The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutI.A - Agenda NotesHASTINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY February 13, 2025 - 6:00 pm. HASTINGS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. Quorum II. Minutes Please see the attached HEDRA Meeting minutes from the January 9, 2025 Regular Meeting for your review and approval. III. Bills January Bills Econ Dev Assoc of MN $545.00 Admin – Annual Subscription Fee Econ Dev Assoc of MN $390.00 Conference – Hinzman and Menke SmartSheet $145.00 Admin – Annual Subscription Fee Please see attached general ledger detail for further information. IV. Business A. Block 28 Gateway – Vermillion Corridor Vision With the acquisition of 400 Vermillion Street, HEDRA has secured nearly 90 percent of Block 28 and can proceed with redevelopment of the Gateway Project. Redevelopment of the block has been guided by the Vermillion Street Corridor Study completed in 2018. We want to ensure that we are correctly sharing HEDRA’s vision for redevelopment. The Vermillion Street Corridor Plan – Model Site Development Outlines the following for redevelopment of the block:  Uses. Mixed-use buildings with commercial on the ground floor with office and residential above.  Parking. Buildings to have a shared parking lot in the rear which is accessed from 5th and Eddy Streets and include landscaped islands and screening  Building Setback. Buildings to be located near street edges and accommodate sidewalks.  Plaza Space. Space between buildings to be used as pedestrian walk and plaza space to accommodate outdoor dining or event space.  Building Height. 4th and Vermillion Building shown as four stories (1st floor commercial with three stories of residential development). 5th and Vermillion Building shown as three stories (1st floor commercial with offices above)  Other Considerations. Are there other items or priorities that are important to the board. Action: Review the Vermillion Street Corridor’s vision for development of Block 28 and provide any modifications. Please see the Vermilion Street Corridor Model Site Plan for further information. B. Façade Improvement Grant Language The current process for awarding façade improvement grants has the HEDRA board approving a specific amount to reimburse based on supplied quotes from the applicant. When it comes time for the applicants to submit the paid invoice to collect their reimbursement, there have been times where the final invoice was higher than what was originally quote. To amend this, it currently requires another review/approval by the HEDRA board, which can delay reimbursement by a month. To better streamline the process, it was asked if resolutions could be written that allow for flexibility with payments when those invoice discrepancies occur. After discussing with the City Attorney, there does not appear to be any issues in structuring the resolution differently. Staff is suggesting that instead of specifying the reimbursement amount, it will say that the grant is in the amount of “the lesser amount of one third of the total eligible project cost or $5,000” This change still requires Staff to review the initial application for the eligible expenses and requires Staff to confirm that the final invoice is still within the scope of the original quote and that the added expenses are also eligible. Action: Approve the change in the verbiage for Façade Improvement Program resolutions from specifying the dollar amount rewarded to one-third of the eligible project cost. C. Façade Improvement Program Changes The Façade Improvement Program was started in 2022, designed to provide grant support to businesses within Downtown and along Vermillion Street to assist in repairing their property exteriors. The program was well received, depleting the entire $50,000 allocation in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, utilization decreased to under 50% for both years. To ensure that the funds are being fully disbursed annually, Staff proposes several changes to the program that will increase utilization. 1. Remove the location restrictions currently in place, making any business within the City eligible for funds 2. Include parking lot repair as an eligible expense 3. Include certain interior projects as eligible (painting/remodeling customer facing spaces, HVAC repair/replacement) Staff is seeking input and guidance surrounding the proposed changes to the program. Action: Discuss and provide guidance to Staff on the proposed changes to the Façade Improvement Program D. Authorize Signature: Legal Services Agreement – Campbell Knutson Andrea McDowell Poehler of Campbell Knutson has provided supplemental legal assistance for tax increment financing and development projects since 2017. The current contract has expired and staff seeks execution of a new two year agreement. Action: Authorize signature of the attached legal services agreement. V. Reports and Information A. Open To Business 4th Quarter Report Open to Business provided their year-end report. In 2024, OTB met with seven Hastings businesses and four Hastings residents. Open to Business provides free consulting services to small business owners and can provide lending services to help bridge gaps that may not be able to be met by traditional lenders. B. HEDRA Strategic Plan Update The 2024-2025 Strategic Plan was adopted by the Board in May, 2024. Staff will present an update on plan accomplishments at the meeting. Action: Review the attached strategic plan update and provide any direction to staff. C. Development Updates New Information: Broadway Pizza – The restaurant will be opening in the former Green Mill restaurant space in Schoolhouse Square. Augustine Property Noor Development – Noor Development has cancelled their purchase agreement for the property. Highway 55 Small Area Plan – The final draft plan has been posted on the website along with an interactive map for comments. The Planning Commission will review at their February 24th meeting. The document would assist with future planning of land at the western border of the city near Highway 55. National Guard Armory – Parking and Stormwater – City Council approved the site plan at the January 21st meeting for stormwater and parking lot improvements. Zoning Code Update – Staff met with the Planning Commission on January 27th the review the first phase of changes. A follow-up workshop is scheduled for February 10th. . Previous Information: 400 Vermillion Street Acquisition - HEDRA purchased the property on November 5th. Sunset West 3rd Addition – Plans for development of 41 single family homes northwest of 15th Street and O’Connell Drive. Rio Gran Express – 601 31st Street E - City Council approved the Site Plan for a trucking garage on July 15th. Building plans have been submitted and are currently under review. South Oaks 4th Addition – Homes are under construction for the 35-lot single family home subdivision near 31st Street and Century Drive. Vermillion Acres – Meeting held with builder to review timeline and schedule. Builders plan on pouring a slab for the stick-built portion of the site shortly and additional modular units would be moved in later this fall. Completion of project by May 2025 is anticipated for the 75-unit senior housing facility near County Rd 47 and Riverwood Drive. United Heroes League – Stadium Seating and Locker Room – Site is currently under construction. 315 Pine Street - Thorwood – Monthly meetings have been established between the Building Official and owner to ensure timely completion. Substantial demolition work has occurred on the inside of the property and framing has commenced. Special Use Permit for use of the first-floor area for a 25–30-person meeting space approved by City Council. Walden - Redwing Blvd & Michael Avenue – Awaiting revisions to deem the application complete and schedule for Planning Commission review. Park and Recreation Commission reviewed park dedication options in February for the 450-unit housing development Hastings Coop Creamery – Fire investigation has concluded, and site has been cleared for cleanup. Staff is working with owners on cleanup plan. No further information on future of business or site. Dakota County Law Enforcement Addition – Construction of the 13,000 s.f. Integrative Health Unit is underway. Hastings Theater – 1313-1325 South Frontage Rd – Building being converted into multiple office\warehouse, restaurant, and entertainment spaces. Shephard of the Valley - Townhomes – Staff has reviewed concept plans for approximately 15 townhome units east of Shepard of the Valley Church located near 4th Street and Whispering Lane. City Council approved a minor subdivision to split the church land from the development site at the July 17th Meeting. Heritage Ridge – Grading activities have commenced for the final addition of the 116-lot single family residential development near General Sieben Drive and Northridge Drive. City Council approved a one-year extension on the final phase of the project at the July 17th meeting. 418 Vermillion Street – Dicks Barber – HEDRA purchased the property on May 30th. A two-year lease has been executed to allow operation of the existing tenants. A blight study is being conducted to determine TIF eligibility and we are reviewing a contract for potential payments to tenants. Villas at Pleasant – More permits have been submitted for construction and work continues on the first model home at the 32-unit subdivision near Northridge and Pleasant. ATTACHMENTS  Agenda –February 13, 2025, Regular Meeting  Minutes – January 9, 2025, Regular Meeting  Bills – January 2025  Proposed Façade Improvement Program resolution language  Existing Façade Improvement Program information and application  Legal Services Agreement – Campbell Knutson  Vermillion Street Corridor Plan  Open To Business 4th Quarter Report  HEDRA Strategic Plan Update Next Meeting: Thursday, March 13, 2025 – 6:00pm – Regular Meeting