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5.0. EDSR 06-13-2005 ITEM 1 5. • City of Elk River MEMORANDUM TO: Economic Development Authority FROM: Heidi Steinmetz, Assistant Director of Economic Development DATE: June 13, 2005 SUBJECT: Strategic Industrial Marketing Activities Report Attachments • Business Incubator Program ad,Finance &Commerce,June 2, 2005 • Ad for the 2005-2006 Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce Map • "Trim Down Up Front" -Lean Enterprise event flyer • • Energy City Memorandum to City Council from Stephen Rohlf • June 2005 Downtown Revitalization Project Q &A Newsletter • Tescom article, The Business Journal, May 27, 2005 • SoftPac article, The Business Journal, May 20, 2005 I. Product Offering Strategy Northstar Business Park and City-owned Cargill Property Update There are separate memos regarding these issues. II. Competitive Strategy There is no new information to report. III. Key Account/Lead Generation Strategy The Northstar Business Park memo describes recent prospects. In addition, staff is working with a manufacturer for the construction of a 20,000 SF facility in the Elk River Business Park. IV. Promotions &Advertising Strategy Since March, the attached Incubator Program ad has been included in the Real Estate Thursday issues of Finance &Commerce magazine in the Economic Development Directory section. This is the first year that ads have been placed in this publication. A total of 26 ads will appear in the publication from March 2005 to March 2006. The intent is to • dedicate half of the ads to promote the Incubator Program Micro Loan and the other half to promote the Micro Loan and Technical Assistance Programs. Strategic Industrial Marketing Activities Report June 13,2005 EDA Meeting Page 2 of 3 • The attached 3x3 inch ad with be included in the 2005-2006 Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce Map,which is distributed to visitors, tourists and potential residents. V. Public Relations Strategy National Business Incubation Association Conference Harlan Jacobs and I promoted the Incubator Program at this conference by speaking on a panel about international collaborations within incubator programs. Incubator prospect, Anders Lindberg of ScandTrace spoke about his intent to move his company to the Incubator Program. Economic Development Newsletter The purpose of the newsletter is to provide manufacturers and site selectors information that is useful to their operations and to present an "open for business"image. Staff and Wolf Marketing&Media is currently working on the 8th edition of the Economic Development Newsletter,which will include several changes. The newsletter will be renamed,redesigned and increased to four pages. The newsletter is distributed in the Economic Development marketing packets,is available for download on the Economic Development page of the City's Website and is distributed directly to approximately 550 people representing the following groups: • Elk River manufacturers • • Manufacturers located in Anoka, Sherburne,Wright and Hennepin Counties • Past&present prospects/inquiries • Key accounts (site selectors,bankers, etc.) Joint Event with Minnesota Technology, Inc. (MTI) Staff is planning a 'Trim Down Up Front"-Lean Enterprise in the office event with key account, MTI, for August 15, 2005. See the attached event flyer. The purpose is to provide an educational experience to area manufacturers and to promote the Technical Assistance Program,which is the EDA's partnership program with MTI. Energy City The Action Committee for Energy (ACE) will be meeting with the City Council later this evening to discuss the creation of an Energy City Commission. See the attached memorandum to the City Council from Stephen Rolhf,Building and Environmental Administrator. VI. Strategic Partnership Strategy Downtown Revitalization Project Attached is the June 2005 Downtown Revitalization Project Q&A Newsletter. The following is a current timeline of Downtown Revitalization Project activities: • Construction of the King Avenue parking lot began June 1 and will be complete in early • July • Construction of Jackson Place will commence late summer/early fall Strategic Industrial Marketing Activities Report June 13,2005 EDA Meeting Page 3 of 3 4110 • Demolition and environmental remediation of The Bluffs of Elk River late summer/early fall • Both Jackson Place and The Bluffs of Elk River will be completed at the end of 2006 Sherburne County Economic Development On May 26, staff attended a County meeting with city officials from area cities and townships to discuss the County's recently adopted 3-year Economic Eevelopment Work Plan. Ms. King and the County Administrator provided an overview of the Work Plan during this meeting,which included details of the Work Plan goals. Ms. King and the Administrator indicated that the County plans to give priority Economic Development support to Zimmerman,Princeton and Clear Lake. It was also mentioned that one of the first action steps in the Work Plan