HRSR INFORMATION 08-02-2010~~®~~A~'~d~~
MEMORANDUM
TO: Housing Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Annie Deckert, Economic Development Assistant
DATE: 2 August 2010
SUBJECT: MN Main Street Program Update
BACKGROUND
In May of 2010, the Preservation Alliance of MN launched the MN Main Street Program; an
economic development program that assists local communities in promoting revitalization
efforts and capitalizing on unique assets and character of historic downtowns.
Emily Northy, MN Main Street Program Coordinator presented information to the Housing
Redevelopment Authority (HRA) at the June 7`" HRA meeting discussing the program and
different levels of involvement the City could partake in. Staff suggested that the Associate
Member level may be the best fit for the downtown.
The HRA directed staff to share the information with the downtown River's Edge business
association group as well as the Historic Preservation Commission.
UPDATE
At the June 9`" River's Edge meeting, the association elected to become an Associate
Member of the MN Main Street Program. Nicole Fox, owner of Nicole's Salon will be the
group's representative for the program. An Associate Membership includes the following:
• Discounted registration fox downtown trainings
• Access to E-Newsletter
• Access to mass distribution list (all MN Associate Members)
This information was shared with the HPC at their July 15`" meeting. Ms. Northy will be
attending the August 19`" HPC meeting to present information about the program. The
River's Edge Business Association is invited to attend this meeting.
N:\Departments\Community Development\Economic Development\Downtown Revitalization\Rivers Edge\2010\MN Main Street\8-
2-10 HRA Update.doc
fiver
MEMORANDUM
TO: Housing & Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development
DATE: August 2, 2010
SUBJECT: INFORMATION -River's Edge Meeting Minutes
Attachment
• River's Edge Meeting Minutes -June 2010.
Attached are the most recent River's Edge meeting minutes. The most recent meeting was
held June 9, 2010.
The next meeting is scheduled fox Wednesday, August 11r''. Staff continues to attend the
monthly meetings as city staff liaison and assists in downtown marketing efforts.
N:\Deparhnents\Community Development\Economic Development\HRA to move\Agenda\Year2010\8.2.10 downtown update.doc
Rivers Edge Meeting Minutes June 9, 2010
Meeting was called to order at 3PM at Edward Jones Conference Room. Members present: Jim
Rudolph, Nicole Fox (Nicole's Salon), Sandi Yeado (Edward Jones), Tony Mikols (Dares Funeral
Home), Wendy Simenson (Kemper Drug), Annie Deckert (City of ER EDA), Stephanie Albin (City of
ER Park and Rec)
Treasurer's Report: $3,020.35 in treasury
Secretary's Report: April Minutes. were amended to included that the Rivers Edge Business
Association encourages the efforts of Jim Rosman to make the Mississippi river navigatable and
directed Fred McCoy, our president, to sign the letter. The minutes were accepted as amended.
Old Business:
Ciry Update:
Faith in Action is Acception Donations for their garage sale which will be held June 23-26. More
info is available at GRA-FIA.com if you have items to be donated.
Northstar Train Introductory ride was a huge success. 100 people received instructions on how to
ride the train and went to the mall of America and back. Another trip is being planned for August 14th. A
Senior Trip downtown for lunch is being planned on July 10th Reservations and more information can be
found at www.ci.elk-river.mn.uslnorthstar or ca11763-635-1150.
For $10.00 ($11 Value) "To Go Cards" are available at City Hall. In March, 7800 trips were taken on
the Northstar from Elk River, 4000 from Big Lake. They have increased the number of cars on the train
from the Twins Games to 6. The last train returns from the ball park t/2 hour after the last out. Ciry Hall
and Park and Rec have Packets available to those interested in what activities are available around the
Northstar station sites
Highway 10 improvement project starts June 14 between Proctor Ave and Main Street. Pedestrian
Improvements are being made. The work should be completed by July 30th. Expect slow downs and
closures.
The Main Street Improvement west of Lowell Ave should begin sometime in midsummer.
The City is holding a Business Recycling Event. On September 30, an open house will be held in the
Great River Energy Conference Room from 7:30 to 9AM. More information will be available at the next
Rivers Edge meeting.
