April 19, 2005 Minutes
Members present: Linda Coates, Herb Snyder, Pat Zavoral, Charles Pace
Members absent: John Cosgriff, Helen Levitt, Michael Sebille
Others Present: Richard Moorhead and Marcia Pulczinski from Image Group, Jeff Scherer from MS&R, Konrad Olson, and City of Fargo staff
I. Minutes
Charles Pace moved to approve the minutes of April 8, 2005. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
II. Discussion
Konrad Olson discussed lease options on the north side. Northport has approximately 4,000 square feet (SF) available at the rate of $11.75 per SF. The landlord will give credit for floor coverings. Richard Moorhead spoke with Charles Pace and Jeff Scherer who agreed it is larger than the current Southpointe branch and would be serving a smaller population. Long term tenants are on both sides of the available space. Charles Pace spoke with Bob Rohlf who noted 4,000 SF in prime space is better than 5,000 SF elsewhere less traveled.
The University Center may have space available in the future, but it may be more expensive. They did not quote a price at this time without available space.
The Skills and Training Center is not prepared for a long term tenant. It would not be consistent with their mission regarding the space. This is no longer an alternative.
The site at University Drive and 21st Avenue North would include a new branch bank plus a small strip mall. Opportunity may be there for 5,000 SF in a newly constructed strip mall. It is in preliminary discussion stages at this point.
US Bank is also a client of MS&R. Jeff Scherer met with bank representatives who are willing to provide a 99 year ground lease at a rate that meets everyone’s best interest. They will be building a new bank on half of the plaza and renovating current bank space for retail. The northwest corner of the block along Broadway is where they are proposing a new library which would be connected to the skyway and parking ramp. They also would be interested in co-developing the site with loft housing above the library. Third floor could be leased space for future expansion of the library with purchased condominiums above that. Linda Coates and Pat Zavoral will also meet with bank representatives.
A site on the southwest edge of downtown may also be acquired with a 70,000 SF building and space for parking. This will be graphically analyzed as well.
Stonebridge Park is surrounded by residential communities and located on a busy street with no traffic lights.
Fargo Public Schools purchased land further south for a prospective high school. They may not build on the 52nd Avenue South site. The library would then be surrounded by residential communities and may not fit with future expansion plans of the library.
Ed Clapp Park is favorable. It has traffic signals and is close to retail shopping areas.
The next meeting committee members will short list the sites for the three facilities. Jeff Scherer suggested this meeting be held jointly with the library board. Charles Pace will discuss this at the board meeting next week.
The bus tour allowed committee members to evaluate the current sites in question, stopping at US Bank, Northport, 21st Avenue North and University Drive, Ed Clapp Park, Stonebridge Park, and the southwest edge of downtown.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 9:30am. The next public forum will be that evening at 7:00pm. A follow up meeting will be Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 9:00am. The meeting was adjourned.