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I. Context This chapter of the report sets the stage for the Arden Hills TCAAP Framework Plan. It summarizes the situation that led to the City's planning effort, describes the City of Arden Hills and the history and use ofTCAAP, and introduces the major actors. A. Introduction In 1994, the U.S. Army Indnstrial Operations Command (roC) announced its intention to declare the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) as excess federal property. Although no formal declaration of excess was issued at this time, it became clear that, within the next few years, the property would become available for other uses. TCAAP has been in operation since 1942, producing conventional ammunition and weapons components. The sole remaining on-site contractor is Alliant Techsystems, Inc., which manufactures explosives that are assembled into shells and other weapons elsewhere. Congressman Bruce Vento, who represents Minnesota's 4th Congressional District, appointed the TCAAP Reutilization Committee in the summer of 1994. This group was charged with developing a community-based reuse plan for the site. The Committee's roster included an official representative from Arden Hills, in which TCAAP is located, as well as representatives from the three adjacent communities (Shoreview, New Brighton and Mounds View). The Committee also contained representation from organized labor, environmental groups, Ramsey County, the State of Minnesota, and other local and regional interest groups. The Reutilization Committee began meeting in the fall of 1994. At about the same time, the City of Arden Hills began exploring the feasibility of hiring planning experts to assist it in dealing with the challenge presented by TCAAP. By April 1995, after meeting once a month for six months, the Reutilization Committee had gathered a large amount of information but had no more than a general feel for where lines might be drawn on a map to show different kinds of proposed reuse areas. Two proposals were rejected outright: one to devote the entire site to open space, the other to devote about half the site to open space and leave the other half "as is", in use by AlliantTechsystems. Also in the spring of 1995, a grassroots organization called the Arsenal Clean-up and Conversion Project, a spinoff of Minnesota Jobs With Peace, began holding public brainstorming sessions to help determine the future of TCAAP. These sessions continued throughout the summer and the information they gathered became input to the Reutilization Committee. And at about the same time, the Prairie Island band of the Mdewakanton Sioux expressed an interest in the TCAAP site. At fIrst, they stated that they merely wanted another site on which to build housing, so that band members could relocate away from the Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant adjacent to their home reservation. Less than a week later, though, it was revealed that they might also put a gaming facility on the site as well. Camiros, Ltd./SEH, /nc./UlDL, Ltd. TeMP Framework Plan Pagel Chapter 1 - .- - I I I I I - .. I I I I I I .- I I