Title
Authorization for Grant of Easements Required for Development of the Site commonly known as "Old Hamm's Brewery" at 680 Minnehaha Avenue E., District 4, Ward 7.
Body
WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (the "HRA") is a public body corporate and politic established pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.001, et seq. (the "Act"); and
WHEREAS, the HRA has the power to engage in development or redevelopment activities under Minnesota law and the HRA is authorized to engage in activities relating to (a) housing projects and development, (b) removal and prevention of the spread of conditions of blight or deterioration, (c) bringing substandard buildings and improvements into compliance with public standards, (d) disposition of land for private redevelopment, and (e) improving the tax base and the financial stability of the community, and to engage in the aforementioned activities when these needs cannot be met through reliance solely upon private initiative and which can also be undertaken in targeted neighborhoods; and is authorized to create redevelopment projects as defined in Minnesota Statute Section 469.002, Subd. 14; and
WHEREAS, the HRA owns the real property at 680 Minnehaha Avenue East which is the Old Hamm's Brewery site location on the south side of Minnehaha (the "Property"); and
WHEREAS, the buildings on the Property were constructed between 1864 and 1953 and have been vacant for several years; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution 12-378, on December 26, 2012, HRA approved conveyance of one of the buildings within the site to Urban Organics, LLC for use for aquaponics; and
WHEREAS, in addition to Urban Organics, there are currently two other businesses developers interested in separate buildings on the site and inquiries into other buildings; and
WHEREAS, to coordinate and facilitate the installation and use of utilities and egress and ingress and parking for the Property, the HRA will continue to own streets and the parking lot within the Property; and
WHEREAS, the redevelopment of the Property is in keeping with Comprehensive Plan Land Use Strategy to Provide land for jobs. In particular it is in conformance with Land Use Strategy 2.2, which states, "Promote the redevelopment of outmoded and non-productive sites and buildings so they can sustain existing industries and attract emerging industries to Saint Paul."; and
WHEREAS, in order to assure access, accomplish lot splits, obtain permits and connect utilities to each of the buildings, it is necessary to grant easements as needs arise, and approval of easements will allow the development process to move along more smoothly and efficiently; and
WHEREAS, HRA staff is submitting for this Board's consideration and approval a gas and underground electric line easement with Xcel Energy ("Xcel Easement"), an easement and negative covenant agreement with Urban Organics LLC to facilitate the City's approval of a lot split ("Urban Organics Easement") and approval of such other easements as are necessary for the development of the Property.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, as follows;
1. The HRA Board hereby approves the Xcel Easement, Urban Organics Easement, and such other easements as are necessary for the development of the Property.
2. The HRA Chair/Commissioner is hereby authorized to approve and execute the Xcel Easement, Urban Organics Easement, and other easements within the Property on behalf of the HRA.
3. The HRA Executive Director, legal counsel and staff are authorized and directed to take all actions needed to implement this Resolution.