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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4A - 2004 Progress Report 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY EDA ANNUAL MEETING CITY OF PRIOR LAKE FIRE STATION 5:30 PM MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: January 18, 2005 4A JOHN SULLIVAN, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR PRESENTATION OF 2004 PROGRESS REPORT DISCUSSION: Historv: As part of the City of Prior Lake's 2020 Vision, a goal was to hire a new Community Development Director in 2004. On January 18, 2004, John Sullivan was hired. 2004 has proven to be a successful year for the City of Prior Lake. The City continues to see private sector investment in the community in regards to commercial and industrial development. Private sector interest remains strong for 2005 based on a number of proposed projects in the pipeline. The following economic development progress and accomplishments occurred in 2004: 1. Deerfield Industrial Park was developed, with assistance from staff. Technical and financing assistance was provided to the developer and several businesses, including, but not limited to On-Site Engineering, Allied Development, DC Landscape Company, Wreck-A-Mended Auto, Home Detailers, Inc., Breck Stovern, Charlie Robin, and Konrad Gastony of Paws and Pals. 2. Village Market Grocery Store, with assistance from all levels of city staff led to the successful and much needed opening of a 35,000 sq. ft. grocery store. 3. South Lake Village, formerly Priordale Mall, made considerable progress on a major redevelopment on the interior and exterior, with significant assistance from all staff levels. 4. Numerous Downtown Facade Improvement Projects were either started or completed in 2004, including Sinclair Gas (Express Gas), Fong's Restaurant and Bar, Dehmlow Auto, O'Malley's on Main, Extra Innings, Prior Lake VFW, and Carlson Hardware and the Speiker building. The projects used approximately $250,000 of city money and leveraged it to a private sector investment of approximately $2,300,000. 5. Pomodori Italian Restaurant opened, with business plan assistance from staff. 6. Sui Lago Italian restaurant opened in the Lakefront Plaza building, with City support. h:\comm dev reports to frank boyles\2005 city eda work session annual meeting presentation report.doc Page 1 www.cityofpriorlake.com Phone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245 7. Mary Lake's Simply Mary's Gift Store opened on Main Street with business and technical assistance from staff. 8. Edelweiss Bakery was incorporated, a business plan and financing was developed, a lease was signed at the new Speiker building on Dakota and Main, a partnership was created with Wensmann Homes, and the design and building plans for a new bakery were completed in 2004 by Mark and Julie Bowles with help from city staff. The project will open in the end of March 2005. 9. MCG, Inc. of New Ulm, a company with 14 local employees specializing in research/development and manufacture of specialty electronic motors with significant imports to China, announced a new lease and operations at Apex Graphics building on County Road 21 and Cottonwood with site and economic development assistance from staff. 10. Staff worked closely with the developers of Jeffers Pond to provide significant preservation of natural site amenities including nature preserve, regional trail, school site, trail head, Transit Center, Fire Station location and to develop leads for tenants of the exciting retail and commercial component to consist of 24 acres. 11. Several TIF Districts were successfully de-certified, including TIF 1-2, 2-1, 2-2. Staff also completed a random TI F Audit with the Office of the State Auditor in 2004. 12. Lakefront Park and Creekside TIF Notes are completed with the help of staff and consultants. 13. City staff, with significant assistance from the City Attorney successfully completed a new Business Subsidy Policy, amended the 2001 TIF Policy, and developed a new Business Subsidy Agreement, setting the groundwork for projects in 2005 and beyond. 14. The County Road 21 future transportation plan was finished with the help and input of city staff in planning, economic development, public works, administration, etc. City representatives served on a committee along with Scott County, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Watershed District, and local business owners. 15. Provided technical assistance and economic development/site selection services to Joe Bendzick of Pro Service, Inc. of Prior Lake, which is subject to condemnation proceedings at the south TH 13 location in conjunction with the County Road 12 reconstruction project. 16. Staff has worked during 2004 with numerous preliminary development proposals for the Downtown area, which we expect to come to fruition in 2005. 17. The City completed its McComb Retail Report, and adopted it in January 2004. The report has proved invaluable to the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan, as a marketing and business finance tool for business prospects and has been placed on the City's web site, along with a summary report. 18. On October 28, 2004, staff made a presentation titled "Progress in Prior Lake", highlighting the many achievements set forth above. The presentation was well received by the 200 people in attendance and was placed on Cable Channel 15. h:\comm dev reports to frank boyles\2005 city eda work session annual meeting presentation report.doc Page 2 19. Administration staff also hosted a "Good Morning Prior Lake" meeting and open house at the Library in cooperation with the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce, and it was attended by local chamber and business owners and was broadcast on the cable network. 20. The Community Development Director and City Manager also held 2 Inside City Hall interviews dealing with the development performance and projects highlighted in Prior Lake in 2004. 21. Prior Lake was also prominently mentioned (with assistance from city staff) in numerous articles on the Star Tribune that dealt with our fast pace of growth (7th in the nation), and the Jeffers Pond development. The Issues: 2004 was an exciting and challenging year. It is anticipated that 2005 will prove to be another challenging, rewarding and successful year for economic development. Issues such as funding, downtown redevelopment, marketing, use of the EDA as a tool for development, traffic, and the ever-present need for capital will continue. Conclusion: Since this is a status report, no EDA action is necessary. The EDA may wish to ask questions regarding accomplishments in 2004 and/or additional items not specifically listed or addressed. REVIEWED BY: h:\comm dev reports to frank boyles\2005 city eda work session annual meeting presentation report.doc Page 3