Renaissance Zone Review Board

Renaissance Zone Board Meeting Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2021 @ 8:30am. City Hall Council Chambers 515 2nd Avenue SW Members Present: Pete Hugret (Chair), Pat Bailey (Vice-Chair), Justin Anderson, Josh Wolsky, Jason Bentley, Betty Fedorchak, Kevin Black Members Absent: Kerry Candrian, Michael King, Jen Cook Others Present: Brian Billingsley (Community & Economic Development Director), Jonathan Rosenthal (Economic Development Administrator), Glenda Sorensen (Admin), Paul Pitner (City Council Liaison) Guests: None Call to Order: Pete Hugret called the meeting to order at 8:31 am. Agenda: Consider Renaissance Zone Map Amendments on North Hill °Staff does not recommend removal of Block 26B (City Hall/Parking Ramp) °Grand Hotel block for annexation to Zone °And next block to north (containing Guest Lodge) for annexation Review application for completion of work from Dakota Apple Partnership (Thompson) for work at 304 4th Avenue NW. Recommend final approval with refer to City Council for hearing and approval and forward to the state. ____________________________________________________________________________ Adopt Meeting Minutes Motion by Black to approve October 21, 2021, Meeting Minutes, second by Bailey. ayes: all, nays none. Motion passes Rosenthal opened his comments by circling back to the last topic discussed at the previous meeting, which is a dialogue on the removal of 26B. After minimal discussion, the item was removed from consideration. Renaissance Zone Map Amendments on North Hill The Grand Hotel annexation into the Renaissance Zone was the next topic discussed. Rosenthal stated that he believes the expansion is a good one, and worthy of consideration regardless of the particular hotel that opened the question. He said that the Zone addressed and could facilitate needed changes along North Broadway. Admittedly the Grand Hotel needs attention, although not as much as the other hotels on that stretch, which are in “sorry” shape. Director Billingsley noted that if we do not offer the Renaissance Zone benefit to the Grand Hotel, it would become the next rundown hotel. He is in support of expansion to the north. Billingsley reiterated from the last meeting that the Renaissance Zone has 1 ½ blocks available. MSU is one block and the Grand Hotel is ½ block. At this point, there was discussion among the committee members. The majority of members are in favor of approving the Grand Hotel application, however, a few members of the committee had questions as to the expansion north, stating that they prefer to see the Renaissance Zone focus more on the downtown area and are concerned about the public perception. It was noted that an application could be submitted for both the Renaissance Zone tax benefit and the Façade program simultaneously. Anderson made a motion to add the two blocks per the city recommendation, second by Bailey. Prior to a vote, Wolsky noted that he is concerned about pushing the Renaissance Zone farther out to the north and stated he is not in support of this application at this time. The discussion also included the auditorium area, the auditorium building specifically, and the Trinity buildings in the downtown area. Billingsley addressed the Trinity block, noting that Trinity will be keeping their buildings and not selling them as previously thought. Wolsky would like to keep a block in reserve. The discussion then turned to the deletion of a block, and whether or not it can be brought back in, which is not an option. Once a block is deleted, it is a “done deal”. Wolsky is concerned about the optics of “chasing special projects”. Pitner is in favor of using the island that we have if needed. Motion by Anderson to add the blocks per the city recommendation, second by Bailey. ayes: Hugret, Bailey, Anderson, Bentley, Fedorchak, Black, nays: Wolsky Motion passes Dakota Apple Partnership application final approval Motion by Hugret for final approval of the Dakota Apple Partnership application, second by Wolsky. ayes: all, nays: none Motion passes Façade Improvement Update Rosenthal gave an update on the Façade Improvement program. There are currently five applications “in the hopper.” These include the owners of Esoterica, Margie’s Art Glass, ArtMain, and The Mouse River Players who are all working with the same architectural firm where the lead architect recently left the area. Rosenthal has also spoken to owners of five other addresses on Main Street and Central Avenue. Wolsky noted that, “the Downtown Business Association (DBPA) has taken a position in support of 1st Ave North infrastructure improvements and redevelopment opportunities" and that his family owns a property that they would like to involve in the program. Next Scheduled Meeting – Thursday, December 16, 2021. Motion by Black to adjourn the meeting, second by Fedorchak. ayes: all, nays: none Motion passes The meeting adjourned at 9:16 am.