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Economic Development Authority Minutes July 9, 2A07 Page 3 a long term plan, the taskforce needed to make some assumptions about certain things, one being Highway 10 and Main Street He mentioned the issues that related to Highway 10 and the reasons why they opted to keep it at grade in the draft plan. Mx. Tveite continued, stating the strength of the area is the Mississippi River; it's currently undemtilized and should be enjoyed more for recreational use. He gave the example Of the River's Edge Commons Park and how this is already drawing people to the area. He discussed the possibilities of a canoe docking area using the trailheads along the river, as well as the opportunities of using the islands. There are possibilities of adding a hotel, along with restaurants, while still maintaining the historic value and look of the downtown. Mr. Tveite finished by stating the taskforce took a lot of time looking at traffic, not just at Highway 10, but at aligning intersections with Main Street, and came up with some ideas. They wanted continuity from Handke to downtown. They wanted to make sure to preserve the housing areas of the downtown area. He emphasized the need to develop a plan that allows both businesses and residential areas to work together. Mr. Clark continued by stating he enjoyed the excellent and worthwhile discussions of the taskforce. He feels this plan needs to be market driven, with the City's role being ready fox change (being proactive rather than reactive). The July 24 stakeholders meeting will provide an opportunity Eor area residents and business owners to attend one of two open houses to provide feedback and a response to the plan. One wish of the task force is to alleviate fears and concerns that residents might have as well as to provide informatton. The taskforce will then use this feedback to make any adjustments that might be necessary, hopefully by the end of the yeaz. They will then go to the HRA with these adjustments and to the Council eazly next year. Mr. Gongoll thanked Mr. Tveite Eor his efforts on this task force. Mr. Motin stated an excellent job was done by the task force, but he was Emstrated with the process. He felt the HRA didn't have enough information available, especially regarding the future of Highway 10, and wonders if this draft plan isn't too premature. He wished a Highway 10 study could be completed and this plan drafted after that. As a councilmember, Mr. Motin knows that the primary objection the Council had to the plan previously presented to the Council was keeping Highway 10 at grade. He also had concerns about the way this draft plan was presented to the public, and why it went to the public first before going to the EDA, the HRA, and the Council. Mr. Clark responded that he felt that it was important to get this out to the stakeholders first to dispel some minors. He feels the plan works as long as there is access along Main and Jackson, but the plan does not work if Highway 10 goes below grade as there would be no access to downtown off of Main and Jackson. The taskforce feels this would isolate the downtown area. However, if Elk River is to determine its goals and objectives for Highway 10 in a land use plan, this plan can be presented to Mn/DOT when they come to assess the Highway 10 area. Mr. Tveite agreed with Mx. Clark and stated the task force wants the city to have a blueprint in place regardless of how long it will take for Mn/DOT to determine the Highway 10 area. Mr. Motin commented that the speed limit in the area may be increased after the highway is reconfigured, and wondered if the task force should have waited until after the geometric study before making this proposal.