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LOOKING AT DOWNTOWN CONCEPTS
IN EXPANDED VICTORIA BUSINESS DISTRICT
At a recent city workshop, Mark Kaltsas stated that the existing Victoria Central Business District is approximately 20 acres in size, not including HEI on one end nor the Wensmann condos on the other end. Mark Kaltsas is the city's former Planner and current CEO of MK Land Corporation.
The acquisition of adjacent Three Rivers Park land (near the Dairy Queen) would almost double the downtown area. The new city property would have frontage onto State Highway 5 with trail connections to the existing downtown and also Carver Park.
Victoria might be acquiring approxi-mately 14 gross acres. Net acreage would be about 10 acres after stormwater and right of ways are accommodated.
This land is still in the process of being traded to Victoria in a land swap whereby Three Rivers Park will get the city-owned property on the east side of Lake Auburn, along County Road #11.
Mark said in February that the city is waiting for a commitment from the title company to get the legal description done and that all other elements of the land swap have been worked out.
As the Central Business District of Victoria prepares to potentially double in size, Mark said there is an informal development proposal from the owners of the Victoria Creamery site in connection with other downtown properties.
Mark said he is in the process of looking at new and old road alignments should the land swap officially occur. He said everything is only in the conceptual stage, but suggests that Stieger Lake Lane would be reoriented and Tower Boulevard would connect easterly to Commercial Drive to give another east and west street through downtown Victoria.
Parking is an issue that needs to be resolved, perhaps with some type of ramp. He said that the market is going to drive the mix between commercial and resi-dential use.
REFINANCING THE FIELD HOUSE
SAVING CITY OF VICTORIA $678,049
Victoria Finance Director Jylan John-son was thanked and complimented by the Victoria City Council for her initiative in helping to save the City of Victoria $678,049 over the life of the loan on the Victoria Field House.
This past February councilmembers approved the issuance of "gross revenue recreational facility crossover refunding bonds," which allowed the City of Vic-toria to take advantage of lower interest rates. In the words of Jylan, "The prem-ise of the bond refunding was to take advantage of the lower interest rates and direct the debt service towards future re-placement costs" - like new equipment.
A representative from Northland Securities indicated the average interest rate is now 5.01%, which is about 1% lower than the old bond issue. The bond purchase agreement was executed on March 15th, 2006. Bonds totaled $6.32 million.
Stated Councilmember Terry Bishop, "We should thank Jylan. This is one way for the city to save money. I appreciate this." The savings average $30,000 per year.
A YOUTH CENTER FOR GRADES 6-8
ASKING VICTORIA FOR $10,000 ANNUALLY
Victoria councilmembers heard a pro-posal on March 23rd from Mike Fahey of Chaska to create a Youth Center in Chaska, not far from the Middle Schools, for kids in grades 6, 7, and 8. He asked the City of Victoria for an annual contri-bution of $10,000 toward establishment of the Youth Center. Councilmembers will review the request.
Mike Fahey is the Carver County Attorney. "I got involved about two months ago," he said. "The proposal is to establish a Youth Center in an existing building at Bavaria Road and Engler Boulevard, hopefully starting this August.
"The cost will be about $100 per student. Chaska will lease the building for $1 per year plus pay the $60,000 in utilities plus give us $10,000. This would be for students in District 112. I'm here tonight to ask the Victoria City Council for an annual contribution of $10,000 or more …
"We are looking to raise $300,000 across the School District before we sign a lease. This will be a proactive facility with proactive activities after school for this age group …
"We are asking all the cities in School District 112, and the townships, for $10,000 each, maybe a little less for the townships."
Stated Victoria Councilmember Kim Roden, "I was thinking it could be less for smaller cities. Ten thousand dollars in a budget for Victoria is more than $10,000 in the Chanhassen budget. Are you ask-ing us to make the donation tonight?"
"Not necessarily," said Mike Fahey.
Asked Victoria Councilmember Richard Tieden, "Why a school facility rather than a county facility?"
"The building is so close to the Middle Schools [of District 112] and kids could be bussed to this facility after school," said Mike. There are several school districts throughout Carver Coun-ty that wouldn't be using the facility.
"You're not asking the county to be a contributor?" asked Mayor Jerry Bohn.
Mike replied, "No, because of the location. It's more feasible to start small-er, in this fashion." Then he added, "It might not be a bad idea for us to approach the county."
Click here to continue Youth Center.
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