.(AWRENCE M=INTYRE RICHARD A. WILHOIT TIMOTHY J. HALLORAN JOHN G. HOESCHLER WIILIAM J. COSGRIFF JAMES K. WIT) ENBERG VANCE K. OPPERMAN DANIEL W. O BRIEN JOSEPH R. KERNAN,JR. MICHAEL T. MSKIM RICHARD B. PETERSON ROBERT L.BOLLE RONALD A. ZAMANSMY JE FFREY G. SHERMAN THOMAS M. DAILEY SUZANNE E. FLINSCH RCBERT J. SCHMIT C. ROBERT BEATTIE GERALD E. O5HAUGHNESSY JAMES E.SCHATZ DAVID G.MARTIN STEPHEN T, REFSELL The following are suggested changes to S.F. No. 263 and the comments made in Peter Seed's memorandum which provide more flexibility for the Commission to acquire related projects in connection with the metropolitan stadium. Section 3, Subdivision 3, of the current draft of S.F. No. 263 gives the metropolitan sports commission power to construct, equip, improve, operate, manage, and maintain sports, entertainment, cultural and other related facilities as defined in M.S. §471.191. In order to clarify that the commission shall have the power to construct, equip, etc., hotel facilities in connection with the metropolitan stadium, it would be necessary to amend the language in Section 3, Subdivision 3 of the bill. The effect of this would be that the metropolitan sports commission would have the authority to construct hotels in connection with the municipal stadium. If this is desired, it is proposed that the subdivision would read as follows: "Subdivision 3. It may acquire by lease, purchase, gift, devise, or eminent domain pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, 117, all necessary right, title, and interest in and to real and personal property deemed necessary to the purposes contemplated by sections 1 through 7 of this act either within or without the limits of the metropolitan area, and may construct, equip, improve, operate, manage, and maintain sports facilities, including metropolitan stadia DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER Mr. Peter Parranto March 22, 1975 Page Two together with hotels and related facilities, which shall be made available to the general public, including participants in and spectators of any athletic contest or exhibition, and may also construct, equip, improve, operate, manage, and maintain any sports, entertainment, cultural and other related facilities which are defined in M.S. §471.191 including existing facilities, but the commission shall not acquire any publicly owned facility without the consent of the governing body or the owner (no change in the rest of section 3, subd. 3 of S.F. No. 263)." Peter Seed suggests in paragraph 3 of his memorandum concerning the bill that if the commission is given the additional power to acquire a project as defined in Chapter 474 of Minnesota Statutes, then Section 3, Subd. 3 of the O'Neill bill should be amended by limiting the tax exempt status of the properties of the commission to those acquired under sections 1 through 7 of the proposed bill. It is suggested that some flexibility may be lost if this is done. While it is clear that under Chapter 474 a munici- pality can "acquire, construct, and hold" any lands or buildings, etc. deemed necessary in connection with a "project" (See U.S.A. §474.03 (1)), and that it is permissive that the municipality or redevelopment agency lease the project to a public or private corporation under a lease that provides for payment of all real estate taxes and special assessments by the lessee, the restriction in M.S.A. §474.03 (11), which provides that "no municipality or redevelopment agency shall have the power. . . to operate any project. . . as a business or in any manner whatsoever", may cause an impediment to a plan which contemplates ownership and operation by the Commission or council of the stadium or related "projects" which are appropriate to facilitate the purposes of the Act. To provide more flexibility to the council it is suggested that the additional powers section suggested by Peter Seed be expanded as follows: "Section (ADDITIONAL POWERS). Notwithstanding anything in this act to the contrary, the council may sell and issue revenue bonds for the same purposes for which general obligation bonds may be issued under section 4, and in addition thereto and in connection therewith, for the acquisition, in fee or leasehold and/or by way of Joint venture with any municipality; construction, and betterment of any project as defined in Minn. Stat. C. 474 and other public facilities, which shall also be deemed for such purpose projects under Minn. Stat., C. 474, provided that the council first determine that such additicnal projects are neee saty appropriate facilitate the purposes of sections 1 through 7 of this act. In ord_r to carry out the purpose of this section, the council shall in addition to all other powers conferred under this act, have all the authority and be subject to all of the duties of a redevelopment agency as provided in Minn. Stat., C. 474 other than those im osed by §474.03, Subd. 11 which prohibits a municipality or redevelopment agency DOHERTY, RUMBLE S, BUTLER and duties conferred on the council under t further that any and all projects acquired, used, by the council for the purposes autho this section shall unless leased or sold in provisions of U.S.A. §474.03, (3) and (9), declared to be public property exclusively purpose and as such exempt from taxation, si extent that such property is devoted to sai' subleased to any private individual, associ: in connection with a b three or more yeers. An agreement whereby employs a private individual, association, operate a project or part thereof for use o purposes herein contemplated and subject council, is not a sublease for the purposes business Mr. Peter Parranto March 22, 1975 Page Three from operating a_project as a business or in any other way, except to the extent that the commission elects tt. proceed under the provisions of section 3, subd. 3, 4, 8 andi9 of this act, provided that in any event the council may pledge tO the payment of the bonds and interest thereon, in addition to,the revenue designated, all or part of any other revenue derived ptrsuant to section 5 of this act. Except for the power to issuek revenue bonds, the council may delegate to the commission any and all of the powers his section; provided constructed, held, or rized and contemplated accordance with the .e deemed and are ed for a jublic long as and to the purposes and is not tion, or corporation conducted for profit, for a term of he council as owner r corporation to the public, for the to `regulations by t:he Hof phis subdivision." The additional powers section above adds flexibility w ere collateral "projects" under Chapter 474 are concerned. Yours very truly, DOHERTY, JJM LE & B Lon G. Ross BGR:mt cc: Mr. Peter H. Seed Mr. Joseph T. O'Neill in STA D,LJ ^� SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER ?5, 1977 F:00 P.M. I. 6:00 - II. 6:05 - AGENDA ROLL CALL g PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A, DISCUSSION ON RECENT ACTION TAKEN BY THE METROPOLITAN SPORTS COMMISSION B. EISCUSSION OF LETTERS RECEIVED FROM TRINITY ONE OAK CHURCH AND PASTOR RICHRD KRENZKE ADJOURNMENT MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES DATE: OCTOBER 24, 1977 SUBJECT: SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Enclosed is a copy of a letter drafted by City Council Member Wachter to Mr. Richard Krenzke, Pastor Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church & School. A copy of this letter was also sent to the Trinity Lone Oak Church Council. Enclosed is a copy of a letter that City Council Member Wachter plans to give to the Dakota County Tribune and Valley Sun on Tuesday for publication. Also enclosed is a copy of the Agenda, proposed resolution and opinion by City Attorney Hauge on the Stadium issue. Attached is a copy of the Agenda for the Special City Council meeting called by Mayor Polzin. Persons notified of the Special City Council meeting were as follows:. 1. Dakota County Tribune 2. Minnesota Valley Sun 3. Mr. E.E.(Pete) Parranto 4. Mr. Richard Krenzke If the resolution is to be considered the following facts should be realized. I spoke with Mr. Don Poss, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Sports Commission, today so it was possible to inform you of the Commissions plans concerning the Eagan site and E.I.S. during the next several months. First the Stadium Commisssion is not planning a meeting before their next regular meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 1977. At that time the Commission is scheduled to address the Eagan sites. The consultants are conducting a hearing on Thursday, November 10, 1977 in the City of Eagan at Pilot Knob Elementary School to explain the Enviromental Impact of the site in Eagan. The analysis will address roads, the church and etc. which are some of the major concerns of the candidates and community. Mr. Poss also explained that the Preliminary Draft E.I.S. will be printed in early December, with the Final E.I.S. likely printed in the early spring of 1978. A final decision by the commission of a final site is possible anytime after the final E.I.S. • According to previous resolutions and action that was taken by the City Council it is apparant that Eagan would evaluate the Eagan stadium site on the merits of the E.I.S. If the resolution is not considered at the meeting tomarrow it is than possible for the City Council to evaluate the E.I.S. findings after November 10, 1977 and take action at the November 15,1977 regular meeting. If the findings are negative toward the Eagan site, the City Council could withdraw support of the Parranto proposal at the November 15 meeting and present the resolution to the Sports Commission the following day. The alternatives are to either consider a resolution to remove endorsement of the Eagan Site at the present time or wait until the E.I.S. is completed and act on those findings. CL.0 City Administrator 4550 Blackhawk Road Eagan, Minnesota October 24, 1977 The Reverend Richard Krenzke Trinity Lutheran Church 820 Lone Oak Road Eagan, Minnesota 55121 Dear Pastor Krenzke, Please permit me to share with you in this letter, not as a member of the city council, but as Christian to Christian some very real concerns in regard to your recent letter to the mayor and members of the city council. I'm sure you aren't aware of it, or you would not have written the letter as you did, but the letter did very much hurt those of us on the council who are Christians, and, incidentally, for the most part, Lutheran Christians. As such, we try, as God gives us the ability, to carry out our decisions and work as we feel God would have us do. We realize that because of our human frailty, we too, fail. We also, as best we can, want to carry out the will of all the people whom we serve; and the will of these people can be varied, as in the case of the stadium site. Ours is a task in which we get many and strong opinions on various issues. With these we can cope. But what becomes most difficult is to receive abusive and vindictive treatment, such as your letter conveyed. So vindictive, in fact, that one of the council members felt that it so abused his Christian conscience that he moved in the midst of the reading of your letter that the reading of it be discontinued. To say that we should "hang our heads in shame and embarrassment" and that we "have betrayed these people", to suggest that we would act in favor of "secular pleasures and economic gains for a few people", to suggest that we would de- liberately pursue the demise of the Trinity Lone Oak congregation, to threaten us with political retaliation is, I feel, vindictive and abusive, questions our integrity, and because of your position as a Christian pastor, has hurt the Christian cause. As Christian to Christian, I feel that perhaps you would want to be made aware of this and may want, wherever possible, to correct the situation. You obviously feel very strongly about this issue; I understand that; may God guide us all to the best possible solution. Sincerely, Ted Wachter cc: Honorable Mayor Herbert H. Polzin Eagan City Council Members Trinity Lone Oak Church Council PHONE 454-8100 CITY OF EAGAN 3795 PILOT KNOB ROAD EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55122 October 24, 1977 Mr. Dan Brutger, Chairman Metropolitan Sports Facility Commission 300 Metro Square Building Seventh & Robert Street St. Paul, MN 55101 Dear Mr. Brutger: The city of Eagan commends the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission's decission on October 19, 1977 for not eleminating Eagan from consideration for the proposed Sports Facility. Since it is the goal of the commission to study and select the best possible site for the new sports facility, we feel it would not be in the best interest of the entire metropolitan area to eliminate Eagan at this time. The Minneapolis, Bloomington and Eagan sites all exhibit certain unique characteristics which merit further study. The purpose of the enviromental Impact Statement is to provide an indepth examination of a number of alternatives. The options currently under consideration can only be fully explored if the Eagan Site remains in contention. The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission and the people of Minnesota can be confident that the best possible stadium Site was selected if this spectrum of alternatives has been fully studied. It may be found that the Eagan site is not the best alternative. However this determination should be made only after the enviromental