Authority to order, please roll. Call we care. Johnson, here. a mission is commissioner makers absence? For PRESIDENT? 5 present to at what is absent and is commissioner maker and Commissioner Kim is excused. Item number one resolution 25 Dash 15, 30 reservation of the year 2026. Low-income housing tax credits for the arid and development located at 4.70 White Bear Avenue district. One word 7. Great Welcome. I'm the vice chair of the Cherry Starr. Jones will be chairing today. And this item we've received a staff presentation on this last week. So I will take a motion from Chair Johnson to
approve this item. Is there any discussion think for the questions just have public session item? I definitely want to say also to since changes director. I'm just particularly around just like walking us through the tax credit, one in nation's. I'm a dad did not get a chance to talk about particularly. Around this process the land factors, particularly around is the funding actually complete? I think one of the mansion, one of it didn't mention is that project will be coming back around next And this is the year request for tax credit and what I going to
just share my colleagues as looking at, where are these tax dollars should go towards? It's really important that we now for our ties properties that are to its completion and ready to go. Just so we can prioritize schools actually ready sustain and build housing in tis situation. There is a phenomenal development and really happy to see that there's 100% affordable housing, but we will actually see that 2 years to come. So as now looking at how we can most utilize and maximize our tax credit. I think that's something that no will be worth exploring all around are factors of how they're scoring for projects. I just want to share that my colleagues and I didn't get a chance to to mention that next time. But I will be in support item. Thank you. Councilmember Brewery. Any other questions
or comments? Johnson. appreciate That not accounts were really I think in this instance when we had 3 applications seemed like the only existing property was the Rams, the application. But separately, they were also the lowest Corey when it came to just the criteria and the And I think that some of the other factors that we didn't some of that to the ball for the other 2 that scored significantly higher. Then that particular project to me that this was piece that I want to tie like was the affordability pieces was the, you know, the attention to sme of the equity measures to that are important to me. I know I'm just really excited to see that what I think written development. You need actually continue
to have the investment in order to be successful in a space that has not been utilized at this for for several years now. And I know that when we've got to do the discussions with community members having different events in my ward to discuss their project. You know, one of the things that I think is really important is the continued partnership that it requires with the city. So I'm looking forward to that as we go into the next couple of years. And I think that all of the proposed projects aso had a line item of what they expected to come back to the city for additional funding on in this case. And so none of them were going to just be a one-time But I think being able to have a folks that are going to utilize funds to one. Not that I will put it. I think funding sources continue to remain in investing in
affordable housing. And as we continue to talk about that light hacking a little income housing tax credits. You know, one piece that I would share is that we have affordability, you know, 30 year Ford abilities currently and projects like this. That would require them to maintain their affordability for a 30 year period of time. I know what if you put in coming weeks will be discussing whether or not to change some of our projects. A 15 year requirement and part of my opposition to that is because I want to continue to see investments in And you know, one of the things that I will just share with you is that this currently a vacant lot that sits in my ward. That has worked a lot of conversations locally have had several office hours about a community
event, spaces, you know, an beacon interface in particular has done meetings with community members to talk about this project. Why it's important and what their commitment is to our ward. And I think that's part of the reason I got pushed over the edge with the scoring model I'm just really excited to continue that partnership over the next couple of yars is something that I know I'm supportive of the project itself. And overall really support of our low income housing tax credits, continuing to go towards long-term affordability and communities that want to. And so just genuinely overall supportive. With that. Motion, great. Thank you. Chair Johnson. So we have motion on the table for approval of this item. All in favor say aye. They want to posts. 5 in favor. None oppose.
