7.3. HRSR 02-05-2018
Request for Action
To Item Number
Housing and Redevelopment Authority 7.3
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General BusinessFebruary 5, 2018Amanda Othoudt, EDD
Item Description Reviewed by
HRA Annual Report Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Receive the HRA Annual Report presentation.
Background/Discussion
Per HRA Bylaws, it is suggested that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority receive the Annual End-
of-Year report.
The Annual End-of-Year Report lists all projects completed and ongoing.
Financial Impact
N/A
Attachments
2017 Annual End-of-Year Report (distributed at meeting)
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
0a -os aak
Ct, of
FHousing & Redevelopment Authority
River
Key Highlights in 2017
■ The HRA provided financial
assistance to New Resources, LLC
to rehabilitate a blighted property
located on Quinn Avenue
■ The HRA and the EDA partnered
to implement a Joint Finance
Committee in 2018 to expedite the
facilitation of financing requests and
to enhance collaboration of the two
bodies.
■ Property acquisition is underway to
redevelop the northeast comer of
Main Street and Gates Avenue.
■ A newly revamped Tax Increment
Financing Policy was developed and
approved, simplifying the
application process for applicants to
apply for financial assistance.
Year-end Activity Summary 2017
Director's Message
As we look back at 2017, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority
(HRA) had an exciting year filled with successful new redevelopment
projects that will improve preserved and improved our existing housing
stock, increased property values, and began preparations for multiple
redevelopments to improve commerce, transportation, and livability.
The HRA has continued their focus to promote the preservation of our
community's housing stock through our Housing Rehabilitation Loan
Program facilitated by the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership.
Maxfield Research was engaged to update our 2015 housing study to
ensure we maximize our efforts to meet our housing needs. Last year
alone we had 113 new single family homes constructed, a 54% increase
over the previous year accounting for nearly $234 million in new
property value. In addition, the City Council approved six new single
family plats totaling more than 140 lots. Construction is also underway
on a new 100 -unit senior housing project.
We met with numerous local businesses owners and developers to find
ways in which we can assist with their curb appeal, improve and preserve
their structures and seek further opportunities to assist with the
redevelopment of some of the community's more "fatigued" properties.
In 2018, I am looking forward to a year of progress in the promotion of
the HRA rehabilitation loan program and other redevelopment projects
in conjunction with the Mississippi Connections Plan in Elk River
through goal setting and plan implementation.
Amanda Othoudt, EDFP
Economic Development Director
aothoudt&ElkRiverMN.gov
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
763.635.1042 * www.ElkRiver.MN.g(
Blighted Properties
Commercial/Industrial
Forgivable Loan Program
In 2017, the HRA approved a $75,000 forgivable
loan to New Resources, LLC to demo a blighted
property on Quinn Avenue. The project is part
of a larger redevelopment effort in the city.
A new Truck Shop facility will develop in its
Place later this year. The Truck Shop is a 7,216
square foot light maintenance facility and will
provide minor repairs including oil changes,
replacing tires, changing breaks, minor service,
light maintenance, cleaning and detailing for
Beaudry Oil oc Propane fleet vehicles
The city created a Redevelopment Tl
and acquired three properties in 2011
the developer with relocating the pro
north so the city can improve access
Quinn Avenue and County Road 10
Avenue). The project will require the
and redevelopment of six existing re:
properties across from Beaudry Oil.
The overall redevelopment of the sit4
improve access, increase the total prc
remove blighted properties, create 5
paying $16-$28 per hour and will sen
with a regional storm water pond. TT.
project will also make right-of-way ai
Sherburne County to add a dedicated
southbound right tum lane to westbc
Highway 10.
2017 HRA Marketing and
Advertising
Over the first three years of the Rehab Loan Program,
program participation increased which creates a self-
sustaining program moving into the program's fourth
year.
Marketing and advertising of the HRA Rehabilitation
Loan Program continued in 2017 with seven quarter -
page color ads in the Star News newspaper. The ads ran
the last seven weeks of the year as a kick off to the
upcoming spring home improvement season. These
print and digital banner ads increased the number of
inquiries from 2016 to 2017 by 50%.
In celebration of the holiday season, staff sent out over
400 holiday cards to homeowners in the expanded
targeted area. The personal holiday cards generated
interest with several inquiry calls over last year, when
staff sent out a standard Christmas card.
The rehab program is also being marketed in the 2018
Elk River Community Guide via a quarter page full
color ad. The guide was sent out to all Elk River
residents and will be distributed throughout the year in
various venues.]
2017 Advertisements
Newspaper
Impressions
Cost
Costlimpression
(print and
digital) &
Holiday cards
2
301,232
$4,194.50
$0.01
The Ell: River Housing and Redevelopment Authority provides
Rehabilitation Loans to Homeowners!
■ Low-interest loans from $5,000 to $25,000
■ Focusing on health and safety hazards, energy efficiency
and code issues, a typical approved rehabilitation project
may include any of the following: roofing, gutters, siding,
windoaa doors, insulation, HVAC, electrical upgrades
and plumbing upgrades.
■ projects can also include landscaping, fences,
deckstpatios, home additions and space finishes
The program is to assist in the rehabilitation of>
owner -occupied single-family homes in a jg
targeted area of downtown. VCr
Igo, A
IN;
Rehabilitation Loan Program for Residential Properties
Residents are taking advantage of our low-interest loan program and reinvesting in their homes. The program
disbursed over $122,000 to six projects in 2017 enabling homeowners to make needed repairs, updates, and
enhancements. Over the four-year period of the rehabilitation loan program, 14 projects have been completed
with one more under construction in 2018. Many of the improvements extend the life of the home and improve
property values for the entire neighborhood!
Before and After Photos