Impact Statement has been completed. Respectfully yours, Herbert H. Polzin Mayor October 24, 1977 The Rev. Richard L. Krenzke Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church Highway 49 & 55 Eagan, MN 55121 Dear Pastor Krenzke: I would like the opportunity to respond to a letter that you wrote on October 14, 1977 regarding the City of Eagan's position that was taken on designating Eagan as one of seven sites to be studied and reviewed for a domed stadium. First, I wish to address the fact that several years ago the City of Eagan was involved with preparing and adopting a land use and zoning plan for the entire community. At that time, residents of the community serving on the Planning Board and Township Board felt the area that is presently owned by the Dayton -Hudson properties would be suitable for a type of regional significance such as a regional shopping center. The area was chosen because of access to the proposed interstate system (I494 and I-35E), location to the industrial park and also the properties located in the general area of the Wold Chamberlain International Airport air traffic pattern. All these items are not consistent with long range residential planning and therefore the site was most suitable for regional significance primarily that of a regional shopping center. Approximately two to three years ago a study was made by Parranto Brothers, Inc. that a stadium be constructed with a regional shopping center as a part of the 450-600 acres of land that had been purchased by the Dayton -Hudson Properties. This property is the same property that is now under consideration as one of the three sites by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission for a stadium. The Minnesota Legislature, in their review and evaluation in determining the significance of Metropolitan sports in not only the metropolitan area but the State of Minnesota, has made a recent decision that some $40 - $60 million should be set aside to construct a new stadium in the Twin Cities area. Developers, Cities and other interests were allowed to submit site proposals prior to mid -July, 1977. Mr. Edward Parranto, Parranto Brothers, Inc., asked the City Council of Eagan if they would endorse property owned by Dayton -Hudson Properties proposed for the regional shopping center as one site to be studied for a new domed stadium. The Eagan City Council was agreeable to allowing this study and being considered as one of the seven sites. After August 1, 1977, the choices were eliminated by the Metropolitan Sports Facility Commission to just three, which Eagan is one of the remaining three sites locations under study. The reason for eliminating several sites was to meet the specifics of legislations which requires that up to three sites be reviewed by means of an enviromental impact study before a final determination is made by the Metropolitan Sports Commission as to what site is most suitable for a new stadium. The Eagan City Council was extremely cautious in addressing the issue because of the unknown factors such as economic impact and, more importantly, impact on quality of life in the City of Eagan if a Metropolitan Sports Stadium is to be constructed in our City. Therefore, other than an endorse- ment of Eagan becoming one of seven site locations to be studied, the City Council has never committed one dollar of funds to the Metropolitan Sports Commission if the stadium is to be located in Eagan. We are withholding a decision until the enviromental impact statement is completed by the Metropolitan Sports Commission to determine whether the Eagan site is suitable from all aspects, including quality of life, road access etc. and an economic impact statement has been made by the City staff to determine whether the stadium will become a tax liability. The Metropolitan Sports Commission, as appointed by the Minnesota Legislature, compares in many ways with other commissions such as the Zoological Commission in that they have important decisions to make on large cost items that play a very significant part in the quality of life of not only the residents of the City of Eagan and Twin Cities metropolitan area, but as well, the entire State of Minnesota. Many articlues that appear in the Minneapolis - St. Paul paper very proudly address the fact that the City of Minneapolis, and of course, the Metropolitan Area rates number two in the entire United States in quality of life. People that are interviewed as to what constitutes quality of life often place strong value and significance on the fact that there is professional sports in the metropolitan area. Whether I or other people wish to accept the fact that the City of Eagan is a large contributing factor to the Twin Cities metropolitan area and State of Minnesota and can offer land, planning and other considerations to the quality of life in Minnesota, is important. Even though the Metropolitan Sports stadium proposal may not be of strong cultural value to you and I, it is a very important cultural value to many other residents who not only live in Eagan, but also throughout the State of Minnesota. Therefore, I wish to remain at least objective through the process -2- analysis, and if it appears, after all the reports are completed, that a stadium is a liability to our community and it should either be constructed in another community or not constructed at all, I would be strongly in favor of voting against a stadium for our community. However, the enviromental and econimic impact statements might indicate that a stadium is an asset to our community and if this is the case, I would encourage the City Council to carefully analyze the proposal before a final decision is made. Again, I wish to express that I am not supporting nor am I discouraging the possibility of a stadium to be located in the City of Eagan. I am only attempting to do my job as an elected official and that is to weigh objectively all the facts before a decision is to be made. The City Council handles some 40 decisions per meeting and we always examine all the facts, listen to the people once the facts are compiled and make our decisions in the best way that we possibly can with the community in mind. Sincerely, Theodore Wachter A Concerned Eagan City Council Member jkk PROPOSED RESOLUTION PREPARED BY: CITY COUCIL MEMEBER RYDRYCH DATE: OCTOBER 22, 1977 WHEREAS, it has become apparant that significant community support for the proposed stadium site in Eagan is lacking, and WHEREAS, because of this lack of support, it no longer appears necessary or desirable to wait for completion of the Environmental Impact Statement prior to making a final determination of desireability of a stadium site in the City of Eagan, and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Stadium