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<br />Northwestern College <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />Mayor and Council Members <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />Douglas R. Schroeder, CFO <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />January 22, 2008 <br /> <br />RE: <br /> <br />Proposed Interim Use of Former Hotel Site at 1201 W County Road E (the <br />"Hotel Site") <br /> <br />Northwestern College became aware that the former Holiday Inn has been closed when <br />several months ago we were approached by a potential purchaser of the property about the <br />possible use of the Hotel Site as student residential property. Nothing occurred through this <br />contact, as the property was subsequently considered by another developer and has since been <br />placed in a moratorium status by the City while it determines its future usage plans for the B-2 <br />District The property is currently vacant and not available for development beyond its use as a <br />hotel facility during the moratorium period established by the City, <br /> <br />Northwestern College is currently in discussions with the Property's representatives <br />about the potential use of the facility that could provide significant benefits to the City and the <br />College. The College proposes entering into a lease for the Hotel Site to provide temporary <br />student housing through May, 2011, Housing for approximately 300 students would be provided <br />on an interim basis while the College implements its recently approved Campus Master Plan. <br /> <br />We believe this proposal provides several advantages to the City: <br /> <br />1, The Hotel Site would be occupied, lessening the threat of vandalism, police calls <br />and a developing neighborhood eyesore. It would also remain on the property tax rolls because <br />it remains owned by the current owner, not the College. <br /> <br />2, <br />students. <br /> <br />Businesses in the area would benefit from the presence of approximately 300 <br /> <br />3, The College intends to change its current mandatory student housing policy from <br />age 20 to age 21 (the same requirement as Bethel University). We have been unable to do this <br />at this point because we currently lack sufficient student housing. If the College were able to <br />occupy the closed Holiday Inn facility as temporary student housing, we would be able to raise <br />the age of the student housing policy starting the coming fall semester rather than waiting for <br />additional student housing facilities to be built on Campus - yet several years away, thus Arden <br /> <br />3{)03SNElUNGAVENUENORTI-l SAINT PAUL. MINNESOTA 55113-1598 phone 651-631-5100 fax 651-631-5269 web www.nWc.edu <br />