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5.0. HRSR 10-23-2000 Item #5. City of MEMORANDUM Elk ,� River TO: Mayor & City Council Housing and Redevelopment Authority FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator DATE: October 23, 2000 SUBJECT: Joint Meeting A worksession with the City Council and the HRA is scheduled for Monday evening to discuss the central business district (CBD). Essentially, I requested this joint meeting due to my concern about the sidewalks downtown. Specifically, the concern relates to the King and Main redevelopment project and the sidewalk that is being proposed with this project. • My issue regarding the sidewalk relates to whether or not what the developer is proposing will be consistent with what will be desired for an overall sidewalk replacement program. Nothing needs to be decided Monday evening, but the timing is somewhat critical for the developer. The developer hopes to start construction on the building this fall with the sidewalk being installed next spring. The timing is also important as it relates to a potential utilities project next year. Elk River Utilities is seriously considering the relocation of some electric lines from the riverbank area to either underneath the sidewalks downtown or in the street near the curb (most likely on the south side of Main Street). Accordingly, it is conceivable that the city, HRA, and business owners could all be involved in a sidewalk replacement program throughout the downtown area sometime in 2001. At this worksession we are not prepared to make decisions on financing ideas, construction timeframes, etc. We first need to discuss what is or is not acceptable for a sidewalk redevelopment scheme. Cost estimates for various options may be offered on a per block or running foot basis and it should be noted that what is now the "area of red concrete" may be expanded with a • CBD redevelopment project. At this point the sidewalk options seem to include a solid brick paver design, a flat gray design, or a combination 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD & Phone (763) 441-7420 • Fax (763) 441-7425 • paver/gray concrete design. It may even be desirable to have sections of the solid brick paver design combined or mixed with sections of a flat gray concrete/paver design. Due to some construction constraints with placing sidewalks next to existing buildings and maintenance issues, it is likely appropriate to have some sections of the concrete/paver design included in the overall sidewalk replacement plan. Sidewalks are only one part, and may be a very small part, of an overall downtown redevelopment master plan and project. I think everyone at the staff level, on the City Council, and those who are business owners downtown are concerned about the future of downtown in ten, twenty, or thirty years from now. Things are going well now due partly to a good economy, but things can change rather dramatically and most people can vividly recall a few years ago when both the former Snyder Drug and Johnson's stores were vacant. Panic is too strong of a word, but there were serious concerns about the future of downtown during that time period a few years ago. We should be planning during these good times for the long term future of downtown and the attached memo from the Director of Economic Development and Director of Planning comments on these longer term issues. Again, my most • immediate concern is making sure that a sidewalk plan for the King/Main project is consistent, or can be consistent, with an overall sidewalk replacement program, but there are also bigger long term issues that also need to be addressed. This fourth Monday of the month at 5 p.m. is the regular meeting date and time for the HRA. Accordingly, the HRA needs to formally open its meeting and take care of a few consent items before the worksession and discussion with the council begins. Complicating this slightly is the fact that the City Council also needs to open its meeting and hear a presentation from Bond Consultant Rusty Fifield, Jr., from Ehlers and Associates, Inc., right away at 5 p.m. as he is due later at the Worthington City Council meeting. Formal action on the bonds will be done after the joint worksession later in the evening, but we need to spend a few minutes at 5 p.m. for a bond presentation prior to the joint meeting taking place. • (-/ ( MEMORANDUM • TO: Housing and Redevelopment Authority City of ,. Mayor and City Council Elk River FROM: Cathy Mehelich,Director of Economic Development Michele McPherson,Director of Planning DATE: October 23,2000 SUBJECT: Central Business District Worksession The purpose of the joint meeting between the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and the Elk River