HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.3a Hunden Partners Proposal Memo
TO: Economic Development Authority
Jennifer Levitt, Executive Director
FROM: Gretchen Larson, Economic Development Director
DATE: July 7, 2023
RE: A request to engage the services of Hunden Partners for a Phase 1 Arena Market
Evaluation and Implications Study
Background
At the annual ICSC tradeshow the city team met with the developer who has the option on the
73-acre Shoppes at Cottage View property and the team at Hunden Partners who specialize in
feasibility studies related to entertainment venues. The developer has shared the conceptual
plans for the property which include:
A Multi-use sports and entertainment venue (stadium)
Highly Rated Hotels – Westin, Radisson, Four Seasons
Class A Office Spaces
Retail - shopping, dining, a movie complex (IMAX), and others
Public spaces such as a community center, state and county facilities, an institution of
higher learning, training, vocational, and workforce centers, and others
High Density Housing - market rate, and affordable workforce and senior housing
Open Greenspaces – amphitheater, park, splashpads, seating areas, and others
As with all large projects there are elements that will go into the proposed development that may
need to be analyzed and the feasibility and need for an event venue is one of those questions.
The team at Hunden has proposed the following schedule:
1) Kickoff Organizing Call – Once the administrative engagement paperwork process is
complete, Hunden will schedule an initial kickoff organizing call/Zoom with the Client team for
introductions and to schedule the in-person site visit, tours, and meetings. Hunden will send a
kickoff memo outlining requests for data, scheduling arrangements, and key contact information.
2) Site Visit/Local Discovery – Members of the Hunden key personnel team will travel to Cottage
Grove to conduct an in-person kickoff trip with the Client, including stakeholder meetings and
interviews, a site tour, and tours of surrounding demand generators.
3) Circle Back Call – After the kickoff trip, Hunden will schedule a ‘circle-back call’ with the
Client to wrap up data requests and any outstanding discovery phase items.
4) Check-In Calls – Throughout the market research tasks, Hunden can schedule check-in calls
with the Client to ensure timely forward direction through the study process.
5) Phase 1 Arena Market Implications – Hunden will meet virtually with the Client to discuss and
present a summary of preliminary arena market implications for the Cottage Grove market.
Hunden Partner fees for the analysis are $20,000 and the work will commence 30 days after
review and approval by the EDA. However, staff notes that their team is currently booked with
other projects through mid-August therefore, the anticipated completion date for the final report
would be mid-to-late September.
Recommendation
Approve the proposal from Hunden Partners to engage their services for completion of a Phase 1
Arena Market Evaluation and Implications Study in an amount not to exceed $20,000. Funding if
approved will be taken from the EDA Trust Fund.