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Commissioner Ortega questioned how Ryan would seek a corporate user. <br /> <br />Mr. Hankinson stated this was one of his favorite aspects of development. He discussed how <br />development had changed over the past 10 years. He indicated he would want to establish a <br />partnership with the members of the JDA in order to assist in finding the proper users for this <br />site. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holden expressed concern with this project becoming a community unto itself. <br />She reminded the representatives present that this land was a part of Arden Hills. She <br />requested further comment on how this project would tie back into the remainder of the <br />community. <br /> <br />Mr. Schoening did not mean to suggest that this would be a self-contained development. <br />Rather, he was trying to suggest his goal would be to market and brand this site in such a <br />manner that it competes across all others in the Twin Cities. He did not see this becoming a <br />community unto itself. He commented on a development in Shakopee and how it was tied into <br />the remainder of the community. He believed the project would have to have an identity that <br />draws people to it. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holden asked how this development would be different. <br /> <br />Mr. Schoening supposed this would come from the site itself. He understood differentiation <br />was important but stated novelty was dangerous. He commented there were effective ways to <br />plan a community of this size, which would be brought forward. He believed the “wow” was <br />that it was about to happen, along with the size and location of the property. <br /> <br />Mr. Schoening commented on several town center developments throughout the nation and <br />believed the water feature within Rice Creek Commons should be made a central amenity. He <br />discussed the important of programming the town center area year round in order to continue <br />drawing people to this location and to create a sense of belonging. Further discussion ensued <br />regarding Centennial Lakes. <br /> <br />Chair Sand asked how programming would be accomplished. <br /> <br />Mr. Schoening commented the programming would evolve over time. He believed that tenants <br />and landlords would have to come together in order to create a successful town center. <br /> <br />Chair Sand reviewed Ryan’s retail vision for Rice Creek Commons. He asked if it was still Ryan’s <br />intent to develop the Hill neighborhood first and inquired how the walkability feature would be <br />tied into the town center. <br /> <br />Mr. Schoening stated from a retail standpoint, he believed this would be an early component <br />that belonged on the freeway. He indicated it would benefit the development to have some <br />retail established within the project prior to the town center developing.