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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06d] Business Development Update CITY OF ST. JOSEPH W�W.CICyOf ST�OSep�LCOriI Administrator Date: August 20, 2015 Judy weyrens Memo To: Members of the EDA Mayor City Administrator Weyrens Rick Schultz Memo From: Cynthia Smith-Strack - MDG, Inc. Councilors Matt Killam RE: Business Development Report Bob Loso Following are updates on Business Development Projects over the past month: Renee Symanietz Dale wick Alley/Parking improvement— 100 Block W Minnesota. We held meeting on July 29th for EDA property owners to comment on three different alternatives developed as part of a Doug Danielson feasibility study for which the EDA is paying. Two separate mailing notices went out Larry Hosch prior to the meeting. Three persons contacted me prior to the meeting with comments, Schutt and only two showed up for the meeting. A total of ten property owners are impacted by Gary improvements to the alley. It would appear if any alley-scaping or pedestrian Rick Schultz environment enhancements are contemplated it would likely be a public expense. Staff, Dale wick leaders, and consultants attending the meeting suggested possibility of reconvening a meeting with property owners in the fall. Discussion regarding potential level of EDA support of pedestrian enhancements is requested. • Farmer's Market move to Downtown. As you know this is a discussion that's been ongoing for a few years. In 2012 we had several months of discussion which ultimately ceased in 2013 due to lack of consensus about a potential location in the downtown area. This year discussions resumed following interest expressed by a few persons in the downtown. Intern Speltz spent several hours meeting with interested individuals, mapping out a potential location using a portion of Ash Street and the City property, attending Board meetings, and reporting to the EDA. The project was left with the intent of re-engaging discussion in September of this year. Timing is critical as advertising plans are established well in advance of any move. Discussion regarding re-engaging in discussions and a volunteer from the Board who will attend a meeting with Farmer's Market representatives is requested. • Sliced on College Ave and Babygiriz Boutique will be opening soon. Minnesota Street Market updates are well underway as is work at Rolling Ridge Wedding and Event Center. Kurt Schneider's building on Minnesota Street has received a fresh coat of stain/paint. • On August 3rd the Council approved a resolution finding no significant (environmental) impact for a distribution center proposed, in part, for the for the "Parkway Business Center" property. The development headlined the online edition of the Minneapolis St. Paul Real Estate Journal August 4th/5th. I've purchased digital rights and we will be using the article widely in marketing efforts. • Retail gap analysis completed based on market share methodology. Site specific proposals to Napa, O'Reilly, and Advance Auto submitted on behalf of property adjacent to CSAH 75. Cold calls to Cracker Barrel, Burger King, KFC, Hardees, & Taco Bell. • Sean Skahen from Sunset Manufacturing will represent manufacturers and St. Joseph at a panel discussion held on September 15th as part of DEED/GSDC's site selector host program. Sean will make a presentation and then take part in discussions with several area business leaders. The EDA is invited to attend the event at SCSU's Integrated Science & Engineering Laboratory Facility([SELF). The event is from 9:45- 11:15 a.m.