The ERAAA (Arts Alliance) has asked that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) allow
them to use the old O'Reilly Building to expand their art offerings. The HRA asked them to do a
feasibility study to investigate how much it would cost to make the building up to code.
The Arts Alliance anticipates reporting back to the HRA in September.
Annie presented info about the Minnesota Main Street -Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
(www.mnpreservation.or£lprograms/main-street). Their purpose is to assist local communities in their
commercial district revitalization efforts. They have newsletters, classes and networking opportunities
for downtown groups. Nicole volunteered to be our liason with the group. A motion was made by Sandi,
seconded by Wendy and carried to pay a $200 membership fee to become an Associate Member
Community. The HRA directed city staff to share this information with the Rivers Edge Group as well
as the HPC. It was suggested that at a future meeting we have someone from the Elk River historic
preservation group come and talk to us.
Park and Rec Update:
The Rivers Edge Commons Park Music Series has started. The series is sponsored by the Bank of
Elk River and hosted by ER Park and Rec. The first concert brought over 1000 people down town. Park
and Rec is not allowing outside vendors to set up at the park. Downtown businesses can have info in and
outside of their buildings.
June 23rd a safety camp will be held at Lions Park. Information about Stranger Danger will be
available. Harley Davidson is Flying in Jean Davidson fora 2:30PM presentation of "Yell and Tell" to
help prevent drownings. Pre-registration is required for the Camp. Jean Davidson's talk is open to the
public.
A Twins Clinic is being sponsored by the Greater Minnesota Credit Union on Friday June 18th. No
reservations required. Children just need to bring their gloves.
National Night to Unite is Tuesday August, 3rd from 6 to 9PM at Lions Park. This is a Police and
community partnership to help people get to know their neighbors. Free dinner and games with a water
slide will be available in the park.
Downtown Music/Sidewalk Sale July 17th. We will give downtown brochures to Park and Rec to put
in the welcome bags for the participants in the Bike Race (July 18th) that is being held at the Bike Park.
Wendy will check with Tina Alery to see what the requirements are if we want to have music downtown
during the day. Wendy will coordinate sidewalk sale with downtown businesses for the day and will talk
to the restaurants to see if they want to coordinate anything for the evening.
Downtown Flower Pots: Thank you to Robin for planting some of the pots and businesses for planting
the others. They look great. Some of them are not ideally placed. Let Robin know if you want your pots
moved a little bit and we will then work with the city and tell them how we need them moved. A
suggestion was made that we put flower pots along highway 10. We still have access to the pots at the
ER Chamber of Commerce. Annie will check with MNDOT to see if there are any rules about that. We
need to talk to the owners of Jackson Square and encourage them to put flowers in their pots or ask if we
can.
New Business:
Paint the Downtown Purple: Jan from Elk River Travel asked that we decorate downtown in Purple to
educate and encourage people to support the Relay for Life event prior to the June 24th Concert in the
Park. She would like to see displays in the windows and in the businesses. If you are interested in doing
this, talk to her and she can get you more information. The group discussed that this would be a good
idea for next year and suggested we plan further in advance to advertise and receive adequate media
coverage.
Elk River Fourth of July Celebration: Fireworks and music will be taking place in Lions Park on the
Fourth of July. Jim Boyle would like the Downtown Rivers Edge group to support the efforts. Attached
to the minutes is a Flyer telling more about the celebration. It would be great if Downtown Businesses
could decorate with Red White and Blue in anticipation of the 4th of July and have posters up in their
doors and in Rivers Edge Commons Park to help inform residents and visitors to Elk River of the
happenings at Lions Park on the 4th
Logo: We need to update the Rivers Edge Logo. Please think about what you would like the downtown
logo to look like. Bring suggestions and drawings to our next meeting. We could make buttons, t-shirts
and hats with our new logo and help promote downtown. We need to use standard colors o keep printing
costs down.
Membership Renewal Time: Wendy will be sending out membership renewal info in the next month.
~O ~M~~~~~ ~>~
City
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Housing & Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development
DATE: August 2, 2010
SUBJECT: INFORMATION -Related Housing Articles
Attachments
• Initiative Foundation Quarterly publication, March 2010.
• Star Tribune Article, "Housing costs bleeding many Minnesotans" July 20, 2010.
• North Metro Realtors Assoc., "Elk River Market Update", June 2010.
HRA Commissioner Kuester requested that the recent Star Tribune article be forwarded to
the HRA for information. In addition the Initiative Foundation published one of its
quarterly magazine dedicated to issues of affordable housing in the region.
N:\Departments\Community Development\Economic Development\HRA to move\Agenda\Year2010\8.2.10 housing information.doc
The 100+
Market Updates for 205 Twin Cities Communities
A free research tool from the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®
Brought to you by the unique data-sharing traditions of the REALTOR® community
Elk River June
i
:~ RA
Nord Metro REALTORS ~ Association
Year to Date
Sherburne County, MN 2009 2010 Change ~ 2009 2010 Change
New Listings 75 57 - 24.0% 391 405 + 3.6%
Closed Sales 42 27 - 35.7% 169 170 + 0.6%
Median Sales Price $159,400 $168,500 + 5.7% $162,000 $168,000 + 3.7%
Average Sales Price $166,050 $778,061 + 7.2°/a I $168,526 $179,161 + 6.3%
Percent of Original List Price Received at Sale• 88.0% 96.7% + 9.9% ° 88.7% 93.8% + 5.8%
Average Days on Market Until Sale~• 178 104 - 41.2% 160 122 - 24.0%
Single-Family Detached Inventory 176 181 + 2.8% - -- --
Townhouse-Condo Inventory 79 148 + 87.3% i - -- --
'Does not account for list prices from any previous listing contracts "City market time figures are based on Cumulative Days on Market, which does account for previous listing contracts
Activity-Most Recent Month Activity-Entire Year
75 ^2oos ^2ofo 391 405 .2009
Median Sales Price
$159.400 $168,500 $162,000 $168,000
Percent of Original List Price Received
96.7%
93.8%
June Year to Date Single-Family Detached Townhouse-Condo
Some of the figures referenced in this report are for only one month worth of activity. As such, they can sometimes look extreme due
to the small sample size involved. For broader historical market information, please feel free to contact us.
All data from the Regional Multiple Listing Service. Reports are created and maintained by 10K Research and Marketing.
New Listings Closed Sales
New Listings Closed Sales
June Year to Date
June Year to Date
Inventory of Homes for Sale
178 181
Average Days on Market Until Sale
178
ACA
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Housing costs bleeding many
Minnesotans
as they struggle to find and pay for housing,
even as economists claim the economy is
recovering.
For people in many everyday jobs,
owning - or even renting -housing
is out of reach.
By JIM BUCHTA and MOLLY YOUNG, Star Tribune
staff writers
Last u}adate: July 20, 2010 - 10:34 PM
Despite steady declines in housing prices and
mortgage interest rates, many Minnesotans
-- even those with jobs -- still face
formidable challenges when it comes to
paying for a home.
On Tuesday the Minnesota Housing
Partnership (MHP) released a report that says
low wages and too few jobs have .left nearly a
third of all homeowners and nearly half of all
renters in the state paying more than 30
percent of their gross income on housing.
Separately, the Treasury Department said
only 30 percent of troubled homeowners
nationwide who were able to modify the
terms of their mortgage Dave stuck with the
program.. More troubling, 40 percent of those
seeking help didn't complete the program.
Together, the reports paint a grim picture of
the challenges that face working Americans
Business has picked. up recently for Ruth.
NI:acAllister, a house painter from Linwood
Township, but it maybe too late to save her
home. The single mother of two teenagers
signed up for the federal loan modification
program. in September but was stunned to
learn. a few months later her bank had no
record she had ever been part of it.
Now her three-bedroom, two-bathroom
house will be foreclosed this fall. "I'm just
trying to stay in the home that my kids have
lived in for 17 years," MacAllister said.
As late as 2008, one in eight Minnesota
households spent at least half its income on
housing, according to the MHP, up from. 1. in
1 S in 2000, the fastest increase of any state
in the nation during that dine.
