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Memo to Mayor and City Council <br />September 17, 2001 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />LaFavor Offer <br /> <br />Separate from the Commission's work, in June of 2001, Richard LaFavor, owner of Mach <br />Glass, an Elk River resident, approached staff with the possibility of selling 70 acres in the <br />northeast corner of the City for park purposes. The LaFavor property is located west of <br />Monroe Street and north of County Road 21. Approximately 10 acres of the 70 offered abut <br />Monroe Street. The 70 acres includes an approximate 9-acre wetland area through which <br />Trott Brook runs. <br /> <br />The site is rolling and has a combination of both wetland and upland areas. This property <br />could provide both passive and active recreational opportunities for residents living in the <br />northeast corner of the City. <br /> <br />Mr. LaFavor has made an offer to the City (attached) to purchase the property at $10,000 <br />per acre with 50 percent down and an interest rate on the remaining principal of 8 percent. <br />Staff would like to provide a counter offer of an interest rate of 5 percent on the remaining <br />principal. Staff believes that at the current market rate, $10,000 per acre is probably an <br />appropriate price for land north of County Road 33. <br /> <br />The Commission voted unanimously to recomrnend that the City Council direct staff to continuenegotiations <br />with Mr. LeFavor for the acquisition of the property. <br /> <br />Bloomdahl Property <br /> <br />The Bloomdahl property, located on both sides of County Road 33, west of County Road 1 <br />became the third priority for the Commission to consider in terms of land acquisition. The <br />Bloomdahl property is owned by the Bloomdahl family and contains an existing farmstead <br />that is reaching the century mark and is a combination of farmland, as well as natural <br />environment areas such as wetlands and tamarack swamps. Electric lines also cross the <br />property. At this time, the Commission has only toured the property and spoken with one <br />of the family members. The Commission feels that this property would be an ideal regional <br />park and could provide an alternative recreation experience to Woodland Trails Park. The <br />presence of the farmstead is also a benefit. The cost for this property could not be singularly <br />borne by the City and grants would need to be obtained. Neither side has proposed an offer <br />at this time. <br /> <br />The Commission voted unanimously to recomrnend that the City Council direct staff to continue negotiations <br />with the Bloomdahl family for the acquisition of the property. <br /> <br />Staff requests that the Council provide further direction regarding these two parcels of <br />property recommended for acquisition by the Park and Recreation Commission. <br /> <br />S:\PLANNINGMVlICHMC\CCREPRTS\SEPTP&R.DOC <br /> <br /> <br />