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Listing agent Wardell Haywood says Oaktree lot’s size and parking limit buyer interest
Summary
At the Lindstrom EDA meeting, listing agent Wardell Haywood told members the Oaktree lot has drawn many inquiries but few serious offers because of its small footprint and parking constraints; members discussed combining adjacent parcels to attract mixed‑use development.
Wardell Haywood, the listing agent for the Oaktree lot, told the Lindstrom Economic Development Authority that the parcel has generated many inquiries during about 90 days of outreach but only a handful of serious prospects.
"The first thing they see is the size," Haywood said, describing repeated concerns about whether the small corner parcel can support a viable building and adequate parking. He said he routinely fields interest from startup retail and office tenants but that many lack business plans or financing; when buyers are serious he asks for written proposals before bringing them to the board.
Haywood said he has discussed mixed‑use concepts — retail or office on the ground floor with apartments above — with several prospects and has reached out to both small local operators and larger developers. "There will be more consideration with a bigger parcel," he said, noting that adding adjacent lots can change which developers are interested but does not eliminate parking and design visibility constraints.
Board members and staff discussed options to improve feasibility, including packaging adjacent private parcels and using city‑owned property on Newell Avenue to add parking. Members warned of owner holdouts: when multiple owners are needed to assemble a project, one owner can increase price if they realize their property is pivotal to a deal.
Staff said the city will not lead every negotiation but is open to assisting where it helps assemble a viable redevelopment package. Haywood said he will continue active outreach and will bring only serious, documented proposals back to the EDA for consideration.
No formal action was taken; the discussion ended with staff and the listing agent agreeing to continue outreach and to brief the EDA if a formal application or purchase proposal is submitted.
