HRA OKs $43,801 Urban3 contract to analyze Fire Station 2 outlot

The Edina Housing Redevelopment Authority on April 16 approved a $43,801 professional‑services agreement with Urban3 LLC to produce a revenue analysis and five development‑scenario projections for the city‑owned outlot behind Fire Station 2 and to provide complementary citywide land‑use background for the comprehensive plan.

Stephanie Hawkins, the HRA’s affordable housing development manager, told the authority the work would produce “data driven evaluation of the 5 development scenarios for the Fire Station 2 outlot, including estimated land value and projected ongoing property tax revenue” and a citywide land‑use analysis to inform future decisions.

The motion to approve the agreement was moved by Commissioner Jackson and seconded by Commissioner Pierce. During discussion Commissioners asked why the consultant’s proposal (Exhibit A) was not publicly posted; staff said the vendor file contained graphics that were not ADA‑compliant and so the full proposal was uploaded to the board portal rather than the public website, and that members of the public may request the document. Commissioner Jackson asked staff to flag board‑portal items that are not on the public portal so the public knows what is missing.

The HRA voted to approve the agreement with three ayes and one abstention; the contract will be paid from HRA administrative funds. Chair Hovland said the analysis would equip policymakers, the city council and the planning commission with “objective, actionable information to support thoughtful, transparent, and fiscally responsible land use decisions.”

Next steps: staff will execute the professional‑services agreement with Urban3 and return any substantive findings as they become available. The HRA did not take further action on zoning or land‑use policy; those are separate processes for planning and council review.