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Minutes – Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority – 2/16/12 Page 1 Hastings EDRA Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority 6:00 pm Hastings City Hall
Minutes of February 16, 2012 I. QUORUM: HEDRA Commissioners Present: Keena, Peine, Holzem, Kelley, Elling Schultz & Alongi (arrived at 6:10 p.m.) HEDRA Commissioners Absent: Toppin Staff
Present: City Administrator Dave Osberg, Community Development Director John Hinzman, Community Relation Specialist Shannon Rausch, Visitors Present: Jessica Cook with Ehlers & Assoc.
Others: Joe Balsanek, Bert Goderstad, Amy Martin & Katherine Sovik-Siemens II. MINUTES Commissioner Keena motioned to approve the minutes from the January 12, 2012 meeting, Commissioner
Holzem seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0 III. BILLS Commissioner Keena motioned to pay the bills, Commissioner Kelley seconded the motion. Motion approved 5-0 IV. BUSINESS No
new business was discussed. Commissioner Alongi arrived. SPECIAL WORKSHOP CALLED TO ORDER A. Hudson Hudson Redevelopment The majority of the workshop was spent discussing the current
status of the Hudson Site, the goals for 2012, and overall plan for marketing the site. HEDRA seeks to find a developer to purchase the property and redevelop the site.
Minutes – Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority – 2/16/12 Page 2 1. Environmental Clean-up • Environmental testing is nearly complete. Environmental findings will
be shared with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to gain approval of the Response Action Plan (RAP) for environmental cleanup. Clean-up funding is available from various state and
local environmental agencies. Grant funding is available in the Spring and Fall. • HEDRA seeks demolition of the 1974 addition. The 48,000 s.f. addition encompasses about 1/3 of the
total building square footage and is not historically significant. This may be completed in conjunction with the RAP. Demolition of the 1974 addition would reduce maintenance costs.
2. Possible reuse ideas for the site (Comments from committees & communities) • Lower level shops, arts, business/retail • Mixed use commercial and residential • Performance space. •
The Heart of Hastings Plan suggested development would be primarily residential with limited retail/commercial; however HEDRA desires Hudson redevelopment be a greater attraction for
downtown. • Preserving and expanding riverfront greenspace is a priority. • Riverfront exposure will be a key to redevelopment. Seek to tie redevelopment with natural resources, national
parks, and aquatic uses. • A few developers have toured and commented on the site. The location along the riverfront and downtown along with visibility from the TH 61 Bridge are of most
interest. Concern has been expressed on absorbing the remaining building (100,000 s.f.) into the marketplace. • Redevelopment will likely encompass a variety of uses. 3. Goals for 2012
• Complete the RAP and begin site cleanup. • Demolish the 1974 addition. • Rezone Hudson site from Industrial to Downtown Core. • Continue to promote site redevelopment. Redevelopment
should serve as a catalyst for downtown activity. 4. Outstanding Questions • Financial feasibility of building rehabilitation. • Developer interest in building rehabilitation. • Extent
and cost of environmental remediation. B. Marketing Plan
Minutes – Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority – 2/16/12 Page 3 The Commission began looking at the beginning stages of implementing the Marketing plan drawn up
in the Himle Horner Report. Conversations involving who the audience should be and what the key message will be were discussed at length providing staff with direction to move forward.
1. Message -• “Historic Hastings” • “On the River” • “Gateway to the Mississippi River Valley” • “Bridging South Eastern Minnesota and the Twin Cities” • “Dakota County’s Downtown” 2.
Audience • Hampton • Red Wing • Lake City • Prescott • Ellsworth • Cottage Grove 3. What are we promoting • Industrial Park, Closes Industrial/Business Park to the metro that still has
land for $1.00. • Semi-professional/nongovernmental business • Outdoor recreational manufacturing companies (canoes/kayaks/bikes???) 4. Possible Partnerships. • Hastings Area Chamber
of Commerce • Board of Tourism • CDA • Metro MSP VI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Elling Schultz motioned to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Commissioner Keena seconded motion. Motion approved 5-0
Next meeting is scheduled for March 8, 2012 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Shannon M. Rausch, HEDRA Secretary