6.0. EDSR 05-08-2000 C. 0
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lkRover MEMORANDUM
TO: Economic Developmen • uthority
FROM: Pat Klaers, City Ad ' 14 ator
DATE: May 8, 2000
SUBJECT: Downtown EDA Site
Commisioner Thompson has requested this item be placed on the agenda for
discussion. Additionally, Commissioner Motin and I discussed the status of
this site when the King and Main development proposals were being
considered by the HRA.
Research shows that the EDA has title to this property and that it was
purchased in 1991 for $109,450. The actual total price was more when
• considering legal, administrative, closing, etc. costs. The EDA purchased this
property using TIF funds and, consequently, if this site is sold the revenue
would be turned over to the county and redistributed to the city, county, and
school taxing jurisdictions. However, the EDA can always "give away" the site
for a development project if it so chooses.
In 1994, in response to EDA direction, the Park and Recreation Commission
and Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals proposed to fill in the site and to
create green space downtown. After the green space was created, the EDA, at
its October 10, 1994, meeting, considered transferring the property to the city
for a public park, but ultimately decided to retain title in case a development
proposal came forward that was "too good to pass up." The EDA has not
actively marketed this site and, consistence with the 1994 Park and Recreation
Commission proposal, the area is being used by the public as downtown green
space and as an access to the river.
It seems that use of this site for a commercial project is less important to the
overall viability of downtown than its current use. All of the central business
district studies, going back to the 1970 report through the 1986 Governor's
design team analysis up to the 1996 riverwalk study, have talked about
opening up the central business district to the river. This has been
• accomplished and, in the future, more improvements are envisioned to make
this green space more pedestrian friendly.
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD &Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612)441-7425
•
Staff supports keeping this space open and not selling this site. This space has
very much become an unofficial park and is getting good use in the summer
during the work week and for some special event or concerts on weekends.
This green space is especially important since Jackson Square (from days long
ago) has changed from green space into blacktop and concrete for a parking lot.
The green space is needed to soften the downtown area and provide a link to
the river.
If the EDA is uneasy about owning a site that is not being actively marketed
for development, then it should reconsider turning this property over to the
City Council and have it become an official public park.
•
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