Memo/Henn.County PublicWorks Propertyi
C I T Y O P H O P K I N S
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: January 25, 1995
TO: Planning and Zoning Commission
FROM: /?Jim Kerrigan, Director Planning Economic Development
SUBJECT: Hennepin County Public Works Property
The Hopkins HRA has entered into an option agreement with
Hennepin County for the potential purchase of the Hennepin County
Public Works property west of Highway 169. It is assumed the HRA
would not actually purchase this property, but transfer such
rights to a developer.
This 42 -acre site could be available for redevelopment in the
Winter of 1996 or Spring /Summer of 1997. Based on preliminary
discussions by City Staff with individuals in the real estate
field, it appears this site will be very desirable for
development. It is zoned I -2 Industrial and detailed in the
Comprehensive Plan for Business Park, with the southwest corner
medium density residential. City Staff, based upon a discussion
with the City Council, is proposing a reuse which would involve
light industrial/ office /warehousing /manufacturing use.
Recently the HRA approved a public input /RFQ process for this
property. The process will involve the following.
Secure public input from various interested groups as relates
to development issues, design constraints, etc.
Undertake process for selecting developer for this site through
a RFQ /RFP method.
The goals of undertaking a public input /RFQ process are as
follows.
Assess developer interest.
Solicit community comments.
Potentially select a developer.
At the January 31 Zoning and Planning Commission meeting, the
Commission will be asked to provide feedback to Staff as relates
to the following.
Issues /concerns regarding the redevelopment of the parcel.
Design elements which should be incorporated into a project.
Staff plans on using this feedback as a part of preparing the RFQ
for the site.
Attached are a variety of design issues /elements which Staff is
proposing for consideration. Also attached is an information
sheet regarding the process.
JK \JK01235D
A. Proposed Land Use/Development Pattern
Business Park office, office/warehouse, office showroom, manufacturing
Design parcel as one project area vs. collection of different, individual elements.
Development pattern should include entrance treatments, landscaping, and other features that
would create an attractive environment.
B. Building Materials/Heights
Buildings around periphery- -low level. Taller structures to be more centralized on site.
Building materials to be of high quality to both minimize maintenance and be aesthetically
pleasing.
C. Access/ Entry Points
40 -acre site will require several access points.
Potential access from north, west, and southeast corner of site.
Developers to be encouraged to minimize traffic to the south.
D. Trail Connections
Consideration should be given to providing pedestrian and/or bicycle connections through site
between Buffer Park and adjacent neighborhood to Hennepin Parks Regional Trail.
E. Edge Treatment
HENNEPIN COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS SITE
Preliminary Design Considerations
Periphery of business park should be attractively landscaped.
Building orientations within the development should consider views from adjacent structures.
For example, service corridors and loading dock areas should be screened and/or oriented in a
manner that they do not face the surrounding structures.
Provide buffer for single family neighborhood to south. This could include berming,
landscaping, and expanded building and parking setbacks
What has happened with the site so far?
Hopkins Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) members and Hennepin County
commissioners have approved the terms of what is called an "option agreement" for
Hennepin County's public works property in south Hopkins. (The Hopkins City Council
acts as the HRA.)
What does approval of an option agreement mean?
The agreement gives the HRA the exclusive option to
buy the 42 -acre Hennepin County public works facility
site in south Hopkins. The county wants to move its
public works facility to a new location outside of Hop-
kins. That move could happen in late 1996 or early
1997.
The purpose of the option agreement is to give the
HRA sufficient control of the property so it can guide
development of the site, and ensure that it meets cer-
tain basic design and land use criteria. At this time, the
intent is not for the HRA to buy the site but to assign
the purchase option agreement at some future date to
a private developer who has the ability to construct a
quality project.
pwsite.sam
What is an option
agreement?
Gives the city exclusive
rights to buy the site for a
specified period of time.
Done so the city can help
guide the redevelopment
of the site.
Sets the purchase price.
Does not obligate the city
to buy the land.
What activities will be occurring in the future?
The HRA has developed a public input process that includes meeting with interested
residents, organizations, groups and commissions.
After obtaining the input, the HRA will undertake a "request for qualifications" (RFQ)
process designed to:
Determine if there are developers interested in the site.
To potentially select a developer, enter into a development agreement, and to
work to refine a project.
What are the land use parameters?
The county site currently is zoned industrial. The land use designation for the site in the
city's Comprehensive Plan is business park with a small portion identified for medium
density residential. Based on a review by the City Council, the city's planning staff
members and an outside land use consultant, the
most appropriate reuse of the site has been identified
as office, Tight industrial or warehouse.
pwsite.sam
Why they are interested in
the site?
Their capability to under-
take a project?
Their ability to meet the
city's, parameters for a
project.
What is a request for quali-
fications (RFQ)?
It is similar to a resume, with devel-
opers telling the city:
It is envisioned that any project needs to incorporate
the following design elements:
High quality materials used on the exterior.
Substantial landscaping and other amenities
designed to create an attractive environment.
A buffer for the portion of the site adjacent to
the residential neighborhood.
Orientation of the project to the east and
north.
Major traffic movement to use County Road 3 via Fifth Avenue South, with an
emphasis on minimizing traffic to the south.
Consideration of a pedestrian and bicycle connection through the site between
Buffer Park and the adjacent neighborhood to the Hennepin Parks Regional
Trail.
What is the timeline?
January /February Presentations to the Park Valley neighborhood, Neighbor-
hood Advisory Board, Zoning and Planning Commission, and Hopkins Business
and Civic Association.
February Request for Qualifications sent to potential developers.
March 24 through May 12 RFQs reviewed and developer possibly selected.
May 21 Hopkins Housing and Redevelopment Authority approves selection of
a developer, if possible.
June 20 Housing and Redevelopment Authority takes action on whether to
continue its option with the county.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please call: Jim Kerrigan or Tom
Harmening at Hopkins City Hall, 935 -8474.
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