06-06-16 JDA - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Sand commented after reading the various initial written proposals submitted; reviewing the Solicitation Review Committee’s summaries of initial interviews; listening to the presentations and evaluating the supplemental written materials submitted to the JDA by the teams, he had the following observations and conclusions: 1.) All developers are well respected, talented and financially capable teams; 2.) All developers were prepared for interviews and presentations – both written and oral; 3.) All developers presented an interesting mix of vision, implementation and teamwork; 4.) Finally, the JDA, County and City are fortunate to have teams with this level of talent who have proposed to redevelop land long lost to lack of development. Chair Sand believed each team had its own unique vision for redevelopment that included – with various degrees of importance – residential, commercial/retail, town center, and flex use, along with open space. In addition, he thought each team presented different and well thought out phasing, land draw-down, and financing proposals. Lastly, he believed each team provided the JDA and himself with a clear idea of where, when and how the 427 acres would be developed. Chair Sand stated that although the JDA, County and City – as well as the current and future residents and tenants of Arden Hills and, more specifically, this site – would be well served by any of these teams, he believed one team had provided the best vision and implementation plan. This team has a vision that is responsive to the Master Plan, will provide a unique, welcoming and beautiful town center, a diverse housing mix, a solid commercial and retail base, abundant green space and energy efficient design. This team also has an implementation plan that will provide an immediate impact on the site, yet be sufficiently flexible to respond to market demands, and be guided by a collaborative effort that is necessary in order to meet the ongoing needs of the City, County and region. Chair Sand explained his assessment and conclusion about which team can best lead the JDA, County and City into the future is also based on this team’s past successful developments, its written submissions and oral presentations, as well as recommendations from public officials who dealt directly with this team on past projects. Chair Sand concluded his personal interest in seeing the construction of a well-balanced development that includes diversity in housing choices, strong interest in providing – as soon as possible – an active, attractive Town Center (or, as the team stated in its submission: “establishing a sense of Place quickly and very early”), as well as a strong desire to focus on a viable commercial and retail development, green space and energy efficiency led him to vote in favor of the team consisting of Alatus LLC, Inland Development Partners, Tradition Development Corp and Robert Thomas Homes, Inc., Mary Bak, as well as Lakota Group, Hightower Initiatives, EVS Engineering, Enebek Construction and, finally, Isles Ranch Partners. Commissioner Holden said that she approached her decision in a different manner than Chair Sand. She reviewed the approved AUAR and the TCAAP Redevelopment Plan. She discussed