8.1. SR 11-19-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ii. Summary of Existing Conditions The Plan grew out of information collected and considered by the Task Force over several months. This section of the Plan highlights some of the key data sources that contributed to the planning process. The Changing Face of Downtown Historically, Elk River was a "freestanding community" (characterized by distance from the metropolitan area, self- contained economy, and limited transportation routes). An essential element of all freestanding communities was a core downtown area that served a highly agrarian economy. As is the case with many cities that are on the edge of the metropolitan area, the form and function of our downtown has changed based on a series of factors, these being: • Incorporation of the City of Elk River and the Township in the late 1970's started the process of land development through public utility extensions. • As part of this process, the TH 169 corridor opened to commercial development ultimately creating competition for the downtown area, starting in the early 1980's. • Over the past thirty years, shopping habits have shifted to larger complexes of value and destination shopping. • Loyalty to shopping areas has been replaced by value attached to location and accessibility. • As retail moved out of our downtown area it has been replaced with office uses. Less retail starts the chain of other retail uses not having a significant synergy to exist and in turn, seeking other market areas. • The economic downturn starting in 2008 has hampered ability of smaller businesses from opening or continuing businesses. It is these businesses that are the primary market for a downtown area of our size. November 19, 2012 -Part I, page 1 I -