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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 07-06 CCM Special Meeting MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL MEETING JULY 6, 1998 BROOKDALE CENTER CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met for a special meeting at Brookdale Center and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Debra Hilstrom, Kay Lasman, and Robert Peppe. Also present: City Manager Michael J. McCauley, Assistant City Manager/HR Director Jane Chambers, and Recording Secretary Maria Carlson. Community Development Director Brad Hoffinan arrived at 7:10 p.m. Mayor Kragness started the special meeting with introductions of the City Council to CEO of Talisman Companies Mr. Jim Schlesinger, and General Manager Sharon Paulson. The Council viewed renderings of the new Brookdale Center while Mr. Schlesinger informed them about the proposed renovations. He stated the anchor stores are comfortable with the renovations proposed and that Dayton's thinks this renovation will be good for them. He explained the renovations that will take place will be nothing less than a brand new center. He discussed the reason for the renovations of Daytons instead of a new Daytons store was first, that Datyons would have to sell its current store to the mall ownership, and second, that the size would be 195,000 versus 165,000 square feet. Mr. Schlesinger informed the Council that a signed agreement with Loews for the proposed Amphitheater will be going out next week. He stated that Talisman Companies already has financing to build the proposed Amphitheater, and that Brookdale Center would be the only mall in the area with this type of entertainment center. The Amphitheater would hold approximately 3,000 hours of entertainment a year. It would have a full line of acoustics along with video panels to see live entertainment when walking through the mall. Advertisements could also be shown which would lead to great sales. 07/06/98 -1- Mr. Schlesinger informed the Council that Brookdale would be the only mall in the Twin Cities with this type of entertainment and that this makes Brookdale a very unique shopping mall which will bring in more sales. It will be a totally different mall that people will be interested in seeing. Mayor Kragness questioned Mr. Schlesinger if Dayton's own their store now will they have to pay for renovations? Mr. Schlesinger responded that the landlord will have to pay for the renovations, and that the budget of 85 Million Dollars includes the renovation of Dayton's. If Dayton's were to ever leave Brookdale Center the Talisman Companies would get the store. Councilmember Carmody questioned Mr. Schlesinger about Dayton's upgrading their inventory. Mr. Schlesinger explained that the renovation will bring in more money and that their inventory would be upgraded. Mr. Schlesinger discussed the different sections of the proposed renovations and explained how Brookdale will be more festive. He informed the Council that the exterior will have a series of entries that will be eye catching and that they will create a uniform box that ties the boxes into one eyecatching element, along with the JC Penny Tire and Battery Building having some work done. Council then viewed a video of the proposed renovations of Brookdale Center. Mr. Schlesinger stated that Talisman Companies is looking for 7 Million Dollars of TIF money from the City for the renovation for Brookdale Center and opened the discussion for Council to ask questions. Councilmember Peppe questioned Mr. Schlesinger about the bus line (MTC). Mr. Schlesinger responded that there is not enough room on the site for the bus line. He also stated the bus lines create a negative impression and that they cannot handle the problems created. He informed the Council that the bus line will be terminated in approximately 90 days and that if they needed more time they would allow it. Councilmember Lasman questioned Mr. Schlesinger about what measures he was going to take to be more pro- active so that people are more comfortable shopping at Brookdale Center. He stated that right now he did not think there were too many problems other than the bus line, and that was going to be taken care. He assured the Council that after one year of the renovations there will never be another thought about security. Councilmember Hilstrom questioned if Brookdale will have any policies set like the Mall of America and Ridgedale regarding conduct. Mr. Schlesinger responded that Brookdale Center will have some rules and that they will have to be careful when setting these rules with the type of entertainment Brookdale will provide. Ms. Paulson informed the Commission that they have already started to eliminate repeat annoyances and that they are prosecuting all the way. 07/06/98 -2- Councilmember Carmody questioned the traffic. Mr. Schlesinger responded that there will be one circular road with free -flow traffic. Councilmember Peppe questioned if there will be any additional landscaping. Mr. Schlesinger responded that with the weather Minnesota experiences, not much other than some evergreen trees and some spring garden looks will be incorporated. He plans to use large amounts of annuals in the spring. Councilmember Lasman questioned how many movie screens. Mr. Schlesinger responded that there will 20 screens with 4,500 seats. He also stated that his opinion of having another movie theater in the area would not be necessary. The theaters at the mall would help the mall's business and also be a benefit for Brookdale Center. Councilmember Lasman questioned if Mr. Schlesinger seeks stores for the Brookdale Center, and he responded that yes they do. They waited until they had the approval from Dayton's however, and that they had to be careful when seeking retailers for they are sometimes divisions of five or six. Councilmember Lasman questioned if Brookdale would be a discount mall. Mr. Schlesinger responded no. Brookdale Center would be geared towards middle and/or upper incomes. Councilmember Hilstrom questioned the gas station, if it will stay or not. Mr. Schlesinger responded that yes it will stay at this time, nothing is planned for that station, Talisman Company does not own the gas station property. He informed the Council that along Xerxes Avenue there are buildings that eventually they would like to have condemned and that Target has expressed interest in a super Target across from the mall on Xerxes Avenue. Councilmember Hilstrom questioned what type of marketing Mr. Schlesinger will be using. He responded that if all goes well, construction will start next spring and then right after Christmas will be more curious to see what is happening at Brookdale. Within 90 days people PP g s of the Grand Y Opening they will have teaser spots on the television and in the papers, and then the Grand Opening which will receive extensive advertising. Mayor Kragness questioned if the renovation will all take place at one time. Mr. Schlesinger responded that yes it will and that they always start at the top getting the structural things done first, and work their way to the bottom. Councilmember Hilstrom questioned Mr. Schlesinger about his purchasing of the Mall of the Americas and what type of vacancy was there when he sold it. He responded that when he purchased the Mall of the Americas he purchased it for 26 Million Dollars and then sold it with very little vacancy for 77 Million Dollars. 07/06/98 -3- Mr. Schlesinger thanked the Council and stated that he would like to meet with them periodically to discuss the progress. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Carmody made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Peppe. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk avo a 07/06/98 4-