The resolution is adopted. Item. Number 2 resolution public hearing. 25 dash to 37 resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of conduit charter school least revenue refunding bonds under Minnesota statutes sections 4, 6, 9, that 1, 5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 1, 6, 5, 5, for the Twin Cities, CHAIRMAN Immersion school project. Thank So the symptoms also presented to us last week. So the nest next step here is a public hearing. And so for folks that are here to speak to this item that you will have 2 minutes to speak and there will be a time or in front of you and I will have to stop you if you get to 2 minutes. So with that being this is a public hearing on this item. There's anyone here to speak to this item, please
come forward. Okay. Going once going twice. All So with that, I'll take a motion from Councilmember Cole Coleman to close the public hearing all in favor say Aye. Anyone posts. Public hearing 5 in favor and opposed the public hearing is closed and the resolution is adopted. would say we're just we're just closing the public hearing. I want move forward move to discussion on this item. So does anyone have any any comments on this item before we take avote? Yes, on Thank vice chair chose to why I want to say thank you to the gas from Twin Cities to motion school for coming here in speaking last week. also, I just want to say probably I think it's really
great for us to always have guest speakers for the sort of items that get a face to the name and get to me representatives to Seoul. If that's something that changed chair Vice Chelsea venture Johnson have been requesting. I want to say thank yu and encourage us to continue making U.S. Request. Just want say overall during my time of the council, I haven't been voting in favor of conduit revenue bonds for charter schools and private schools. Really? Because that picture, why is there isn't a negative fiscal impact Publix, our public school systems and see public schools to be specific. And I have had many conversations with them about the Sarah t. So to be consistent, I will not be voting in in support of this item here. Thank you. Counselor eating its or any other discussion. All right. We'll take a motion from Councilmember buoyed to approve item all in favor say
Aye. I also posed no. 4 in favor. Want to pose commissioner? resolution is about. Staff report item number 3 staff reported 25 cash to 17 Highland Ridge update from Ryan companies and why apartment homes. So we so just little background. The this is a presentation of attorney for the Highland Bridge Development. We have the master developer, Ryan as well as representatives from Weidner apartment homes here today. This presentation risk requested earlier this year. I believe in MAY around the time that they hre several decisions around Highland Bridge development. So that is what this presentation is for today. And so we Sean Ryan and Nick Northstar ski here to present to us progress update on our development. Have a lot
of really exciting things to share. So I will turn it over to them. Okay. Tank you very much. Chair commissioners, thank you very In China and the developer with train companies overseeing Island bridge project thank you for the opportunity for update and the Gateway project from, you a lot to be to see as well as I love the and blocks 16. And since MAY just seen a flurry of activity and that activity can be attributed to the action that the street taking inmates from thank you for that. With that action even sure that hundreds of new housing units, we felt to be next 3 to 4 years, is just great activity for the safety of city. The Gateway Project
is well underway. Construction began in JUNE. He remained on track for the forecast turnover date of OCTOBER. 26. Just reorient everybody to the area. So we along the corner of Fort Parkway, increasing. this is a 97 unit, multi-family market rate residential building about 23,000 square-foot retail. There's a private shot of where he's at. And this is a couple weeks ago said you'll see in the next couple photos, how much further we've also become. So the footings and foundations are complete. The structured parking. The predicted the precast Richard Park Ian in the parking slab on grade is also complete first floor exterior wall free means ongoing for
the 4th for wood frame apartment. Units begins 10, 15 to today. And then the in unit. I mean, the Ruffin will begin later this month. Roof insulation is shooting for 11 5. And really, you know, the push is to get better time before we siya see the cold weather. So. As you can see here, this is focusing on the 4 story, family building a baker building of the of the site. This is the wood frame going up. And you know, second and 3rd floor right now. This is a shot of the underground parking So this will be the residential parking and then on the right here, we have a shot loking into the retail that will be up for parkway. That's part mix is building. A
couple interior shots of the future apartment building the hallway on second floor as well as a look into one of the framing pictures for one of our units. And then here they you share. You know, this is a rendering that we shared a number of times leading up to construction and the like looking down the petition corridor that will separate multifamily on the right with the to see which is that he agent out danger. That will the starting next summer. A quick update just on the retail components to it. So we have 3 east and on retail buildings along parkway. The funny and foundations, I'm of those are also complete with the show under mean and tilly insulation ongoing. Structural steel will begin at the end of this month. Andrew will certainly follow
