City of Blaine Anoka County, Minnesota - File #: WS 20-14

• File #: WS 20-14
• Version: 1
• Name: 3M Open Update
• Type: Workshop Item
• Status: Filed
• File created: 2/19/2020
• In control: City Council Workshop
• On agenda: 2/19/2020
• Final action: 2/19/2020
• Title: DISCUSS FUNDING REQUEST BY 3M OPEN FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS AT THE NATIONAL SPORTS CENTER
• Sponsors: Erik Thorvig

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
2/19/2020	1	City Council Workshop	Discussed

WORKSHOP ITEM - Erik Thorvig, Community Development Director

Title

DISCUSS FUNDING REQUEST BY 3M OPEN FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS AT THE NATIONAL SPORTS CENTER

Background

At the February 10, 2020 workshop, the city council generally showed support to financially assist in parking lot improvements at the National Sports Center for the benefit of the 3M Open.

These improvements included paving of the three gravel parking lots north of 105^th Avenue. The city’s Fire Inspections Department is also requiring fire protection (water line with hydrants) as part of any project completion.

Anoka County Highway Department estimated the total cost of improvements at $1,012,005; large middle parking lot ($534,964), south parking lot ($118,076), north parking lot ($83,965), and the water line and hydrants ($275,000). The county engineer has stated that it’s unlikely that all three lots could be constructed prior to the tournament and suggested phasing. The proposed phasing would be to pave the large parking lot and install the water line in 2020 ($809,964) and pave the remaining two lots in 2021 ($202,041).

The city council requested additional information to discuss at the February 19, 2020 workshop before directing staff to proceed with a formal EDA action item. The council also requested information on whether the water line was needed and what financial impact this request would have on other projects identified by the EDA.

Staff will provide additional information at the meeting on whether the water line is required and the purpose of the fire protection.

Any funding is recommended to be provided through the EDA general/redevelopment fund. Staff maintains a spreadsheet that identifies sources and uses for EDA projects. There is approximately $3,000,000 in the EDA general fund/redevelopment fund with approximately $1,850,000 of those funds identified for the acquisition of the Nassau St/105^th Ave redevelopment area and for the townhome project at 102^nd Ave and University Ave. There is still $1,150,000 remaining that has not been identified for projects.

The EDA also has approximately $450,000 of pooled TIF that has not been allocated and approximately $1,500,000 available from wetland credit sales through funds that have not been identified for specific projects. Staff will provide information at the meeting regarding these accounts.

Recommendation

Determine whether the city/EDA wants to participate financially in the parking lot improvements.