11. Entertainment Complexf
I MEMORANDUM
CITY OF 11 1
CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager
FROM: Kate Aanenson, AICP, Planning Director
DATE: August 18, 1994
SUBJ: Entertainment Complex
At their last meeting of August 3, 1994, the Planning Commission reviewed a conceptual
proposal from Lotus Realty.
The Planning Commission found the proposal interesting but had concerns about the style of
architecture. They recommended that the city hire a consultant to review the proposed facade
design and application to the building. The Planning Commission felt the proposed uses were
compatible with the downtown area.
i
j Planning Commission Meeting - August 3, 1994
Scott: Good. Ongoing items, seeing none. Open discussion.
' DISCUSS CONCEPT OF ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX.
Brad Johnson and Truman Howell presented slides and a presentation, on an informal basis,
to the Planning Commission regarding architecture and ideas for the entertainment complex to
be located in the downtown area.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Submitted by Kate Aanenson
Planning Director
I Prepared by Nann Opheim
1 53
DWERTMNMENT
RETAIL COMP�"ft3,,5,5EN,NlkTt
F
j
1�
D
J
F�
r -,
IJ
July 26, 1994
To the Members of the Chanhassen Planning Commission
and City Council:
During the Visitors' Presentation portion of the June 23, 1994 meeting of
the HRA we presented a concept plan for the redevelopment of the Bowling
Alley Building, the adjacent "City Building" and the rear portion of the
Frontier Building. If this proposed redevelopment is to be completed,
it will need to be assisted by the HRA. It was, therefore, appropriate
to introduce the project first to that body.
In response to our request for direction on the project, it was the
HRA's recommendation that we first present our proposal to both the
Planning Commission and the Council on an informal basis and then return
to them for further discussion.
Due to the heavy workload for the last Planning Cor=ission meeting, we
are submitting a preliminary packet for your review prior to the meeting
on August 3. You will note that our package deals primarily with design
and use. While we have not presented information on parking, our
preliminary investigation indicates that adequate parking can be provided
by the addition of parking area to the east of the City Building. These
plans as well as other proposed plans will be submitted as a part of the
formal review process.
Your packet includes a reduced copy of the renderings we have prepared. If
you would like to see the larger version of the renderings, you are
welcome to stop by our office at any time. We have been displaying the
project for the last 30 days and, as you might well imagine, it has been
generating more excitement than any of the projects we have been working
on since we first introduced the prospect of brining a grocery store.
We look forward to discussing the project with you on August 3rd.
Lotus Realty Services, Inc.
Project Coordinator
934 -4538
r
t
Proposed Use: I
Theater - Copeland - Mithun Group, adding a fourth theater '
complex to their operations. Present plans are for
a six screen complex of approximately 1100 seats.
The Group is anticipating showing first run releases.
Bowling Alley - Dan Dahlin, Dahlco, has purchased the other
interests of ownership in the bowling alley and his
plans include a renovation of the premises to include,
modernizing the alley equipment with the latest in
computerized scoring. The plans include a separate
area for video games. I
Restaurant - Russ Pauly, of Pauly's, is the local operator
and is contemplating changes in his third generation ,
business now in its 60th year in Chanhassen, to be
located in the present Filly's space.
Retail - Four to six retail and service locations would be
available for compatible uses. For example, a drop
off daycare as well as other specialty retailers. '
Existing Property Use:
Bowling Alley
Filly's
Meeting Rooms
'
Warehouse
Proposed Use: I
Theater - Copeland - Mithun Group, adding a fourth theater '
complex to their operations. Present plans are for
a six screen complex of approximately 1100 seats.
The Group is anticipating showing first run releases.
Bowling Alley - Dan Dahlin, Dahlco, has purchased the other
interests of ownership in the bowling alley and his
plans include a renovation of the premises to include,
modernizing the alley equipment with the latest in
computerized scoring. The plans include a separate
area for video games. I
Restaurant - Russ Pauly, of Pauly's, is the local operator
and is contemplating changes in his third generation ,
business now in its 60th year in Chanhassen, to be
located in the present Filly's space.
Retail - Four to six retail and service locations would be
available for compatible uses. For example, a drop
off daycare as well as other specialty retailers. '
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Development Entity:
A partnership to be formed, consisting of:
Dahlco - Owner of the bowling alley building, a medium sized St. Paul
based entertainment company, Dan Dahlin, Principal.
Bloomberg Companies - Owner of the Frontier Building and the 20,000
square foot "City Building."
Russ Pauly - Owner of Pauly's and a major tenant in the new facility.
Lotus Realty Services - Project Coordinator, Management and Leasing.
Project Architect:
Truman Howell, Truman Howell Architects & Associates, Inc.
Prior and Current Chanhassen Projects: Country Suites Hotel,
Hotel Expansion and
Adjacent Restaurant
Construction Coordinator:
Copeland- Mithun, Inc.
Prior and Current Chanhassen Projects: Ridgeview Medical Buildings,
Phases I and II
Timetable:
Planning has progressed on several fronts, including:
1. Exterior Design
2. Interior Floor Plan
3. Preliminary Estimates of Costs
4. Lead Tenant Lease Concepts
5. Ownership and Equity Structure.
Yet to be completed are:
1. Informal review by Chanhassen Planning Commission
and Council.
2. Formal approvals by the HRA as to the amount and
structure of assistance which miynt be made available
to help defray the extraordinary costs associated with
the project.
3. Formal Planning and Council Review and Approvals.
4. Traditional Financing Commitment.
A timetable for construction start and projected completion cannot be
firmly established until the above items are assured. Timing is
important to the movie theater operator who wants to be open as soon as
possible and to Pauly's which has a deadline for relocating.
l
NARRATIVE
There are many elements that have aligned themselves in a
unique way to give Chanhassen a once -in- the - City's - lifetime
opportunity to, in one project, accomplish that which has
been a long sought -after solution to decade -old concerns.
The City of Chanhassen, having developed its downtown area
for the most part along W. 78th Street, has created an
attractive and growing commercial heart. As planning has
continued over the years, some of the older structures and
their associated backsides especially on the south side of
West 78th Street, have fallen under the "wish" list of
planners for rehabilitation. Many proposals have been
suggested which, in every case, have been abandoned for a
variety of reasons. The proposal being brought forward here
is one which with cooperation from the public and from
private individuals and groups can not only solve a
lingering concern of Chanhassen, but will do so in an exciting,
unique and financially -sound manner.
The site lies nortn of the railroad right -of -way, east of
' Market Boulevard and west of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre.
The site includes the precast buildings that presently house
the Chanhassen Bowl, Filly's, a warehouse referred to as the
' "City Building ", the southerly portion of the old lumber
company building (now identified as the Frontier Building)
and the adjacent millwork and scene shop buildings.
It is the intent of this project to revitalize this area of
Chanhassen into a location that will attract the public to
a new restaurant, a remodeled bowling facility, a new
retail area and a six screen movie theater complex, along
with other new businesses that will be attracted to the
project. A group of private business people have already
been working together to bring to this site a fresh idea for
the creation of this new image and rehabilitation of the
area. These are business people with a vested interest in
Chanhassen and its future and who are committed to the success
of the project.
The concept is to utilize the existing structures present on
the site and to facelift the buildings to become a unique
downtown expression that would be similar in flay or to towns
such as Stillwater, Wayzata, New Ulm and the riverfront area
of Main Street, Minneapolis. New building fronts will be
attached to the existing structures using materials that
will be reminiscent of buildings built around the turn of the
century through the 1930 Present Cay materials will
allow the economical recreation of these period facaaes.
J
I
Because of the elevated first floor level of the existing
buildings above the adjacent parking lot, a large,
pedestrian - friendly streetscape will be created. This
streetscape will include wide walkways, benches, game
tables, period light poles and handrails, a clock tower and
outdoor seating for the restaurant. There will be
,
sufficient room on the streetscape for functions such as
sidewalk fairs, small music groups and arts and crafts
shows. The streetscape will have handicapped accessible
'
ramps and an abundant landscape including trees, shrubs and
flowers.
The project could be extended to provide more j :eriod
,
buildings at the site given a reduction in the parking
requirements.
,
As indicated, there exists today a unique set of
circusmtances which if given support can bring Chanhassen
the following:
'
A. An economical solution to an ongoing image concern.
B. A revitalization of an underutilized site.
,
C. An infusion of a variety of new businesses in the area.
D. An exciting place to be.
E. A beautiful and thoughtfully planned environment.
,
When the project is completed, those passing by on Highway 5
will no longer have a reason to look the other way and in
fact will find reasons to stop and be a part of the new
'
Chanhassen.
,
Truman Howell
i m i w m m m m m m m m m m m m mdm
ifs r F7 i � - !I'i' +. lam\
1T4k l"-
tnw�� �gwti� �RC��r�crs n BSc_ NC.
m om = = = = m = = = = m = mmmmqm W