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<br />Communitv & Economic Development <br /> <br />The last quarter of2006 saw a flurry ofTCAAP related activity, including successful negotiation <br />of an Offer to Purchase with the General Services Administration, successful negotiation of a <br />Funding and Guaranty agreement with CRR, LLC for the purchase of the TCAAP property, on- <br />going preliminary development agreement negotiations with CRR, LLC, the selection of <br />consultants to work on the TCAAP project including master planning, landscape architecture, <br />traffic, alternative urban Areawide review, and the PUD and comprehensive plan amendment <br />processes. A number of tours of the TCAAP property were arranged for residents and staff as <br />well. <br /> <br />The Economic Development Commission worked with a consulting firm to develop a strategic <br />economic development plan for the city and successfully implemented a business retention <br />program. The EDC hosted a well-attended business retention luncheon in November. <br /> <br />Several months were spent negotiating the sale and redevelopment of the old city hall/public <br />works site. Unfortunately, due to market concerns, the developer backed out of the deal in late <br />November. <br /> <br />Staff successfully secured $850,000 in Brownfield grants from the Met Council, Ramsey <br />County, and the State Department of Employment and Economic Development for the clean-up <br />of contaminated soils on the Chesapeake property in the Gateway Business District. As part of <br />the conditions to apply for these grant funds, Chesapeake was required to submit final master <br />development plans for the site. They are currently looking at building one of two proposed 8- <br />storey office buildings on the site. <br /> <br />Staff also began the process of updating the City's Comprehensive Plan, which is due to the Met <br />Council in 2008. Staff successfully secured a $26,000 grant from BlueCross BlueShield to assist <br />with the update process. <br /> <br />Anticipated Activities/Goals for 2007 <br /> <br />Some ofthe more notable goals and activities we are anticipating for 2007 are: <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Purchase and implementation of new inspection software to expand and Improve <br />efficiency of reporting and tracking <br />Disposition of old city hall/public works property <br />Resolution of City Hall arbitration <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />City of Arden Hills <br />City Council Meeting <br />Janumy 29, 2007 <br /> <br />\\Metro~inet.us\ardenhills\Planning\CommunilY Developmen/\Collllcil Agenda Ilems\Community Development Year in Review memo to council 1- <br />24-07.doc <br /> <br />Page 9 of I 0 <br />