Commission be requested to delete Eagan from further consideration as a stadium site, and further be it resolved that instead the Bloominton site be recommended to the stadium Commission as the logical site for any further stadium construction. PAUL H. HAUGE GEORGE H. HOEY Eagan City Council 3795 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, MN 55122 Re: Eagan Stadium Site Gentlemen: HAUGE & HOEY, P.A. Attorneys at Law 3908 SIBLEY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY EAGAN (ST. PAUL), MINNESOTA 55122 Area Code October 24, 1977 -4 Telephone 454-4224 I was asked to at least informally comment on the possible implications to the City of Eagan if its Council were to act within the next few days to recommend to the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission that Eagan be removed from the list of proposed stadium site locations. Action by the Council since June of 1977 has tended to give the Commission the view that the Council would consider supporting the Eagan site if the Commission's consulting studies determined that the Dayton -Hudson location was a favorable site for the proposed stadium. The Council's concerns included the impact upon the the area including road and utility improvements in addition to social and economic impact upon the community. The Council has attempted to clarify its position by a series of resolutions including the Council's resolution on October 4. It was understood on that date that the EIS on the Eagan site was about 60% completed and in order to give a reasoned judgment and to avoid the expenditures of public funds unwisely together with offering affected persons the right to be given at least a final opinion from the Commission on the propriety of the Eagan site, that the Commission should be requested to continue its studies which are scheduled to be completed early in November. The concern could then be the impact of a Council motion to withdraw its support of the Eagan location upon a number of affected parties: A) The residents and businesses of Eagan and the neighboring communities. B) The reaction by the Commission which until now has acted upon the Council's directive to continue consideration of the Eagan location. C) The developer. D) The owner of the property - Dayton -Hudson. Eagan City Council Page 2 October 24, 1977 It would be pure speculation to try to determine whether a claim for damages against Eagan on an attempt to enjoin the Council from withdrawing support would be successful. A great deal of money has been spent to date by a number of affected parties and the potential impact on the stadium being built or not being built in Eagan should be seriously considered. The possible tax burden of extra utility installation, road access costs, etc. must be weighed against future tax revenue from a possible adjoining shopping center and later fringe development which have been discussed. Any decision by the Council at this stage should be made with supportable reasons in order to avoid the threat of making any claims against the City. It's difficult to know where those claims would come from or whether they could be successful, but the Council's action after receiving the EIS report would expose the City to much less chance of damages or injunctive relief by affected parties. I have not had an opportunity to research the issues but was asked only to review some ideas that could affect the timing of a decision by the Council to withdraw from its current position on the issue. Verb tru11r yours , d/ Lr aul H. Hauge PHH:ww Trinity Lone Oak Luther Church & School .` 2950 Dodd Road Highways 49 & 55 Eagan, Minnesota 55121 The honorable i,ayor ,;erbert Polzin i• embers of the City Council .,a :an, Minnesota oentlemen : U 1 wish to express to you my regrets that portions of my personal letter of uc ober 14 conveyed to you w_at seemed to be messages of personal attack and questions regarding your integrity. This was not my intent. I have the highest personal regard for i-i.ayor Polzin. He is truly a man of high moral principles as I have previously indicated. I was most pleased that each of you graciously accepted my personal apology following the official meeting. I trust that your public actions and comments will be in keeping with these private comments. The copy of my personal letter to Mayor Polzin which was on file with the Stadium Commission was, at my request, returned to me. It had not been distributed to members of the Commission. Personal confrontation and communication can behvery worthwhile. I found that to be true in our meeting of October 25 and I also hope that you did. While I obviously differ with you regarding your position and feel conscience bound to continue to speak out in opposition to the Eagan site (both as a private citizen and as pastor of this congregation), neverthe- less I do respect your opinion that your position of nonco itmcnt at the present time is one of integrity, one .rou believe necessary to insure due process, and one each of you personally believes to be in the best interests of the city of Eagan. hay the Lord grant each of us the ability to a6Mit our own mistakes. Hay He also give each of us the ability and wisdom to serve in that way most beneficial to our constituencies. cc: Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Uhurch Council Richard L. Krenzke, Pastor 454-7235 or 454-2792 c'incerel rotors RichaTd"L ':1 en e, i astor Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Uhurch Eagan, i Iinnesota Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church 454-7235 School 454-1139 .r- Curtis Stoltenow,� cipal 454-1139 or454-6335 i 4 • Radio - "The Lutheran Hour" TV - "This is the Life" • 3 Sections Contest winner EAGAN Sun'Current January 27, 1993 Bernie Morgan, Fagan, is the winner of "An Fagan Winter" photo contest sponsored by the Sun -Current and Fagan Parks and Recreation. Morgan, who receives a $50 cash prize, shot the picture of a lone hiker through Lebanon Hills Regional Park Jan. 3 with a Nikon N8008s using lllford FP4 Plus black and white film. Second- and third -place photographs appear on Page 15A. Loyalty evident in boundary changes By Deb Schewe Boundary changes can be an emotional time for many people — parents, students and board members. It's a time when a lot of school pride is shown, said Margaret Gohman, District 196 Board of Education director. Gohman has sat through five boundary changes during her eight years on the board. "Generally, people feel strongly about not changing schools," Gohman said. "We get petitions signed by hundreds of people. People write letters and telephone. People pull out all the stops." The Rosemount -Apple Valley - Eagan School District is looking