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7.C. PRSR 02-10-1999 ..-c./ --\K c / �' . ty of tItem# 7,e- 1KMEMORANDUM• River TO: Park and Recreation Commission FROM: Stephen Wensman, Planner DATE: February 10, 1999 SUBJECT: CBD Visioning Update Overview The City of Elk River and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority recognized that downtown redevelopment was an initiative of the Economic Development Strategic Plan and would be a focus for 1998. In March, representatives from the City of Monticello presented Monticello's plan for revitalizing their downtown area. Also in March, the HRA decided that a facilitator should be hired to help outline a vision for the downtown area. In June 1998, it was decided to hired Theresa Washburn as a consultant to run • a visioning process for the Central Business District. The process was begun on September 24, 1998 with a community meeting to generate interest and commitment to the process. The attendance was good which set the stage for an all day retreat on October 23, 1998. The second meeting was also viewed as a success with a great turnout and enthusiasm. The participants include people representing business, arts, the school, city staff, and local residents. The Process On September 24, 1998, the consultant, Theresa Washburn, held a community meeting to generate interest and commitment to the Visioning process. On October 23, 1998, an all day visioning retreat consisting of residents, business interests and Staff was held for the following purposes: • Identify the CBD boundaries, links and potential redevelopment areas. • Identify future business and services in the CBD • Identify list of physical design projects in CBD • Identify list of Events in the CBD • Identify organizations to be involved in the process 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD & Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 Notes from October 23, 1998, CBD Visioning Retreat • Attendees: Don Sherper; Tony Darkenwald; Bob Minton; Don Heinzman; Sara Coppock; Renee Sande; Mark Pederson; Michael Chambers; Joseph Schuster; Margo Foster; Bud Houlton; Michelle Masica; Judith Sass-Gesch; Kurt Kragness; Pat Dwyer; Charlie Blesener; Ron Black; Duane Kropuenske; Shelle Perleberg; Wilma Loebig; John Houlton; Stewart Wilson; Chuck Gilliam; David Flannery; Hank Duitsman; John Weicht; Lee Cairns; Bryan Adams City Staff: Paul Steinman; Steve Wensman; Scott Harlicker; Theresa Washburn, Consultant Identification of CBD, Links to and from CBD, and Potential Redevelopment Areas • Gates - River - Elevator on Highway 10 - School Street • Utilize river better • Want train station in CBD • Breakdown barrier of 10/railroad tracks • Business - Develop as you go (allow market to determine) • Corridors - Pay attention to Main Street (east) • Connecting corridor • CBD needs to be redeveloped • Commuter rail station should be at entrance to town with retail shops • Redevelopment along Highway 10 • Riverfront - build on EDA site - theater/retail/business • Connect riverfront pathways to Main Street • Events in an outdoor riverfront theater • Redevelop north side of Highway 10 • Improve pedestrian access across Highway 10 • Strong corridor - 169 and School Street • Professional area - downtown, specialized retail, bed and breakfast - along riverfront • Art in the Park/Farmers Market • Historic building/Banners • Keep clean - looking nice • Redevelopment along railroad tracks • Removal of"stump art" as you are entering town from the east • Links to the mall/city hall/government center • Redevelopment with housing • Better signage • Uniform plantings/decorating • • Utilize river/foot bridge across Highway 10 • CBD - utilize the river/walkways/bikeway • Buildings with big windows • Somehow unify the two districts/light rail • Boys and Girls Club - School - locate in downtown - link • 169 development to link business • Specialty restaurants • Energy efficiency • CBD - downtown and Jackson • Older homes/small offices • Downtown retain historic character • Greenways linking the areas • Light rail - across tracks/use feed mill for light rail • Bandshell performing arts • Trying to encourage pedestrian traffic and parking on perimeter • CBD - larger area with redevelopment • Whole area will expand - all the way west - houses converted to office use • Train station - near Cretex Manufacturing Plant • No architectural standards • City will need to create area for green space and anything else • • Various architectural styles • CBD - School to 169 with redevelopment • River from Babcock to Orono - Ped walkway • Linkage should be evident • Railroad station - not in CBD • Concerts/Farmers Market - greenspace • Linear forest (soften noise) • • Green space on north side of 10 • Suggested standards - show what might be possible • CBD - downtown - night life/music • CBD - mirror existing CBD • Theme - Highway 10 acts as major barrier • Limited redevelopment - tie in with river • Model - Chicago communities with commuter rail • Performing arts facility with high grade space • Design - capitalize on brick structures • Green space - utilize park for green space versus parking • CBD/Morton Avenue/Highway 10 with links on Jackson/Freeport/Gates • Redevelop along Jackson Avenue north • Requires a lot of redevelopment - continue architectural elements in. links • Maintain historic character - bricks • Use river - would like to keep EDA site open for river viewing • • Bed and Breakfast/Supper Club in CBD • Performing arts theater downtown • More events downtown with restaurants • Big chunk for development - privately owned • Larger CBD district • Link Elk Park Center with downtown • Keep looking pretty/flowers/garland • Can reach tourist market • City/Utilities Commission to maintain • Two entrances to river/utilize river • Two level historic style building - King and Main (for more retail space) • All brick facades • Art center close to downtown • Better parking - change rules • Unity with businesses working together • Redevelop portions of the edge areas • Unified theme throughout the city • Connect shopping/school area/south end • Need grocery in CBD - use flowers to soften • Bridge across highway • • Need a theme for CBD • Develop riverfront - use existing plan • Visuals - look at what other communities have done • Shops/retail/service - lower level with housing above • CBD - 4th Street/river/Gates • Same links - Jackson - East Main Street • Redevelop everything north side of railroad tracks • River - Marina - Nautical themes i.e. docking, riverboat/river town • Tunnel underneath Highway 10 - look at intersections • Architectural standards should be voluntary • Keep EDA site undeveloped to protect view of river • CBD - Evans/3rd Street/Morton • Access to river - destination - canoes/kayaks • Needs to have attractive appeal - not uniform standards - utilize brick structures • Include condominium style buildings • Critical to redevelop north of the railroad tracks • Performing arts center at Gates and UPA Drive • CBD - East Main Street to 169 • Performing arts center in former County Market building • • Shuttle people back and forth to CBD • • • Arts center - HRA/School/Arts Group • Would not put it at School Street - support putting arts facility at County Market space • CBD - Morton/Gates/6th Street • Downtown currently not appealing - keep nice piece of entrance land as green space • Opposed to Wal-Mart • Increase retail opportunities in CBD • Redevelopment - housing to retail • Would like the town known for something • Dodge/Elk Park Center/work together • Farmers Market/dock connected to EDA site in CBD/arts center • Tourism • Define downtown up to Lion's Park • Redevelopment Jackson Avenue north to School Street into office • Corridors are important/underpass is possible • Light rail - will people use it? • Define area for commuter rail station • Feeling of downtown - sidewalks to be replaced - feel of New England town? • Keep space open to river - viewing area - bridge over 10 on King • Avenue • Condominiums above - retail below • New office - consider retail on main floor • CBD - Jackson/Lion's Park • Redevelopment on edges • Events/beautify areas • Easier walking in CBD • Shuttle service • Utilize the river - open up space • Use Jackson for relocation of businesses • Use closed businesses and empty buildings • Events - holiday displays • Encourage homes off of Main Street • Utilize Lion's Park/with specific events • Bed and Breakfast • Likes idea of extending CBD • Building for performing arts by schools in Lion's Park • Utilize the park more in CBD • Create parking near performing arts • #1 priority is pedestrian access over the railroad track at Highway 10 • Turn former County Market space into roller skating rink • Utilize taxi services • Two downtowns - identify the core and extensior.s • • Core could be distinct - don't allow franchises or chain stores - keep it unique • The more quaint the better • Design ordinances firm - implement unique design • Plans for riverfront pathway project should be implemented • Remind people in other business areas that there is a downtown - links • CBD - larger - Jackson/4th/river • CBD park is underutilized • Arts center/public space near park • Redevelop some of the core area • Design park areas • Emphasize river/entertainment • Fine dining - have a public space • Ambiance for elderly • CBD - Jackson/School Street • Redevelop railroad area • Take downtown out to 169 with architectural scale and facades • Redevelopment - bring commercial adjacent to tracks with elevated building scales • Highway 10 to Main Street - look with treatments • • Mixed use housing • Two business districts • Downtown - seasonal events • Riverfront utilized • Need to provide better access to CBD • Retail corridor - discount versus downtown specialized retail • Railroad detail - have to have bridging to