IV.8. Hennepin County’s Transit Oriented Development Program Grant Application Authorization – 325 Blake Road (Cold Storage Site); BeekmanFebruary 5, 2018 Council Report 2018-023
Hennepin County’s Transit Oriented Development Program Grant Application
Authorization – 325 Blake Road (Cold Storage Site)
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve Resolution 2018-
013 in Support of Minnehaha Creek Watershed District’s Application for a Grant from
Hennepin County’s Transit Oriented Development Program for the Demolition of the
Cold Storage building at 325 Blake Road.
Overview
The Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) is making
approximately $1.7 million available to support public and private multi-jurisdictional
transit-oriented development (TOD) projects located along Hennepin County transit
corridors where transit service is frequent and high capacity. TOD Program funds are
intended to supplement existing private and public resources in support of transit-
oriented development. Eligible uses of funds must demonstrate a public purpose.
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is currently seeking $500,000 towards the
estimated $1.5 million demolition costs associated with the clearance of 325 Blake
Road.
The project received a $500,000 grant from this fund in the last funding round.
Primary Issues to Consider
Does the City support the grant request to Hennepin County TOD for funds to
assist with the demolition of the cold storage site?
Supporting Information
Resolution 2018-013
_________________________
Meg Beekman
Community Development Coordinator
Council Report 2018-023
Page 2
Analysis of the Issues
With approval of this resolution, the Watershed District will be applying for a $500,000
grant from the Hennepin County TOD fund. The funds would be use to cover a portion
of the cost to demolish and clear the cold storage site.
A portion of the cold storage building is in the way of the full build-out of the Blake Road
reconstruction plans. If at least a portion of the building cannot be taken down in time for
the road project construction schedule, then some of the work, such as plantings,
burying utilities, and completion of the multi-use trail will need to take place at a later
date, and will likely impact the proforma of a future redevelopment on the site, which in
turn would impact any financial gap associated with the project. The Watershed District
is seeking TOD grant funds from Hennepin County in the hopes of using it to remove at
least a portion of the building, in order to allow full build out of the Blake Road
reconstruction plan.
Alternatives
The Council has the following alternatives:
Approve Resolution 2018-013
Approve Resolution 2018-013 with changes
Deny Resolution 2018-013 and opt not to support the grant request
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-013
CITY OF Hopkins, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED
DISTRICT’S APPLICATION FOR A GRANT FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY’S
TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE COLD
STORAGE REDEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS the City of Hopkins has been working in cooperation with the Minnehaha
Creek Watershed District on the redevelopment of the Cold Storage site at 325 Blake
Road; and
WHEREAS the City, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and Hennepin County
completed the Blake Road Implementation Plan, which included a redevelopment plan
for the Cold Storage site, in October 2016; and
WHEREAS the Blake Road Implementation Plan calls the demolition of the Cold
Storage building, as well as a number of infrastructure improvements to facilitate transit
oriented development around the Blake Road station area; and
WHEREAS the City wishes to work cooperatively with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District to submit an application requesting grant funds from the Hennepin County
Transit Oriented Development Program; and
WHEREAS the grant funds will be used for certain demolition and site clearance work
at 325 Blake Road within the Blake Road Station Area; and
WHEREAS the City supports the redevelopment of 325 Blake Road, also known as the
Cold Storage site; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, after appropriate examination and due
consideration, the governing body of the City supports the submission of a Transit
Oriented Development Program grant application to the Hennepin County Housing and
Redevelopment Authority for the proposed demolition of the Cold Storage building at
325 Blake Road by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
th
Adopted this 5 day of February, 2018.
By:
______________________________
Molly Cummings, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk