City Chooses Developer
Trust key in awarding contract for downtown to Roseville-based firm
Pioneer Press
April 7, 2005
By Nancy Ngo
The Rosemount Port Authority stayed with something familiar on Tuesday night when it chose Contractor Property Developer Company, or CPDC, over two other finalists to head the city's massive 52-acre downtown redevelopment.
The decision wasn't easy, and the Port Authority had to vote twice to come up with a majority.
"I think we had a good group to choose from," said Mike Baxter, Port Authority chairman. "It was about the strengths that were most important to the city."
Familiarity and comfort influenced the decision among the three finalists - CPDC, Hansen Properties and Heritage. While Hansen Properties could offer a large team with plenty of resources and Heritage promised a close working relationship with the city in building its vision of downtown, the Port Authority went with Roseville-based CPDC.
Although the company worked mainly with new development and had no experience in redevelopment, Port Authority members felt trust was key. Members said they were pleased with the developer's track record on past projects in the city.
"I see the quality there," said Bill Droste, Rosemount mayor and Port Authority member. "I'm feeling my most comfortable with CPDC."
"My concern is their ability to do a redevelopment," said Port Authority member Jay Tentinger. "But we need to put their feet to the fire, and we're going to make them perform."
The city's downtown redevelopment project involves transforming the retail and scattered single-family homes into mixed commercial and condominiums and town houses.
CPDC's other projects in the city include Evermoore, a 1,145-unit town-home development, senior housing and single-family home development north of Connemara Trail and west of Minnesota 3. The company also is working on the Harmony development on the former Brockway Glass site that includes 630 villas, town homes, senior condominiums and apartments.
President Homer Tompkins said that while redevelopment was not his firm's forte, they were willing to work hard and be creative to make the project a success. The company is also partnering with Central Community Housing Trust in Minneapolis, which has experience with downtown redevelopment and affordable housing.
While CPDC's track record may have helped them land the project, Heritage's development history with the city might have put them out of the running.
Port Authority Member Mary Riley was unhappy with the company's handling of the Chili Court town-house development. She questioned Heritage's ability to follow through after the company turned over the town-house project to a builder instead of finishing it.
In addition to construction delays at the site, the city has been working to resolve problems with landscaping, erosion and debris, according to Rosemount communications coordinator Alan Cox. Last week, the city ordered a temporary stop to construction until a building permit is paid.
"In the real-estate field, Heritage does have a good name. However, it puts up a red flag to me that Heritage forfeited a simple town-house development," she said.
However, Port Authority members Mark DeBettignies and Bruce DiNella preferred Heritage over the other developers, emphasizing the company had a strong commercial background and a good overall vision for the project.
Jay Tentinger was the lone member to favor Hansen Properties, which had a large team of partners behind the project.
CPDC is currently working out a development with the city and is expected to meet with downtown business owners next month.
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