that. Exterior. Wall framing will begin 11 with exterior. Brick insulation happen shortly after so same same idea there is to get water tight so we can continue building those out during the winter. Few photos looking down. Our retail. One thing I would like to point out just it was a point of discussion during our entitlements late last year. But one of the main characteristics of the retail we discussed in Great Lakes was connecting it before parkway. As you can see, each building subsequently steps down to maintain that 16 foot. Great change from 4 parkway looking west. So. Yeah, we feel keeping that connectivity with with pedestrian sidewalk along Fort Parkway. And then specific to to see. So this is Jerry inside a along creating again for
foundations are complete utilities ongoing, nearing complete for this week. Special still direction is ongoing offer a next week with Roof installation at the same time as scheduled turnover right now to is JUNE of 26. And we anticipate that they will start. Almost immediately building out there. T I filled with a with the a local opening of next fall. China, could at could you explain what means? so we are building shall so. 4 walls and the roof get water tight and they will come in and build actual classrooms. Do the interior, you know, if it out for the space. If he at the structural steel be directed there. And then 1, 1, update that we're really excited, they'll today is, you know,
we're excited that able to deliver upon a goal of incorporating elements of the historic Ford plant 2 the Acock building, the multi-family mixed-use to to see if they gave way. The dstinguished architect overtime designed the original Ford plant using his patented Converse side. And the plant was ultimately demolished. Portions of it were carefully taken down in store the last few years with the intent to being able to reuse some of those elements on site. And we're happy to announce that are going to be using that. Along est side of the multi-family building that faces civic square future civic square. So think you know, we heard, as we've heard over the years, just the the importance of the history with that Ford plant
and be able to utilize it. Something that we're very proud that we're able accomplish. Here. A photos of removing the the con side pieces for where they've been stored on site and started to lay them out kind of putting the pieces together. And as you can imagine, that's bit of a jigsaw puzzle. It's a it's a fun way. And then also I'd like to share a few updates on the Civic Square. Lot of a this is on directly, part of it for Parkway and Preventing Avenue. This is a civic space similar too. The Civic Plaza closer that's down by the Central Water feature. This will be owned by the Master Association similar to Central Water feature and privately operated public access to public easements. And so just
kind orient everybody of where we're looking at. You see, we're looking at the site plan so that the top right corner of this would intersection of 4 parkway So a few of the highlights of You know, creating a a kind public space for people to meet. Really view this the gateway into Highway Bridge in a way for people to meet here and then get, you know, take there. Got to walk through the walkway through tv and to see and then into the civic Plaza. Sure they're into Highland Bridge itself. So we're gonna have a central element. Sculpture element right now. We're looking at using a couple of the larger freezes that are also part of the building. And that it include, you know, bench seating, sidewalks, landscaping, and really just creating a really welcoming that will serve really is the entrance. But also, you know, meeting spot
for people. We have you can kind of see the cd and that we have along the left side of the multi-family building intent have a tenant take that space really activate, you know, the sidewalk seating between 50 spaces the design is really incorporated around being able to maintain kind of that dew points to that position. Walkway. Which is why, you know, for Paraguay, you be able to kind of see 2 up lead through to the Civic Plaza. And Marbella as And just a quick update on that. I mean, there's and by the end of month, will. Will test men are 60% design. then, you know, through MARCH 2026 will will be complete with design ready didn't dissipate it. Start you know. Spring early summer of 2026 with the intent to completed open when not only the residential, but you can
talk all things up the fall. A couple more shots that Civic Square. And over the next. I'm the coach or a scam. The development director with Weidner apartment homes. I thank you for giving me this opportunity to present and give you an update today. So really what we want to focus on today is just a quick update. Blocks 11 16 big picture. We are schedule and progressing well in terms of design and permitting on these projects. Is a reminder block 11 eyes you can see screen is in northernmost. Of the 2 blocks that are squared off here. That's the one that's slated to start construction this spring summer of 2026. And that has a the actual is dancing around 175 units a little bit north of what we originally a specified. I was about 2000 square feet of retail block 16. Be our next Just south of van. And that's going to be about 180 units.
