HRSR INFORMATION 04-22-1999 •
November 2, 1998
To: Duane Kropuenske
Paul Steinman
From: Pat Dwyer
Subject: Commercial property improvement loans
I have spoken to both of you regarding low interest property improvement loans in "historic"
downtown Elk River.
This memo will put forward some of my ideas. Please feel free to make comments or suggestions.
Loan pool amount- $500,000 ($250,000 from each bank)
Maximum loan - $50,000.00
Interest rate- 3% (The banks would lend at 6%with the HRA subsidizing the rate down to 3%)
Term - 5 to 7 years
Qualifying properties -Buildings located in the primary area defined by the committee as
"downtown"
Underwriting standards -Normal property improvement loan qualifications
Qualified improvements -Exterior improvements
This would require the HRA to commit up to $15,000 (3% of$500,000) per year to subsidize
the interest rate. The annual subsidy would decline as the loans are repaid.
Look this over. I'll give you a call next week so we can get together and talk.
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JlkRiver MEMORANDUM
TO: Housing and Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Stephen Wensman, Planner 0\r\
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DATE: March 22, 1999
SUBJECT: CBD Visioning Update /
Public Improvements Working Group
Public Improvements Working Group
The Public Improvements Working Group meets the 4th Tuesday of each
month. As a group we have met twice to discuss implementation of our
specific Action Plan (See attached Action Plan). The group reviews the Action
Plans to find out what actions have been taken and by whom and discusses
strategies to move them forward.
•
At our last meeting on February 23, 1999, the group discussed the locations
of an Arts Center and the need for cooperation between the City Council and
the School District regarding this initiative. Other discussions related to how
to get started and who will be involved. The work groups are still in the
initial stages of implementing the Action Plans.
The next working group meeting is scheduled for March 23rd at 4PM in the
Training Room at City Hall.
III
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD &Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425
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March 18, 1999
To: Paul Steinman, Director of Economic Development
Fr: Jeff Asfahl, Community Recreation
Re: Update: Activities and Events Work Group
Our group is scheduled to meet the fourth Tuesday of every month. Our first meeting in
February was not well attended. We are next meeting on Tuesday March 23rd and I will
be making phone calls to each representative to ensure better attendance.
I was specifically asked as part of this work group to begin working on organization of a
Winter Festival. I have had preliminary conversations with the Elk River Park and
• Recreation Commission and the Otsego Park and Recreation Commission, to explore
the possibilities and interest in working in cooperation rather than competing, as Otsego
has hosted a Winter Festival the past 3-4 years. These discussions need some more
time to process. No matter what the level of cooperation turn out to be, I believe that a
Winter Festival of some nature will take place in Elk River during the Winter of 2000.
I will make sure that you receive another, hopefully more informative update soon after
our March 23rd meeting.
Please contact me with any questions.
MEMORANDUM
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SATE: January 21, 1999
TO: Economic Development Committee
* Eleanor Goodall Paine Webber, Chair
John Weicht John C. Weicht and Associates, Vice-Chair
Dennis Chuba The Chuba Company
* Jack Ellis The Bank of Elk River
* Paul Motin Motin Law Office
Ted Saxon Saxon Motors
Joseph Schuster Elk River Foot and Ankle Clinic
* Cliff Lundberg Cliff Lundberg Attorney
cc: * Renee Sande President, Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce
* Paul Steinman Economic Development Director, City of Elk River
* Indicates attended previous meeting
FROM: Eleanor Goodall
RE: Economic Development Committee Notice of Meeting and Minutes
REMINDER
The next Economic Development Committee meeting has been set for
• Wednesday, February 17, at noon at Bridgeman's.
Mark your calendar and plan on being there. The Chamber needs your input and your support.
Meeting Minutes
Discussion centered around the Central Business District (CBD) Visioning sessions held earlier this
month.
Renee distributed materials listing the tasks for each of the four working groups (Business, Public
Improvements, Private Improvement, Activities/Events). Each group has been assigned one task to be
completed within one year.
The Business Working Group's active items relate to a market survey of businesses and
then of customers. This is an informative gathering process to determine which types of businesses would be
viable for the CBD. The survey and analysis, to be carried out by an independent entity, is part of the overall
CBD plan. At the end of this piece (one year timeline ) they will move on to a design phase with the Housing
and Redevelopment Authority, possibly this summer.
Some concern was expressed that the Visioning process for the CBD was on the right track. It was
felt that a core of people are pushing for the CBD to "be" a certain way. Is this best for all concerned? It
seems that important concerns, such as Hwy. 10, Scenic Waterway, or Arts Center, etc., are not being taken
into consideration. Also, a concern that it's the same few people, that many in the community aren't able to
attend the meetings. A response was that in any enterprise such as this you have two options: Do nothing or
start with a planning process trying to involve as many concerned people as possible. Some of the issues - an
overpass over Hwy. 10 or a River Walk - are so large they can tie up a planning group of lay citizens. The
issue is to get started, get people involved and move on, to plan at a beginning level and move on as
appropriate. This process is trying to involve the general population.
• Another response was that this is a different kind of planning process. We have parallel tracks going
on in four different areas. People are doing something and plans are being designed to be implemented.
A question was raised that do we all have the same ideas of what the CBD should look like? For
example, is it the idea to create a "quaintness", like Stillwater, using the river to attract people downtown?
So far, it's developing the way people want. Now we need to continue to motivate those who are active and
try to involve others. Yes, some way of moving people across HWY. 10 may be needed, but this is a later
stage project. We do have people taking ownership, taking on tasks and taking pride in what is happening.