is to conduct retail and industrial market analyses for the County. The County entered into a professional services agreement on May 17 with Janna King of Economic Development Services. Ms. King will handle special projects for the County until a staff person is hired. VII. Business Retention Strategy Articles Featuring Tescom and SoftPac The attached articles regarding the sale of Tescom to Emerson Electric and SoftPac to Faribault Foods recently appeared in The Business Journal. Staff and EDA Commissioners Gongoll and Motin met with SoftPac officials in April and were aware of the potential sale. • Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Visits Staff visited Randy Krenz, the President of AllTool at the plant on May 4. Mr. Krenz stated that AllTool has recovered from a difficult last few years. He mentioned that AllTool sold their building but will lease it for 15 years. Mr. Krenz also indicated that he would be happy to be a reference for Elk River's business recruitment efforts or marketing. A BRE lunch visit was held with Ed Cunnington of Tescom on June 3. Staff and Commissioner Dwyer attended. Mr. Cunnington stated that Tescom was proactive in the sale of the company and that he is planning to retire after almost 30 years in the business. Mr. Cunnington indicated that Tescom's name will remain the same and that Tescom will become a division of Emerson Electric. He did not foresee that any jobs would be lost in Elk River due to the sale. A new president will begin work in July and Mr. Cunnington offered to make the introductions to EDA commissioners and staff at the end of this month. 411 III THURSDAY, JUNE 2005 8 FINANCE AND COMMERCE , 2, ECONOMIC nealistatevorrADVA Commercial,Retail,Industrial,Multi-Housing,Investment City of Blaine ! I 10801 Town Square Drive i ,- - , , Blaine, Minnesota 55449 . Phone:763-785-6147 Fax:763-717-2634 s 1 MOM;� a Website:www.BlaineBiz.com , .,,.s ., _ Contact:Curt Larson, Economic Development Specialist 7200 Hemlock Lane, Suite 300, Minneapolis MN 55369 • t � ` Phone: 763.424.5505•Fax:763.424.5822 Web site:www.loucksmclagan.com The City of Blaine strives to work with our existing business community as well as Contact:Mike O'Brien new businesses locating to Blaine. The past few years we have seen incredible growth and development and we expect it to continue for some time to come. The Loucks Associates is a multidisciplinary firm specializing in the planning, design, and city along with our business community have developed a web page to assist with implementation process for a variety of development and redevelopment projects.We finding helpful information on Blaine. Please check it out and give us a call. offer professional consulting services in the following areas:Planning, Civil WWW.BlaineBiz.com Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, and Environmental. Dakota Electric Association City of Minneapolis 4300 220th Street West, Farmington MN 55024 Community Planning and Gi]E�C Phone: 651-463-6232•Fax:651.460.75084 Economic Development ASSOCIATo n Email:lboyd@dakotaelectric.com 105 Fifth Ave.S.Suite 200, Minneapolis MN 55401 T > Web site:www.dakotaelectric.com ■ Y' Phone:612-673-5068•TTY:612-673-5154 YourContact:LaDonna Boyd, Economic Development Director E-mail:bob.lindCOci.minneapolis.mn.us Minneapolis Web site:www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped City of Lakes Contact:Bob Lind Located south of the Minneapolis/St.Paul metropolitan area,Dakota County offers a unique blend of rural,suburban and urban.For businesses considering a location There's NO business like YOUR business! Let Minneapolis help make it a hit. in Dakota County,contact Dakota Electric. The City of Minneapolis provides loans for small-and medium-sized companies •Site selection•Workforce development•Financial assistance and organizations that are growing and need financing at affordable rates. For program descriptions,visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/toolbox_home.asp. City of Elk River Minnesota Department of Employment Economic Development and;Economic Development City of Phone: 763-635-1040•Fax 763-635-1090 4 1St National Bank Building,332 Minnesota Street,Suite E 200, Elk Email: cmehefich@a.elk-river:mn.us&hsteinmetz@a.elk-riv�ermn.us St.Paul MN 55101-1351 Web site: www.ci.elk-river.mn.us Phone:800-657-3858 or 651-297-1291 .....*.+ River Contacts: Catherine Mehelich,Director of-Ec anomic Wit; E-mail:no.taxes@state.mn.us The Light Industrial Hub Heidi Steinmetz Assistant Director of Economic Development MINNESOTA Web site:www.positivelyminnesota.com of the Northwest Metro 16 4ar1em1Y RAI"Tones Contact:Mark Lofthus Do you need inexpensive lease space and support to help give your company a Planning a business expansion or relocation?.It pays to consider JOBZ, kick'-start? The Elk River Business Incubator Program provides just that for new Minnesota's tax-free development plan.Literally pays. and existingcompanies to refine and manufacture innovativeproducts. Tenants Qualifying companies receive income, sales and property tax incentives in 10 job p opportunity building zones located throughout greater Minnesota.Hundreds of also have access to several sources of equity up to$125,000. Visit our Web site communities and thousands of skilled workers are available. and click on"Grow Your Business"to learn more. Put JOBZ to work for you. T Cid Economic Development 4".