5. HRSR 10-02-2006ITEM ~ 5.
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Housing & Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development i~~
DATE: October 2, 2006
SUBJECT: Downtown Revitalization Project Update
Attachments
• Draft -Downtown Revitalization Q & A Newsletter, October 2006.
• River's Edge Meeting Minutes, August 9, 2006.
Issue
Staff will provide a verbal report on the status of various activities of the Downtown
Revitalization Project, including:
• Status of the different construction projects, including the park
• Recent communications and marketing activities
The attached Downtown Revitalization Q & A Newsletter is being prepared for distribution
via insert to the October 11 edition of the Star News.
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City of
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P r~~ OCTOBER 2006
.~s a Vital Retail, f,~~mmcar~ial and Residential ,area.
Q. What is the latest news an the Downtown Revitalization
Project?
A. Main Street Closure far Utility Wark - A portion of Main Street
in front of The Bluffs of Elk River and the Bank of Elk River will be closed
from October 2-23 for coordinated utility work by Jackson Place and The
Bluffs of Elk River. A smaller section in the next block in front of the
three buildings east of the Cinema Building will be closed far five
consecutive days during that same period and for another three separate
days to complete the utility work. The four parking stalls in front of the
Cinema Building will remain permanently open. These are expected to
be the last major closures of Main Street (see map below).
Jackson Avenue Reconfiguration - In order for one-way traffic
to continue, Jackson Avenue will be reconfigured from October 30-
November 27 to allow for abump-out around a crane. (see map
inset). The large crane will besetting planks for Jackson Place. This
will temporarily remove seven parking stalls, leaving five stalls open
outside Kemper Drug. Jackson will remain aone-way until
construction is completed next summer.
A.
When did Jackson Place construction begin?
Has the City ever told the public that Jackson
Avenue would be a one-way street?
Jackson Place construction began in June. Yes, from very early on the
City has included in its communications that during construction
Jackson Avenue would become aone-way street, southbound from
Highway 10 to Main Street. The change of Jackson Avenue to a
one-way street was included in City Council the approved
construction staging plan one year ago. Jackson Avenue will
remain one-way until construction is completed next summer.
Q. Why did the City allow three projects -Jackson
Place, the Bluffs of Elk River and The Bank of Elk
River - to be constructed at the same time, making
traffic difficult downtown?
A. Anytime construction occurs in a city's downtown it disrupts
traffic. The City realizes that traffic flow downtown during
construction has been difficult for businesses, their employees
and customers. However, because all three projects are being
built simultaneously, the inconvenience of construction can occur
over aone-year period of time rather than spread out over three
years if projects were phased. Traffic slowdowns earlier this year
were exacerbated by other road construction that was occurring
outside downtown on non-City projects. These include
construction between Rogers and Elk River on Highway 101 and
repair of a railroad crossing on Proctor Avenue.
Q. What is the City doing to coordinate between the three
different projects and traffic issues that come up?
A. The City has implemented a number of measures and the three
contractors are working cooperatively to minimize disruption. For
example, the contractors are sharing dirt for backfill, and timing street
closures and utility work together. The City has created an
organizational structure that identifies who is in charge in terms of
project management and different levels of communication. A little over
two months ago, the City and construction contractors for the three
projects started meeting weekly to discuss issues including
construction schedules and when additional trucks would be in the
area. Weekly updates on construction status are provided to the Mayor,
the City Council, and the Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA).
p. Why were detour signs still up when Main Street was open?
A. The City staff made the decision to take down the closure signs but leave
up the detour signs to try and minimize cut-through traffic in downtown
from Highway 10 and elsewhere. After October 23, the alternate route
signs will be up again.
As a downtown business ar property owner, will I be
notified of changes in traffic flow and construction
issues downtown?
Yes. The City recognizes that
public communication is critical y~gh~"ay ~o
(continued on next page) ~ ~ ~ f `~~
DowKtou~w ~evitaLia~ctiaw
(~&A Newsletter
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION MAP eflective Oct. 2, 2006. inset shows atl~!linnal ch2ny~^ (o Jac~san
Aver ue Oc. 30 to Pink;, /7. `Ie nowr:.town Ae+raf,aicn rvlap rill e upd~te^ as evens occur ar d progress is made.
CITY OF FL.R RI\/FR rJObiJfVTOVJfv REVITAL.I A710N %r A NE4^JSL.i::TTER OC70EiER ~OC6
during construction. City staff is in constant
contact with the construction managers of the
projects. The City prepares and distributes new
releases to downtown business and property
owners on an as-needed basis to communicate
issues such as downtown street closures, traffic
flaw changes, parking changes and utility
interruptions. Urgent news releases are
distributed in person by City staff to businesses
that will be affected most by the construction
related issues. Less urgent news releases
are mailed to all downtown business and
property owners.
