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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 05-27 EDAM Regular Session 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 REGULAR SESSION MAY 27, 2003 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in regular session and was called to order at 7:59 p.m. by President Myrna Kragness. 2. ROLL CALL President Myrna Kragness, Commissioners Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, Diane Niesen, and Bob Peppe. Also present: Executive Director Michael McCauley, Assistant City Manager /Director of Operations Curt Boganey, Director of Public Works /City Engineer Todd Blomstrom, Planning and Zoning Specialist Ron Warren, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, Community Development Director Brad Hoffman, and Deputy City Clerk Maria Rosenbaum. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA A motion by Commissioner Lasman, seconded by Commissioner Peppe to approve the agenda and consent agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 3a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion by Commissioner Lasman, seconded by Commissioner Peppe to approve the May 12, 2003, regular session minutes. Motion passed unanimously. 4. COMMISSION CONSIDERATION ITEMS 4a. PROPOSED HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS Executive Director Michael McCauley discussed that two proposals had been received for a hotel development adjacent to the Earle Brown Heritage Center. He informed the EDA that he prepared a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposals received comparing both proposals side by side. Mr. McCauley ran the PowerPoint presentation. After the presentation Mr. McCauley informed the EDA that a letter withdrawing the proposal from Crowne Plaza had been received. Community Development Director Brad Hoffman addressed the Council to discuss the letter received. 05/27/03 -1- John Sheehan, Cambridge Commercial Real Estate, addressed the EDA to discuss that they had researched the area and did a complete market study. He believes that a hotel in this area will enhance the Earle Brown Heritage Center and expressed that the Radisson is a good local chain who will be easy to work with. He informed that they had added the water park to their proposal to add an extra feature for the area. President Kragness expressed that she is impressed with the proposal from the Radisson and that she likes the glass appearance and believes it will compliment both buildings. Mr. McCauley questioned the status of the Radisson application for franchise. Mr. Sheehan informed that the site has been approved in order to get the application and that the Radisson is ready once the proposal is approved. The cost of the application is an expensive fee and they did not want to start the process without first knowing the intent of the proposal. Councilmember Niesen inquired if this would be the first water park for the Radisson chain. Luis Acosta, Vice President of Carlson Companies, addressed the EDA to discuss that this would be the first for a Radisson and that it is not unusual to have water parks in hotels. She inquired if there would be a possibility of this proposal not ending up the way it was proposed. Mr. Acosta responded that the site is supportive of a 200 to 250 -room hotel. He outlined the components of Radisson and informed that the Radisson is working to eliminate the two star hotels and would like to make them all three to four star hotels. He discussed that the travel patterns are down and believes they are not going to come back up; having a hotel with a water park would be a nice attraction to travelers. Councilmember Niesen questioned if there are risks. Mr. Acosta discussed the risks he could think of were the market going weak or the relationships between all going bad. She questioned if the hotel would be competing with the Earle Brown Heritage Center for conferences. Mr. Acosta informed that there would need to be working relationships between the two parties. Councilmember Lasman questioned if the water park would be available to residents or just those who are staying at the hotel. Mr. Acosta responded that the size will determine the availability for use of the water park and that the issue needs to be studied for local use. A motion by Commissioner Lasman, seconded Commissioner Carmody to select the Radisson proposal. Motion passed unanimously. 5. ADJOURNMENT A motion by Commissioner Carmody, seconded by Commissioner Lasman to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Pr dent 05/27/03 -2-