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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Minutes of North Grand Mall Neighborhood Meeting dated November 2, 2006 MINUTES OF NORTH GRAND MALL NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING NORTH GRAND MALL PARTNERS,LLC Owners: GK Development Company Barrington,IL North Grand Mail held an informational neighborhood meeting on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at the Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 24"' & Grand, Ames, Iowa. The meeting convened at 7:15 p.m. This meeting was conducted by Dan Sullivan who is the Senior Vice President of Development for GK Development Company of Barrington, Illinois. GK Development owns North Grand Mall. Ted Tzegiannakis, Construction Manager for GK Development was also present. Attendees were asked to sign the registration book and list their neighborhood organization. Approximately 80 individuals were in attendance. Prior to the meeting, guests were given the opportunity to view the proposed sketches for the North Grand Mall renovation project and the anticipated development of The Streets of North Grand which is the additional property purchased by GK Development and formerly owned by the Furman Corporation. Kurt Carlson, General Manager of North Grand Mall, introduced Dan Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan expressed his appreciation to the Grand Avenue Baptist Church for providing the space for this meeting and his appreciation for the community turnout. GK Development acquired a portfolio of four(4) Iowa malls two years ago. These malls are: North Grand Mall—Ames, College Square Mall—Cedar Falls, Marshall Town Center— Marshalltown and Westland Mall— Burlington. GK Development is committed to improving the quality of these establishments.The first phase of the renovation process for these malls has just been completed at College Square Mall in Cedar Falls at a cost of$30 million. GK Development is determined to honor their commitment to Ames, North Grand Mall and The Streets of Grand projects. In May, 2006, GK Development purchased the adjacent strip center south and east of Sears at the North Grand Mall location. GK Development plans to develop this area with higher end tenants and additional restaurants. GK's new renovation and remodel project will include the relocation of Walgreen to a free standing location with a drive-thru. Plans for Walgreen are currently being finished. Sears will be demolished and replaced with lifestyle shops. GK is still conducting discussions with Sears and they still have a lease with GK Development. Sears has merged with K-Mart and has lost some focus, so they are not on the renovation/remodel plan at the current time. GK is still working out plans with the existing tenants at the strip center locations. The multi-family area with a green space purchased by GK will remain the same and no one will be allowed build on it. Sullivan described the new frontage for North Grand Mall. He stated a company has been hired to do traffic studies which are currently being conducted. These studies will be presented to the public upon completion. Sullivan stated that any suggestions or comments would be appreciated and issued his business cans to anyone wanting that information. Kurt Carlson also stated individuals could contact him with any questions or concerns. The remainder of the meeting was opened for questions and concerns from the attendees. Betty Skrdla—1801 20' K-33 -Northcrest Community • Expressed her concern about flat roof buildings in this climate due to snow build up and drainage problems. RESPONSE: Sullivan and Tzegainikis agreed flat roofing has caused problems in the past but new architectural designs have proven to eliminate these problems with improved drainage, etc. Andy Bock -2818 Oakland- Ames resident since 1980 • Asked about future parking expansion such as second level parking decks. RESPONSE: Sullivan stated parking for future decks has not yet been incorporated. History shows that unless there is a second floor entrance, no one uses these decks. Bob Elzer-3392 Taft Court • Wants to look at traffic studies and asked who pays the costs of this study. Will there be ^ any changes in Grand Avenue, 24"'Street or red light location? RESPONSE: Sullivan stated many variances are considered and if changes are needed, GK Development, as a private owner, pays for the costs which includes off-sight improvements. The more effective the property operates,the better for the community Nancy Marion—2226 Jensen Avenue • Expressed excitement over renovation/expansion plans. Asked how many shops would be added, the average square footage per shop, overall cost for the project, plans for NW comer of area and if city would be subsidizing. RESPONSE: Sullivan responded that the square footage would depend on the type of shop. (i.e. an ice cream shop could be approximately 1200 sq. feet—a linen store could be 25,000 sq. feet) Square footage for the additional shops at The Streets of Grand will be negotiated per individual lease. The city would not be subsidizing any of this project as North Grand Mall is privately owned. He also stated that the northwest comer previously housed the old fire store building which was tom down for environmental purposes due to asbestos and oil leaks. JCPenney currently has a restriction for building on this area. Susie Petra—2011 Duff • Also excited about project and appreciated seeing proposed plans. She hopes there will be lots of greenery as shown in plans. With this much parking is GK contemplating anything for conservation of water and drainage. Is there any thought to the expense of a green roof? RESPONSE: All of these items have been examined and are still in the preliminary stages. GK is open to look at all new types of roofing. By preserving the residential portion, it adds to and preserves that which is already zoned to be multi-family section. No additional parking will be added. Plan shown is city code which is 4:1 gross building area. GK has looked at different types for roofing. Betty Baird—2707 Duff—Northwood Area • Thankful for being able to see these plans and appreciative of the information. With north side closed off how will this serve transit RESPONSE: The north end does NOT close. This was an error on