Downtown VisionSteve Johnson
1233 Sandy Lane
Monticello, MN 55362
February 19, 2021
Cal Portner, City Administrator
City of Elk River,
Elk River Minnesota
Dear Mr. Portner,
This is an open letter you and your staff, the Elk River City Council, EDA and HRA regarding the open meeting
and discussion Monday evening February 22, 2021.
I am the owner of the building currently occupied by Downtown Antiques, 309 Jackson. Many years ago, I
operated Johnson's Family Apparel in the same location. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic coupled with my
age I am not able to attend the community meeting.
Despite my physical absence, I still have a strong commitment to the City of Elk River now and as over many
decades demonstrates.
I commend the city as you look to the future of the downtown and how it will evolve in the years to come.
Setting a direction demonstrates the needed forward vison entrusted to you. I would like to express my
perspective as you plan for the future.
1. I support the efforts to redevelop the downtown area to meet the needs of the community now and in the
future. A mix of mutually supporting commercial enterprises develops a whole business community
greater than the sum of its parts.
2. Adjacent parking and access to any remaining buildings must be preserved in accordance with
established norms for a "Mixed Use" environment. Keep in mind our community depends on vehicular
transportation in our suburban culture where convenience is critical.
Remote parking does NOT accommodate the parking needs of current businesses or those that may
remain as the area redevelops. Previous and current congestion issues because of previous projects
illustrate this issue.
4. Access to the downtown should not be inhibited. This may come in conflict with MnDOT which
concerns itself with moving traffic through an area often to the detriment of the community as a whole.
5. A pedestrian friendly appeal must remain and be enhanced. Customers come to shopping areas as
vehicular occupants and then become pedestrians. Proper planning and design must balance these facts
of life.
Thank you for your consideration and most certainly your service to the City of Elk River.
Sincerely,
Steve Johnson