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\ � Item # 8 <br /> City of <br /> Elk <br /> River <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: Economic Development Authority <br /> FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Developments%�� <br /> DATE: November 13, 2001 <br /> SUBJECT: Business Park Discussion <br /> At its last meeting in October the EDA began a discussion on Business Park issues. The <br /> first issue for discussion was in regards to the numerous requests for free land (ie EDA <br /> owned Business Park) from non-profit organizations wishing to construct various <br /> "community" facilities. <br /> • The second issue for discussion was regarding Business Park development opportunities for <br /> smaller sized light manufacturing projects. These smaller projects generally require the <br /> minimum"development ready" lot size of 1.5-acres and propose to construct facilities <br /> ranging from 10,000-sf to 20,000-sf. Please refer to the October 8, 2001 staff memo by Pat <br /> Klaers, City Administrator regarding background on the existing Business Park locations. <br /> In the past year staff has received approximately 10 inquires for 1.5 —2 acre sites for small to <br /> medium sized businesses. In comparison, staff has received a total of 6 inquiries for larger <br /> sites for buildings of a minimum 40,000-sf in size. <br /> The vision of the Elk River Strategic Industrial Marketing Plan is "to be the light industrial <br /> hub for small to medium-sized firms in the northwest metro region." Staff believes it is <br /> important to have a balance of sites available to meet the needs for siting large, small and <br /> medium sized light manufacturing users with city services. While the City has been <br /> progressive in opening up both the East and West Business Parks, those sites have been and <br /> are best targeted for medium to larger users. At this time,it is staff's opinion that the City <br /> lacks a supply of smaller lots to meet the need for small companies wishing to expand, either <br /> from a smaller building within the City or relocating from other areas. <br /> Staff recommends the EDA continue the Business Park discussion and consider if and <br /> where smaller lots might be provided in order to retain and recruit smaller light <br /> manufacturing. Possible locations for smaller lots may be the 18-acre Gagne property <br /> • located in the West Business Park, or the EDA former Brown property located in the East <br /> Business Park. <br /> S:\EDA\AGENDA\Yeax2001\NovBP.doc <br />