City Council is to discuss activities associated with the future of Elk River's Central Business District (CBD- see attached map). Representatives from the River's Edge Downtown Development Corporation and Elk River Economic Development Authority may also be in attendance. Current Central Business District Activities There are activities occurring in the CBD that have the potential to set the tone for the design of future public and private improvements. You may refer to the City Administrator's memo, which provides information about the current activities as they relate to sidewalk improvements. Handouts will be distributed at the meeting for discussion on sidewalk design options and cost estimates. Staff suggests that the City may want to consider a sidewalk replacement project as one part of a broader,long-term central business district program. Background The need to establish some type of overall Central Business District master plan has been reinforced through numerous completed "pre-design" plans for Elk River's central business district. Attached is a brief summary of the City's previous planning and redevelopment activities. Interestingly, elements of the various plans have been implemented by the City in the downtown such as parking areas, park/landscaping, access to the river, land use development, and various redevelopment activities. Just as the City and EDA were pro-active in their long-term comprehensive planning for industrial development, as evidenced by the Strategic Marketing Plan-Phase I and II, it is important to be pro-active in planning for redevelopment of the CDB. A long-term program would include identifying 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD & Phone (763) 441-7420 • Fax (763) 441-7425 Memo to the HRA,Mayor&City Council Central Business District Worksession October 23,2000 Page 2 • opportunities and priorities for public and private improvements, land use, transportation planning, redevelopment project areas and also establish a long-term implementation schedule and financing options. Points for discussion: • Is a reexamination of the CBD's role in the community needed? What opportunities exist for the CBD to continue to be a unique, community experience in light of retail/service expansions on Hwy 169? • Why are so many suburbs trying to "create" a downtown? • Is it important to the community to utilize the Mississippi riverfront through mixed-use development, park and open spaces? • Who should take the lead in organizing, planning and implementing downtown redevelopment efforts? Who should complete the comprehensive redevelopment plan? • Should elements of existing plans be incorporated into the updated plan? • What issues or elements should be addressed in the redevelopment plan? • Should the City set a standard for a coordinated sidewalk design in the CBD, or allow the private sector to do so? Additionally, is it important to identify and agree upon specific uniform design features/theme for new construction or rehabilitation in the CBD? Attachments Central Business District Map Downtown Elk River Improvement History 1970 -2000 Star News Articles "Vital downtown helps businesses, entire community" 1/19/00 "HRA begins search for new project" 7/7/00 "Community center tops the list" 10/11/00 MN Real Estate Journal Article "Making downtown from scratch" 8/7/00 • • • . . • . . I .: ,try, .• ... - �w� r(,: �a i 1 %, ..„. ,,,,,,,„ ... . ,,,, II . ---. _ 0„:1101 a mat ,.A ,•, iii`! try, , •aia v .� _cZ „vn cru k/ 11 z � '. ,. • ammegran 2.4, ..,._ .„ 4 41 - ---- V/ "NI 1" •, 4 _S1 SSI' ' - - SS/pp N a I..i--, oma... iv -1 Illi ' /IP/ N .0-...'' ." . ell ir._ , , ,, . ?tilt . J , . ...1.; III3 \ 1c21 CI.64,.-i11=•t1 .-1 ,iii li �. ki.., .tet-yr,1 .•,) , • i. • 7 4aL mil e � . fit: -ti: Imola 4.mi•••••••••••••••=m ••••••••••••••• IT` ! I,IIIIIaj aoio=-� �1 MEM • • '-'; 4 =IAmnis. I =. /= 11 "' ::� III�i�filUliiii • V7, f .. AM Ina= " ' -1 mai MI 141 =a;. 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S7�• � I.. b '•'•, u • .. t 69. , ��",i.j; - +' • � �, iii. -§ iv H 111191 cA _1ri 1 1 `' ' ' , UNE Art11UE .- billimmi'llN Downtown Elk River Improvement History • 1970 - 2000 1970 Elk River Central Business District Report is developed and provides general guidelines for physical appearance, movement patterns, and development potentials of the CBD for years 1970-1990. 1982 Elk River Downtown Redevelopment Plan establishes a long-range guide for evaluating physical improvements, developing zoning policies, establish priorities in capital improvements and identifying redevelopment opportunities. 