IV.7. Authorize Application Livable Communities Demonstration Account Funding for Vista 44; Youngquist
June 16, 2020 Council Report 2020-049
AUTHORIZE APPLICATION FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES DEMONSTRATION
ACCOUNT FUNDING FOR VISTA 44
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve Resolution 2020-035
Identifying the Need for Livable Communities Demonstration Account Funding and
Authorizing Application for Grant Funds for Vista 44.
Overview
In December 2019, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative received land use entitlements
for development of a 51-unit apartment building, located on the south one-acre portion of
the St. Joseph’s Church parking lot site, along 1st Street South between 12th and 13th
Avenues South. Beacon is in the process of assembling funding for land acquisition and
development of its project, known as Vista 44.
The Metropolitan Council offers grant funding through its Livable Communities
Demonstration Account Transit Oriented Development program (LCDA-TOD) for moderate
to high density development projects that are located within easy walking distance of a
major transit stop, which has been defined as a 0.5 mile. The Vista 44 site is within 0.5 mile
of both the Downtown Hopkins and Shady Oak Light Rail Stations for Southwest Light Rail,
which is also known as the Green Line Extension. Local governmental units are eligible to
apply for LCDA-TOD funds.
Beacon Interfaith would like to pursue $1,500,000 from the LCD-TOD fund to be used
toward costs associated with land acquisition, stormwater and site preparation and has
requested that the City sponsor an application to the Metropolitan Council. As part of the
grant application, a resolution identifying the need for funds and authorizing an application
is required. If approved, the funds would be provided to the City of Hopkins and Beacon
would be the sub-recipient of the grant funds.
Primary Issues to Consider
The City has historically sponsored grant applications associated with the development of
new multifamily housing. The action does not commit any City funds to the Vista 44 project.
Supporting Information
• Resolution 2020-035
___________________________
Jan Youngquist, Community Development Coordinator
Financial Impact: $_________Budgeted: Y/N ___ Source: __________
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): _______________________________________
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2020-035
RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
DEMONSTRATION ACCOUNT FUNDING AND AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR
GRANT FUNDS FOR VISTA 44
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins is a participant in the Livable Communities Act’s Local
Housing Incentives Account Program for 2020 as determined by the Metropolitan Council, and
is therefore eligible to apply for Livable Communities Demonstration Account funds; and
WHEREAS, the City has identified a proposed project within the City to be developed by
Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative that meets the Demonstration Account’s purposes and
criteria and is consistent with and promotes the purposes of the Metropolitan Livable
Communities Act and the policies of the Metropolitan Council’s adopted metropolitan
development guide; and
WHEREAS, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative has requested that the City sponsor an
application for Livable Communities Demonstration Account funds for its Vista 44 project in the
City of Hopkins; and
WHEREAS, the City has the institutional, managerial and financial capability to ensure
adequate project grant administration; and
WHEREAS, the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as
stated in the grant agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City agrees to act as legal sponsor for the project contained in the grant
application submitted on or before July 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City acknowledges Livable Communities Demonstration Account grants are
intended to fund projects or project components that can serve as models, examples or prototypes
for development or redevelopment projects elsewhere in the region, and therefore represents that
the proposed project(s) or key components of the proposed project(s) can be replicated in other
metropolitan-area communities; and
WHEREAS, only a limited amount of grant funding is available through the Metropolitan
Council’s Livable Communities Demonstration Account during each funding cycle and the
Metropolitan Council has determined it is appropriate to allocate those scarce grant funds only to
eligible projects that would not occur without the availability of Demonstration Account grant
funding.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, after appropriate examination and due
consideration, the governing body of the City:
1. Finds that it is in the best interests of the City’s development goals and priorities for the
proposed project to occur at this particular site and at this particular time.
2. Finds that the project components for which Livable Communities Demonstration
Account funding is sought:
a. will not occur solely through private or other public investment within the reasonably
foreseeable future; and
b. will occur within three years after a grant award only if Livable Communities
Demonstration Account funding is made available for this project at this time.
3. Represents that Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative has undertaken reasonable and
good faith efforts to procure funding for the project components for which Livable
Communities Demonstration Account funding is sought but was not able to find or secure
from other sources funding that is necessary for project component completion within
three years.
4. Authorizes its City Manager to submit on behalf of the City and Beacon Interfaith
Housing Collaborative an application for Metropolitan Council Livable Communities
Demonstration Account grant funds for the project component(s) identified in the
application, and to execute such agreements as may be necessary to implement the
project on behalf of the City.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 16th day of June, 2020.
By:___________________________
Jason Gadd, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk