02-02-26 JDA WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Monson summarized it appears the size of this project was really tough and it was hard to find a single developer to complete this project. Commissioner Jebens-Singh stated after sitting in on negotiations last year, the expertise of any one developer was in question. She explained if the project were more broken up the County would be able to have money to reinvest back into the project. Commissioner Weber anticipated the City would have a hard time with the site being sold in numerous parcels. While he understood this has benefits, he feared the final product could be compromised. He stated there may be parcels remaining within the project area that stay undeveloped because they are less desirable. He questioned if there would be coordination between the City and the County on the land sale negotiations. Director Jagoe indicated a cooperative agreement would have to be in place to address parks, infrastructure, phasing and the repayment of costs. Chair Wicklund stated it would be his preference to have staff research the hybrid approach and consider how the California parcel could be split into five to ten sections. He indicated if the JDA were to proceed in this manner, parcels could begin to be sold off and if this wasn’t working the JDA could move back to the lead developer scenario. Commissioner Weber explained he generally agreed with this recommendation but he stated there were other factors to consider such as which parcels were the most developable. Commissioner Miller supported the JDA pursuing a hybrid model for the development of Rice Creek Commons. Commissioner Jebens-Singh encouraged staff to consider what the JDA was not thinking about if the hybrid model were to move forward. She indicated staff would have to consider what was the most logical manner in which to move forward with the development of this project and how it should be staged or phased. Commissioner Monson stated she was not sold on the hybrid approach. She was of the opinion it was dangerous to ask the County to do development work given the fact that they were a governing body. Chair Wicklund indicated this was why he would like to allow staff the time to research the options for a hybrid approach. Commissioner Jebens-Singh recalled that the hybrid approach was brought up by a Commissioner for consideration. She supported the JDA learning more about this option and if there were any red flags with the hybrid approach. The consensus of the JDA was to direct staff to pursue a hybrid approach and to report back to the JDA in 90 days.