2015-04-07 Cloutier email in support of rezoning
Kim Olson
From:Tina Lannes
Sent:Tuesday, April 07, 2015 2:12 PM
To:Adam Nafstad
Cc:Kim Olson
Subject:FW: More Retail?
From: Tom Cloutier [mailto:tomcloutier@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2015 12:15 PM
To: jillian.hendrickson@ymail.com; walter.hudson.56@facebook.com; john vetsch; robertjolson@embarqmail.com;
LarrySorensen
Subject: More Retail?
Dear Mayor and Council,
My name is Tom Cloutier and I own a small retail center at 5262 Kyler Ave. Recently I ordered an appraisal of
my property in an effort to refinance while rates are low. During the process I was informed by the appraisal
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company that council members had decided against a church development at NWC of 53 and County Road
19, just to the north of my property, in favor of holding the space for future retail. I’m writing today to strongly
urge you to reconsider your thoughts on this issue as I believe Albertville has much too much retail space! A
church in the area would bring consumers to the area and help to reinvigorate the areas struggling retail
environment. Some examples of the current retails struggles are:
I own 10 malls throughout the metro from Blaine to Savage and Chanhassen to Woodbury. Albertville is
by FAR the toughest retail market I’m in. My Albertville mall has lost 100’s of thousands since I
purchased it in 08 (the other 9 make money) and I have had more tenant bankruptcies/issues than all
other malls combined. If I did not have a personal guarantee, I would have let this property go back to
the lender.
The Coborns anchored mall has lost money for years and it’s my understanding was just purchased as a
bank asset by Kempel
The Sherman Williams anchored mall has been for sale for a very long and I’m told there is little interest
based on the Albertville market struggles.
Perkins could not survive
The outlet mall now has new competition in Eagan that will most likely have a detrimental effect on
retail sales.
The Goodyear building has open space and has for a very long time
The retail space with the toy store is empty for the most part and I suspect may not survive long term.
The strip malls down by the former Perkins are in trouble and some properties are now bank owned
and look terrible.
Tom Finken has had the lots to the north and the south of my property for sales for nearly 10
years…there is little or no interest.
Rent rates in the area are extremely low with many landlords offering ridicules rates just trying to cover
their property taxes.
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Why on earth would Albertville want more retail? If you allow more retail many of us will “fold our
tents” Why not allow a church that would benefit the extremely poor retail environment?
Tom Cloutier
612 308 8382
tomcloutier@comcast.net
From: Bill Waytas [mailto:bill@nagellmn.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 2:01 PM
To: tomcloutier@comcast.net
Subject: RE: Fixtures List
Hi Tom,
Per your note below, here are the city council members.
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The land parcel is about 11 acres at NWC of 53 and County Road 19.
The church that is proposing building on the site is Westbridge which currently uses the St. Michael middle school
property to the southeast.
The mayor and one other member were for it and 3 were against it.
Thanks,
Bill
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