at changing elementary and middle school boundaries. At an elementary school boun- dary hearing earlier this month, Gohman said she saw examples of school loyalty. "One person went out in the cold on a dark night to get peo- ple to sign a petition (against a boundary change)," she said. While Gohman has not had children affected by boundary changes, they have been af- fected by other space -saving measures taken by the district. She remembered when, instead of changing boundaries, kindergarten students were bus- ed to another school. At that time, she had a child in kindergarten and an elementary -age child. "It was like operating on two different schedules — con- ferences were this time at this school and that time at the other school, concerts were at dif- ferent times," she said. "I was running in two completely dif- ferent directions (for each child's event).... It was not an ideal situation." While parents may resist the change initially, Gohman said, after the move they are usually satisfied. "(A past board member) said most people find their children identify with the teacher," she said. "If the teacher is OK, they will have a good year." Director Neil Charpentier said boundary change discussions bring new people to board meetings. "People get really involved," he said. "You see a lot of people you've never seen before." BOUNDARY: To Page 3A Look inside this edition fir special HIDDEN HEROES SECTION Vol. 14. No. 6 Looking ahead K mart, possible golf course in city's future By Terrance Mencel "The best way to know where you're going is to look at where you've been." With those words, Mayor Tom Egan offers his insight on the state of Eagan. Barring catastrophe, Egan sees even more promises and expectations fulfilled in 1993 for the city of 52,000 people. All a person has to do is look at the development that took place last year, Egan said. The city's corporate and business base grew. Nearly 600 housing per- mits were issued, surpassing the number of permits granted the year before. Class I restaurants, such as Applebee's, have begun opening their doors. Wal-mart's August opening proved the biggest catalyst for new development in Town Cen- tre, Egan said. "The stimulus that came from Wal-mart com- ing to town has provided the cash flow" for other develop- ment, he said. Town Centre shopping mall will be converted to serve two major tenants once a 13,000-square-foot satellite is built nearby for its current oc- cupants. Marshall Fields is be- ing mentioned as one of the tenants, he said. The City Council recently ap- proved a preliminary plat for a Kohl's department store bet- ween Wal-mart and the mall. Other development proposals await official review. One proposal would build a K mart on the O'Neill property north of Yankee Doodle Road, just east of Interstate 35E. In- cluded in the 31-acre proposal would be two Class I sit-down restaurants, a grocery story and department store. It's likely this proposal will go before the city's Advisory Planning Commission in February, said City Ad- ministrator Tom Hedges. "As city planners, we've been fostering these things," Egan said. Another development pro- posal calls for a 9-hole executive golf course and side -by -side homes on 81 acres surrounding Paramax west of Pilot Knob Road. The city's Economic Development Commission will review this proposal Jan. 28. Still in concept form, developer Mike Steadman and his investors, have piqued the OUTLOOK: To next page City OKs stalking ordinance Stalkers beware. The Eagan City Council unanimously adopted a new ordinance aimed against peo- ple who stalk others, effective Jan. 25. Under the ordinance, a per- son is guilty of stalking if he or she: • Willfully, and repeatedly follows another person and makes a credible threat to that person; or • Repeatedly makes any form of communication to a person, whether or not a con- versation ensues, and makes a credible threat to that per- son; or • Willfully and repeatedly harasses another person and makes a credible threat to that person. "Credible threat" is defin- ed as "a threat, through words or actions, that would cause a reasonable person to be in fear for that person's life or safety." STALKING: To next page Sun Readers Can't be Snowed This month's Sun Reader Survey asks about a topic that's unavoidable in Minnesota: snow removal. It's one of the most important public services we receive —definitely a quality -of -life issue in a state where winter stretches out as long as six months. The survey accompanies the voluntary subscription envelope found in today's paper. If you have yet to subscribe, please consider doing so as you ponder the survey questions. Already a subscriber? Please accept the thanks of the entire Sun organization. Your voluntary subscription payment helps offset the high cost of printing and distributing your local newspaper and assures our ability to continue keeping you well informed. Please take a moment and tell us what you think about snow removal in your community. If there is no survey form in your paper please call 896-4800. Don Thurlow, Publisher 2A—Eagan Sun•Current—Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1993 DItits WEDDING GOLDS DENIAL RINGS CHAINS Apple Valley JEWELERS 432-7777 14810 Granada Ave. W. LOCATED Across From GREENSTREETS and AN. POST OFFICE on 147th Outlook: Events in 1992 pave way for '93 From previous page city's interest in operating the proposed golf course. Steadman was out of town and could not be reached for comment in time for this publication. Revenue bonds would likely be the funding source for such a proposal, Egan said. The pro- posal, he said, would probably be a better land use for the heavily wooded, T-shaped property. "It seems like an extremely unique idea ... It's another ex- ample of people looking at Eagan as a unique place to develop," Egan said. And yet, with the positive comes some negative, Hedges said during an Eagan Chamber of Commerce meeting Jan. 21. The city's growing tax base is not enough to offset the cost to maintain city services. Property taxes will increase as the city adjusts to its popua- tion, infrastructure demands for streets, and other general ser- vices such as police and fire pro- tection. Hedges explained other factors affect the city's frugal approach to controlling costs. Eagan spends the fewest dollars per capita compared to all Minnesota cities with more than 30,000 people, he said. Reasons for tax increases are: courts re -adjustments of disputed property taxes; the city's increasing fiscal disparities contribution; and the state's lowering of tax classification rates for business and homes. The city's customer base has changed as more established residents seek services, Hedges said. Skating rink attendance has burgeoned this year. Police receive more than 30,000 calls r SC 0127 Receive one complimentary entree (up to $25 value) with the purchase of a second entree of equal or greater value. Good only February 1st through February 28th' Reservations Requested. 