Article/City to Discuss Business ParkSubject:
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2000 08:20:57 -0700
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City to discuss business park
By WILLIAM L. SPENCE
The Daily Inter Lake
The Kalispell city council will review proposals for a business park and a senior li
complex at a work session tonight.
Both projects are being proposed by Hampstead Partners, a private real estate- develo
and consulting business based in La Jolla, Calif.
The company focuses on affordable housing projects and low-income apartment building
around the country. In Montana, it owns properties in eight cities, including Big Sk
Manor and Valley View Apartments in Kalispell, and Green Meadow Manor in Libby.
Tonight, the principals in the firm will unveil a proposal for a "high-tech" busines
somewhere in the vicinity of U.S. 93 and West Reserve Drive, according to Susan Moye
director of Kalispell's Community Development Department.
The need for a business park is being prompted by the recently completed Stream
International project, Moyer said. Since the tech -support firm agreed to open a
500-employee call center here, several other local and out-of-town businesses have
expressed an interest in relocating or expanding in the valley.
The problem, noted Moyer in a letter to the council members, is that there's very li
suitable land within the city limits where such business development can take place
least in a way that would benefit the city's tax base.
"We had to scramble with Stream to find a location that had the (electrical and
telecommunications) gridwork they needed," Moyer said.
A business park, though, would offer lots that already have the necessary utility, r
and telecommunications infrastructure available.
Hampstead Partners is "exploring the possibility" of creating a private, upper -end
business park on the city's north end, perhaps near West Reserve Drive, Moyer said.
city's involvement would likely be limited to extending water and sewer services to
property.
"Should this park become a reality, the city could have the opportunity to work with
on extending utilities to the north, as well as to the proposed new subdivision behi
Country Estates," noted Moyer in her letter to the council. "The owner of the Hagado
Apartments (at the intersection of U.S. 93 and West Reserve) has expressed a willing
to annex into the city, if these structures could be placed on city services."
By locating the park within Kalispell city limits, Moyer said, the city could help a
federal and state dollars to use as an incentive for new businesses, similar to what
did with Stream International.
"A lot of times, the city can be a conduit for (training and economic development) m
as long as the tenant meets the criteria of the various programs," she said.
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In a second project, Hampstead will propose a senior living complex along Second Ave
West.
The three -to -four block long redevelopment, located around the company's Big Sky Man
would include a 75-unit elderly apartment building and a below -market -rate assisted
facility for low and very -low income seniors.
Hampstead's proposal is expected to include a request for the city to turn Second Av
West into a two-lane road and to provide wider sidewalks, in order to create a more
pedestrian -friendly atmosphere.
The company also wants the city to create a "tree-scape" along Second Avenue, simila
what exists along Main Street, Moyer said, which could be expanded into a mini -park.
Finally, Hampstead is asking that the city apply for various grants from the state t
would provide the company with at
loan assistance for its acquisition and
construction costs.
The work session will be held in City Hall, beginning at 7 p.m.
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