9.0. EDSR 01-09-1995 . 1995 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK PROGRAM
ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA
1. CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ACTIVITIES
A. King Avenue/Main Street Redevelopment Area:
Continue to solicit redevelopment interest in the three contiguous
parcels in the northwest quadrant of King Avenue and Main Street of
the Elk River Central Business District (CBD). This 32,400 square
foot site (180' x 180') is ripe for redevelopment as all three properties
are currently listed for sale. Potential uses include governmental,
business and professional offices, financial institutions, retail stores
and shops, personal service establishments, outpatient health care
facilities, etc.
The Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)
authorized a Request for Proposals (RFP) in August of 1994 in an
effort to Pique developer interest. Because of the extra ordinary costs
associated with site assembly, demolitions/rehabilitation of existing
structures, and site preparation, etc., grant funds from the HRA will
• likely be available to reimburse a developer for these expenses. The
amount of the grant funds will be determined on the basis of the
project submitted for consideration. No proposal achieved the HRA's
RFP submission requirements. Despite the lack of developer interest,
the HRA authorized appraisals of the three sites to establish their
estimated fair market values.
Knowing the potential acquisition costs and the "land only" values of
the properties, an effort is currently underway to resolicit developer
interest in this area. It is hoped that a developer will emerge in 1995
and the HRA can be a catalyst in the redevelopment of this important
parcel in the CBD.
B. Riverfront Corridor Committee:
Continue to work with the Riverfront Corridor Committee regarding
the construction of a multi-use pathway along the Mississippi River in
the Elk River Central Business District. In September of 1994, the
Elk River HRA authorized the creation of the Riverfront Corridor
Committee. This group is charged with the task of planning,
designing, funding, and implementing the construction of a Riverfront
. pathway in the Elk River CBD. The committee is organized and will
likely select an urban design firm/architectural firm by February of
1995.
. The consultant will assist the committee in the design of the
pathway. The initial phase of the pathway may be constructed in
1995, and, subsequent phases of the pathway will likely connect the
Central Business District to nearby Babcock Rest Area. Future phases
of the pathway may also connect the CBD to other existing trails and
corridors in the community.
C. Downtown Events:
Continue to work with downtown merchants and the Area Chamber of
Commerce in the planning of various events/activities in the Central
Business District throughout the year.
A vital component of a community's overall health is that of an active
CBD. Activities and events in the CBD help contribute to its overall
vitality. A tangible example is the weekly farmer's market. Other
one-day activities were implemented in the fall and during the holiday
season. Additional activities will likely be undertaken in 1995.
2. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT:
• A. Elk River Industrial Park:
Continue to actively recruit light manufacturing companies in order to
develop the final sites in the Elk River Industrial Park. These sites
include the remaining EDA lot as well as the privately owned lots.
Marketing initiatives will include day-to-day contact with commercial
real estate agents, contractors, developers, and area manufacturers.
B. Business Park Area:
Continue to work with City staff and with the owners/developers of the
property now designated as the business park. It is likely that the
initial phase of this development will be implemented in early 1995.
To ensure that the business park and its owners/developers and
successful, support from the public sector will be necessary. Potential
support may include City funds to underwrite infrastructure costs,
prospect referrals, or the availability of City financing tools and
incentive programs. The Business Park Task Force is currently
evaluating specific initiatives to underwrite the infrastructure costs.
A recommendation from the Task Force will be considered by the City
and the EDA in early 1995.
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• C. Other Industrial Areas:
Continue to work with owners/developers of other industrially-zoned
areas in the community. These areas include the McChesney
Industrial Park, Rail 10 Park, and Ar-Mon Commercial Park.
Prospects that have specific site/facility needs which prove to be a good
match for these areas will be referred to the owners.
3. TASK FORCE ACTIVITIES:
A. Review and Permitting Task Force:
Continue to work with the consultant retained by the EDA to examine
the City's review and permitting process. The initial phase of this
internal analysis got underway in mid-December, 1994. Specific
recommendations from external customers and from internal
managers and the administrative support staff will likely be
considered for implementation in 1995.
B. Chamber of Commerce Task Forces:
• 1. Review and Permitting Process:
In conjunction with the EDA's analysis of the review and
permitting process, the Chamber leadership also organized a
Task Force to review it, too. While the EDA's process is
primarily internal, the Chamber Task Force is comprised of
hands-on users (that is, land developers, realtors, builders,
etc.) that have direct experience with the process.
Recommendations from this task force will be included in
the EDA's overall analysis.