'Not valid February 14, 1993 (Not valid with any other promotions, restrictions apply) m - 10 pm • 14201 Nicollet Avenue (In the Holiidoy Inn) at (oPcN: /;(/(eii' Ai' 04' use V•A•L•U•A•B•L•E• C•O•U•P•O•N 435-3033 • 5 ULTIMATE UPDATE Amoco Car Care Center - Yankee Square Amoco Intersection of Pilot Knob & Yankee Doodle Rds. Across from Al Bakers. • 454-5522 r Sunday Oil Chanie Sj.eiaI Our Certicare Repair Center is now open 1 Sundays 9am-5pm to better serve the Eagan community. 1 1 '14.95 Up to 5 qts. Motor Oil - Oil Filter* - Lubrication, 17 Point Maintenance Inspection I Coupon must be presented at time of service r 1 1 1 1 1 Plus Shop Supplies, Environmental Fee and Tax *Some Filters Extra, Please Phone For Appointment this 0000014t tk Feb. 14h19933 Evening Oil Change Special 6pm-9pm Monday thru Friday 18.95 Up to 5 qts. Motor Oil - Oil Filter* - Lubrication, 17 Point Maintenance Inspection Coupon must be presented at time of service Plus Shop Supplies, Environmental Fee and Tax 'Some Filters Extra, Please Phone For Appointment Yankee Square Amoco Car Amoco Care Center 1424 Yankee Doodle Road, Eagan 454-5522 1 Good with this coupon thru Feb 14th,199U erticare Certified RepairCenter each year, with a greater percentage placing officers at risk. Airplane noise complaints are now spread throughout the city, said Egan, recognizing a love - hate relationship the city has with the airport. Eagan is an ac- tive participant in the dual -track planning approach that looks at expanding the current airport and moving it to Dakota County. "The city is looking very, very carefully at the economic realities of the airport," Egan told Chamber members Jan. 21. Those realities struck home last year when Eagan voters, for a third time, turned down a proposed ice arena -outdoor swimming pool by a 3-to-2 margin. The signal against pro- perty tax increases stuck with council members. Egan doesn't expect the ice arena issue to disappear. "Like any other legitimate service it will not go away until it is positively resolved," he said. "No matter who is mayor or who is on the council or who the director of parks is, it will always be there." Contributions from several Eagan -based corporations will likely mean the YMCA will begin building its center sometime this year. Private pledges are all that is needed to secure loans to begin construc- tion, Egan said. Work on the Caponi Art Park on Diffley Road 'continues bet- ween the city and Eagan resident -sculptor Tony Caponi. "As a result, I think you're go- ing to see a splendid sculpture garden that will put Eagan or the regional map," he said. Perhaps the highlight of 19( came with the opening of Oa. Woods of Eagan, an apartmenti complex for seniors older than 55. The city set aside community development block grant money to double the size of the 65-unit complex in 1995. And more undeveloped lots are being down -zoned to lower densities — at the owner's re- quests. Examples: the Wexford single family housing develop- ment off Diffley Road, and four lots downzoned from townhouse to single-family in the Deerwood 2nd Addition. Egan added, "We still con- tinue to be a very hot community." Stalking From previous page A "stalking" action that oc- curs more than once in six months, or three or more times in 12 months defines "repeatedly." To "harass" means "a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person which seriously alarms or harasses the per- son, and which serves no legitimate purpose. The course of conduct must be such as would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress and must actually cause substantial emotional distress." Council members re- quested the "stalking" or- dinance Jan. 5 after an Eagan woman said she is be- ing victimized by a stalker. They gave city staff two weeks to draft the ordinance. "It's long overdue (although) there's no press- ing need," said Coun- cilmember Pat Awada. "If it could help one person it is worth the few hundred dollars." But Councilmember Shawn Hunter said he didn't want to rush into a new ordinance. "Certainly a lot more thought, a lot more analysis could go into the ordinance," he said. Councilmember Sandra Masin agreed and proposed delaying action on the pro- posed stalking ordinance for at least one month. But her motion, supported by Hunter, failed on a 2-to-3 vote Jan. 19. They then voted for the new ordinance. the dakota civic theatre presents O� olden P_ ON GOLDEN POND is a deeply moving —r- and humorous play that graciously treats the subjects of devotion, family differences and the spirit of patient Love that growing older helps to create. Jan. 15th - Feb. 6th $1211mrs., FF,i., Sat., FaX) pm call 686-72 / / RESERVE NOW! Ei II $12 $6..,II. seniors Box Office Hours: Monday tday - Friday MOO am - 4:t K t pm Performance IUri 1(k(x)am-')dtopin $1.00 cuut'ON One dollar, dr (Ayr" 'l2.10 O1' U011N N• POND licks Ixtrch:Leid N%ilhlhisawlw0n in the liolankeesflmne IsYour Home This Dry? Dry Skin? Scratchy Throat? Static Electricity? INSTALL AN WHOLE 1 HOUSE HUMIDIFIERS The Best Cure For Dryness. CONTACT Fredrickson Heating/Aprilaire CALL 4522775 Mr. lAracle, cumeUtth 4-2S __./Arnbt-r pri,�e� iirieiyLa- J22 tW1 Celebrate Eagan! Lets ceIeErate tkis historic victory for the future of ration, Thursday, June 15th 6:30p1n —I0:30pn! 883 Betty Lane (Wescott to Woodland Trail to Betty Lane) Your Host_: Cyndee Fields, Clyde Thurston, Peggy Carlson & Pat A walla Dinner hors d'oevres - casual attire Regrets only: 686-0055 Polling Places G Prepared and paid for by Residents for Recreation. Cyndee Fields, Treasurer. Meadow View Rd. Four Oaks Rd. E L U Commanche Rd. Blackhawk Rd. c 0 850Z-7,7..TSS NW NVJV3 Ha uafiywv £8Z6 A'IIWV3 SaYM RILL Z7,TS5,LIDIQ-S****x*+*****************T*17 0 Lone Oak Au a Doodle Rd. 0 not uaJaag a03 s3uaprsag 0 z All polling locations will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 1 Pilot Knob Elementary School 1436 Lone Oak Road 2 Quarry Park Shelter 3340 Coachman Road 3 Trinity Lone Oak Church 2950 Highway 55 4 Cedar Elementary School 2140 Diffley Road 5 Mt. Calvary Church 3930 Rahn Road 6 Living Word Church 4300 Nicols Road 7 Fire Administration Bldg. 3795 Pilot Knob Road 8 Eagan Municipal Center 3830 Pilot Knob Road 9 Woodland School 945 Wescott Road 10 St. John Neumann Church 4030 Pilot Knob Road 11 Northview Elementary School 965 Diffley Road 12 Cedar Ridge Christian Church 2024 Rahn Way 13 Rahn Elementary School 4424 Sandstsone Drive 14 Christ Lutheran Church 1930 Diffley Road 