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Now is public parking being handfed
downtown?
Because of complaints of a lack of employee
parking, the City is conducting a parking analys
and a report will be submitted to the City Counc
in 45 days. Currently the demand for employee
parking exceeds the availability of designated
employee parking in the King Avenue Parking
Lot. The analysis is expected to result in
recommendations and findings for the City
Council on the parking issue. The Police
Department is enforcing parking limits to ensurE
that the prime spots remain open for customers.
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Rivers Edge Commons Park site plan.
Q. Exactly how will The Bluffs of Elk River
and Jackson Place be funded and will it impact
my property taxes?
A. The approximately $25 million dollar project will primarily be funded by
MetroPlains. In addition, approximately $2 million of Tax Increment
Financing (TIF) will be used to offset the extraordinary site costs of the
project such as property acquisition, demolition, site work, and
environmental clearances. Under TIF, property tax revenue equivalent to
what the previous property generates continues to go to all taxing
jurisdictions. Once the site costs have been paid, the newly created tax
value will be enjoyed by all.
Q. What is the current project schedule?
A. Scheduled completion of The Bluffs of Elk River and the expansion of
The Bank of Elk River is Spring, 2007. Jackson Place is scheduled to
be complete in Summer, 2007. All construction is underway and
reported to be on or near schedule.
Q
What types of businesses will be locating within the new
developments and how can I find out more about
the availabili#y of housing and retail units in the new
developments?
The developer is in discussions with businesses interested in locating
in the development. Discussions are preliminary; interest is coming
from service and retail businesses. It is not expected that any
commitments will be made until each project is completed. Sales of
condos at The Bluffs of Elk River are well underway, with less than half
of the units still available. For more information on the availability of
housing and retail units, call the following numbers:
A.
Commercial inquiries for both projects: 763-746-9400
The Bluffs of Elk River condo sales: 763-633-7010
Jackson Place apartment rental: 763-241-4004
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Q. What is the status of the downtown
Rivers Edge Commons Park?
A. The original design for the park was put out for
bid earlier in the year, and came in far over budget.
Design modifications were made to keep the project
within budget The City Council awarded the
construction bid in early September. Construction on
the park began in late September. Construction on the
park began in late September with the removal of four
front parking stalls. These stalls were not safe and
were illegal because cars may not back into athree-
wayintersection. Park construction is not expected to
cause any disruption to traffic downtown. Completion
is anticipated in Spring, 2007. (See site plan at left.)
Q. What is the City doing to help downtown
businesses during construction?
A. The City is providing marketing assistance to help
attract customers downtown. The HRA recently
approved a marketing plan for downtown and
published weekly ads in the Star News. The City has
placed a banner downtown and provided $2000 to help
support the August street dance.
Q. Why do we have to pursue Downtown
Although not originally part of the Downtown Revitalization Project, the
Bank of Elk River expansion project and the Rivers Edge Commons
Park project will also play a large role in revitalizing downtown.
Revitalization?
A. The downtown riverfront is very important to
Elk River. The City has identified its long-term vitality
as a community goal. For more than 30 years studies have emphasized
the need to better utilize the riverfront, capitalize on the traditional
character of downtown, and ensure safe pedestrian and vehicle
movement. Investment in downtown has stagnated and the riverfront is
underutilized. The revitalization will enhance downtown
Elk River's role as a vibrant retail, commercial, and residential area by
adding approximately 22,000 square feet of space for new businesses
and more than 100 new residents who will patronize downtown
businesses. In addition, the project will promote investment in the
downtown business district. The City and MetroPlains Development
have partnered to make this happen.
Q. Who can I contact if I have questions about the
Downtown Revitalization Project?
A. You can contact the Elk River Economic Development Division at
763-635-1040. Other ways to keep informed about the Downtown
Revitalization include:
• Visit the City's Web site at ivww.ci.elk-river.mn.us and click on the
"Downtown Revitalization Project" link found under the "News &
Events" section of the City's home page.
• Attend HRA and City Council meetings or
watch them on ERtV Channel 12. ~
Meeting information is available on c;y ~r
Elk
the City Web site. •~•.•-.
• Watch for articles in the Elk River Star R1VC-'r
News and in the City's newsletter CITY HALL
The Current, which is distributed as 13065 Orono Parkway
a Star News insert every other month. Elk River, MN 55330
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Rivers Edge Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
The Meeting was called to order at 8AM at the Elk River Chamber of Commerce meeting room.