2. Central Business District Task Force:
The Chamber leadership also organized a Task Force to study
and bring forth recommendations on how to retain the vitality of
the Central Business District. An EDA Commissioner, an HRA
Commissioner, and a Planning Commissioner have been
recruited to participate in this Task Force.
•
C. Business Park Task Force:
Continue to work with the Business Park Task Force as the initial
phase of the business park becomes a reality. Currently, the Task
Force is evaluating how to best establish a public/private partnership
to ensure the success of the business park and its owners/developers.
Public funds will likely be used to underwrite a portion of the
infrastructure consists in the business park area. As lots are sold, the
public funds will return to the City in order to help underwrite the
development costs of subsequent phases of the park.
4. OUTREACH/PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
A. Continue to market the City of Elk River as a growth-oriented
community with special emphasis placed on the City's position as a
state-wide leader in business incentive and business financing
programs. To support this initiative, periodic advertising in
publication such as the Minnesota Real Estate Journal, Business
Media, Minnesota Ventures Magazine, Twin Cities Business Monthly,
etc., will continue in 1994. Supplementing the advertising efforts,
periodic mailings of the City's marketing brochure, video presentation,
• and other targeted mailings will be undertaken in 1995. Likely
targets for these mailings will include developers, commercial-
industrial realtors, and businesses from industry specific categories.
Another priority in 1995 will be that of preparing and distributing a
novelty marketing item.
The Demographic Statistics on Elk River as well as the City/Chamber
Community Profile will be updated and distributed in early 1995.
These two items are warmly received by prospective businesses,
research consultants, marketing firms, and new residents to the
community.
5. BUSINESS RECRUITMENTBUSINESS RETENTION:
A. Continue to work with a well-established network of real estate
agents, developers, lenders, and professional colleagues in the
proactive recruitment of new businesses to Elk River. In addition, a
high priority is placed on retaining the existing businesses and
industries in Elk River. To support these initiatives, a wide array of
state and local financing programs are available. The EDA micro loan
has become a popular tool in reducing the small business operator's
• equity into an expansion project.
• Prospecting for prospective companies that may have expansion,
relocation, or consolidation plans will also continue in 1995. In
addition, the Economic Development Department will continue to
participate in a liaison capacity with the Elk River Industrial Council.
This is a group of area manufacturers brought together as a result of
an initiative by the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce. The
Council meets periodically to discuss topics that are relevant to its
members. It represents an excellent opportunity for City staff to
renew acquaintances with the industrial sector and to identify issues
at an early stage.
6. COMMUNITY RELATIONS:
A. The City/EDA should continue sponsoring or jointly sponsoring
workshops, speakers, forums, or seminars on topics of interest to
specific groups in the community. These groups may include retailers,
service providers, the industrial sector, and lenders, etc. In addition,
information on business expansions, EDA loan approvals, and
redevelopment activities will be disseminated to opinion leaders for
publication in other journals.
• 7. STAR CITY RECERTIFICATION:
A. Continue to participate in the Star City Program as sponsored by the
Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED). In 1994,
Elk River was one of the seven Minnesota Cities honored by DTED as
an All-Star City. Although achieving this recognition again in 1995 is
unlikely, the Economic Development Department will use last year's
award as a springboard to obtain other economic development goals.
In May, 1995, Elk River will celebrate its tenth anniversary as a Star
City. The City of Elk River was certified as Minnesota's twenty-
seventh Star City; today over 130 communities have achieved this
designation.
8. RETAIL SALES ESTIMATES AND EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES:
A. Continue to provide estimates of growth in retail sales and full-time
employment opportunities in Elk River. This information is
obtained through the Minnesota Department of Revenue and the
Minnesota Department of Jobs and Training.
•
Further, this information can help determine which specific categories
of retail sales and employment opportunities are considered
strengths and/or weaknesses for the community.
With benchmarks in place from previous years, one can also ascertain
he rate or level of growth in specific categories.
9. LEGISLATIVE ISSUES:
A. Continue to monitor proposed legislation during the upcoming session
which may have an impact on economic development activities. This
information can be disseminated to the EDA, City Council, City Staff,
and the Business Community.
10. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER:
A. Continue to prepare and distribute the quarterly newsletter that is
devoted to economic development topics in Elk River. In 1994, the
mailing list was updated and expanded to include nearly 1,800 names.
As necessary, the list will further be refined in 1995.
• 11. WORKSHOPS:
A. Continue to schedule workshops with the EDA, HRA, and other civic-
based organizations during 1995. Workshops represent an excellent
opportunity to present issues for broad discussion in order to obtain
clearer direction. Once direction is obtained, issues can be
implemented by respective board action at a later date.
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