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Article/City to Discuss Business ParkSubject: Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2000 08:20:57 -0700 From: "pandora" <pandora@digisys.net> To: "CFBF" <citizens@digisys.net>, "AC" <seonaidh@digisys.net>, "Amy" <amy@digisys.net>, "Ann" <fagre@digisys.net>, "Brace" <kbhayden@digisys.net>, "Bubba" <chustz@digisys.net>, "Don B" <keithbb@digisys.net>, "Don S" <beardancehaus@yahoo.com>, "Doug" <doiteach@bigsky.net>, "Jen" <jbannon@digisys.net>, "Joe" <shej oe@digisys. net>, "Mayre" <flowers@digisys.net>, "Patricia" <pjohnson@digisys.net>, "Steve" <sthomp@digisys.net> 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. 1 of 3/17/00 11:40 PM 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. ------------------------- Adopt a Chicken ------------------------- 2 of 2 17/00 11:40 PM