architectural designs and will be corrected. The only exit closing will be the previous tire store entrance. Jerry Jaminan—3309 Clinton Court • Do you plan to square off the entrance on 30"' Street with entrance to Wal-Mart across the street so a big jog has to be made from one to the other? RESPONSE: No, it will all stay due to mass transit entrance requirements. If it becomes a safety issue, it will be changed. No additional shops will be developed in this area. Lynn Franco—1322 Barkley Court • Would like to see Younkers expand. RESPONSE: Conducting talks with Younkers as they want more space and are looking to expand an additional 30,000 more sq.feet with housewares. Unknown: Question will Walgreen move? RESPONSE: Looking for Walgreen to relocate to where Okobcji Grill is located and Okot K4i Grill to move to the existing mall to more adequately accommodate their needs. Special Notation: City has made recommendations for additional residential. GK Development does not feel additional residential space Is needed and they are not interested In doing this. Make your voice heard at the planning and zoning meetings. Vivian Nelson—4000 Fletcher Blvd • How soon will this project begin? RESPONSE: GK is planning on a 2007 start. Currently zoned right now. Lillian Johnston—2121 Ferndale Avenue • Will gas station be kept? Will back eateries be kept? Have they considered closing the entire location? RESPONSE: GK does not own the gas station. Discussions are being conducted with the back eateries. There will be places to eat where persons will not need to eat outside-all areas will have interior seating. Priscilla Matt—1722 NW • Why was information not given earlier? Why was there a delay? There are a time loss due to the delay of hearing this information. We don't need Woiford mall. RESPONSE: This is a complicated process. GK has been working steadily on this project from the beginning working on acquiring the adjacent property. Sullivan has seen Wolford's plans with almost no new businesses. Wolford has solicited directly to most of North Grand Mall's current tenants. GK was in the process early with a minor site plan which was rejected by the city. The city give several different directions of what can and cannot be done. Wolford in city for five (5) years. GK has been here for two(2)years. Unknown: • What is a minor site plan and who rejected it? RESPONSE: Sullivan stated a minor site plan is essentially handled administratively rather than by a public hearing process. It means there isn't enough modification to put it into the public approving process. At the planning level, it was rejected and stated that GK would have to comply with the new regulations of green space versus being grandfathered. Many months and money was spent to get to that point. Kathryn Bums—Ferndale • Would like to examine traffic studies for access points before everything is in place. Would like to have input because 24t'Street already has a high amount of traffic. RESPONSE: Sullivan responded that everything GK files is public. GK is willing to have as many meetings with the public as needed. Everyone is involved in this process. Dean Nelson—4000 Fletcher Blvd—Stone Brooke • Will JCPenneys remain at North Grand Mall? Any plans for any larger tenants? How many entrances will be closed? RESPONSE: Penneys has a current lease and they are looking at a renovation program. Nothing larger than Penneys at this point. This will be more of a series of smaller shops. Access points will be determined after the traffic studies and traffic engineer recommendations are examined. Darlene Fmskv—26s'&Jensen • Is anything being done for pedestrian traffic on 2e Street? Darlene expressed it is extremely dangerous for pedestrians going across the street to the mail and feels a sidewalk should be constructed to the bus stop location at the mall. RESPONSE: Sullivan responded this is a very good comment and was not aware of this. GK will consider this. Grea Vitale—2510 Pierce Avenue • Encourage making the mall friendly for bicycles and walking. Is city willing to be flexible about redevelopment of an older site? RESPONSE: GK wants to make this friendly for visitors. City requires 15%green space. Merle Wellson—420 2e Street • What happens to US Bank&Wells Fargo? RESPONSE: US Bank will stay at its present location. Wells Fargo may consider an inline space or create a smaller more efficient space with a drive-thru. GK is hoping to keep them. Kay Beraer: 4121 Dawes Drive • Very excited about renovation. Recommends that GK be as visible as possible. RESPONSE: Sullivan stated that GK Development didn't want to make any false announcements until they are certain of their plans. Unknown: Feels both malls will work. RESPONSE: Sullivan stated that there isn't enough traffic to support two malls in Ames. Gordon Bultena—522 Luther Drive • Asked if interior will be renovated. RESPONSE: Yes. The interior renovation is all part of the master plan. Holly Fuchs—806 Brookridoe • What are the plans for the exterior lighting? RESPONSE: Ted Tzegiannakis responded that a study of lighting will be conducted. Dais Brentnall—429 26m Street • How many new stores will be coming? RESPONSE: Still unknown at this time. GK has a list of targeted tenants and will present updated list as soon as completed. Special Notation: In closing, Dan Sullivan stated that GK Development has no intention to add additional residential areas. This met with a favorable response from attendees. The renovation of North Grand Mall will make it approximately 502,197 s.f. North Grand Mall has long term leases with most of the current merchants. None of the merchants have left because of any threats due to a"new" mall being established. Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elaine Peterson Administrative Assistant North Grand Mall NORTH GRAND MALL NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING• THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 1,2006-7:00 P.M. GRAND AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH Name Address Phone Number Neighborhood Assodetlon r Z51 v Rerr,,,e� S'6G?-9 ZJ Y 23 2=777) GG(a. ilz�a /7 2 z �J/r•�J 2 3 1 7G P Nancy Marion 2226 Jeneeu Avenue 233-4858 NORTH GRAND MALL NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 1,2006.7:00 P.M. 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