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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 01-04 Carlton Park development postponed by 3M Company THE REVIEW Carlton Park development postponed by 3M Company In a letter to Oakdale,Maplewood and occupancy of Carlton park during that Lake Elmo mayors and the Washington Period. County Commissioners last week, 3M -The limiting factor at the present 3M Company official G.G.Mueller told the Center has been traffic pressures on the mayors and commissioners that the surrounding streets and highways. Van firms'plans have changed and it is not and car pooling,staggered working times ready at this time to ask for rezoning of and recent improvements in traffic the site in Oakdale and Lake Elmo. patterns have enlarged the capacity of 3M Previously 3M had estimated its center Center.In addition,new office procedures in Maplewood would reach population and techniques with the use of computers capacity in the 1980-85 time period,but and other modern office equipment have that improved scheduling of work,use of enhanced the productivity. As a con- car pooling and vans, and office sequence,additional major buildings at procedures and techniques with com- 3M Center are now possible and are being puters and other office equipment have planned.Because of the foregoing factors, increased productivity to an extent that we will be able to expand at 3M Center to the Carlton Park expansion is not meet 3M's projected needs through 1985 at presently needed. least. Mueller also pointed out that other Therefore,the projected timetable for factors will influence 3M's future business the development of Carlton Park con- plans in Minnesota.He cited factors such tamed in the Environmental Impact as personal and corporate tax structures, Statement is no longer applicable.This the Minnesota business climate,energy does not mean the plans for Carlton park constraints, construction costs, and have been abandoned,but it does mean transportation needs. that 3M is not now in the position to The full text of Mueller's letter follows: proceed with the rezoning process for "This is in reply to your letter of Carlton Park. December 13,1977,requesting an update When the 3M Center development of plans for the proposed 3M Carlton Park comes closer to reaching its completion, office-research site.Because of changing consideration will again be given to the circumstances,it is appropriate to briefly need and feasibility for the development review the status of this project. of Carlton Park.It must be kept in mind, As you know,Carlton Park has been however,that other factors will also in- consistently described as a long-range fluence 3M's future business plans in development with a built-in flexible Minnesota, including personal and cor- construction schedule; however, porate tax structures, the Minnesota regulations providing for the Environ- business climate, energy constraints, mental Impact Statement required 3M to construction costs,transportation needs, project a timetable for future con- etc. struction. This timetable was very Changing conditions make our speculative,although we made the best respective responsibilities for future estimate possible based upon the cir- planning more difficult. Please be cumstances which existed at that time, assured, however, that Oakdale, Lake When the Environmental Impact Elmo and Washington County have been Statement and the Long Range most cooperative in dealing with this Development Plan were completed in 1976 project and we hope to continue the ex- (at a cost of$1.5 million to 3M),it was cellent professional relationship between estimated that 3M Center would reach its our respective staff people. population capacity in the 1980-85 period, Sincerely, thus creating a demand for an initial G.G.Mueller."