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5. HRSR 06-05-2005ITEM # 5. rover MEMORANDUM TO: Housing & Redevelopment Authority FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development/~~ DATE: June 6, 2005 SUBJECT: Downtown Revitalization Project Update Attachments • Downtown Revitalization Q & A Newsletter, June 2005 • Memo to City Council re: Jackson Square Flag Pole and Gazebo, June 6, 2005 • River's Edge Meeting Minutes, May 11, 2005 Background The City entered into a development agreement with MetroPlains Development at the end of last year. Since that time staff has been working closely with MetroPlains to make progress on a number of activities leading up to the anticipated summer project construction outlined in the attachment. Current Activities Staff will provide a verbal update at the HRA meeting on the following activities: • King Avenue Parking Lot Improvement • Communications • MetroPlains Construction Plans • Jackson Square Flag Pole and Gazebo (see attached memo to the Council) t~ver MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic DevelopmentC~~ `' DATE: June 6, 2005 SUBJECT: Discussion on Jackson Square Flag Pole and Gazebo Issue The City entered into a Development Agreement with MetroPlains Development the end of 2004 in connection with the construction of the Jackson Block and Bluff Block project. Since that time staff has been working closely with MetroPlains to make progress on a number of activities leading up to the anticipated summer project construction. Following the substantial completion of the King Avenue parking lot improvement and a number of contingencies outlined in the Development Agreement, the city-owned Jackson Block property will be transferred to the developer. It is appropriate for the Council to consider options for the reuse, relocation or sale of the Jackson Square flag pole and gazebo. Background Flag Pole The 100-foot concrete flag pole was a gift to the City from Cretex Company in 1983. The original flag was a gift to the City from the local American Legion post. Notes from the dedication announcement indicate that a 100-year tune capsule was to be placed in the pole base. The Park & Recreation Director, Bill Maertz obtained a preliminary estimate of $2,500 - $5,000 to relocate the concrete flag pole using a crane, truck delivery and establishing the 14- foot base. Mr. Maertz indicated to staff that the cost to relocate the concrete flag pole exceeds the cost for a standard flag pole structure and therefore it would be cost prohibitive to relocate the flag pole to an Elk River park. Staff has received interest in the flag pole from the American Legion Post in Elk River. The Legion proposes that the flag pole be relocated to the Veteran's Park located west of the downtown on Highway 10, or to the American Legion post located on Main Street. Discussion on Jackson Syuare Flag Pole and Gazebo June 6, 2005 City Council Meeting Page 2 of 3 Gazebo The gazebo was built by River's Edge Downtown Development Corporation and volunteers in 1996 for the 150`'' anniversary of the founding of Elk River. The placement and a $10,000 contribution toward materials were approved by the City Council. It was designed as a small scale replica of a bandstand that once stood in the town square. The Park & Recreation Director, Bill Maertz obtained a preliminary estimate of $8,000 - $10,000 to relocate the gazebo. Mr. Maertz has previously reported to the Council that both the flag pole and gazebo are out of scale for the proposed River's Edge Commons park area downtown. The Park & Recreation Commission discussed relocation options to another park at its May 11`h meeting. Ultimately the Commission acted to not use park dedication funds to relocate the gazebo to another city park but encouraged that it be moved by another entity. Staff has received interest in the gazebo from Mr. Dan Dixon of Guardian Angels. Mr. Dixon has indicated to staff an interest in removing the roof portion of the gazebo and relocating it onto a new wall structure that would be built at one of the Guardian Angels Elk River facilities, most likely the senior center. The Sherburne County Assessor's office has an estimated market value of $12,800 on the gazebo structure. Issues for Discussion State statute allows the city transfer its personal property for nominal value or without compensation to another public corporation such as a county or school district for public use. Transfer to a private entity should be following reasonable public notice and quotes. If the contract is estimated to exceed $10,000 but not $50,000, the city has the option of using the competitive bidding process or making the contract by direct negotiation. If the contract is estimated to be less than $10,000, the city has the option of making the contract upon quotation or in the open market. Recommendation Staff recommends that the Council consider transferring ownership of the gazebo to the Guardian Angels of Elk River and that Guardian Angels be responsible for the contracting work and relocation costs. Staff recommends that the Council consider transferring ownership of the flag pole to the American Legion post of Elk River and that the Legion be responsible for the contracting the relocation work. Staff recommends that the Council discuss contributing toward a portion of the relocation cost. Discussion on Jackson Squarc Flag Pole and Gazebo ~une 6, 2005 City Council Mecung Page 3 of 3 ,~c.n... , ~ ~ ~. ~,9 +^ ~... - - ..