15 Thomas Lake Elementary School 4350 Thomas Lake Road 16 Easter Lutheran Church 4200 Pilot Knob Road 17 St. Thomas Becket Church 4455 South Robert Trail 18 Fire Station No. 5 4701 Galaxie Avenue 19 Chapel Hill Baptist Church 4888 Pilot Knob Road 20 Red Pine Elementary School 530 Red Pine Rd. 21 Pinewood Elementary School 4300 Dodd Rd. *Precinct 21 has been added. This change also impacts voters in precinct 20. Imagine what you will help start next Tuesday. .. . Vote YES for community For way too long, Eagan had struggled to find its sense of community. With three school districts encompassing four high schools, we have been split by artificial geographic boundaries. As we have grown, our civic organiza- tions have become stronger and have led the way to creating a strong Eagan identity and community. Over the past year, the leaders of Eagan's civic organizations have come together to recommend and design a central park and gathering spot for all Eagan citizens. This park will encompass large festival grounds to hold our Eagan celebrations including the 4th of July celebration, Expressfest and the Yankee Doodle Arts and Crafts Festival. The proposal also calls for a community center which would house a Senior and Teen Center, gymna- sium and exercise space, banquet facilities, meeting rooms, and an indoor playground amongst other things. This beautiful site is proposed to have numerous walking trails, a lighted skating pond, plaza and gardens. Already, the Eagan Rotary Club has graciously offered to help pay for and build a band shell on the northern portion of the site, and the surrounding corporations (Unisys, Northwest Airlines and Lockhead Martin) are help- ing with parking and a fireworks staging area. We are proud to be a part of this great community. We ask you to vote YES next Tuesday and join us in bringing Eagan together in celebration. Eagan Boy Scouts and Volunteers preparing the site Cyndee Fields Residents for Recreation Eagan Teens looking forward to a Teen Center Vote YES for Eagan! This proposal has been endorsed by several newspapers, the Eagan Chamber of Commerce, the Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau and numerous Civic Organizations The following people worked together to promote and enhance the quality of life for the city of Eagan. Together, they have created a plan that will serve one and all. We are very privileged to have such civic - minded people volunteering on behalf of our community. A special thanks to: Patricia Thomas Tim Staley Ann Carlon Shirley Lawrence Joe Bari Clyde Thurston Tom Wilson Margo Danner Dorothy Peterson Lee Markel Dan Kahnke Cyndee Fields Raleigh Seelig Steve Burdoff John Willenburg 4th of July festival YMCA Convention & Visitors Bureau Senior Citizens Group Park & Rec Commission Boys Scouts Eagan High School Resident Resident Resident Historical Society Eagan Athletic Assoc. Volunteer Fire Dept. Eagan Resident Knights of Columbus Jerry Marko Dan Klekner Joe Nardi Kay Brown -Gustafson Kevin Larson Sue Hegarty Ray Wade Larry Lundberg Barbara Johnson Mike Ferber Carla Heyl Paul Teske Cathy Clark George Watson Judy Steward Eagan Lions Eagan Athletic Assoc. Resident Arts & Humanities Duke Realty Conv. & Visitors Bureau Historic& Society Espress Festival Park & Rec. Comm. Eagan Foundation Planning Commission Resident Economic Dev. Comm. Brauer & Assoc. Ltd Eagan Lioness Eagan Central Park, Festival Grounds and Community Center 1111111GAN JUNE 10, 2000 http:www.thisweek-online.com VOLUME 22, NO. 15 PAGE 36A Community center referendum passes by slim margin by Dan Gearino Staff Writer Eagan voters narrowly approved a $15 million referen- dum June 6 to build a communi- ty center and park on a 60-acre space northwest of Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle roads. With all precincts reporting, 3,024 votes were cast in favor of the referendum, narrowly out- distancing the 2,933 against. Sixteen percent of eligible vot- ers turned out for the vote. "I think there was a sense that it was time for this," said Eagan Mayor Pat Awada the day after the vote. Awada added that she had been confident the referendum would pass and was surprised at the small margin of victory. Clyde Thurston, co-chair of the Friends of Central Park advocacy group and a former member of the city's communi- ty center task force, said that he was elated with the vote. "The fact that this passed val- idated what we were doing," Thurston said. "A lot of people said we should've done this 10 years ago." The city will work with an architect to form a final plan for the community center and park. A general plan was submitted by the city's task force April 4. The 82,007 square -foot facility will include a gymnasium, walking track, teen center, senior center, banquet facility, meeting rooms and child-care center. The plan also calls for landscaping and picnic shelters in the park, which will surround the community center building. The 60-acre site was pur- chased by the city earlier this year for $7.5 million. The June 6 vote was the first referendum to succeed in the city since a 1984 park improve- ment plan. In 1992, voters rejected a referendum to build an outdoor swimming pool and indoor arena. In 1996, voters rejected a referendum to pre- fms Vote, 7A Vote/Continued serve open space by purchasing several pieces of undeveloped land. Awada said that the voters were more likely to support this referendum after the success of two recent construction pro- jects, the ice arena and Cascade Bay Aquatic Facility. Even though the two projects required a minimal taxpayer contribu- tion, Awada said that she feels like they helped foster a sense of community that made voters more likely to support other community building efforts. Opponents of the referendum — including one organized anti - referendum group — are con- cerned about increased taxes, duplication of facilities and lack of inclusiveness in the process of planning the community cen- ter. The anti -tax voters believe that the approximately $3 to $6 increase in the monthly tax bur- den is unacceptable, especially considering the recent success of the District 197 levy referen- dum and the much larger District 196 referendum sched- uled for a November vote. Many of the anti -tax voters — such as Alice Kreitz who helped organize the anti -refer- endum group — also believe that the community center would duplicate existing facili- ties that are underused. In an interview before the vote, Kreitz said that there are already plen- ty of parks and gyms in Eagan. Michael Dean articulated the view of voters who believe that the community center planning process was not inclusive at the May 4 City Council meeting. Dean said that he and his neigh- bots knew little about