HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEDRA Minutes 12-10-2020HEDRA
HASTINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority of the City of
Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at
6:00 p.m. via Zoom video conference.
HEDRA Commissioners Present: Peine, Fox, Sinclair, Goblirsch, Balsanek, and Vaughan.
HEDRA Commissioners Absent: Sullivan
Staff Present: Community Development Director John Hinzman
Economic Development Coordinator Eric Maass
City Administrator Dan Wietecha
I. Quorum
A quorum was established and the meeting was called to order by Vice President
Peine at 6:00 PM with six members present.
II. Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Fox to approve the minutes from the November 12, 2020
Regular Meeting as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Goblirsch. Roll call vote:
Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved.
III. Bills
Hinzman summarized the bills. Commissioner Vaughan motioned to approve as presented,
seconded by Commissioner Sinclair. Roll call vote: Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved.
IV. Business
A. Confluence Update –
Director Hinzman brought in Rob Barse of Confluence Development to provide an
update on activities.
Phase I (building shell and site work) exterior activities including roofing,
tuckpointing, site utilities, structural repairs, and painting are nearly complete.
Soil corrections, asphalt work, and apartment window installations will take place
in the spring.
Work will begin shortly on the Phase II activities within the interior of the
building. The hotel operator IDM has been contracted to also operate the
restaurant and banquet facility. They are working on opening activities in later
2021. There seems to be interest in jumping right back into the hospitality / travel
industry as soon as possible, anticipating excitement.
Completion Date: Unknown currently, dependent on tax investors. Best case
scenario opening Oct 15-30th, otherwise hotel could open in spring 2022 and other
amenities beforehand.
Commissioners discussed the timing of activities, lack of completion of activities
in 2020, and thanked Confluence for their continued progress.
B. Downtown Property Use Study –
Coordinator Maass provided a presentation of the Study.
General: Five sites in Eastern downtown up for redevelopment.
Many shared developments factor in.
Waste water treatment plant to be relocated 2023-25
Site one: HEDRA owned - environmental clean-up, two potential scenarios
Site two: HEDRA owns small portion, rest is private. Scenario:
retail/dining/apartments in 5,000 s.f.. Next: potential alternate sites for Spades,
should HEDRA buy other parcels in site if they become available?
Site three: HEDRA owns all. Parking has a ground lease with Metropolitan
Council. Development scenario includes moving the parking lot to build living and
retail
Site four: Split ownership. Current: lease with ISD 200 – 1-year written notice to
terminate. Development: 2 three-story apartment buildings or 1 three-story and 5
carriage homes – possibility for phased development. -HEDRA previously
expressed interest in commercial aspects
Site five: HEDRA owns all. City leases storage space. Some was set aside for
parking, but Heart of Hastings Plan would like housing instead. Housing scenarios
shown.
Commissioners discussed how the study would be used in the future, how it
coordinates with proposals on Sites 1 and 4, staff bandwidth for multiple sites at
once, marketing of properties, and future financial modeling.
V. Reports and Information
A. COVID Business Restrictions - Coordinator Maass and Director Hinzman
provided an update on COVID Business Restrictions and discussions with
downtown businesses relating to their continued financial struggles due to business
restrictions. Governor Walz has not said whether the restrictions will continue
past the December 18th expiration date. There is approximately $100,000
remaining from the $320,000 allocated for COVID relief in April. Discussions
continue among the Hastings Chamber, local businesses, and City Staff on areas of
need and collaboration. Ideas to draw business downtown this winter include ice
sculptures, horse drawn carriages, and riverfront lighting.
• DJ has been scheduled for the next few weekends downtown
• Horse & carriage has been contacted
• Want to create an experience in downtown Hastings rather than one-time
event.
• Discussed adding permanent lighting on railroad bridge as other cities
have done – could use Rivertown Days funds from chamber?
• Discussed adding regular entertainment to draw folks downtown.
B. Siewert Downtown Development - Discussions continue with Mr. Siewert, more
information may be presented in January.
C. Hiawatha Broadband - Coordinator Maass provided an update on Hiawatha
Broadbands efforts to expand service in Hastings. Timeline of 5 years.
D. Commercial Vacancy – Discussed.
E. Development Update - Director Hinzman provided a recap of development
activities.
HEDRA thanked Commissioner Fox for her contributions to HEDRA and wished her luck
serving on City Council.
HEDRA recognized the contributions of Commissioner Balsanek as both HEDRA and
Councilmember and wished him the best.
Interview for HEDRA Citizen Commissioner vacancy next week.
VI. Adjourn
Commissioner Sinclair motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 p.m., seconded by
Commissioner Balsanek. Roll call vote. Motion passed 6-0. Meeting adjourned.
Next Meeting: January 14, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW6ZRb401E4
Respectively Submitted:
Lindsay Anderson