~.-.~...~:~ - - rr. Rivers Edge Meeting Minutes May 11, 2005 The meeting was called to order at 8AM. Present were Mike Rafferty, Jeff Gongoll, Cliff Lundberg, Heidi Steinmetz, Terry Maurer and Wendy Simenson Treasurer's Report: $4251.62 Secretary's Report: Minutes were accepted as written with the exception of Mary Smith from the Arts Alliance speaking at our April Meeting rather than Laurie Beil. Old Business: City Update: The City Council agenda for its Monday, May 16`h meeting will include a vote on the construction plans in addition to other items related to the project. City Council Agendas and packets can be downloaded from the City of Elk River's Website after 2pm on the Friday prior to the meeting, or you can call Heidi at 635-1042. Meetings are also televised live on Cable Channel 12. Watch for the next Q & A newsletter as an insert to the June ls` Star News. Let Heidi know if you don't receive it. A sign will be installed this week on the corner of King & Main directing customers to available parking areas during the parking lot improvement project. Parking Lot Committee: The parking committee is in the process of firming up recommendations to the HRA on issues related to the parking lot behind the brick block. At this time they have 3 pages of recommendations. The recommendations will be presented at the June 6`h HRA meeting. Their recommendations will be available for viewing the Friday prior to the meeting. Let Heidi know if you would like to see a copy. Members serving on the committee were Keith Holme, Fred McCoy, Ty Sunderman, Tony Jarmoluk, John Houlton, Steve Johnson and John Anderson. Heidi Steinmetz staffed the Committee and Lisa Raduenz, transportation planner, facilitated the Committee. Revitalization/Parking Lot: Terry Maurer, Elk River City Engineer, came to get us up to speed on what to expect during the parking lot reconstruction. The City Council will vote on the parking lot construction plan at its May 16`h meeting. If all goes well, the lot should be completed by July 4th. He is expecting a 30 day construction timeframe. He said their plan was to do the parking lot in sections so it would stay partially open during construction. When all the areas have been prepared, the entire lot will be sealcoated at one time, swept up the next day and restriped the day after We shared with Terry the need to have the parking lot available for parking the weekend of June 18"' and 19`h for the sidewalk sale and Art Soup parking. Under the current plan we will see: King Avenue exit and entrance from highway 10 permanently closed (this will prevent people from using it as a through street and disrupting traffic and also will give us about 7 more stalls). Entrance into the lot will be behind Avalon and also at King and Main Street. Exit from the lot will only be at King and Main Street (emergency vehicles would be able to exit from behind 1 S` National Financial Building). There will be two exit lanes. One for turning each direction on Main. There has been discussion about putting stop signs at the intersection but the lot will be tried initially without them to see how well traffic flows in and out of the lot and down Main Street. A question was asked if the lots on areas that weren't currently under construction could be available for parking during construction i.e. Nadeau's and US Bank Lots and also temporarily using the proposed Park site. Heidi stated that environmental remediation will be taking place prior to construction on the Bluff Block. Mr. Maurer thought that this idea could be explored for employee parking but wouldn't be suitable for customer parking. Concern was raised about closing the Highway 10, King Ave Access to the lot. Mr. Maurer told us that he thought the grade will be changed and entrance or egress from the lot would not be physically possible, the City was not going to vacate the exit onto Highway 10. MnDot would like the exit permanently closed but until their plans for improving highway 10 through Elk River are complete (10 to 20 years away), we could reopen the street if necessary. Lighting will be taken care of by Bryan Adams, Municipal Utilities Manager. His plan is to have a light pole in each island and by the corner of Highway 10 and King Avenue. The plan is to have the lot very well lit for the safety of those using it at night. Art Soup Wagon Rides: MetroPlains has donated the remaining $300 to help pay for the horse drawn wagon rides between Art Soup at Handke stadium and downtown. Thank you to MetroPlains. New Business: Flower Pots: Meryl isn't back yet but the flower pots will be put out in the next week. We will keep you posted on the planting schedule. Expect them to be lovely by Art Soup! Revitalization Countdown: If we would like, Vern Hanson from MetroPlains will come to our July meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9AM To access the city council packets go to www.ci.elk-river.mn.us. Under the "News & Events" sidebar, there will be a link to the upcoming City Council packet. This link is available at 2:OOpm the Friday before the meeting.