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Ci~ Counc~ Minutes <br />Ju~ 28,2003 <br /> <br />4. Open Nfike <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />No one appeared for Open Mike. <br /> <br />5.2.A. <br />5.2.B. <br /> <br />HtL~ Update <br />Comments from Business Owners on Downtown Project <br /> <br />Overview of Process Project. and Next Steps <br /> <br />An update was not necessary because all members of the City, Council were present for the <br />HtG5 meeting prior to the City, Council meedng. <br /> <br />Mayor IClinzing noted that the Council heard many good comments from the business and <br />property owners. <br /> <br />Rob VanValkenburg, owner of the Sunshine Depot building, presented the Council with a <br />survey that was handed out to business and property owners as'king them if the proposal to <br />develop the Jackson Square parking lot will impact them positively or negatively. <br /> <br />Mr. VanValkenburg also presented the Council with a petition of those against development <br />of the Jackson Square parking lot. Mr. VanValkenburg stated that downtown is doing well <br />the way it is and there are many downtown business and property owners that do not want <br />to see the Jackson Square property used for development. Mr. VanValkenburg asked the <br />Council to reconsider the motion approving the letter of intent for transfer of city-owned <br />Jackson Block property. <br /> <br />Mayor Klinzing stated that she is not interested in reconsidering the Council's motion <br />approving the letter of intent to MetroPlams. She stated that parking has always been an <br />issue with downtown and that the City Council, HRA, MetroPlains, and staff have all been <br />working on resolving the parking issues. <br /> <br />Mayor Iclmzing indicated that this project is intended to impact the downtown businesses in <br />a positive manner. She stated that a major factor in Elk River taking on the downtown <br />revitalization project is due to the fact that many of the communities surrounding Elk River <br />are upgrading and expanding their downtowns and businesses. Mayor IClinzing stated that <br />the project needs to continue and that if everyone works together Elk River will have a <br />downtown that people ~vant to come to. <br /> <br />Councilmember Tveite stated that the Council has asked the HRA to take the lead in this <br />project and that it is premature to pull the project out from under them. He also stated that <br />not enough staff research has been done to see if the project issues can be solved. <br /> <br />Marcy VanValkenburg, owner Elk River Travel, questioned if the Bluff Block project <br />could continue without the Jackson Block. Vern Hanson, MetroPlains, stated that the <br />project proposal was with the Jackson and Bluff blocks together. NLr. Hanson also stated <br />financial and market feasibility reviews indicate that Jackson Block could occur on its own <br />but the Bluff Block project is not feasible on its own and the two need to occur together. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kuester indicated that she would like to see a plan for how the green space <br />betweer~ the Sunshine Depot and Cinema building may be used for temporary parking <br />during construction. <br /> <br />Mayor Kknzing indicated that staff should explore a way to safely cross Highway 10. She <br />suggested possibly a ramp or a tunnel. <br /> <br /> <br />