HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982/01/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Joint MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL
ST. LOUIS PARK HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
January 25 , 1982
1 . Call to Order Mayor Phyllis McQuaid called the joint
meeting of the City Council and the HRA to
order at 7:08 p.m. The following members
were present during the meeting:
City Council HRA
Ronald Backes Keith !leland Dudley Moylan, Chairman
Lyle Hanks John Ralles Len Thiel
Jerrold Martin Phyllis McQuaid Jane Tschida
Also present were the City Manager and the Executive Director of the HRA.
2 . Darrell A. Farr Development The Mayor explained that this joint meeting
Corp. : Proposal for Excelsior had been convened at the request of the
Blvd. Redevelopment District HRA. . Chairman Moylan related that at the
last joint Council/HRA meeting, the HRA
had indicated that it would choose an overall developer for the Redevelop-
ment District which it could do at this meeting by naming the Darrell A. Farr
Development Corporation. The purpose of this meeting would be the joint
approval of the Farr proposal for the Redevelopment District.
Darrell Farr introduced Jim Opelt of the Farr organization ; Dick Lincoln
of Miller and Schroeder Municipals; and Arvid Elness , architect.
• Mr. Elness presented the project proposal . The project, estimated in
excess of S50 million , contained the following elements:
1 . A 10-story, 164-unit rental housing structure targeted for Persons aged
55 and older. It would contain one- and two-bedroom units. Recent dis-
cussions with the St. Louis Park Medical Center suggest that adding
a cafeteria and auditorium to this building may be desirable to meet
some of the Med Center's_expansion needs.
2. A 10-story, 164-unit condominium building targeted for persons aged 55
and older. The plan would require a re-orientation of the recently
approved addition for the Parkview Treatment Center.
3. A renovation , expansion and enclosure of the Lilac Way retail
center. King's Inn and the Leaning Post would be prime tenants.
A. A 10-story office huilding, a 4-story parking ramp, and a 2-story
office/condominium building. The 2-story building would replace the
Wilkins Pontiac car dealership.
5. Pedestrian ways would interconnect all elements of the plan.
Joint Council/HRA meeting minutes
January 25 , 1982
6 . The water tower would be the focal point of the development.
There was brief discussion about traffic circulation associated with the
project.
Councilman Martin commented that Phases I and II , the housing units , appeared
financially viable and desirable.
Commissioner Thiel wondered when a traffic plan would be ready. qtr. Farr
said that a traffic engineer would be commissioned soon and would coordinate
planning with the needs of the City and MnDOT.
Commissioner Thiel asked if there had been any communication from the Med
Center regarding cost sharing for the skyway link and the cafeteria and audit-
orium in the rental housing building.
Mr. Farr noted that the Med Center wants a ground level link. The Ned Center
has indicated a willingness to pay for the cafeteria, auditorium and a possible
parking expansion.
Councilman Hanks asked if the Ned Center would use any of the rental housing
for its patients. Mr. Farr replied that this had been discussed.
Councilman Hanks wondered how long the tax increment designation would need
to be in effect. Mr. Lincoln responded that current mortgage bond legislation
says that housing must be targeted for 20% occupancy by low- and moderate-
income households and the district would need to last 20 years . Federal
legislation now in Congress would reduce this time requirement to 10 years.
Councilman Backes asked what action the HRA had taken and what staff review had
taken place. Chairman Moylan stated that the only HRA action at this time
had been to schedule this meeting. The Executive Director noted the proposal
met the criteria for intense and diverse development, redevelopment and re-
habilitation goals and financial viability.
Councilman Martin moved and Councilman Backes seconded that the City Council
and HRA jointly approve the proposal by the Farr Corporation and that staff
and the developer expedite the refinement of plans.
The motion passed 9-0. -
Mr. Lincoln mentioned that a resolution of inducement would be prepared.
Commissioner Tschida moved and Commissioner Thiel seconded that the Farr Corp-
oration be named the overall developer for the Excelsior Boulevard Redevelopment
District and that the HRA staff prepare a letter of intent with the developer
outlining what is involved in the proposal and the role and expectations of the
responsible agencies. The HRA approved the motion 3-0.
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Joint Council/HRA meeting minutes
January 25 , 1982
3. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
C2111L Ci 1C2"4":4
Mayor
Attest:
rain f ,son, 'ec. ding Secretary
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