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<br />more likely than any ofthe other teams to utilize a blend of builders and <br />product types. <br />. At the work session, certain Council Members expressed their desire to <br />mix teams together. The selection ofthe Opus/Restoration team is the <br />way for this to happen. Restoration Development does not build homes, <br />we work with all builders Currently both Rottlund and Centex have <br />expressed interest in building in our Woodbury neighborhood. If we are <br />selected as your development partner, we can assure you that both <br />Rottlund and Centex along with a large number of home builders will be <br />considered as builders for certain parts of this community. <br />. Finally, we recognize the City's desire for "life cycle" housing. We <br />believe that is a very achievable goal. First though we need to work with <br />the City in better defining this desire. After this, we can assemble the <br />appropriate players. After having a combined experience of developing <br />over 140 neighborhoods, we believe we are well qualified to achieve this <br />goal. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Our Planner Is Not Yet Identified: The matrix prepared by staff for the work session <br />showed that our planning firm is KKE. While KKE has done considerable work <br />for Opus and undoubtedly would be involved in certain aspects of the design <br />(specifically any retail component to the development), they would not serve as <br />our primary land planner. Both Opus and Restoration Development have <br />excellent relationships with a number ofland planners including Dahlgren, <br />Shardlowand Uban as well as with Looney Ricks Kiss, both of whom we are <br />currently working with on other projects. We believe that if selected by the City, <br />all of these firms and others would be interested in working with us. The <br />selection of a land planner is an extremely important decision and one that should <br />not be made quickly. We would first consult with staff and the City and jointly <br />determine the appropriate firm for this work <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />We have the Political Experience and Knowledee: As described during our <br />presentation, Steve Apfelbaum with AES has been involved in the release of two <br />military bases and Faegre & Benson is currently assisting United Defense with <br />acquisition ofland from the U.S. Navy in Fridley. Additionally, Dennis McGrann <br />has previously worked on the TCAAP site in assisting Ramey County in getting a <br />portion released, Dennis clearly understands the process as well if not better than <br />anyone else, having already done it once. We doubt that any other team has this <br />amount of direct experience in obtaining the release of military sites. Equally <br />important is that Mr. McGrann's firm has a very good relationship with both U.S. <br />Senators, Congresswoman Betty McCollum and with Norm Coleman. Between <br />Vance Opperman, Dennis McGrann and Faegre & Benson we have the necessary <br />experience, congressional contacts and relationships to affect a favorable outcome <br />for the transfer of this property. <br /> <br />Due to commitments that Mr. McGrann had in Washington, he was unable to be <br />in attendance when we made our presentation to you. This was unfortunate <br />because we believe it would have been informative for the Council to hear about . <br />Mr. McGrann's experience in obtaining a release of a portion ofthe TCAAP <br />property. However, Mr. McGrann would be happy to discuss this experience with <br />