04-04-16 JDA - Laserfiche WebLink

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New Business Rice Creek Commons Commissioner Holden believed there was a disconnect between Rice Creek Commons and the City of Arden Hills. She commented she has received 47 calls from individuals questioning if Rice Creek Commons was in Arden Hills. She explained that Rice Creek Road was in New Brighton, and Rice Creek Parkway and Rice Creek Trail were in Shoreview. She thought that there was no key factor to identify Rice Creek Commons with Arden Hills. She understood the County brought this name forward for marketing purposes. She wanted to have the JDA find a tagline for this development. Commissioner Grant indicated Rice Creek was a name used for the general area. He wanted to see the site’s name, whether TCAAP or Rice Creek Commons integrated into the rest of the community. He did not want to see the development become a separate appendage from the remainder of Arden Hills. He feared Rice Creek Commons would be seen as a city unto its own or be viewed as an extension of Shoreview. He feared the current name was problematic. He understood the County developed the Rice Creek Commons name for marketing purposes, however, he suggested a new name be entertained or that the name be somehow integrated into the remainder of Arden Hills. Chair Sand proposed the interviewing process include a question on how future developers would name and localize the site. This would remove the burden from the City and County. He stated it would be difficult to get comment from Ramsey County staff this evening given the fact Administrator Director Worthington was not present. Commissioner Ortega recommended this item be further discussed in April. Staff Report – Solicitation Update Josh Olson explained staff was gearing up for the solicitation deadline on Wednesday, March 9th. He indicated that the names of the proposers would be read and the documentation would be forwarded to the members of the solicitation review committee. Mr. Olson reported that at this time there were 57 plan holders, which was a healthy response to the solicitation. He believed there was an opportunity for these plan holders to team up on the project. He reviewed statistics on how many people have been sent or viewed information on the solicitation. He discussed a list of questions that have been received from solicitors to date. Chair Sand appreciated the thoughtful list of questions that had been provided by solicitors. He questioned how many of the solicitors were from the State of Minnesota and how many were from out of state.