%Peer £E, ' rot' 208 NW 1st Avenue,Faribault,MN 55021 11, Engineering - / Phone:(507)333-0377•Fax:(507)384-0507 Email:pwaldodc@a.faribault.mn.us sgustafson@ci.faribault.mn.us 4801 West 81st Street, Suite 118, Bloomington, MN 55437 4aFA131116111.,T Web Site:www.faribault.org Phone:952-831-3341 •Fax:952-831-4552 BIG CITY OPPORTUNITIES Contact:Peter J.Waldock•Stan Gustafson Web Site:www.peerengineering.com Contact:Angela Frandrup Located just south of metro Minneapolis/St.Paul, Faribault provides great accessibility to the Twin Cities and large southern Minnesota markets like Rochester Rely on our honesty, integrity and know-how for innovative environmental and and Mankato.With 1-35 frontage, rail lines,a skilled workforce,affordable land& engineering solutions that endure.We offer unmatched expertise and a proven track housing opportunities,great schools, beautiful lake country and a responsive local record in all aspects of brownfields site development.When pollution issues affect government, Faribault is the best choice for locating your business. your project, put our experience to work.We produce results. • St. Cloud Area Economic /AIWOJaliv '.„,► Development Partnership A 110 South 6th Avenue, St.Cloud MN 56301 Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Phone:800-523-0670•Fax:320-251-0081 THE PARTNERSHIP E-mail:info@scapartnership.com and Economic Development A..rynerFre q.pui to Newt.i 4..1q-e.t Web site: www.scapartnership.com 300 Bucklin St., P.O.Box 446, LaSalle, IL 61301 Contact:Tom Moore, President;Sue Ergen,Administrative Phone: 815-223-0227•Fax: 815-223-4827 Assistant;Christie Rock, Development Coordinator E-mail:ivaced@ivaced.org Web Site:www.ivaced.org The St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership is a public-private group Contact: Barb Koch,Executive Director/CEO committed to enhancing the region's already flourishing economy.The Partnership takes a regional approach to economic development and includes several cities, Serving parts of the Counties of Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam counties, colleges, universities, public utilities,and other organizations working with in North Central Illinois. a single purpose:sustaining the economic vitality of the Central Minnesota region. • Industrial Development Services ✓ Site Selection ✓ Financing ✓ Business Expansion For more information, contact the Economic Development Department at www.ci.elk-river.mn.us or 763.635.1040 City of E1 River The Light Iod✓,stria/7-bih of the Northwest Metro • 4111 "L/,..*; .., City of Elk ......„ Minnesotalechnol ' ' l�iver,... "Trim Down UpFront" - Lean Enterprise Executive Overview Save Time and Money by Learning How to Apply Lean Techniques in the Office Companies are becoming more competitive by applying Lean .N. Manufacturing techniques to their manufacturing operations.For an �- .,:-,,:.-:::.c.,,,,,e,..-;:4&440.tifttli organization to become lean and stay competitive,however,you need ` to apply Lean Principles to the entire operation including the office. � �4 fi S' SP r Office functions—such as order entry,quoting,scheduling,purchasing � _ �� 5 1 and accounting—can represent 70%to 95li., %of the lead time and , x effort of delivering a product.In today's competitive marketplace,you cannot afford these types of delays. ��g ; mak. s ate'"��, ,� � ' R` ]f .4 � *4'4 The purpose of this business workshop is to help you learnhow ', = i to identify the 8 Wastes in the office and see how they affect cost and lead-time and to see how different industries have applied Lean to the office areas for a competitive advantage. KeyBenefits of Applying Lean for the Office include: �Y J - " • Improved lead times 1 - • Improved customer ac ��m • Improved on-time delivery ' 1y ,' (' " • Improved communication,boost moral,and productivity � . • Improved flow of information '2 t �� What you will take away? • See the value of mapping office processes • Learn to recognize the most common culprits working against leanefforts in your office • Meet MTI Specialists who can consult with you through the process of implementing Lean Practices Minnesota Technology Inc.assists Minnesota companies through the Lean Enterprise process to transform your business into an agile enterprise ready to compete in the global marketplace.Our team of experts brings a wealth of combined technology and manufacturing experience to every client. Register now to attend—Trim Down Up Front-Lean Enterprise Executive Overview Space is limited. Please register by August 12,2005 $29.00 Date:August 17,2005 Elk River City Hall-13065 Orono Parkway,Elk River,MN 55330 Register on-line at