Tony, Patti, Sharon, Joy, Roger, Wendy, Scott Clark, Peter Kimball were in attendance.
Treasurer's Report: There is 4007.31 in our treasury
Secretary's Report: The minutes from the last meeting were approved.
Old Business:
Revitalization plan update: Scott Clark informed us that Heidi had her baby. Patti will take care
of sending a card from the group. The Jackson Square block got slowed down because they
found that they had to relocate a storm sewer. Scott is still meeting every week on Wednesday at
l OAM with all three contractors to continue to anticipate traffic needs and avoid congestion with
building traffic downtown. Main Street will be opened as scheduled on August 11th. The fence
lines will be moved to give the Bank of Elk River 10 feet and the fence will be moved closer to
the Bluff Block. This will make the road less curvy and will allow both groups to do work with
out disrupting traffic on a regular basis. We can expect some sporadic 10-15 minute traffic
delays.
Main Street will be closed as before for a two to three week period in October for utility work.
December 1St the utility work should be done.
Bruce West is the person taking care of on site considerations for street safety. The Police
department is providing traffic control downtown during construction. Scott and Kathy are
handling the communication piece, and Bob Ruprecht is overseeing the Building and
Engineering. Please contact them if you have a question. Rumors abound -better to ask them for
an up to date report on what is happening downtown.
The City of Elk River is looking at purchasing the Bumper to Bumper and Creative Genius
buildings. They still need to have the buildings appraised. If the City purchases the space the
eventual goal is to use the space to provide additional parking for downtown.
The HRA approved $2000 for helping us defray the cost of the Street Dance Downtown on
August 26th. This will include city services such as blocking off the streets, providing security
and portable toilets. The HRA has included another $2000 in its budget for 2007 to help support
a celebration downtown next summer -hopefully to coincide with the completion of the Bluffs,
Jackson Square, the Park and The Bank of Elk River.
Street Dance is scheduled for August 26, 2006. The Bands will play from 5 to Midnight. Fred is
out of town until Thursday and will give us more information.
Sidewalk sale August 25th and 26th: Wendy is getting banners for the Sidewalk Sale and Street
Dance to put up on the side of Kemper Drug and also will help Fred with advertising the events.
Businesses will be receiving 10 tickets at $5 each to sell before the Street Dance. Tickets will be
$6 at the door.
Parking Lot Enforcement Times. Karen (Old Main) Garrett(Diamond City) and Wendy(Kemper
Drug) had met to discuss changing the parking lot ordinance. Their recommendations were:
1. No parking in the King Avenue Lot between the hours of 2AM and 6AM except cars
with permits, parking in their designated areas.
2. Post the first section next to the Brick Block as 1 hour parking and enforce in 8AM to
Spm seven days a week.
3. Post the rest of public parking in the lot as 3 hour parking and enforce from 8AM to SPM
seven days a week.
The recommendations were emailed and dropped off at downtown businesses for their
comments. There were no negative comments on recommendation 1. Many people complained
about recommendations 2 and 3 as there are people who get their hair done, shop, eat lunch etc.
which can easily add up to more than three hours. It was also thought that it would be confusing
to have different time limits in the same parking lot. The consensus was to table recommendation
2 and 3 for the time being.
Also discussed was the difficulty employees are having finding parking spots in the employee
parking area and then parking in the customer area. The Police then give tickets to these cars
because when they mark tires there are spots available so they assume that the employee could
have parked in employee parking but chose not to. A suggestion was made to let the police know
when the lot is full so that they can be aware that there are times when the parking lot is full.
Sharon (St Maximillan's) suggested that we add more employee parking spots by eliminating
some of the customer parking spots. We discussed this option but weren't very excited about
taking away customer parking. Especially since when Jackson Square is completed, they won't
have any customer parking adjacent to their building and their customers will need to park
somewhere. We need to brainstorm options for employee parking now -are there other sites
available to employees to park? The lot on the other side of highway 10 is being used for
construction parking - is it possible that some of those spots could be allotted for employee
parking?
New Business:
Fall Winter Events: We talked about having another downtown event this December and inviting
Santa and Penguins this year. Wendy will see if the Penguins are available.
Financial Aid to Businesses: Wendy contacted the Sherburne County Assessor (Gerald Kritzek)
to see if it was possible to get tax relief for downtown business properties. Many businesses had
indicated that their traffic and revenues have been down during construction with Main Street
being closed to traffic. She had not heard back from him at the time of the meeting and will hope
to have something to report at the next Rivers Edge Meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 AM