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Resolution approving and authorizing the sale and conveyance of two HRA-owned parcels located at 1068 Ross Avenue and 899 Sims Avenue; authorization to enter into development agreements; and authorization of expenditures for redevelopment; Districts 4 and 5, Ward 6
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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 Minn Stat Section 469.002, Subd. 14; and
WHEREAS, on July 24, 2013, by Resolution 13-1097 the HRA Board accepted and approved the HRA Disposition Strategy Work Plan and Budget (“Plan”) to address the disposition of certain parcels of real property owned by the HRA; and
WHEREAS, on October 9, 2013, by Resolution 13-1592 the HRA Board accepted and approved key terms of the Plan’s Inspiring Communities Program (“Program”); key terms were revised and most recently accepted and approved on July 13, 2022 by Resolution 22-1072; and
WHEREAS, on August 11, 2022, HRA staff released a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to solicit proposals for redevelopment of HRA owned real property in accordance with Inspiring Communities criteria, and analyzed proposals received; RFP responses were presented to the HRA Board of Commissioners on December 14, 2021; and
WHEREAS, two of the proposals for the properties located at 1068 Ross Avenue and 899 Sims Avenue (“Properties”) were received from Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (“Developer”) in partnership with Rondo Community Land Trust, these proposals are recommended for award as set forth in the “RFP Award Recommendation” attachment, which includes the description of the real property, purchase price and development subsidy amount; and
WHEREAS, the HRA Board held a duly noticed public hearing on this date relating to the sale of the Properties; and
WHEREAS, by this resolution the HRA finds a public purpose for the sale and conveyance of the aforementioned Properties.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, hereby takes the following action:
1. The HRA Board hereby approves the Recommendations and authorizes the sale and conveyance of the Properties to the Developer on the terms and conditions described in the staff report and Recommendations.
2. The HRA Board approves the execution of development agreements with the Developer consistent with the approvals in this Resolution and Program requirements and which will contain applicable compliance requirements. The Executive Director is authorized to negotiate development agreements that are consistent with the intent of this Resolution and are approved by the City Attorney’s Office.
3. The subsidy expenditures from the Plan budget in the amount of $252,435 for the Properties are hereby approved and authorized.
4. The HRA Board hereby approves and authorizes staff, under the direction of the Executive Director, to take all actions necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this Resolution, including finalizing all documents and agreements necessary to effectuate the activities to be undertaken by this Resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office.
5. The only signature that shall be required on any and all documents in connection with this Resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office, is that of the Executive Director who is hereby approved and authorized to execute all said documents and instruments, which shall be sufficient to bind the HRA to any legal obligations therein.
6. This Resolution does not constitute a binding legal agreement; rather, the action taken herein shall not be effective until said documents are executed by the appropriate official(s) of the HRA.