the plan- ning process and were never aware of an opportunity to become part of the task force. Dean worked with Kreitz in the anti -referendum group. Referendum advocates and opponents sought to persuade Eagan voters through dueling fliers and simultaneous rallies at the park site June 3. The months -long debate remained mostly civil, although there were allegations on both sides that signs and fliers were mis- leading. Construction of the commu- nity center will begin in either the 2000 or 2001 construction season and the facility will open in 2002 or 2003. Eagan park to get community center $15.35 bond referendum passes by 91 votes By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers Getting Eagan voters to ap- prove a $15.35 million refer- endum for a central park im- provements and a community center turned out to be less than a walk in the park. However, when a slim ma- jority of voters granted their approval to the referendum June 6, they provided the com- munity with the center and its surrounding park to stroll around. Eagan voters approved the center 3,024 to 2,933, a dif- ference of 91 votes. The vote totals represent 50.8 percent of the ballots going for the ref- erendum and 49.2 going against it. The total of 5,957 voters who cast ballots in the elec- tion represents 17 percent of the registered voters in Eagan. "I'm ecstatic that the bond referendum passed but I was surprised at how close it was," Mayor Pat Awada said. "This is a historic day for Eagan. We will be able to look back on this day as the day the com- munity decided the city should have a place to come together for all to enjoy." The margin of victory in the referendum was such that if five voters in each of the 21 precincts had changed their vote, the community center 0,4 Meadow View Rd. Four Oaks Rd. Fort Snelling ` State Park a 0 Referendum did not pass Diffley Rd. cc Cliff Rd. . 0 Split vote evenly Yankee Doodle Rd. Wilderness Run Rd. Cliff Rd. Referendum passed and park referendum would have failed. Over those 21 precincts, nine ended up with votes in favor of the referendum. In one of the remaining 12 precincts, ballots came in evenly divided for and against. . Both Awada and City Ad- ministrator Tom Hedges said the turnout was about what they expected, with Awada saying it was "fairly high" for a one -issue special election. Similar one -issue special elections in the past have brought out similar numbers of registered voters to the polls. VOTE: To Page 6A 6A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, June 14, 2000 Vote From Page 1A In 1989 a community center bond ref- erendum brought out 20.3 percent of vot- ers. A pool/ice arena referendum had a turnout of 16.5 percent in 1992. "It's not bad," Hedges added. "You al- ways hope to get a higher percentage with voters casting their ballots over an issue like this, but you take what you can get." Despite the close vote, Hedges said he hadn't had anybody request a recount of the results. An Eagan resident did call the city and ask how a recount would work, but no one else has pursued the issue, he said. The community center's proposed fea- tures include a senior center, a teen cen- ter, community meeting rooms, banquet facilities, a gym, locker rooms, fitness area, indoor walking/running track, an in- door playground and office space for the Eagan Historical Society and other groups. Awada said there was some concern when the City Council decided to put the referendum before the voters that they might not support it. "We really didn't know what way the community as a whole would feel about this," she said. "That's why the decision was made to put it before the voters before going any further." The $15.35 million 20-year bond will cost a total of just over $28 million to pay back. The annual cost to cover the princi- pal plus interest will be around $1.4 mil- lion. To pay off that bond amount the city will collect an annual property tax pay- ment of .0365 percent for each residence and business in Eagan. That amounts to an increase of $36.50 annually for every $100,000 of estimated market value. A resident with property valued at $144,000, Eagan's average property valu- www.mnSun.com ation, could expect to pay $52.56 a year or $4.38 a month in additional property taxes to cover the bonds. Now that the city has received that ap- proval, it will begin the process of putting together the design of the center. What shape that process takes will be decided on by the City Council, Hedges said. "The city will be looking at architecture firms that have done design work on sim- ilar centers," Hedges said. "We don't have anybody in mind yet because we have been waiting to pursue this until it was approved by vot- ers." Over the course of the design process, there will be opportunities for the public to provide input, Hedges said. Awada added that the council could also form committees to help shape the design process as it goes along. "I'm sure the council will look at focus groups or some other form of citizen groups to provide input on the center," Hedges said. "That will be an important part of the process as we proceed ahead with everything. I can't say for sure what form that input will take, but there will certainly be an opportunity for citizen input." Another important part of the process will be a continuing dialogue between city staff and the three corporate neighbors that border the park property. The city has already had preliminary discussions with Lockheed Martin, Northwest Airlines and Unisys regarding such means of coopera- tion as using their parking areas for event parking. "Now we will begin examining those means of cooperation further and tying down those partnerships," Hedges said. While the design of the community cen- ter begins to take shape, site work for the outdoor amenities for the central park also will begin. Those features will include walking/biking trails, one large and three smaller picnic shelters, a band shell, a community plaza, a decorative garden, benches and general site improvements such as landscaping, parking, signage, drainage and utilities. "We really don't have much of a time- line yet for the entire project, but I would imagine that things will be moving ahead fairly soon," Hedges said. Hedges said the site improvement work could begin later this summer, with the park possibly being completed by next summer. The community center could be fin- ished by early 2002, he said. "There is nothing stopping us right now from walking around the park," Hedges said. "However, with the site improve- ments that will take place, by the summer of 2001 we would have more fun walking around the park. And by 2002, we will have the community center as an added feature to enjoy in the park."