http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/training/events/index.asp BETTER TECHNOLOGY FOR BETTER BUSINESS 612-373-2900 - 800-325-3073 612-373-2901 (fax) www.min nesotatechnology.org City of Elk -� River MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: Stephen Rohif, Building & Environmental Administrator DATE: June 13, 2005 SUBJECT: Creation of an Energy City Commission The City of Elk River applied to the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI) in 1996 to be a program of Energy Alley (organization under MEI). The City was chosen from a group of communities to become Energy City and has since developed a partnership between government and business to • promote energy efficiency and the renewable energy industry through demonstrations and consumer education. Recently the city was informed by MEI that Energy Alley may not exist in the near future. This will change the Energy City's relationship with MEI. The Action Committee for Energy (ACE) is the local committee that runs Energy City. They discussed this at their March 23, 2005 meeting. ACE felt that Energy City is still a very strong viable organization that is not only making a significant contribution to the environment on energy issues, but is also helping promote the image of the City of Elk River. Numerous major companies focus on Elk River regarding energy issues through Energy City. Because a tie to MEI in the future is doubtful, ACE is recommending Energy City becomes a city commission to validate its existence. City staff currently does the majority of the work, such as sending out packets, taking minutes, advertising events, website changes, etc. It makes sense to have Energy City be a city run program. ACE is also recommending the city seek the designation of "Energy City" through legislation or possibly a gubernatorial designation. This would give the City an identity and could help with Economic Development. • ACE will be at the Council workshop meeting to discuss the opportunities facing the City of Elk River and Energy City in the future. • ENERGY CITY COMMISSION Membership; officers; compensation of members a) The Energy City Commission shall consist of fifteen members who shall be appointed by the City Council for terms of three years. The Commission will consist of the following: 1) One representative from the City Council 2) One representatives from the Elk River Municipal Utilities 3) Up to six representatives from energy related businesses as determined by the City Council (this can include consultants,manufacturers,technology, environmental, energy producers and/or energy providers) 4) One representative designated by Independent School District 728 5) One representative designated by Sherburne County Board of Commissioners 6) One representative from the Economic Development Authority 7) One representative from the Elk River Chamber of Commerce 8) One representative from the Suburban Northwest Builders Association 9) One representative from Elk River Landfill 10) One representative from an environmental group All terms shall end on the last day of February; however, members shall hold office until their successors have been appointed. A vacancy during the term of any member shall be filled by City Council appointment for the remainder of the term. Officers of the • Commission shall consist of chair and vice-chair, as elected by the Commission. The chair shall preside at all meetings of the Commission if present, and perform other duties and functions assigned by the Commission or the City Council. The vice-chair shall perform these duties in the absence of the chair. If a vacancy occurs in the chair office, the vice-chair shall assume the chair's duties for the remainder of the year and a new vice-chair shall be elected by the Commission at the next scheduled Commission meeting. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the sitting members. b) The members of the commission shall serve without pay or reimbursement for expenses. Purpose The Energy City Commission is established to promote the City of Elk River as a hub of energy technology, energy manufacturing, energy demonstrations, recycling,use of green products and education. Powers and duties The Energy City Commission shall have the following responsibilities: 1) Aid, create,promote, endorse, sponsor, and facilitate energy related demonstrations. • 2) Work for the continuing education of the public with respect to energy technology, energy manufacturing, energy demonstrations, recycling, use of green products and education 3) Solicit gifts and contributions to be made to the city and assist in the preparation of applications for grant funds for the purpose of energy technology, energy manufacturing, energy demonstrations, recycling,use of green products and education. 