Chip Halbach, Mj1P's executive director, said
in the early part of the decade home prices
and rents in Minnesota were relatively low
but climbed dramatically as buyers stretched
to buy as much. house as possible. Incomes,
however, didn't keep pace.
At Aeon., a Twin Cities-based. affordable
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housing developer, the problem is getting
worse as job losses mount and homeowners
who have been through. foreclosure become
renters.
"This is the world that I work in everyday,"
said Gina Ciganik, vice president for housing
development, who says almost all the
residents who live in the organization's
hausing have jobs and defy stereotypes
about who needs affordable housing. "It's
really our bus driver, teachers, police
officers, janitors and people who collect
tickets at baseball games," she said.
To illustrate the point, MHP examined wages
for five occupations, including teacher,
registered nurse and retail salesperson, and.
found that for .full-time workers, owning a
median-priced home is affordable to all these
occupations in only nine Minnesota counties,
most of them in viral areas in the western
part of the state. In none of th.e counties is
renting a typical. two-bedroom apartment
affordable to all five occupations.
In the most extreme cases, MHP researcher
I;egh Rosenberg said, lack of affordable
housing has left thousands of Minnesotans w
ifhout housing. The report show s more
than 13,000 people are homeless in the state,
a number that's increased more than 25
percent since 2006.
Kris Jacobs, director of the St. Paul-based
Jobs Now Coalition that works toward better
wages, said a large percentage of all jobs
available pay wages that can't support a
family, making it difficult for some families to
meet basic needs like housing.
Such shortfalls are why developers of
nonprofit housing will meet this week in the
Twin Cities with architects, planners and
designers from around the country as part of
the Affordable I-lousing Design Leadership
Instihrte, sponsored by Enterprise
Community Partners.
Aeon, for example, will discuss its plans to
add another 120 units of affordable housing
to the hundreds it has already built in its
Franklin-Portland Gateway project in south
Mim~eapolis. The focus of the event, which
will be in a different city next year and is
funded in part by the McKnight Fotmdation,
will be on creating rental housing that's
sustainable, affordable and accessible to
jobs and. transit.
Aeon, i:n partnership with other Twin Cities
non-profits, has already built new housing
on three corners at the once-troubled.
intersection for low-income renters like
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Diane Lewis-Williams, who moved there three
years ago with her husband, Vincent
Williams, who works full time for another
local nonprofit.
She knows the struggles of being a one-
income family during tough economic times.
She gat laid off from her job as a receptionist
more than a year ago and sometimes they
can't come up with the $680 rent on their
one-bedroom apartment, so Aeon has
helped create a special payment plan.
"They've made it manageable for us," she
said. "They make arrangements. That's what
keeps us in."
With the foreclosure crisis humming along at
full speed. -- 90,000 in Minnesota in the last
five years, with one-third of them in 2009 --
demand for affordable housing has never
been more acute, particularly rental housing.
"We see people coming to rent because
they've lost their horne," Ciganik said. "So
there's a new resident population that needs
affordable places to stay and can't get back
into homeownership, so renting is their next
opti.on."
According to federal data released "Tuesday,
60.2 percent of the permanent modifications
in the Making Home Affordable Program
happened because of loss of income, such as
reductions in hours or wages or lost jobs.
The federal mortgage modification. program
has met with mixed success. Of the 1.3
million people who have enrolled in the
protn-am, by last month about 530,000 had
dropped aut, while 390,000 homeowners --
30 percent of those enrolled -- are mak7ng
payments on time. Some say that pressure on
lenders to sign up borrowers without proof
of income has led to the high drop-out
numbers.
Some, like house painter MacAllister, wonder
whether the prot,~ram is working at all. She
took part in the program during a trial period
in the fall, when. officials at her bank, Wells
Fargo, assured her she was part of the
federal program, she said. Now they claim
they have no record of that.
"They're schlepping hope," MacAllister said.
"I'm tired of hope. I want results."
jbuchta~startribune.com • 612-673-7376
molly.young~iistartribune.com • 612-673-
4376
Advertisement
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