1986 The City and Chamber work with the Governor's Design Team to develop an overall plan for the CBD. The river is stressed as an amenity to focus on. 1988 The Central Business District Redevelopment Project results in a theme for CDB fixtures, trees, and sidewalks in the downtown area. The project is paid for via assessments and City, HRA, and Utility funds. 1989 Following the purchase of the Hardware store site, the EDA improves the site for use as public green space. In 2000, the EDA turns the property over the City for parkland. 1990 Riprap is installed along the riverbank in the CBD for erosion control in 1990 and again in 1995. The project is funded by a grant from the Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District and matched by the City and HRA. 1990 The EDA and Dr. Tony Jarmoluk redevelop the NE corner of Main St. and Lowell Ave as a new dental clinic. 1992 The city demolishes the old creamery building and then assists the chamber in 1994 in relocating their building to the site. 1992 Parking lot at Jackson Square is improved by the HRA. In 1993 the city purchases the BNRR parking lots for CBD patrons and the HRA improves one of the lots in 1994. In 1995, improvements are made to the parking lot behind Kemper Drug. 1995 A Riverwalk plan is developed by Hoisington-Koegler for the CBD, and is envisioned for the beginning of a trail system along the river. • 1996 The city applies for an ISTEA grant to fund the Riverwalk Project, but . the application is rejected. Phasing of the project is considered but no action is taken. 1997 The HRA acquires the King and Main site and removes the existing structures. The proposal to immediately redevelop the site with a 12,000 commercial building falls though. A number of other concepts for the site are later proposed, but none materialize. 1998 The HRA hires Theresa Washburn to lay the foundation for developing a downtown plan master plan. Ms. Washburn submits the Central Business District Action Plan in January of 1999. Implementation of the Action Plan begins but participation levels from citizens drop. 1999 The EDA, Council, and HRA review the Strategic Plan for Economic Development and lower downtown's priority. 2000 King and Main is sold to the First National Bank of Elk River, which plans to construct an office building on the site. Downtown is listed as a top priority at Operation ER's October meeting. • s:\eda\hra\downtown\planhist.doc • Alego • • Opinions Vitaldowntown• •helps businesses .entirecommunity ' ; The Christian Science Monitor reports that around the country, suburban communities are actually building downtowns-special community places. i Here in Elk River we have a quaint downtown along the Mississippi .River. This.is a treasure,;but our leadership is content to' let'it evolve into what the marketplace will allow. This downtown has been studied to death;.there are at least two plans .for development along the river. • The Housing and. Redevelopment Authority got leaders together and developed an expanded central business district. That movement has lost momen- tum. Last Monday night the 'Economic Development Authority (EDA) listened to a proposal from,a com- • mittee of the Elk River Rotary Club. The committee • wantsto put a replica of a river paddle-wheeler at the foot of the hill where Elk River Hardware once stood. The Rotary Club asked the EDA to front-end the cost, promising to pay it back. The EDA in chorus, except for one, said that's a nice idea, but it needs to fit the plan. What plan? The downtown merchants several years•ago agreed they want the downtown to have a historic river city look. They were assessed for those improvements. The city has been more than generous with its sup- port. The downtown is carrying out the historic look which some merchants have been trying to carry out in their business: Diamond City Bread, Olde Main Eatery and Sweet Shoppe, Antiques Downtown, the Haberdashery, Tony Mikols "photo shop, the Nook Gift Shop and Natural Expressions. Contrary to what Council Member Paul Motin believes, that decision has been made.A past council ' agreed with installing "Historic Elk River" signs and with putting up a replica of the bandstand of which everyone in Elk River was so proud. The delay is convincing the EDA and the city coun- cil that there is a payoff in historic and artistic.devel- opment. Other communities have demonstrated that • the arts and history can combine to bring economic dividends. Elk River won't ever be another barren suburb with- out a downtown. The question the leadership has to adidress s: Can ourslow1towl1*be'the best .it can be?'-'' A strong, vital, attractive downtown can benefit the whole community and every business in it. - Don •, Elk ' - 1 liver , begins HRA • search - ' '' - - , ':;-::?;;;:'3.-',..?;:'4b-f,,?..':,-;'':'-'''''''-e'Y"-•'''.":.',.',-,.!S''''': ' ',:it,':if', ,,., .,,, .,-..', ..