4) Such other responsibilities as the city council shall assign from time to time. Meetings and rules of procedure The Energy City Commission shall meet at least four times each calendar year. The dates, times and locations shall be established by city council resolution. Additional meetings may be held at any time at the call of the chair or the request of two other commissioners. Notice of additional meetings, including the time and place thereof, shall be communicated to each member of the commission at least three days prior to the meeting,posted at city hall and, if time permits, published in the city's official newspaper. The commission shall be governed and operate pursuant to Robert's Rules of Order,Newly Revised (ninth edition). Contracts with Commissioners • Individual Commission members, or their employees, may enter into contracts with the Commission or the City for consultant or other services,provided that no Commissioner shall vote on the approval of any contract for which the Commissioner,the Commissioner's employer, or any family member of the Commissioner would be a party. • Action Committee for Energy Page 1 April 20,2005 • MEETING OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE FOR ENERGY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, May 18th, 2005 Members Present: Mark Kennedy,Susie Overholser,E.B. Stoutenburg-NRG,Vance Zehringer- ERMU,Albert Swintek—CenterPoint Energy,Sharon Kampa—SBNA,Stephanie Klinzing—Mayor of Elk River, Gary Connett- GRE,and Bryan Adams -ERMU Staff Present: Mara Anderson,Stephen Rohlf 1. Consider May 18th,2005 ACE Agenda Agenda was approved as submitted. 2. Consider April 20th,2005 Minutes Minutes were approved as submitted. 3. Energy City Commission Protocol and Timing =' v Edits made by the city attorney to the Energy Ci Com mi .ion mem. rship ordinance were considered and approved with understanding t" t future changes may be tecessary.The purpose of the Commission was discussed to make surei't¢ s inclusive •enough and the . •ttee agreed that it is. The membership was talked about again because of co terns with con of interest if a Commission member is hired to do consultant wor ‘. related businesses this' will provide up to five representatives are determine. .the City Council . the exception in part B referring to the hiring of a commission member for consultation work wa : .en out.A maximum of three unexcused absences was agreed upon sod,Commission membrs ould be held accountable for • attendance. The powers and duties of creating,. ' q oting,and nsoring demonstrations was discussed to be most e v,,e if executed oopera®'':its with local and regional groups especially schools. Creating a relate curriculum to be implemented i ea schools would be an effective tool to educate the p,- nt and fu ,population as well as pry ote Energy City. Everyone thought it might be a good idea for the Ciera`Council to tak.; . tour of the landfill or Energy House III among other projects Energy Cit as ,cia ,d with.The Is discussion about getting legislative designation;of - City7 and t i ant,-�•f the designating body. Trade marking the label "�Zg\ .ate E�MK S'i migh. so be adva. �•-ous to increase sig` iificance but might be more complicated and/or expensive. Method o .luatio it determine if goals are being met will be determined once the Coy A ision is officially ,•lished. S mal ideas were tossed around as means to which success • could bit easured all base. in goals a d overall mission of the Commission. The most essential step is to" '• track of deme trations and promotional events related to Energy City. 4. Energy City Bu•get.and Pro -dure Budget and procedure *l • be discussed at the next work session (6/13/05) or at the first fa Commission meetin• st year's budget will serve as a general starting point for negotiation. Money coming frome City Council as well as Economic Development Association should be utilized. Take advantage whenever possible of donations from interested companies to demonstrate their products,keeping in mind economic viability and technological innovation of the product. 5. Energy House III Update Sharon Kampa said Energy House III is close to securing the construction loan from the bank, looking to save money using Conservation Improvement Program money,Landfill Abatement Funds,and donations from suppliers. Marketing for the project will be supplemented by groups with • products in use in the House. High performance technologies such as radiant floor heating,state-of- the-art vinyl windows,and insulated concrete walls will bring attention to and promote the project. Energy House III will undoubtedly bring exposure to Energy City. Monitoring methods need to be Action Committee for Energy Page 2 April 20,2005 • identified as well as data collected to compare energy efficiency of this project to typical residences built in the area. Important to note that Energy House III will not be inhabited like an average residence but will be staffed five days a week by three people until sometime in 2008 after which the house will be available for purchase. The hope is to meet and exceed 2006 energy efficiency standards determined by monitoring devices and methods to be decided on at a later date. 6. Elk River School Update Ron didn't make it to the meeting but the school is expected to be a great success in demonstrating "green","sustainable",energy efficient technologies. Vance Zehringer brought up the fact that he was offered the opportunity to speak about Energy House III and Energy City and wondered if he could go ahead and ,I,cept the invitation to speak and what,if any,reimbursement he was allowed under the current otite ' ,the Commission. Policy will need to address this circumstance when the Commission is c ally functioning. Al Swintek, CenterPoint Energy suggested an interested '.