Plus or-7 other plus or -2,000 square feet of retail. So set schedule is progressing. Well, I mean, you think about designing and building there's kind of 3 main stage is that we kind of control on our side of the aisle. Schematic design. Development design and construction documentation. We finish those first 2 segments of design. We're about halfway through construction documentation. Almost completed on our side. We are close to submitting for entitlements. Will Smith those in NOVEMBER. We've already had 2 prix at meetings with to help make sure that our submission is exactly what he's looking for. City staff has been super helpful in helping kind of flush out a few of those early items that we want to talk about. Have a couple neighborhood meetings
and the next one next week. With the District Council. And we have another one slated for NOVEMBER. And that big picture, we will be submitting our building permit in JANUARY. Which gives us plenty of time working with city staff and talking to timelines to put us in a position to start construction. You know, late spring early summer of next year. I want to share some renderings the project. We don't usually kind of necessarily going to that. But I think it's helpful to kind of show. How proud we are of this building and how much of interesting part of the city and really try to do something special. So big picture. We designed this building to be the California. S ownership to MISTER It for him to not have 10 blocks in the same thing all this, you know, party boxes that are just squares readers like monolithic structures. He
wants each going to have a little bit of a unique identity, but not to be so much of an outlier that it doesn't. What one cohesive projects. So for this building we targeted it is the California. And that's something we've talked about for a couple years out with city staff as well. What you'll notice is a lot of lighter color scheme really kind of pulling for my gas. Southern California architecture. We had very high quality. I would look side. You get you see right there. Kind of in the middle of the screen is actually metal panel. And there is a high and siding. masonry right of that stream overusing. Hi and kind stone material out specified a terrorist on right now. But yeah, really kind of the elevations of the
renderings and kind of getting the right. a study design super important for us. So we really want to do or something that we're proud of. And we got the city equally products. All these And brings our little point in time. So these are about 99% of the way. They're just somebody knows. This will continue advances to get through permanent. This is showing the I was family with what you just saw. This is the northwestern family. Kind of the water water feature over to the right. But again, can't really pulling in that up. We have this great kind stretch parapet wall of the top of the bill. Has some purpose. the nature inside rally want director when here. So it's. If you want to find some ways to introduce off. Listen to that. This is northeastern corner as you come down treating this is going to your first
impression of the building. This elevation, particularly lower-level, are still working through a couple new that's going to change a bit. As you can see, like, again, the goal is to that to look at the building and not have it. We did large masses to break it down to get into that human scale. This is the western view of the building from the water feature. So opening up, the 2 shipbuilding offers up to the last lots of what's in a lot of natural light. Actually to California. We actually have some folks on trees around the pool. And think kind of kind of sprinkled out throughout the site plan. Second tree way. So this is the southeastern part of our site will have a residential lobby. And we've actually moved the retail to be on this this corner as well. And when we think about that, it's really kind of like this big
picture perspective of. I, you know, between Block 11 block 6 to 12 17. We want to that. The plan is to pull back the corners of those buildings to open up for this nice kind of pedestrian square. Really kinda activated. Have people be able to walk through there to have a retail kind of focused into this town? And that's what you're saying is kind of this is the first iteration of this. This building. I was inside. You know, this is again, kind of on that central water feature. And then over on the right hand of the screen is actually between 11 16 that you say. a pedestrian pathway that will work with city staff. So that's really the redwoods lack of love Africa said we have moving along on schedule as we anticipated. I don't see any issues there. Walk 16 is basically. Everything from blocking out about a year We are working through the site and
concept design right now with the Ryens I in team. And that section everything builds upon it. Kind of getting that right from the get-go. It's fundamental project working through that. We don't necessarily have anything to share on that design quite yet. But the plan is to kind of same thing fall of next year's summit. Entanglements. Winner next year. Like a year from now, some building permit. And that puts us and the pathway to starting construction. Spring summer of 27. With that, you know, that's that's all we have. As far as prepared remarks. If you if there's any questions happy helped after Thank you so much, Nick and John, does anyone have any questions? Considering? Thanks, Vice Chair Charles, First I want to say thank you