The possibility of a brief survey, to be included in some other, regular mailing, asking for ideas from
those Elk River citizens unable to participate in the Visioning meetings, was discussed. This could include
information-gathering on a Light Rail Transit (LRT) station location.
We need to continue to look at the big picture and take into consideration not just the CBD, but are
the ideas, plans and tasks good for Elk River as a whole? For example: is the CBD the best place for a LRT
station? Are other areas, such as the Industrial Park, being considered?
It's important that this planning process involve stockholders from the beginning. In order to involve
as many as possible in the Visioning, a master list was compiled which merged such lists as; everyone who
owns property in an area twice the size of the CBD, the Arts Committee, 2001 Committee and the Historical
Committee. There have been public notices of meetings in The Elk River Star News and the first few
ailings also went to all chamber members. Finally, though there are 30-40 people active in the Vision
roup, basic information still is sent to the approximately 400 on the master list.
Cliff asked that we address the issue of the proposed mural on the wall of the old Cinema building.
What should it look like? Ideas were:
• conduct a "contest" for design ideas to be submitted to a committee
• a Monet type nature scene
• a depiction of a Main street, utilize a Main street
• some kind of nature theme (absent the elk) to compliment the adjacent park space
• involve high school students in the design (not just the actual painting)
• a river scene - paddleboat, people on the strand - tie downtown in with the river
Cliff noted that an idea the group was thinking of was to have an artist design it, based on some theme, and
then supervise students doing the actual painting.
Renee reminded the committee that Energy House II will have an open house on January 22 at 11:00
a.m.
Note: The February meeting of the Economic Development committee will focus on issues around the scenic
and wild river "consensus building" process; ideas, plans, how we factor in the scheme of it all, etc.
•
iNFORiviAliiM
ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
410
MEMORANDUM
°‘ TO: Central Business District Study Working
'V Groups
ROM: Paul T. Steinman,Director of Economic
p‘p,AF
Development
DATE: March 12, 1999
SUBJECT: Upcoming HRA Meetings
Central Business District Study participants are encouraged to attend a
meeting of the HRA to be held on Monday, March 22, 1999, from 5 to 6 p.m. at
Elk River City Hall. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss activities of
the Central Business District Working Groups over the past couple months.
Additionally, this meeting will help the HRA frame a number of issues for a
discussion of the Central Business District Planning Study with the City
• Council scheduled for Monday, April 12, 1999, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Elk River
City Hall. Studyparticipants are also encouraged to attend this joint meeting
of the HRA and City Council.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 441-4905.
\\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\eda\hra\downtown\stdygrp s.doc
•
P.O. Box 490 • 13065 Orono Parkway • Elk River, MN 55330-1743 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425
Equal Opportunity Housing and Equal Opportunity Employment
CBD Visioning Group
Anthony Mikols 707 Highway 10, Elk River 441-6385
Bob Minton 13700 Riverview Dr, Elk River 241-9104
Bryan Adams 19872 Watson Circle, Elk River 441-2020
Bud Houlton 1797 Tipton Circle, Elk River 241-3611
Charlie Blesener 1230 School Street NW, Elk River 241-3522
Chuck Gilliam 11018 196th Ave NW, Elk River 241-8040
Cliff Lundberg Lundberg Law Office - 400 Jackson Ave, ER 441-1251
David Flannery 327 King Ave., Elk River 241-3401
Don Heinzman 13934 Riverview Dr., Elk River 441-3500
Don Sherper 12275 239th Ave NW, Elk River - 441-1769
Duane Kropuenske 729 Main Street, Elk River 241-3609
Hank Duitsman 12354 Ridgewood Dr., Elk River 441-3717
Jack Ellis Bank of ER, 630 Main St.. Elk River 441-1000
Jeff Asfahl 1230 School Street, Elk River 241-3523
John Houlton 729 Main Street, Elk River 241-3612
John Weicht 13330 Island View Dr., Elk River 441-4112
Joseph Schuster 19172 Zane St., Elk River 441-8175
Judith Sass Gesch 18966 Baldwin St. NW, Elk River 441-8334
Kurt Kragness 10718 201st Circle NW, Elk River 241-9348
• Lee Cairns 19171 Zebulon St., Elk River 441-3717
Lynn Caswell Oliver & Assoc., 580 Dodge Ave., Elk River 441-2072
Margo Foster 313 Jackson Ave., Elk River 241-8113
Mark Pederson 400 Evans Ave (Guardian Angels) Elk River 441-1213
Michael Chambers 20188 Pascal St. NW, Elk River 441-8138
Michelle Masica City of Elk River 441-2324
Nancy Gongoll 13386 Riverview Drive, Elk River 441-2362
Pat Dwyer 11101 190% Ave NW, Elk River 241-8528
Renee Sande 509 Highway 10, Elk River 441-3110
Ron Black 913 Main Street, Elk River 441-7040
Russ Martie Marties Farm, 345 Jackson Ave, Elk River 441-7550
Sarah Coppock 2420 Rand Tower, 527 Marquette Ave S. Mpls. 55402 334-3388
Scott Harlicker City of Elk River 441-4914
Shelle Perleberg 817 Main Street, Elk River 441-6888
Steve Wensman 2113 29th Ave, Mpls 55406 677-0673
Stewart Wilson 630 Main Street, Elk River 241-8527
Tom Mesich ER Planning Comm 441-2204
Tony Darkenwald 15815 70th St NE, Elk River 441-3579
Wilma Loebig 957 Elk Lane, Elk River 441-4138
Cari Rock 19780 Brentwood Ln, Elk River
• Jim Stanley 16820 Hwy 10, Ste. 130, Elk River