`erburn- unty Commissioner might participate in the Metropolitan Counties Energy ; ii F;6rce, Althoug of technically within the boundary of the metro area,Sherburne County,a directly affected by d4 0,, made by the metro area government. Beneficial relationships couldddevelop a ong other spe -d outcomes. 7. Schedule Next ACE Meeting and Identify Agenda Ites `` It was decided that the next ACE*drking session wig d be on Monday,June 13th 2005 at 6:30 p.m. at Elk River City Hall.The its to be discussed elude the Energy City goals and evaluation methods,"job description"of the me era,aid specific po for Commission operation and ill budgeting. The next City Council mee ori l�Iuday,Junetbzt5 at 6:30 p.m.at Elk River City Hall should include , Energy City " •date ib`'',® Council and community. Respectfully submitted, K2, 4th ciiw gin, w Mara AnderOn , Environa�ert Technician Nail, , y.' a ,44110 tit U, 'tOU) itent 1/Zit ttP(/ lkity of &A Newsletter . E -� • �� JUNE 2005 TP r Enhancing Downtown Elk River's Role As a Vital Retail,Commercial and Residential Area. Q. What is the latest news on the Downtown Q. What is the latest on the King Avenue Parking Revitalization Project? Lot Task Force? A. The King Avenue parking lot improvement project got under- A. The King Avenue Parking Lot Task Force, composed of down- way on May 2 when demolition began of the former Elk River town business and property owners and one downtown resi- Municipal Utilities building. The project will add about 70 dent, worked with the City regarding design and enforcement parking spaces downtown and is expected to be completed issues for the King Avenue parking lot.The group provided in early July. Construction will then begin on the Jackson input on the parking lot design.The Elk River Housing & Place development. Once the U.S. Bank build- METRO�, S Redevelopment Authority will consider the Task ing is vacated and demolished this fall, con- DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT Force's recommendations on parking lot enforce- struction will begin on ment in early June. The Bluffs of Elk River development. Both Q ,r Q.What are the details developments are of the Jackson Place expected to be com- :. and The Bluffs of Elk pleted by the end ., " ' u _ , River developments? 40 of 2006. The City's 1A. Jackson Place is located ki Housing and G d ! L �'� ar � � � n' , on the northeast corner of Redevelopment Authority r: Jackson Avenue and Main (HRA) and MetroPlains . ".�& .. `4_ ,,,,4 t— ..v. Street. It includes approxi- Development have been -� — �' mately 10,000 square feet of tannin project over planning this 4?- ;,;.� first floor commercial space the last several years. {, along Main Street and Architect's rendering of Jackson Place at Jackson Avenue and Main Street. Jackson Avenue; 32 rental Q. Can you tell me housing units on the upper more about the King Avenue parking lot two floors, and underground parking for employees and improvement project? rental housing tenants. The property is currently a City- A. Improvements to the King Avenue parking lot will add about owned parking lot. 70 spaces for downtown customers, visitors and employees when redevelopment begins this summer. In addition to the The Bluffs of Elk River is located on the southwest corner of removal of the former Municipal Utilities building, the project Main Street and County Road 42. It includes about 10,000 will involve the permanent closure of the King Avenue square feet of commercial space on the first floor along Main access to Highway 10. Half of the King Avenue parking lot Street; 67 for-sale condominiums on the upper three floors, will remain open for parking throughout reconstruction. The underground parking for employees and homeowners, and a schedule calls for the parking lot to be substantially complet- plaza on the corner of Main Street and County Road 42. The ed in early July. While construction of the lot is taking place, property currently includes four buildings on three sites parking is also available in the Jackson Square parking lot or along the Mississippi River. in the lots across Highway 10. On-street parking is also avail- able where appropriately signed. Q. How can I find out more about the availability of housing and retail units in the new developments? Q. Will the parking lot improvement project impede A. For more information on the availability of residential or commer- traffic downtown and make it more difficult to cial units in