8. HRSR INFORMATION 04-04-2011Citv of
fiver
INFORMATION
TO: Housing & Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development
DATE: April 4, 201 I
SUBJECT: River's Edge Meeting Minutes
Attachment
• River's Edge Meeting Minutes -March 2011
Attached are the most recent River's Edge meeting minutes.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Apri113`". Staff continues to attend the
monthly meetings as city liaison and assists in downtown marketing efforts.
Rivers Edge Meeting Minutes March 9t", 2011
Meeting was called to order at 2:30PM at Edward Jones Conference Room. Members present: Sandi Yeado
(Edward Jones), Fred McCoy (McCoy's Pub), Jim Rudolph(Bank of Elk River), Wendy Simenson (Kemper
Drug) Tony Mikols (Dare's) Stephanie Albin (City of ER Park and Rec), Debbi Rydberg (ER Chamber of
Commerce), Julie Simmons(Potential Downtown Business Owner)
Treasurer's Report: $3.227.59
Secretary's Report: January Minutes were accepted as written.
City Update: Annie could not attend the meeting but provided the following information:
Big thank you to Fred and all others who participated and donated prizes to the Energy Expo, I heard the
River's Edge booth was a success! I encourage participating in the Elk River Chamber Business Expo
Perhaps you want to bring up the idea of getting some type of banner or display to use at these events? I
think the laminated maps are great, but maybe a tablecloth or something would add to the booth
Free Community foreclosure forum on Saturday, March 19th from 9-1 lam at the YMCA, daycare is
provided
Art Soup can market along the Northstar Cooridor if Art soup coordinates transportation from station site to
downtown. Can advertise ArtSoup with painting on O'Reilly building window
Business interested in partnering with Metro Transit to offer incentives to Northstar riders should go to
ridetorewards.com
I am working with Nicole on the River's Edge website- people with photos to include on the website are
encouraged to submit to Nicole or I. Perhaps we should add Facebook logo and website to existing marketing
brochures or discuss revamping?
No new news on the Bluffs
Elk Park Center is going through the process of updating the fagade of the Furniture USA store- it will be
Ashley furniture, an outlet store and JoAnn Fabrics (proposed). United Health Care (by Gov. Center) is
doing a 40,000 sq. ft. expansion. The Depot Apts (by Northstar station) should be complete in June (54 units)
Stephanie Alban Park and Rec: The 2011 Riverfront Concert Series has been announced. Concerts will
Start at 7PM Thursday June 2 and run through August 25~" . A great season has been planned. Some new
groups will be performing this year, and some that have been favorites in the past. Music will appeal to a
variety of ages. The Schedule will be posted on the City of Elk River's Website soon.
The Chalk it Up concert series that was held on Tuesday Afternoons last year has been moved to Tuesday
Evenings and will be held the 2"d Tuesday in June, July and August. This music will be geared more to
younger families and the music will be on the Cities 97 genre.
On July 14~' the Fire Department will be having their big ladder truck downtown and aerial pictures will be
taken of the concert in Rivers Edge Commons Park that night.
Elk River Park and Rec received a SHIP (Sustainable Health Improvement Program) grant from the State of
Mn. The money is being use to highlight Elk Rivers Walking and Biking Trails. A Map will be made
connecting the trails throughout the City. New Signs will be put up at some of the parks and at the Rail
Station with maps of Elk River and how to get from here to there by bike or walking.
Elk River Park and Recs Summer Program Guide is hot off of the press. It has an interactive cover that
is sure to catch the children's interest. In addition to the Youth Programs, there are Adult programs and Park
Information -including the schedules for the concert series. It will be mailed to past program participants
and will be available to pick up at Lions Park and at the City of Elk River Offices. If you would like to have
some to pass out in your business, let Stephanie know.
The Minnesota Mountain Bike Series Race (MnMBS) will be held on July 31S` at Hillside Park. This race
draws people into Elk River from all over the area. T-shirt are being made for this event and ads are
available. For $50 you can get your logo on the t-shirt.
Energy Expo Summary: Fred manned a booth for Downtown RiversEdge at the Energy Expo with some
help from the Great Room. We had a sandwich board inviting people to save energy and walk downtown for
lunch and also a map of downtown businesses. Many businesses gave him coupons and information to pass
out. Several businesses donated to the prize wheel so there was a steady stream of people coming to the
booth to claim their prizes. It was busy for the first 2 hours.
Artsoup Planning: Artsoup will be held downtown on Saturday June 18, 2011. We discussed the
possible arrangements for artist booths and road closing during the Artsoup Festival. Since it will only be for
one day, no concerns were expressed about any of the possible layouts. Tony suggested that we suggest they
get some flags like those used to promote concerts in the park and place them along highway 10 and the park
the day of the event.
New Business
Elk River Chamber of Commerce Update: The Elk River Business Expo is being held on March 26`h and
27`'' from l OAM to 2PM each day. Last year over 2000 people visited the Expo. A booth with a table is
$155.00. Fred moved and Wendy seconded that we have a booth at the expo -the motion passed. Debbi
asked if we wanted Downtown Businesses to be put in close proximity to each other. Those present thought
it would be a good idea. Stephanie said she could put together a video of pictures of events that are held
downtown during the year to show at the table. We will need to have power, a tv or video screen and dvd
player to do this. We need Volunteers to be at the table for 2 hour shifts on Sat or Sun. Please let Fred know
ASAP vanman3257tcc)msn.comtyhen you are available to help. If you have coupons, or information that you
want passed out at the booth, that will need to go to Fred also. We will use the sandwich board that we used
at the Energy Expo and Wendy will make some Downtown RiversEdge signs to hang in the booth.
1 Lunch, 2 Mayors, Three Questions: Tuesday March 22nd from 12 to 1:30 there is a Chamber Lunch at
Rockwoods in Otsego. Take this opportunity to meet and hear the mayors and ask questions. $20.00 Fee.
Register at the Chamber website htt~alwcvw.elkriverchamber.or~l or ca11763-441-3110.
SO1C3 Tax Exempt Status for RiversEdge: Sandi has researched our status and found our tax exempt
registration number. It was listed under Rivers Edge Downtown Business Development Association. She will
renew our Tax Exempt Status and see about changing the name to RiversEdge Downtown Business
Association. She will give McCoys Pub's address for mailing address. The RiversEdge Vice President will
be designated as the person who is responsible for getting the forms mailed in in the future.
Julie Simmons attended our meeting. She is hoping to open a coffee shop/ book store in the Bluffs.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:SSPM Respectfully submitted by Wendy Simenson Acting Secretary
................................................ . .
From: Bonnie McDonald [mailto:bmcdonald@mnpreservation.org]
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 4:59 PM
To: Haug, Rebecca
Subject: FW: Rehabilitation Effect on Sales
Hi Rebecca:
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l talked with Emily, our Minnesota Main Street Program Coordinator, about the question raised regarding the impact of
investment on sales. Please see below for some information generated by the National Trust to pass along to the HRA
member 4vho asked the question (gentleman in the grey suit, end of the table, glasses).
Thanks,
Bonnie
Bonnie McDonald I Executive Director
Preservation Alliance of Minnesota 1416 Landmark Center, 75 L~1, 5th Street, St. Paul, MN 55102
0: (651j 293-9047 x104 I F: (651) 209-9291 I C: (b51) 207-7693 I E:
bmcdonald~mnpreservation.or~ I Gvww.mnpreservation.or~
~-~ Before printing this e-mail or attachments, please consider the environment.
bite support what is important to your business. Spansc~r our work, maximize year rewards.
Click here for more details.
From: Emily Northey [mailto:enorthey@mnpreservation.org]
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 12:18 PM
To: bmcdonald@mnpreservation.org
Subject: Rehabilitation Effect on Sales
Here is a very small survey conducted in 2005 by the National Trust Main Street Center on what effect building
rehabilitations had on business sales (in that building).
The survey sample is really small (only 5 stores) but here's what they said:
The average rehab cost was: $53,750
The average increase in sales after the rehab was: 16%
Survey respondents were:
1. store had been in businesses for 3-5 years
2. the merchant or building owner gave the store a physical rehabilitation (even just a new paint scheme)
3. the rehab happened 1 year ago and the merchant has about a year's worth of sales tracking to review.
Emily Northey Minnesota Main Street Program Coordinator
Preservation Alliance of Minnesota ~ 416 Landmark Center ~ 75 W 5th St. ~ St. Paul, MN 55102 ~ 0: 651.293.9047 x4 ~ C:
651
.~` -, }~ .262.8770 ~ enorthey(a?mnpreservation.or~c ~ mnpreservation.org
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