MOE – Mall of Entertainment
The Darkenwalds and their development partners have come forward with their Mall of Entertainment (MOE) concept. The City has discussed this project in a conceptual fashion and will be working with the development group to identify all issues and opportunities and improvements that have to be addressed prior to final city approvals. The concept the City is aware of includes 150,000 sq ft of entertainment and a 275 room hotel. The location of the project is on the north side of I-94 and just northwest of the Albertville Premium Outlets. The use fits the designated zoning; however, no formal development applications have been received by the city and no city approvals have been given.
This project brings a national attraction to the City which will spur spinoff development and complement existing commercial retail.
The City review schedule will begin once a formal development application and environmental study are submitted by the development group.
2018 UPDATE
At this time, no development applications have been received by the City for review and processing. The final AUAR study has been accepted and approved by the City Council and can be viewed below.
October 2, 2017 UPDATE
The City Council passed a motion to approve the responses to the Mall of Entertainment [MOE] Alternative Urban Area Review [AUAR] study that was distributed last month. At the November 20 meeting, the council will approve the final copy. At this time, no permits or building plans for the MOE project have been submitted.
August 7, 2017 UPDATE: Albertville Business Park AUAR Documents
At the Monday, August 7, 2017 Albertville City Council meeting, City staff and Council members heard from Anne Hurlburt, a planner from Landform Professional Services on behalf of the Darkenwald Corporation regarding the Mall of Entertainment [MOE] project.
Hurlburt presented the Council with the Alternative Urban Areawide Review [AUAR] and asked the Council for their approval to distribute. The AUAR is a planning tool that allows multiple environmental agencies to review a specific geographic area. The last AUAR for the projected MOE location took place in 2003. Typically an AUAR should be completed every five years.
The AUAR is not an application, development review or a permit to build, it is strictly an environmental review that allows comment from the various agencies.
The City gave approval for the AUAR to be published and distributed.
The Council and City staff also heard a traffic report that addressed current and projected traffic issues in the area that would pertain to MOE. Current traffic issues include: long queues leaving the Albertville Premium Outlets and turning eastbound as well as an obstructed view on the eastbound I-94 ramp at CSAH 19.
The outlet mall traffic issue could be resolved by adding a right turn lane. The CSAH 19 and I-94 traffic issue could be resolved by adding a traffic light.
The MOE project is slated to have Phase I [hotel, waterpark and indoor theme park] completed in the fall of 2019.
Appendix A – Soil Resource Report
Appendix B – Easte Side Delineation and NOD
Appendix C – West Side Delineation and NOD
Appendix D – Test Observation Pit Report
Appendix E – Phase 1 Environmental
Appendix F – Agency Correspondence
Appendix G – Noise Impacts Report
Appendix H – Traffic Memo – Revised 10-5-17
Appendix I – Response to AUAR Comments
Other Links
www.moemn.com
November 2016 MOE Update – Attachments
March 7, 2016 Planner’s Memo to Council
Entertainment Center Location Map
