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<br /> <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes <br />August 20, 2024 <br />--------- <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />Mr. Touchette stated the quote is to correct the problems on the entire site and he can't make it work <br />economically if they only build one building. He stated they are paying for a shovel-ready site that isn't <br />shovel-ready. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wagner wondered about the meat market site. <br /> <br />Mr. O'Neil stated initially one proposal for the Main and Gates properties was for a building with <br />underground parking. He stated when the meat market site was demolished, they discussed the same <br />thing, thinking there was a very good chance the site would be dug up. <br /> <br />Commissioner Ovall stated he wasn't sure if the HRA was selling this as a shovel-ready site or rather a <br />'clean canvas.' <br /> <br />Commissioner Caswell asked if any other city staff were involved in this project. <br /> <br />Mr. O'Neil stated staff included the city engineer as well as utilities, Elk River Municipal Utilities, and a <br />consultant who did the inspections. He stated they were who they were trying to get better records <br />from the consultant. He stated he sent the soil report to Mr. Touchette in July 2022. <br /> <br />Mr. Touchette discussed the finances of his project and the hope of seeing the benefits of the recent <br />highway projects. <br /> <br />Mr. O'Neil stated per Mr. Touchette's proposal that the quality and scope of this project will be very <br />nice for this site, and price per square foot will be above the norm of what would normally be placed <br />here. He stated he has thought of different scenarios to address these requests. <br /> <br />Commissioner Caswell stated he felt a conversation between the city attorney and the company that <br />did the inspection. <br /> <br />Mr. O'Neil stated the soil issue was more based upon the scope of the project and how staff addressed <br />it at the time. He does recall a conversation on the Elk River Meats property about how to fill in the <br />excavated portion. <br /> <br />Commissioner Caswell asked if all the sites had full basements. <br /> <br />Mr. Touchette stated the 414 address had a half height basement. The rest were full basements. <br /> <br />Commissioner Ovall stated he would have to look back at meeting minutes, but he had a hard time <br />believing Veit wouldn't have brought up compaction options. But because they didn't know what would <br />building be proposed, he stated they probably went with a blank slate, free of debris. <br /> <br />Chair Chuba recalled the vision for this corner was substantial and included apartments, which would <br />have necessitated an excavation, but for whatever reason based upon the economy or the pandemic, <br />that has changed. If the HRA denies the additional costs to mitigate this, he wasn't sure if Mr. Touchette <br />would walk away from this project, but felt the six years these properties have been evolving, it would <br />be nice to get it wrapped up. He wondered if there could be some compromise. <br /> <br />Mr. Touchette proposed the HRA agree to the seller credit of $53,939.00, and he would worry about <br />the utility connections. He stated he would also deal with the water pipe at 425 3rd Street and accept it