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<br />Page I of I <br /> <br />James Lehnhoff <br /> <br />From: JOHN SHIELDS Uohnkris156@msn,com] <br />Sent: Thursday, October 04, 20076:43 AM <br />To: James Lehnhoff; sjharpstead@comcast.net; davemcclung@comcast.net <br />Subject: Arden Plaza and Holiday Inn Development <br /> <br /> <br />Dear Arden Hills Planning Commission, Mayor and City Council: <br /> <br />I have been reading about the redevelopment of Arden Plaza and the Holiday Inn site. I appreciate the <br />work that you do to find the right businesses that compliment our local businesses and that will bring <br />customers to the area. For this reason, I wish to state my opinion that Walgreen's and the possibility of <br />an Aldi store moving in to the area would detract from what could be a vibrant Arden Hills. Developers <br />should be allowed to make money but not at the expense of our community. <br /> <br />While I am opposed to these businesses, I do think the redevelopment of the mall itself would be <br />positive for the current businesses at Arden Plaza. The hardware store, the Arden Pharmacy and the <br />Hair Expressions salon (to name just a few) need an updated mall with businesses that are also known <br />to draw in customers and that have a good reputation. I believe that a Trader Joe's and Chipolte would <br />be examples of businesses that could meet this criteria. <br /> <br />For example in today's Pioneer Press, there is an article on the front page of the North Suburbs section <br />entitled "City is trading up with Trader Joe's". I found it interesting how they quoted a Woodbury <br />resident as stating other people have said, "You are so lucky" when they find out Woodbury is getting a <br />Trader Joe's. I doubt the proposed Walgreen's or Aldi would draw such a reaction in Arden Hills! In fact, <br />the article calls Trader Joe's "a jewel in Woodbury's retail crown". I saw pictures of the availability of <br />parking in the afternoons at Arden Plaza. I believe this store would help fill the parking lot and "benefit <br />neighboring sores by boosting mall traffic". By attracting the right businesses to Arden Hills, other top <br />notch businesses will want to sign on and compliment the local businesses we are already lucky to have. <br /> <br />Please deliberate this decision carefully. Our community and its future is in your hands. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Kristine Shields <br />1144 Karth Lake Drive <br />Arden Hills, MN <br /> <br />111l/2007 <br />