6.0. HRSR 02-26-2001 ITEM 6.0.
ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MEMORANDUM
TO: Housing and Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Cathy Mehelich, Director of Economic Dev / ent
rfi-n
DATE: February 26, 2001
SUBJECT: Downtown Redevelopment Plan Update
The goal of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan process is to create a useable tool for the HRA and
City Council to guide redevelopment activity in the Central Business District. The Redevelopment
Plan will include identification of redevelopment criteria,establishment of a common vision for
redevelopment priorities, and a schedule for implementation.
The first phase of the planning process includes completing an inventory of properties within the
study area and identifying redevelopment issues. Staff has created an inventory of properties and
general building conditions based on information gathered from the building department and county
assessor's office. Within the next month the Historic Preservation Commission will be completing a
preliminary field review of properties for their historic significance.
Ali Maxfield Research,Inc.has been contracted to complete the market analysis of the central business
111. district. The analysis will include residential,commercial office and retail market potential. Within
the next month,Maxfield Research will be conducting interviews of key persons and stakeholders.
It;is anticipated that the market analysis will be complete for presentation to the HRA in April.
In May a worksession of the Planning Commission,HRA and River's Edge Downtown group will
be scheduled. Staff will present the results of the property inventory and market study. Based on
the information presented,specific redevelopment opportunities and priorities should be identified.
A property's redevelopment potential will be based on the following criteria:
• General building condition
• Historic significance
• Market potential
Using the above criteria a recommendation for redevelopment action will be made. Redevelopment
options may include one of the following:
• Redevelop site for new development
• Encourage rehabilitation of property
• Encourage property improvements e.g. façade
Attached is information about proposed legislation for historic preservation incentives that may
become an option for the CBD properties. Following the visioning process staff will develop an
• implementation schedule based on the identified priorities. It is anticipated that the Redevelopment
Plan will be complete for adoption in September.
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330-1743 • (612)441-7420 •Fax: (612) 441-7425,
Equal Opportunity Housing and Equal Opportunity Employment
Legislature considers incentives for historic preservation
Andrea Stearns
41110' As anyone who has been involved in a ture to consider this session.HF 331/ historic preservation efforts can assist
historic preservation project knows, SF 408 would create a$10 million in addressing other pressing issues
rehabilitating deteriorating structures historic preservation grant program such as the current affordable housing
can be nearly cost prohibitive.Often, administered by the Minnesota crunch.She also noted that the
however,there is a strong community Historical Society.HF 596/SF169 incentives in the two bills are v
attachment to these buildings and would provide a state income tax credit targeted in terms of the types of
support for restoring them to their to individuals who incur certain costs properties that will qualify.Council-
original character.Accordingly,private in rehabilitating qualifying proper member Johnson was instrumental in
participation in historic preservation Both bills were heard last Tuesday incorporating language into League of
efforts can often be obtained.Even so, in the House Commerce,Jobs& Minnesota Cities'policy LE-6:
the costs are often so high that a Economic Development Policy Redevelopment programs supporting
financing gap still exists. Local units of Committee.In addition to testimony incentives for local historic preserva-
oovernment and other interested from the Minnesota Historical Society tion efforts.
parties have identified the need for a and the Preservation Alliance of Minn- At the close of testimony,commit-
public/private partnership ins th aren? esota,committee members heard from tee members voted to refer HF 331 to
Options exist in terms of incentives Chatfield councilmember Brenda the Jobs and Economic Development
that can be utilized to encourage Johnson who testified in strong support Finance Committee and HF 596 to
historic preservation efforts.Rep.Jim of both bills.In her testimony,Council- the Tax Committee.The League will
Abeler(R-Anoka) and Sen. Sandy member Johnson stressed the need, continue to monitor this legislation as
Pappas (DFL-St.Paul) have chief- particularly in small cities,for addi- it winds its way through the legislative
authored two options for the Legisla- tional tools and pointed out that process.Watch upcoming issues of the
Cities Bulletin for updates.r
• Continued from page 1
• Feb.19 • Feb.23 Time:7-8:30 p.m.
Committee:Property Tax Committee:Property Tax Contact:Phil Raines, (651)
Chair:Rep.Ron Erhardt Chair:Rep.Ron Abrams 296-2909
Edina City Council Chambers, St. Cloud City Hall,400 Second St. • March 2
4801 West 50`' St.,Edina South,St.Cloud Committee:Property Tax
Time:7-8:30 p.m. Time: 12-1:30 p.m. Chair:Rep.Ron Abrams
Contact:Margaret Amundson, Contact:Jason Rohloff, (651) Duluth City Hall, City Council
(651) 296-7427 296-8880 Chambers,3rd Floor,411 West First
• Feb.21 • Feb.27 St.,Duluth
Committee:Sales&Income Tax Committee:Property Tax Time: 12-1:30 p.m.
Chair:Rep.Ron Abrams Chair:Rep.Ron Abrams Coordinator:Margaret Amundson,
Dakota County Administration Jewish Community Center,4330 (651) 296-7427
Center,1590 West Highway 55, Cedar Lake Rd.,St.Louis Park • March 2
Hastings Time:7-8:30 p.m. Committee:Sales &.Income Tax
Time:7-8:30 p.m. Contact:Jason Rohloff,(651) Chair:Rep.Elaine Harder
Contact:Phil Raines,(651)296-2909 296-8880 Marshall City Hall,344 West Main
• Feb.22 • Feb.28 St.,Marshall
Committee:Property Tax Committee:Sales &Income Tax Time: 12-1:30 p.m.
Chair:Rep.Ron Erhardt Chair:Rep.Elaine Harder Contact:Phil Raines, (651)296-
Burnsville High School,600 East South Central Technical College, 2909 r
Highway 13,Burnsville Heritage Hall,1920 Lee Blvd.,
III
Time:7-8:30 p.m. North Mankato
Contact:Margaret Amundson,
(651) 296-7427
February 14, 2001 Page 3