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The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents July 2021 <br />A judge has decided the Joint Powers Agreement <br />(JPA) between the City of Arden Hills and Ramsey <br />County regarding redevelopment of the TCAAP <br />project will remain intact. Hennepin County District <br />Judge Edward Wahl rendered a decision on June 17, <br />2021 that upholds the JPA and suggests the two sides <br />can resolve their differences outside of the courtroom <br />through political means. This is a positive outcome for <br />the City as the JPA, which the City and County have <br />been working together under since 2012, will continue <br />to guide the development and ensure a public process. <br />This decision comes after the County decided to <br />bring forward costly and time-consuming litigation <br />against the City in early 2019 citing differences in <br />vision for the project mainly revolving around density <br />and affordable housing; however, the two parties <br />considered an almost execution-ready agreement <br />in late 2018, until the County walked away. That <br />agreement would have paved the way for 1,460 new <br />residential units, significant new retail, commercial, <br />and industrial projects, as well as new and exciting <br />greenspace and park amenities for everyone to enjoy. <br />The City has, and will continue, to strive for a fair and <br />transparent process, and a high quality, sustainable <br />project for its current and future residents and <br />businesses. We encourage the County to do the same <br />and work together to complete the master development <br />agreement and get the project moving. Future Joint <br />Development Authority (JDA) meetings between the <br />City and County are scheduled on the first Monday <br />of the month, unless otherwise noted due to holidays. <br />Information on how to attend meetings, their agendas, <br />and discussion items can be found on the City’s website <br />at https://www.cityofardenhills.org/AgendaCenter under <br />the JDA section. If neither the County nor the City files <br />an appeal by August 17, the case will be over. Until <br />then, the litigation is still considered ongoing. <br />To read the full judge’s ruling and the City’s statement, <br />visit cityofardenhills.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=926. <br />Judge Declares Joint Powers Agreement Remains between the <br />City of Arden Hills and Ramsey County <br />Concept drawing of the “Main Street” town center imagined for <br />Rice Creek Commons. Image credit: ESG Architects