IV.3. Resolution of Support for Application to Brownfield GAP Financing Program; Needham
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2025-049
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Revée Needham, Community Development Manager
Date: April 1, 2025
Subject: Resolution of Support for Brownfield Gap Financing Program Application
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO approve Resolution 2025-021 supporting an application for Footprint
Development LLC to the Hennepin County Brownfield Gap Financing Program.
OVERVIEW
In order for Footprint Development to submit an application to the Brownfield Gap
Financing Program, the City Council needs to approve a resolution of support.
Brownfield Gap Financing Program
The Brownfield Gap Financing Program (BGFP) provides grants to nonprofit
organizations, local units of government, and emerging developers for environmental
assessment of property in Hennepin County through funding from the County’s
Environmental Response Fund (ERF). Typical BGFP grants are <$25,000 and are the
seed money for future redevelopment projects. The program can fund: Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Phase II ESA or other pertinent environmental
sampling, Regulated Building Materials Survey, and/or Response Action Plan
Development.
Footprint Development Application
Footprint Development has proposed a development project on City-owned property on
Mainstreet. As part of the Pre-Development Agreement, the City agreed to support
updated environmental site assessments for the properties. Footprint Development
qualifies as an Emerging Developer and is therefore eligible to apply under the BGFP.
Developers that have been awarded Brownfield Gap Financing work directly with
Hennepin County in administering the funds, although Hennepin County requires a
resolution of support from the City for the project. There is no financial obligation or
staff involvement from the City with the administration of these funding awards. Any
additional environmental remediation beyond the grant maximum of $25,000 will be
paid upfront by the City, and reimbursed with the purchase price of the property.
Supporting the application to the Hennepin County Brownfield Gap Financing program
does not commit the City to grant land use approvals nor to sell the property.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Planning & Economic
Development
• Resolution 2025-021
• Hyperlink to Brownfield Gap Financing Program Webpage
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2025-021
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR APPLICATION TO BROWNFIELD GAP
FINANCING PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Brownfield Gap Financing Program (BGFP) provides grants to
nonprofit organizations, local units of government, and emerging developers for
environmental assessment of property in Hennepin County through funding from the
County’s Environmental Response Fund (ERF); and
WHEREAS, Footprint Development LLC is considered an emerging developer under
the BGFP; and
WHEREAS, Footprint Development LLC has proposed a redevelopment project at 501
Mainstreet, 525 Mainstreet, and 15 6th Ave N in the City of Hopkins (“the redevelopment
project”); and
WHEREAS, Footprint Development LLC is submitting an application requesting grant
funds from the BGFP; and
WHEREAS, the grant funds will be used for certain environmental assessment costs
associated with the redevelopment project; and
WHEREAS, the program guidelines require a resolution of support from the City of
Hopkins for submission of a grant application.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins
after appropriate examination and due consideration, hereby supports the application by
Footprint Development LLC for funding through the Minnesota Brownfield’s Brownfield
Gap Financing Program which is funded with an Environmental Response Fund grant
from Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 1st day of April, 2025.
By:___________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk