-Stone Brook/ Prestmore Academy-
Mr. Michael and Mrs. Michelle Johnson are former Ramsey residents (now Andover residents) and are both practicing doctors.  They would like to establish a new children's academy in The COR. 

This is a project they've been researching/ planning and saving up equity for, for over two years. They have reviewed the project with two developers, an architect, and with two banks.  At this point, they are ready to make their dream a reality--they have their equity lined up--financing arranged--they are ready to apply for State Licensing--they are ready to go through the real estate entitlement process--they are ready to begin hiring/ training employees--and they are ready to enter into a purchase agreement with the City.  Their goal is to begin construction in early summer 2017.

The new children's academy will be called Stone Brook.  This start up company has an advantage.  Mrs. Johnson's father started a children's academy franchise in Florida--called Prestmore Academy.  Mr. and Mrs. Johnson will have the support of Mrs. Johnson's father--to make sure they are planning/ preparing correctly, and to help them get up and running.  Here is a link to the Prestmore Academy website http://www.prestmoreacademy.com/.  Please see "about" page for details.  To begin, Mrs. Johnson will quit her current practice to operate Stone Brook.  Mr. Johnson will continue his practice, until the businesses is self sustaining.

For Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Stone Brook Academy is much more than a business idea.  This project is the accumulation of several personal/ professional goals, and a deep rooted passion to give back to the world--through the education and development of children.  This is their dream--rather than retire at this stage in their careers.  

Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson strongly believe in the vision of The COR-- especially the center of The COR.  They believe in the principles of a walkable development, with close proximity to residential, close proximity to rail, high-quality architecture, and density.  They believe their project is best located in/ near the center of The COR, as a destination (140 kids, 20 employees).  

It is very important to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson to make strong connections to other users in The COR (and the community), to have a high-quality/ high-tech/ high-security facility, and to provide high-quality service offerings (academy).  They have indicated they are much more than a daycare, they are an educational institution/ asset to the community, and should not be compared to a daycare center (i.e. they are not a New Horizon).

-Proposed Project-
The proposed 10,000 sf, 1-story, Stone Brook Academy & Daycare facility will include seven class rooms, a gym, kitchen, offices, reception area, and a playground.  The academy will be staffed by 15-20 employees (including State certified instructors), and will serve 140 children.  Mr. and Ms. Johnson have indicated they intend to construct a very nice looking building (including brick/ glass) and they generally understand design standards for The COR.  Also, they want to create a facility that becomes an asset for the community, interacts with residents, and draws people to The COR. 

Mr. and Ms. Johnson reviewed sites in Ramsey and neighboring cities (Coon Rapids, Andover, Elk River, Otsego, Rogers, etc.).  The central part of The COR is their ideal location, and where they are proposing their new facility.  They looked at multiple site locations within The COR.  Site #1 is their most desired location.  At this point, they estimate a need for 0.9-1-acres of land. 

(A) If the City is okay with Site #1, Stone Brook is ready to move forward with a purchase agreement.  They would like to begin construction in early summer 2017.  They are hoping to be open in fall 2017.  RE Site #1, Stone Brook is asking for the City to decide how they want to approach the potential public road connection (Yolite Street)--is it required, or will a private stub road suffice?

(B) If the City is not okay with Site #1, Stone Brook is asking for direction on where they should be located/ and feedback RE the issues they have identified for other sites--each site has it's own unique set of circumstances/ obstacles.  Stone Brook has indicated, this option will likely delay their project (likely will not be able to open in 2017).
 

(A) An acre of development fees is estimated at about $60,000 (2016): $3,966 park, $1,090 trail, $6,131 water, $3,391 sewer, $4,577 storm water management, $40,000 COR storm water.

(B) Tax base is estimated at about $45,000 per year gross.  Typically, the city receives about 1/4 of property taxes.  However, in this particular scenario, the project is located in an existing TIF District (#14).  Therefore, the City would collect roughly just over 50% of the tax base via TIF.  This tax base is helpful for the city--as their is need to develop funding sources for other improvements in The COR.

(C) Stone Brook believes this project will drive 140 families to The COR on a daily basis (2x).  Increased traffic counts help drive retail and restaurants.

(D) Stone Brook has indicated this project will create 15-20 new jobs.

(E) Stone Brook has indicated they intend to construct an impressive looking building that will fit in well with The COR.

(F) Stone Brook has indicated they intend to become engaged in the community and The COR--and would like to develop relationships with organizations such as PACT Charter School.