Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988 07-07 EDAM Special Session1 1 MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL SESSION JULY 7, 1988 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority met in special session and was called to order by President Dean Nyquist at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL President Dean Nyquist, Commissioners Gene Lhotka, Celia Scott, and Rich Theis. Also present were EDA Director Gerald Splinter, EDA Coordinator Brad Hoffman, and Administrative Aid Patti Page. President Nyquist noted this was a joint meeting between the EDA and the Earle Brown Farm Committee. Members present were Dr. Orn, Ron Christensen, Leone Howe, Sylvia Kenny, Warren Lindquist, and Gil Engdahl. Also present were Greg Watson and Steve Cox, representatives of Heskin Resource Group, Inc.; Dick Faricy and John Barber, representatives of Winsor Faricy Architects; and Al Beisner. DISCUSSION The EDA Coordinator briefly reviewed the timeline which had been set up for this project and noted at this point the project is behind schedule. He went on to review the program uses which have been proposed for the buildings. He noted the hippodrome will be used as a banquet and convention center; the stable has been proposed for office; the housing complex has been proposed for a bed and breakfast use; and the bunk house will have minimum restoration and will be used for storage. He stated originally a senior center had been discussed for the D barn but it is not a compatible use with the layout of the building. He stated staff has suggested office space for the D barn. He went on to review the hard construction costs and noted some changes would have to be made to stay within the proposed budget. The EDA Coordinator stated in developing the project there were two major design problems, those being parking requirements and a kitchen facility to serve 850 to 1,000 people. He noted it appeared with the parking requirements the only way to meet the requirements was to put in a parking ramp. He stated staff felt the best approach would be to build an interim parking lot and obtain parking agreements with surrounding businesses. He noted when the banquet /convention center is up and running staff would have a better idea of the actual parking needs and a parking ramp could be built at a later date. The EDA Coordinator stated the location of the kitchen facility was another large design problem. He noted originally the kitchen had been proposed for the stable area, but after a kitchen designer had completed his review, staff found 7 -7 -88 -1- that almost the entire stable area would be needed for a kitchen that could serve 850 to 1,000 people. He explained the solution to this problem was to construct a large kitchen and storage area underneath the hippodrome. He noted there would be two elevators from the basement to the hippodrome. The EDA Coordinator went on to review the cost estimates of the entire project and noted if everything were completed as proposed, the project would be $1.8 million beyond the City's reasonable bonding capabilities. He noted some cuts were made which seem drastic but are very necessary. He went on to review these cuts and explained the proposal is to remove the bunk house, G barn, and blacksmith shop completely from the project. He noted the D barn would be made structurally sound but would be a storage facility instead of office space. He stated the housing complex has been modified somewhat and the second floor and western addition to the guest house has been deleted from the project. He noted the guest house would not be included in the bed and breakfast portion of the complex. Dr. Orn inquired if it would be possible to restore all the buildings on the outside and leave an empty shell to be developed at a later date. The EDA Coordinator stated it could possibly be done, but something would have to be cut from somewhere else in the project. President Nyquist inquired what the revenue loss would be from deleting the guest house from the bed and breakfast project. Mr. Beisner stated it would be approximately $35,000 to $45,000 less a year if the four rooms of the guest house were eliminated from the bed and breakfast project. The EDA Coordinator stated the enclosed arbor connection would not go all the way across to the guest house.