October Hawthorne Business Committee Minutes

HAWTHORNE AREA COMMUNITY COUNCIL BUSINESS COMMITTEE
10/26/07 Johnny A’s

Attending: Jim Wentzell (Co Chair), Georgianna Yantos, Dennis Werneke (Secretary),
Bryan Thao Worra, HACC, Sherm Malkerson, Valeng Cha, HACC, Tom Laughton, CPED, Erik Hansen, CPED, Leroy Smithrud,
Gail Thompson, Grover Jones NEON

Meeting was called to order@ 8:30 am by Jim Wentzell

The minutes of September Meeting were labeled until our next meeting scheduled for November 30th.


NEON update by Grover Jones

Grover gave the following update on NEON programs; currently they have done 7 outreach marketing and new business training classes this year. The training classes consist of pro bono legal and accounting services, and discussing the metro loan program.
The program works with the U of M Emerge Outreach Program, Score Programs, and Empowerment Zone initiatives.
Grover is very busy but can be reached at 612-277-1126.

North side development by Erik Hansen

Here are some of the Highlights for 2008;
-1101 Building is up and running
-Penn Lowry new businesses should be open spring 2008
-Set the foundation for the YWCA and AINDC in the 800 West Broadway Bldg.
-West Broadway Alive implementation programs to start next year
-Hawthorne Plaza redesign
-City wide façade improvement program
-Lowry Ave redo will be between Queen and Girard Ave.
-There is a 2% business improvement loan program up to $150,000 city to cover half of it.
Erik can be reached at 612 672-5022

North Side JOBS Park update by Sherm Malkerson

Master Development has until the end of the year to put together plans for their site at Plymouth and North 2nd Street.
If nothing is done then the city will put the parcel of land back on the auction block.
Coloplast is looking at expanding into maybe the Reliance Recycling site on North 2nd Street. Of course Reliance needs a spot that they can move too.

Valeng Cha and Bryan Thao Worra gave the following update

The business committee will need to put together a work plan for 2008 such as a business survey, StepUp/ Achieve Program ( underway) and the Façade (NRP) improvement program.

Tom Leighton with CPED update.

The West Broadway Alive is in a 45 day review period and that sometime after Dec 1st they will go before the City Council for input and implementation approval. So far the feedback from those involved has been very positive.

Another comment was made that they would like to get some business help to approach Broadway Resource Recovery to remove the fence facing Broadway and do some landscaping as they originally promised for the south side of their building.

Next meeting –November 30th 2007 at Johnnie A’s

Meeting adjourned @ 9:30 am