all so much for coming in and giving the council an update. really pleased to hear that your construction is going according to plan that you're track with your timeline as well. Just looking at different black schedules here like for when construction is you wanted to start and finished. He have any thoughts on when when it the the buildings will be move in, ready. It looks like by 11 he will more move in, ready be More than that. See It's like a year ahead, right on the timeline compared to block 16. So it's a black 11. The construction timelines, 18, 1920, right in that time period. So, you know, call year and a half after we started. What it starts planned for late spring or summer of next year. So it's kind of the you know,
2027 into 2028. Sure. I love 60 will be about a year after ok, thank you. To Johnson and just to refresh my mind just can you tell me again, the breakdown for? The units for Black, 11 1. Sure, So block 11, the actual 175 right now. I move around the unit or 2 as we wrap up design. And then for Black 16 were still masking it. But it's it's right at one, 80. Any other questions. Thank you so much, Shannon. mc for being here. I really have a few comments. I I mean, the top thing that I heard is that we are on schedule and on track, which I'm very happy to hear. We know as a community and were 3 that we really appreciate seeing these buildings go up, especially at the gateway. They've been
going up very qickly. I was really happy to be there for the groundbreaking, which was in JUNE. And here we are over. And so to see the progress that has been mde so quickly, honestly like it, someone who works in this industry and designs watches buildings go up. I I don't know if I'd seen buildings go up quite that quickly, maybe and trying to think of a few times. But I that that that is such a testament to to your team and also to all the folks that are working on the site, the superintendent subcontractors, everyone. It takes a lot to keep project on track and on time, there's so many things that can like just, you know, knock you off your schedule slightly. And so they have it, you know, Jenks us here. But I'm really, really happy to
see that. You know, am really proud of the partnership that we have together and that the you know, earlier in MAY, the Hre approved. a series of agreements and in those agreements, if folks that are watching that, remember where that block 11 will starting dsign and then, you know, being constructed next year with the Black 16 to follow. And so I'm really happy to see that that those projects are on track. I think that I also really enjoy the renderings that you someone that, you know, worked in this industry. When you see the renderings and then to look at the construction side-by-side with the renderings to see what they look like. I really appreciate and also to see just the the actual structure
of the building. So it's not often that. That, you know, when you look at a building, you don't you don't get to see that unless you see the building being constructed because everything gets covered up. And so I really enjoyed seeing structural steel and the precast in the wood and all those all those different components. And I would really encourage, you know, my colleagues to come by Highland Bridget's. It's moving very quickly. So you can see it's going continue move quickly there start constructing from some of the moving to that very quickly and tapping a lot of those things off. So, you know, come by and check it out when you're when you're in Ward, 3 as these as these projects continue to move along over the next few years. Here and your questions or comments concert, their chair
Johnson. It just wants us Echo. Thanks for to both of you for coming out in person to give the update. I know that that was some of the council, injury discussions around just annual updates this way. And so I appreciate that that did appreciate the email received the e-mail the council PRESIDENT And council vice PRESIDENT Were able to be today. But I know the council PRESIDENT MAY or MAY not have follow-up sw just preface that just because she's not here. And I know that she had asked for the for the position originally to. And so I just wanted to share share like it's appreciative to have both You know It's great to see you again as well. To see the progress that is being made on the site. You know, part
because we as a council by I did make several, I several changes this year that I felt like a bit in the sirit of trying to move along this this I-10, I want to see developing continue to happen in our city. And it's great to see for some. Well, I didn't vote for the exemption. It's great to see that that are making good o reason as to why it was brought up in the first place. And so I just want to say that's that is appreciated. And it's great to see the progress here. I know our winter season is among us, but I hope it holds off long enough finish through this. Do you really? I'm just like political today. Thought I was like here we go. But I hope they are able to get like your for insulation and stuff together with the problems. Minnesota's unpredictable in that way, but usually predictable in the sense that we know it's coming. We just
don't know when. Just want to say thank you fr taking the time to come out give it in person. It's just so many things that you can add pictures and life to humid just can't do so. Totally understand. And thank you for having us. Thank you so much, chair Jeff. And yes, I I echo that. I really appreciate both of you coming out. And I do think when you do get the presentation in person, it's it does bring so much more to it than Reedy. And I'm so excited to see development moving along at Highland Bridge and also look forward to, you know, all the other projects we have across the city and watching those go up here in the coming years. So thank you so much to both and with nothing else to come before us. We are