10.1. SR 03-02-2020City of
Elk*
River
Request for Action
To
Item Number
Mayor and City Council
10.1
Agenda Section
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Work Session
March 2, 2020
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Item Description
Reviewed by
Activity Center Property
Amanda Othoudt, Economic Development
Director
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discuss and provide staff direction.
Background/Discussion
With the completion of the new senior programming space this fall, the existing Activity Center 55+ will
no longer be needed for current city activities. Further, the facility needs numerous, expensive updates tc
remain viable as a public building.
The property is located in an R1 c — Single Family Residential zone. The three parcels total 1.16 acres. The
county assessor has the property valued at $1.62 million which is not a reliable number.
Staff has reached out to the development community to get a ballpark value for the property per council
direction for residential use. ISD #728 has a need for additional parking, which would require a zoning
amendment. Carrie Brummer has also inquired about the property and would like the council to consider
maintaining the property as a community arts center. Carrie has asked to provide a brief presentation of
her vision.
Communications staff has also posted a survey for uses to our ERA community engagement folks. The
survey information will be provided at the meeting.
Financial Impact
Property sale proceeds should be directed to the Elk River High School Parking lot improvements
needed to accommodate senior parking at the multipurpose facility. Property tax receipts would benefit
the General Fund, reducing the city-wide tax burden.
Attachments
■ N/A
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional,` 01 e
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires pi ospei ly INAMIRE1
ERA - Activity Center (55+) Building Use
Survey #4 Results — March 2, 2020
The survey was sent out to ERA members on Tuesday, February 25 and was available until noon on Monday,
March 2. In that time 67 of the 245 ERA members responded.
Background: Due to expected costs necessary to replace aging equipment and make structural, ADA, and
use improvements, the city council decided to include senior citizen programming space in the new
multipurpose facility.
The current Activity Center (55+), located at 413 Proctor Ave., was previously the Elk River Library and
when facility improvements were higher than the cost of a new facility, the new library (13020 Orono Pkwy)
was constructed, and senior programming took over the Proctor Ave. facility.
The council is seeking input on what do with the Proctor Ave. property once senior programming has
transitioned to the multipurpose facility. The property is zoned R1 Residential which would allow for the
development of similar -style new homes. ISD 728 has a need for additional parking for Handke Center and
has expressed interest in the property, which would require a zoning ordinance change. Several nonprofits
have also voiced an interest in maintaining the building for community use.
*RED indicates the most popular survey response*
Question I
For council consideration, we are seeking your thoughts for a possible use of the current Activity Center
(55+) located at 413 Proctor Ave. *Select one*
o Sell the property as is, leaving the existing building in place, to the highest bidder, the property may or
may not return to the property tax rolls. 17.9% (12 responses)
o Sell the property for redevelopment into single-family homes consistent with the neighborhood and
return to the property tax rolls. 25.4% (17 responses)
o Sell the property for community use to support local needs for existing facilities (Handke Center
parking). Remains off the tax rolls. 17.9% (12 responses)
o Sell the property for community use to support local arts and cultural activities. Remains off of the
tax rolls. 17.9% (12 responses)
o Retain ownership and lease the building to community groups serving local needs. Remains off of the
tax rolls. 16.4% (1 1 responses)
o Other (please explain in comments section) 43 (3 responses)
Comments:
`Handke parking is a necessity. "
`7 would like to see the propery used as is whether that be additional parking and programming for Handke or office space for a
business or community use. The main thing is to retain the building and not turn it all into a parking lot.. "
`7 would love for this space to be used for local theater as they do not currently have their own spaceL "
`2f there are no buyers for the existing structure then my second choice is to use it for development into single family homes. "
`Lease it out and make renterpay for the build out and put it on the tax rolls. "
`open lease to the highest bidder and make up some past costs. There are many local nonprofits that can pay a lot but cannot
purchase their own buildings, with so few options in Elk River for non profits. Non profits like charter schools, churches and
community groups bring mare families and attract other businesses that in the long run provide more income in taxes, etc. L "
`Sell for redevelopment into single family homes. "
`he building is surrounded by residential buildings thus it only makes sense to use it as office or residential use. "
"Use for a new updated DMV. "
'What is the percentage of residents that use the Activity Center (SS+) anyway?"