Item Description:
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Neg 3 Business District Initiative grant agmts with the cities of Edina, Hopkins and Richfield EDA, 06/03/26-12/31/27, total combined NTE $65,000; neg 5 consultant agmts for Hennepin Planning Grant assistance, 06/03/26-12/31/27, total combined NTE $160,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the unexpended amount of $25,000 from 2023 Business District Initiative award (Resolution 23-HCHRA-0041) to the City of Edina for the Wayfinding at 50th and France project (Agreement PR00005745) be reallocated for distribution under the 2026 Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) budget as described herein; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Executive Director be authorized to negotiate the following Business District Initiative Grant Agreements during the period June 3, 2026 through December 31, 2027:
• PR00008494 with City of Edina, or affiliated entity, for the Wayfinding at 50th and France project with a not to exceed amount of $25,000;
• PR00008493 with the City of Hopkins, or affiliated entity, for the Wayfinding from the Rails to Trails project, with a not to exceed amount of $15,000;
• PR00008492 with the Richfield Economic Development Authority, or affiliated entity, for the Downtown Richfield Wayfinding and Placemaking project, with a not to exceed amount of $25,000;
that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Executive Director be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the authority; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Executive Director be authorized to negotiate Agreements PR00008442 with Bolton & Menk Inc.; PR00008439 with Van Meter Williams Pollack, LLP; PR00008443 with NEOO Partners, Inc.; PR00008441 with Cardo LLC; and PR00008440 with LHB Inc.; to provide for the completion of Hennepin Planning Grant projects during the period June 3, 2026 through December 31, 2027, for a total combined not to exceed amount of $160,000; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Executive Director be authorized to sign the agreements or amendments to agreements, and related documents on behalf of the authority; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Authority affirms Hennepin Planning Grant program assistance to the City of Dayton for a small area plan, City of Greenfield for the Greenfield Village Center Master Plan, and the City of Robbinsdale for the Robbinsdale Downtown District Revitalization Plan, during the period June 3, 2026 through December 31, 2027, with a value of consultant services not to exceed a combined total value of $160,000.
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Background:
The Business District Initiative (established 2015) and Hennepin Planning Grants (established 2006) represent two complementary approaches to partnering with municipalities to advance Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) goals and shared community and economic development priorities. By design, these programs provide modest seed funding to leverage additional investment, foster greater collaboration with Hennepin County communities, and implement strategies that help businesses and communities thrive and prosper.
The Business District Initiative (BDI) supports small business districts in suburban Hennepin County through city-led efforts such as marketing and wayfinding; public space improvements; business incubation spaces; building façade improvements; and related strategies. BDI projects are implemented through grant agreements with municipalities, economic development authorities, housing and redevelopment authorities, or port authorities. Since 2015, BDI has supported branding and wayfinding efforts, public realm improvements, and other district-scale strategies.
The Hennepin Planning Grant program supports cities’ land use and development planning efforts to achieve human-scale land use patterns that prioritize walkability and encourage a mix of building types and uses, diverse housing and transportation options, and development within existing neighborhoods. HPG projects are implemented through consultant scopes of work up to a not to exceed value of $60,000 per project. The HPG program has supported 49 projects in 29 cities with developing land use plans, market studies, and redevelopment strategies. Since 2023, over 1,000 acres have received new visions for redevelopment, setting the stage for communities that are more walkable, use land more efficiently, and are more economically productive.
Combined, these programs have supported 68 projects in 29 cities with a total of $2.49 million in funding. These programs have leveraged over $1,578,000 in local funds.
A combined competitive request for proposals for both programs was released in March 2026, seeking applications from Hennepin County municipalities. A total of 11 proposals were received, collectively requesting a total of $547,900 across both programs. Proposals were evaluated based on the extent to which each project meets program objectives, aligns with county goals, demonstrates need, leverages funds, and demonstrates capacity to complete the project.
Agreements PR00008442, PR0000843, PR00008441 and PR00008440 with consultants provide the ability to negotiate specific work scopes for the recommended projects.
Recommended projects include:
Business District Initiative
City of Edina
The City of Edina will implement a pedestrian wayfinding plan in the 50th and France business district to improve walkability, and address business owner and resident concerns about the difficulty finding destinations. The city is contributing $50,000 to the project.
City of Hopkins
The City of Hopkins will implement a wayfinding system for pedestrians and bicyclists near the Green Line Extension Light Rail Stations and trail network to highlight the three business districts along and near transit stations. The city is contributing $49,900.
Richfield Economic Development Authority
The Richfield EDA will implement a branding and placemaking strategy for their downtown district, creating a sense of place and enhancing the pedestrian environment. The city is contributing a minimum of $28,000.
Hennepin Planning Grants
City of Dayton
The City of Dayton will develop a small area plan to plan for expected growth and development, balance density with natural places, and create a stronger identity as a community. The city is contributing $5,000.
City of Greenfield
The City of Greenfield will develop a Village Center Master Plan to transform an approximately 70-acre site into a mixed-use walkable community and commercial hub. The city is contributing $5,000.
Robbinsdale Economic Development Authority
The City of Robbinsdale will build upon a 2023 downtown station area plan with a review of their zoning code to promote transit-oriented development, a district-scale parking study, and strategies to achieve the highest and best uses of key downtown properties. The city will contribute $5,000.
Current Request: The request is to authorize negotiation of three Business District Initiative agreements in the total combined not to exceed amount of $65,000 during the period June 3, 2026 through December 31, 2027; five Hennepin Planning Grant program consultant agreements, for a total combined not to exceed amount of $160,000 during the period June 3, 2026 through December 31, 2027; and affirm Hennepin Planning Grant projects in the cities of Dayton, Greenfield, and Robbinsdale.
Impact/Outcomes: Approval of this request will authorize investment of up to $225,000 to support the economic vitality of the business districts in Edina, Hopkins, and Richfield, and advance community-supported visions for land use and redevelopment that impact over 200 acres in the cities of Dayton, Greenfield, and Robbinsdale. Planning efforts will lead to more compact development patterns, reduced vehicle miles traveled, and increased tax value per acre. Combined, these business district and planning awards leverage approximately $140,000 in matching investments by municipalities and will impact an estimated 375 businesses.
Disparity Domains: This request supports Hennepin County disparity reduction efforts in income, employment, housing, and transportation by supporting a range of investments that strengthen neighborhood businesses, create employment opportunities, support housing options, and facilitate improved access to community destinations.
This request funds services that are: core services
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval