Kim Motes, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Other board members in attendance were David Abele, Treasurer; Dee Cotten; Andrew Hauer; Jodi Pfarr, Secretary; Gene Nessly; and Carletta Sweet, Vice Chair. Board member absent was Tom Hoch.
Others in attendance included: Scott Harkin, Park Avenue Lofts; Christie Rock, DMNA coordinator; Jeremy Stratton, staff writer for Skyway News; Karen Swenson, Groundworks Minneapolis; Ward 2 Council Member Paul Zerby.
Andy Hauer made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 9, 2005 board meeting. Carletta Sweet seconded the motion. Kim Motes called for discussion. The minutes were unanimously approved.
Christie Rock distributed and explained the F2005 Budget vs. Actual as of August 2005 and the bank register for August 1-31, 2005. Board Chair Kim Motes questioned the amount listed under consulting fees. Christie indicated an increase in her time due to taking on the bookkeeping responsibilities from June Harmon, as well as managing several NRP contracts that are in process, and writing a grant to the Tree Trust. These financial documents were unanimously received and filed.
LUC Chair Andy Hauer reviewed the following projects:
“The proposed development is new construction of two multi-family, owner-occupied residential buildings with commercial space on the first floor. There will be approximately 16,810 square feet of commercial space, 503 residential units and 908 enclosed parking spaces at completion. A landscaped plaza will be provided at the corner of Hennepin and Washington Avenues, and a green roof will occupy a large portion of the 5th floor. Above the sixth floor, the two residential towers will be separated laterally by approximately 40 feet.
The project will be built in two phases. Phase 1 is planned to begin construction this year and is anticipated to take 2 years to complete. Construction of Phase 2 will follow the completion of Phase 1. Phase 1 is designed as a 458,733 square foot, 24-story building occupying 42,197 square feet of the 69,481 square foot site. Phase 1 will contain 180 residential units and approximately 6,610 square feet of commercial space on the first floor. This phase will be served by 483 parking spaces occupying 253,294 square feet above and below grade. 166 of the parking spaces will be located below grade, and 317 spaces will be in an enclosed above grade on the first 5 floors of the building. The first floor will contain only commercial space and parking. There will be a combination of residential units and parking on the second through fifth floors, and floors 6 to 24 will contain only residential units. The 6th floor includes the majority of the building’s amenities such as the pool, community room, exercise room, putting green and meeting room.
Upon completion of Phase 1, the Dolphin Staffing building will be demolished and construction of Phase 2 will begin. Phase 2 is designed as a 788,790 square foot, 32-story building occupying the remaining 27,384 square feet of the site. Phase 2 will contain 323 residential units and approximately 10,200 square feet of commercial space. The first floor will contain the commercial space and parking. Phase 2 will be served by 425 parking spaces occupying 188,510 square feet above and below grade. 250 spaces will be located below grade, and 341 spaces will be the sole use in floors 2 through 4. Floors 5 to 32 will contain only residential units.
The exterior of both towers will consist mostly of curtain wall with tinted vision and spandrel glass, which will be uniform for both towers; both towers will also have consistent exterior stone accents with the Phase 2 tower having more exterior stone accent than Phase 1. The exposed two-story columns at the street level portions of the north walls at the base and accent bands on Phase 2 will be limestone veneer. There will be semi-recessed and protruding balconies with glass railings to match the curtain wall. The roofs will all be 'flat' with mostly EPDM roofing with the green roof at the 5th floor. The main pedestrian entry for both residential towers will be on Hennepin Avenue and will be a curtain wall exterior with a two-story atrium. The commercial spaces will have their own entries at street level. Vehicle entry points will be off of Washington Avenue, 3rd Street, and through an alley off of 1st Avenue, and all truck loading and unloading activities will take place in the parking areas.”
· Open Book (1101 Washington Avenue). This business is seeking a sidewalk license and wine and beer license. Andy requested that the board consider a motion to approve both the sidewalk license and the wine and beer license.
Dee Cotten made the motion to recommend approval of the license applications submitted by Open Book. Carletta Sweet seconded the motion. Kim Motes called for discussion. The motion passed.
· Foshay Tower (826 Marquette Avenue). Andy Hauer reviewed a redevelopment project proposed for the Foshay Tower. The landmark 32-story downtown Minneapolis office building will undergo significant changes if plans now under negotiation between its owner and several high-profile Twin Cities real estate players are successful. The following information was extrapolated from a article published in the Real Estate Journal:
“The redevelopment team, which includes Twin Cities-based Ryan Companies, indicates they are in the early stages of investigating a number of options for the tower, including a full-service hotel with retail space, with the possibility of condominiums on the upper floors of the historic building. Construction at the building could begin next summer depending on how quickly plans take shape.
Basant Kaharbanda, a Minneapolis engineer, bought the Foshay in 2000 from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and underwent a significant restoration in 1992.”
Andy Hauer and Christie Rock will continue to monitor the redevelopment plans and bring any land use applications to the DMNA for review.
· Farmers’ Market proposed for Chicago Avenue Plaza. This item will be discussed at October 2005 board meeting.
Luther Krueger did not attend the meeting.
VIII. Presentation from First Precinct Attorney Lois Conroy regarding new trespassing law
Ms. Conroy did not attend the meeting as planned. She is presenting on another topic with Restorative Justice in October. It is anticipated that she will give an update on the trespassing law at this time.
IX. Update from Karen Swenson regarding MWMO grant (Star Tribune parking lot project)
Karen Swenson from Groundworks Minneapolis gave an update on the Star Tribune Parking Lot Project. Essentially, the project is stalled until the Star Tribune can work out a licensing agreement between the city and the DMNA. Christie Rock indicated that she has sent the agreement to Barb Lickness who forwarded it on to an NRP attorney for review. Ultimately, the Star Tribune is concerned about liability and responsibility surrounding soil contamination. The soil contamination occurred prior to the Star Tribune purchasing the lot for parking. Ms. Swenson indicated that this is not an issue for the greening project.
Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Signed this ________ day of ________________________, 2005.
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Chair
Secretary