Jackson Place,visit www.jacksonplace.com or Ilkget around? contact the Jackson Place voice mailbox at 763-241-4004. . No. The only change in traffic flow is the closure of the King Someone will get back to you promptly. For information on hous- Avenue access to Highway 10. With that exception, traffic will ing units in The Bluffs of Elk River you may call 612-720-6956 flow normally. and for information on retail space you may call 763-241-4004. CITY OF ELK RIVER DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION Q&A NEWSLETTER JUNE 2005 Q. Will the construction have impacts on traffic and - , businesses in the downtown area? y Yes, it will occasionally make traffic more difficult. The City's1. = primary concern is for the safety of pedestrians and drivers .- - in the construction area. However, it is also important that • access to businesses is maintained to the greatest extent possible. The City will be following construction traffic zone safety techniques. These techniques assure the safety of pedestrians and drivers while permitting pedestrian move- . ment and traffic flow in the construction area. The techniques " f ' include signage, potential lane changes, warning lights, striping, and other traffic control measures. A City staff per- son will be assigned to coordinate traffic issues with busi- nesses and contractors. Information also will be provided to "` the public through a variety of means, including the City Web %. '41o, .j site at www.ci.elk-river.mn.us, news releases to the Elk ,X River Star News and the City Newsletter-The Current. Residents will also be able to provide feedback and ask Model of City Council approved park design. questions on the City's Web site. park. The City has not yet determined a final cost estimate of the park construction. It is anticipated that construction of the Q. What can you tell me about the park that is being park will begin Fall of 2006. For more information on the planned in conjunction with the Downtown park, please contact the City's Park and Recreation Director, Revitalization Project? Bill Maertz at 763-635-1150. A. In April, the City Council approved a concept design for the park, which will be located in the green space between the Q. I understand that Nadeau's dry cleaners downtown Cinema Professional Building and the Sunshine Depot in is closing.Was Nadeau's forced to leave downtown downtown Elk River(upper right). The concept approved by because of the redevelopment? the Council will consist of a park with four levels that step A. No, Nadeau's was not forced to leave because of the down- • down the slope to the river. The concept includes the clo- town redevelopment. The City Council passed a special ordi- sure of the alley adjacent to the Sunshine Depot(for safety nance to allow dry cleaners(through a conditional use per- reasons), a downtown square, grassy flat area, an mit)to locate anywhere in the City. This would accommodate amphitheatre with performance area and a "river room" any dry cleaning business to locate in the downtown. overlooking the river. However, the process of downtown redevelopment in a com- munity can be disruptive to businesses, especially those that "1fg 1'� ' t . .< must look at relocating or becoming art of a new develop- 2 r ment. In this situation, Nadeau's has recently advised the . '' p City that they have made a business decision to close and o not relocate within the downtown area. Q. Who can I contact if I have questions about E t L Downtown Revitalization or construction activities 1 '* downtown? ,� A.You can contact the Elk River Economic Development :� Department at 763-635-1040. Other ways to keep informed t. i y E *: be , w -. ``; 1 < about the Downtown Revitalization include: ' 1i * ` • Visit the City's Web site at www.cielk-rivermn.us and click l [ -f . " ._ --s - " on the "Downtown Revitalization Project" link found under the t !' I., . i "News & Events" section of the City's home page. Attend HRA and City Council meetings or watch them on ERtV Channel 12. Meeting information is available on the City Architect's rendering of The Bluffs of Elk River at Main Street and County Road 42. Web site. • Read the Elk River Star News. iip. How much will the park cost and when would it be Articles on the project - ,,i developed? frequently appear in the Star News City of A. More than $200,000 in park dedication fees from the and in the City's newsletter-The Jackson Place and The Bluffs of Elk River downtown redevel- Current, which is distributed as a . opment projects has been set aside for construction of the Star News insert every other month. River tI a m a „ z c.45 -04 ; v = c, m ' p y O • O c 0 O't L y O Pa, =. + v J O 1 `c�'i cto o �� 12') �x7 HI en ogriuo,„0E 01E4 7, a/2 = o0 =T C, 076nyyyGmaD GCnLy~ ppO .¢,y y,„ i,, O 414 rr. 0. to oy Iso .'srn —P. 8ew,9 ` .'".5.0° oGoxgO G Caa onWM og C, sO ' 4 -N0 e (�,a , p,c .' rF b , p' gp D s '-0846 -P5c118 OlgSLCI `D Q-°'-or py lip aim ? o =•iWWNi�,n na CD g'g °. 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