• He added staff also found that there would not be a need for a full commercial kitchen within the bed and breakfast complex. Leone Howe stated she felt by making these proposed cuts and changes the City would be losing the original feel of the farm. Commissioner Lhotka inquired if it would be possible to add only the second floor to the existing guest house. The EDA Coordinator stated it could be possible. He reminded the EDA and the Earle Brown Farm Committee that in order to make this project work they would have to consider cutting $1.8 million worth of work out of the project. Leone Howe stated she liked the idea of adding only the second floor to the existing guest house. The EDA Coordinator stated two loading docks have been cut from the hippodrome area and the last cut suggested is to delete the restaurant and kitchen facility from within the stable. He noted the area would be finished off and could be used for wedding receptions and small break -out space for hippodrome meetings. He noted when this area was being worked on they would stub in the lines for a future kitchen allowing for that potential someday. Warren Lindquist stated he was concerned that there will be no reason for the average Brooklyn Center resident to go to the farm. The EDA Coordinator stated there would be concerts and other programmed events as well as community events in the hippodrome. Warren Lindquist stated he felt the beginning ideas of the Earle Brown Farm Committee have been lost. The EDA Director stated this is a public project which is being completed with public funding. He noted of the proposed uses the least public use would be office space and the next least public use would be the bed and breakfast facility. He noted if in the future a restaurant could be enticed into moving into the stable area, this would open 7 7 88 -2- 1 1 1 1 1 1 the farm up for more public uses. The EDA Coordinator explained by stubbing in the lines for a future kitchen facility it leaves the door open for any restaurant which may wish to locate in this building. He noted it would be the staff's hope that a restaurant would be willing to locate in this building and also be willing to supply all the kitchen fixtures. The EDA Director stated whenever you are putting in a commercial type kitchen you are talking large dollar amounts. Dr. Orn inquired if there is any place such as State or Federal grants where the City could obtain_ $1.8 million to avoid demolishing these three or four red buildings. A brief discussion then ensued regarding financing possibilities. Commissioner Theis stated he would like to know what the cost would be if the hippodrome, bed and breakfast complex, and D barn were developed and the other buildings moved into place, made structurally sound, and the outward appearance restored to allow for future renovation. The EDA Director stated those figures are not available at this time, but it is almost a certainty that the project would still fall short of money. Ron Christensen stated he would like to know how short the City would be. Commissioner Theis stated he would like to see the buildings saved and brought into use when the money is available. He added he would like staff to investigate the use of a tax levy to fund restoration of the buildings. Dr. Orn stated he felt this would bring the project closer to the committee's original ideas. Ron Christensen stated he was concerned with the reality of some of these cost estimates. Greg Watson from Heskin Resources went on to review how the specs and schematic design are developed to allow for the taking of accurate bids. He stated at this time he is confident the EDA and the committee have been given a good market estimate, but it is anyone's guess what the market will do to the actual costs. President Nyquist inquired if the buildings are actually in worse shape than staff had first thought. The EDA Director responded negatively but noted in order to turn these buildings into a people structure versus a farm structure they must be restored much more heavily and detailed. Dr. Orn stated he believed when the Brooklyn Center Jaycees completed the citizen's survey a few years ago a majority of the citizens felt the Earle Brown Farm should be saved and approximately 60% said they would be willing to pay for it through property taxes. The EDA Director stated if it is the EDA's wish, staff can investigate the cost for having the buildings moved on site and made structurally sound. He inquired if it would be possible for the architects to start on the actual design work for the hippodrome and bed and breakfast complex. Dick Faricy of Winsor Faricy Architects stated the actual design process could be started on the hippodrome and bed and breakfast complex as long as the EDA was absolutely sure that was what it wanted. He noted he did not want to start the design process if the EDA was going to change its mind. The EDA Coordinator stated it would take a couple of weeks to gather the additional information on the other buildings. Commissioner Lhotka pointed out after the additional dollar figures are in and the information on other funding sources has been investigated the EDA could still decide not to save the other buildings. 7 -7 -8P -3- There was a motion by Commissioner Scott and seconded by Commissioner Theis directing staff to obtain cost estimates for moving the bunk house and G barn, for acquiring the blacksmith shop and moving it onto the proposed site, and for making the buildings structurally sound and restoring the outward appearance of them. The staff should also direct Winsor Faricy Architects to begin the design process for the hippodrome, bed and breakfast complex, and D barn. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Lhotka and seconded by Commissioner Theis to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. 1