IV.5. Resolution Identifying the Need for Livable Communities Demonstration Account Funding and Authorizing Application for Grant Funds for 501 Mainstreet; Needham
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2025-124
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Revée Needham, Community Development Manager
Date: August 4, 2025
Subject: Resolution of Support for LCDA TOD Grant Application for Footprint
Development
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO approve Resolution 2025-045 supporting an application for Footprint
Development LLC to the Metropolitan Council’s Transit-Oriented Development grant
program.
OVERVIEW
To apply to the Metropolitan Council’s Transit-Oriented Development grant program,
the City Council needs to approve a resolution of support.
Transit-Oriented Development Grant Program
The Transit-Oriented Development Account (TOD) provides funding for moderate- to
higher-density projects located within easy walking distance of a major transit stop
which typically include a mix of uses. Eligible activity costs for the TOD program may
include site preparation, stormwater management systems, renewable energy systems,
utilities, shared infrastructure, public realm improvements as well as engineering,
design and community engagement. TOD program goals:
• Support dense, diverse developments that emphasize pedestrian activity,
multimodal transportation, and increased transit ridership
• Create more housing choices through introducing new housing types or
preserving affordable housing
• Contribute to an economically prosperous and equitable region by creating living
wage jobs and economic opportunity
• Mitigating climate change through sustainable site design and building practices
• Maximize connections between housing, jobs, services, transit and regional
amenities like parks, trails, and cultural centers
• Advance racial equity by increasing access and opportunity for under-
represented communities and historically marginalized populations
Approximately $5,700,000 is available in funding for 2025, with a limit of $2,000,000 per
City. There is no local match required. A resolution of support is required to submit an
application. Developers cannot apply directly to the Metropolitan Council for funding;
the City must apply on behalf of developers. The Metropolitan Council awards grant
funds to cities, who then administer the funds to the subrecipient.
Planning & Economic
Development
City of Hopkins Application
Footprint Development has proposed a development project on City-owned property at
501 Mainstreet. The grant would be used for eligible development costs, such as public
space improvements, landscaping, stormwater management, etc. If the grant were
awarded to the City of Hopkins, the City would enter into a subrecipient grant
agreement with Footprint Development.
Supporting the application to the TOD grant program does not commit the City to grant
land use approvals nor to sell the property.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Resolution 2025-045
• Hyperlink to Met Council TOD Grant Program Webpage
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2025-045
RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
DEMONSTRATION ACCOUNT FUNDING AND AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR
GRANT FUNDS FOR 501 MAINSTREET
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins is a participant in the Livable Communities Act’s Local
Housing Incentives Account Program for 2025 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 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, the City has the institutional, managerial and financial capability to ensure
adequate project administration; and,
WHEREAS, Footprint Development LLC has requested that the City act as a legal
sponsor for an application to the Livable Communities Demonstration Account for its
501 Mainstreet project in the City of Hopkins; 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 a legal sponsor the project contained in the grant
application submitted on or before August 11, 2025; 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 or key components of the
proposed project 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; and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins
after appropriate examination and due consideration, hereby:
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 grand award only if Livable
Communities Demonstration Account funding is made available for this
project at this time.
3. Represents that Footprint Development LLC 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 or designee to submit on behalf of the City and
Footprint Development LLC an application for Metropolitan Council Livable
Communities Demonstration Account grant funds for the project
component(s) identified in the application, and authorizes the Mayor and City
Manager 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 4th day of August, 2025.
By:___________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk