PRESENTER: Presenter
Mandi Scott, Economic and Community Development Manager
Andrew Knudtsen, Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
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SUBJECT: Title
Presentation, discussion, and possible action reviewing the Gruene 16 Feasibility Analysis Study
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
At the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC) workshop on June 15th, 2023, the Board was introduced to a process to undertake predevelopment and feasibility work for the eventual development of the Gruene 16, Block 1, Lots 1-3 property. This property was purchased by the NBEDC in 2016 for HD Supply’s planned expansion, which did not occur. The described process works with key stakeholders to conceptualize the project and objectives, develop a basic “vision” for the project, determine the market demand for the project as envisioned, and develop high level building and infrastructure budget estimates to determine the overall feasibility of the development concept(s) that receive the most support. This is intended to be the first steps in the feasibility and development concepts stage, with a second stage proposed to ultimately solicit a developer and negotiate a development agreement to bring the project to fruition. The NBEDC Board directed staff to move forward with the proposal.
The NBEDC Board, at its regular meeting on August 17, 2023, approved an expenditure to Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS), to begin the planning for a possible public/private partnership addressing the Gruene 16 property.
EPS facilitated a workshop with the NBEDC Board on November 14, 2023 and addressed objectives for the site, identified key questions for additional research, and established parameters for the next steps of the potential public/private partnership.
This presentation will cover the Gruene 16 Feasibility Analysis completed study, review the Council and NBEDC goals, review economic, demographic, and market trends, detail broker insights, highlight opportunistic land uses, and review themes and concepts discovered during the study. Next steps will also be discussed.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A