access tracks on Highway 10 • Possible funding to change infrastructure in CBD • Business along the river - tourism attraction • Image - emphasize visible areas with good signage and flowers • Show the river off- continue historic theme • Continue historic theme on 169 • Linkages to Lion's Park • Performing arts - near school • Need to utilize all different area for arts • Development - link with Otsego • Public sculptures along Highway 10 • Redevelop all around Main Street • Should all be included with downtown • Arts center on edge of historic downtown • • Tree line Jackson Avenue ID • Give kids a safe way to get to CBD • Adequate event parking • Identify Elk River positively for commuter rail riders • River landing - river boat • Housing which allows for green space • Keep signage nice • Restricted height and design in core area • Grocery store in core area • Sidewalk - replace • CBD - with corridors and visible connections with mixed use businesses • Redevelopment north side of railroad tracks • Commuter rail downtown • Keep visible access to the river • Possible overpass - make a visible connection • Need to determine location of commuter rail station now - this determines what will happen in the future Top Ten Businesses/Services 1. Fine dining/banquet facilities with river view • 2. 3. Arts center Grocery store/deli/general store 4. Book store/Coffee shop 5. Micro brewery/restaurant 6. Community Center 7. Specialty retail 8. Canoe outfitter/sports related to river 9. Medical Clinic (expanded) 10. Bed and Breakfast 11. Night Life To Ten Physical Design Projects 1. Create a beautification plan for CBD 2. Decide on design theme 3. Design to utilize river 4. Highway 10 underpass/overpass for vehicles and pedestrians 5. Commuter rail station 6. Create better parking 7. Safer pedestrian/bike/walkways 8. Move toward building an art center in CBD Top Ten Events 1. Heritage Festival 2. Art Soup/Arts Festival 3. Winter outdoor event - ski/carnival/dog sled race 4. Farmers Market 5. Decorate downtown for holidays 6. Concert in the Park - Lions or EDA site 7. Parade 8. Event on the river 9. Craft fair 10. Downtown block party Organizations to be Involved in Process 1. HRA 22 votes 2. Downtown Business/Property Owners 14 votes 3. School District 12 votes 4. Chamber of Commerce 12 votes 5. Arts Advocates 11 votes 6. Rivers Edge Development Corporation 11 votes • 7. State of Minnesota 9 votes 8. Federal Government 7 votes All service clubs 5 votes EDA 3 votes DOT/State 3 votes Banks 2 votes Landscape Consultant 2 votes City Officials 2 votes Citizens of Elk River 1 vote Newspaper 1 vote Youth Groups 1 vote Historical Society 1 vote Foundations 1 vote Burlington Northern/Sante Fe RR 1 vote Planning Commission 1 vote Energy City 1 vote • Business Working Group Chuck Gilliam Renee Sande Don Heinzman Paul Steinman 1. Definition of fine dining 2. Complete a market study - who, how much 3. Identify commuter rail station priority areas 4. Criteria to identify redevelopment areas Public Improvement Working Group Judy Sass-Gesch Duane Kropuenske Ron Black Bob Minton Stewart Wilson Bryan Adams Scott Harlicker Steve Wensman Mike Chambers Joe Schuster 1. Compile old CBD plans 3\.- 2. Pull out the best parts of each plan 3. Identify small plans easily accomplished/implemented 4. Identify core area as redevelopment district 5. Commuter rail location tied to overpass/underpass ---- 6. Identify pedestrian and bike corridors 7. Public input key to plan adoption 8. Need a beautification plan Private Improvement Working Group Lee Cairns Pat Dwyer Sarah Coppock Shelle Perleberg 1. Design theme • How to pick a theme? • Pull businesses and property owners together • Provide historical records • Go back to original look • Provide recognition with plaques • How to encourage owners to participate - low interest financing • Landscape themes • • Holiday decorations - who will do? 2. River plan • Complete in phases - downtown area first S • Theater • Bike path Activities/Events Working Group Wilma Loebig Tony Darkenwald Bud Houlton Kurt Kragness Mark Pederson Michelle Masica Don Sherper 1. Publicity 2. Construct two community bulletin boards 3. Involve families to stay in area 4. Combine river events - rock skipping 5. Continuity between downtown and Handke Stadium 6. Walking tour 7. Involve the School 8. Trade from CBD to Handke 9. Provide transportation 10. Work with Kelley Farm • 11. Involve Otsego 12. Art Soup - Combine with Art Fair held by the river 13. Block off downtown area - provide shuttles 14. Concert combined with block party 15. Use EDA site in CBD 16. Holiday decorations - outline buildings trees with lights 17. Parade 18. Snow sculpture in downtown S Ili nD P c ° 4 C Z 0 • CA a b o a' ~o n a ' a P w`. n Z 5 a CD O �►,y+ C C • CD O O n r4.• n '� t a N - O L7' co , O h, O EA CA rr X • C p „n,,. ¢. 5 CD r ' rD • C . D O. Do y ' rt p - UO n O. 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