Carlson Real Estate secures landmark lease at The Oaks
Carlson Real Estate Company recently signed a significant lease with The Hartford at the Oaks Business Park in Oakdale.
The Hartford has leased the entire 60,000 square foot Class A single-story office building located at 7755 3rd St. N., the office component of the business park. Occupancy is planned for this spring.
Founded in 1810, The Hartford, which was represented by John Ferlita and Emily Nicoll of CB Richard Ellis, is one of the largest investment and insurance companies based in the United States. The Hartford is a provider of investment products - annuities, mutual funds, college savings plans - as well as life insurance, group and employee benefits, automobile and homeowners' insurance, and business insurance.
"The Hartford chose to focus on the Oaks project because of its proximity to their current location just across the freeway in
Woodbury and also because it gave them an opportunity to have sole occupancy in the first phase of office product," Nicoll said.
Craig Lien, a vice president with the Bloomington-based company, echoed many of Nicoll's sentiments. "Location was a major driver. But they also wanted to be in the midst of a first class, professional business park environment. And without question, the Oaks Business Park is quite simply the premier business development of the eastern metro. They also liked that within the Oaks there is virtually unlimited expansion potential in the event that they need more space," Lien said.
Wayne Teig, Carlson's vice president in charge of overseeing the entire business park project, believes their personal, partnership-oriented approach helped tip the scales in the company's favor. "They saw that we took a personal, long-term approach to their current and future space needs. We came to the negotiating table and responded quickly and professionally to all of their requests," he said.
Carlson partnered with the city of Oakdale from the beginning in developing the land. "The Hartford is a tremendous boost for our city," Oakdale City Administrator Craig Waldron said. "It will bring nearly 300 jobs and also I believe it will help spur further development, activity, and interest in this outstanding
business park."
The Oaks Business Park is located immediately northeast of the Interstate 94 and 694 interchange in Oakdale. When complete, it will consist of more than 650,000 total square feet. Presently, there are six buildings completed, including the now fully-leased 60,000 square foot single-story office building, a 98,000 square foot flex/light industrial building, and four office buildings at 9,000 square feet each that are for sale or lease.
Tax services office grand opening is Jan. 26
Liberty Tax Service will celebrate its grand opening, at 1189 Geneva Ave. N. in Oakdale, on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include free food, fun activities and free tax estimates. A drawing for a free DVD player will also be held.
During the "peak" of the tax season, from now until Feb. 17 and then March 23 to April 15, the office's hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome.
Services include processing paper, e-file, refund transfers and refund anticipation loan tax returns.
Outside of offering tax services, the Liberty Tax has a relationship with community charities, such as Caring for Cats and the North St. Paul Food Shelf, and various other religious and non-profit organizations.
The office's regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information please contact Tom Igielski or Kay Huffman at 651-738-9586.
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