„ ' ,",-'';'..:" - ' •,'—c,-,,r, for new ''project '• ,,,,,`,;:,0 la'''`4,,,,,,-0***"` ::4:, — `^'" ,,,,,..-t.r.xill)4124,:,,,,,,,,,,t , , Downtown eyed first 1 - 1 by Jim Boyle Staff writer The Elk River Housing and Mikols heads downtown group Redevelopment Authority is on the lookout for a.redevelnpmeht 'Tony over f• of Mikols River Studios is the new president _ ' _ of the the RiversedgeDowntownDevelopment Co The group will start its search in dovnitoHe takes aver for Char Barder of the Olde Main EaterY, wli Elk River,but th. e - and says he hopes the group will become more assertive in, grouP aPPears to favor moving laddressing the needs of the downtown business owners. Members of the ovaly and cautiouslhy.' ' The group will have its first meeting at 8 a.m. on July 1..2 directed Catherine 1VIehelich, - 1 s BRA ave in the biulding back behin. d. the,Elk River Trading,Coin, the new director of.economic Mikols a.grkeed to downtown Elk River. . . . the helm of the organization if he development, voThuled hboeabradcefeddiruepettbakeyreaa vice president and a secretary do town businesstabgal013:nilinersg bout the future of the down' Cliff Lundberg a agreed to do that -, .-! h s been named the vice president and a town. She said she win scope Cindy Koonz of the Cre . _ erica has been named the sec- ut. potential redevelopment projects retary. These are new positionfor the group ill RrThe HRA recently so'id tie.' from AntiquesrsedgebDowntown,oardaambDebbie members aincllDoeblerde Barder, of ElkRiver had cleared and Ramsey Beth -1, • King and Main site, ed fo which it Trading Co.,., Jim Simpson of the Bank of Elk River, Den PreParr Heinzraai? of the Elk River Star News and Bud.Boulton of development Knolving tins,citY First National Bank of Elk Riven:, ,,.., .o staff has asked the. I-IRA to . think about other potential • __ • •ct (CBD) and along east recdietyveAlodnainipmenettreter projects.Ic)at KEsersB:RAhe is apprehensivesticicang about the _ -- • its neck out on Highway 10 downtown:Ealla told the group at a June . meeting one'issue which 26 any redevelopment,referring to Th discussion on 'inn the struggle it took to deal the for _ . ,... r e _ necessitate the Kg and Main site. _- 'developing a criteria or,d s :. * future of downtown is the(level- HRA Daryl 'ignating redevelopment areas , opmen.t of King and Main itselfid• ' -As contractors prepare • Thompson saidthedowntownD *Identifying redevelopment , . e . as ,- a building for the First Ntl_:tioila Bank of Elk River andother„hei- ''dtinbouswnginte,easxvvnsecitsedbdoencoatbmsoeeentmmanothreYtb:hci):ngis: tailectanatoiddeersiingrig alliriniredeVaeloc°Pmnallent: tenants,issiarlawhthatattowilidohawiovntheetoofthbthee7alasdiedacire- filiffRA"liMe said dber Stewart plandesign-guidelines for "We walks,should be interested in de 1 exit sites in CBD. possible : s'areih.eda,thetewilaeu.imdelikeevaterYth:e the redevelopment .n.entii.the CBD ..' Klaers said. _ what the red brick bec. / es , Wilson 'develop *Issue Request For Proposals for re ve opmiere the concept alnaab e , —' —- ,, ' said, noting that it should. , plThaceomfoprsthonosseaitliatlive.there., •Furthersei tp ,,_en downtownElk of facade grants in cooperation something that can be rePhcat- ed II:mint-girl able and sonle a WilsonRid vefinrwillatiagronneeeyrae,rthheer atbSalltill.wjusa just era• Nvictithonbpian 1 to w7r, on CRD big ' but it will either be a issue, thin' d but said he has *Continue back the old,,brick facadeswhich •C ns. trades database of down- - were very attractive. town businesses established byra continue a tone or set a new • HRA Chair Duane Kropuen- _ This was me. tone” :, ske and ERA Member Linda bers of the effRAElk and dver theCElkity ,- lighting and garbage cans were installed downtown years agod the June 26 meeting. The Economic 'Developmenther on an improvement project,an „, Strategic Plan, a num1 during. \ ef Rivet Economic Developmen Authority However-,„, it-was e ' dropped'in.-the4 level-orpritAit-3i t_ thaocintywwoulandiats;t think it would championed the idea of bringinga Huntington were absent from Council, . , , t li Col;blestone b6cks, decorative , . the sidewniki are n°1vill need of pObrs''stibIe action steps for redev _ . . themost recent s„tT„, ategic i . repair_ 1:- '', Toth said opment in the Central Business planning HRA Member Larry s4. ,a€� ro#� tCi N -7 .1 Fi hi r • _ M 11 R Ce � e co „ y� h F _-„.„ ,:„.....,;..„,,,,....„.,..i.r._,.:.::_..,....,4_::_:: :.,..,,......,.,..._:...:::,.. 7,,,:_,,.,.;,,::,,,,,.. ,,cu .,,, is was. ,,,.,,s.,,,,,,g,,, ,..i..4.,,,,,,,,...: .:._,,,...,,,,:,_._,. . ,..,,,,..._,„..:,‘:.,,.....,..:,.,„...,,.......„...„....,... _ >?-V d wit., O 0..c.c ti a ▪ ; Y '.- s f, .P : _ rfy i� 0 . � v1 'O. 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