8.1. SR 11-19-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Task Force Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis November 19, 2012 - Part IV, page 2 - STRENGTHS UEAKAESSES of . . - • Neighborhood Schools • Small and limited geographic area • New retail and business uses • Competing retail both locally (internal) and from surrounding communities (external) • River • Small critical mass • New customer base • Lack of commuter rail stop in Downtown • Businesses that are easily accessible • Limited interest in going • Rehabilitation of existing buildings Downtown by people • Possible bypass of Highway 10 • Nice homes • More public gathering spaces for social • Everyone knows your name activities • Continued expansion of Otsego /Highway 101 • Churches area • Age of existing real estate • Outdoor dining • Authentic small town character • Traffic issues (congestion, increased traffic, (buildings) • Lack of reinvestment • Blank slate north of railroad tracks crossing Highway 10, etc) • Opportunity for individually • Highway 10 and railroad divides • More riverfront development • Value of housing stock going down owned businesses (affordable and area and people don't want to cross • non national chain) More access to River • Land speculators (buying homes and renting them • Limited access to River until they can put together large enough parcel to • Personal Touch — Everyone knows • Tie north and south areas together develop on) your name • Parking • More residential development • Economic fluctuations in general • Nostalgia/sentiment • No grocery store • Moving west of Downtown to develop • Noise (Highway 10 and railroad) • Identifiable location • Lack of variety in businesses • Enhance Handke Center • Not leasing out existing retail in nevv redevelopment • Variety of services • Not pedestrian friendly (snow issues, biking, etc) • Current redevelopment efforts lend projects • Charm /Character (lights, credibility • Land locked for River access /trail streets, etc. ) • Traffic congestion • to outside investors • Market saturation • Local financial institutions • Delivery trucks • North Star Rail and depot location • Raising rents for existing businesses (anchors) • Lack of fine dining • Safe environment • Screen railroad tracks and create buffers • Through traffic • Lack of benches or places to sit outside • Public gathering places (new • Put in trail system along the River • Increasing land acquisition costs park) • New residents have an unfamiliarity • with Downtown Promote an authentic Downtown • Changes in eminent domain laws • Proximity to Otsego retail • Limited connectivity of north and • Incubator businesses • Fear of change • Heritage /history south areas • Corridor to cross Highway 10 and railroad • Lifestyle to support Downtown (convenience, price • Connectivity (Highway 10, rail • Market saturation tracks vs. nostalgia, lack of interest and lack of road and transportation) • Attract more residents to live Downtown wanted /needed services) • Public facilities in close proximity • Cost to upkeep aging real estate (City Hall, Library, future YMCA) • Interest in viable business that wants to expand (no are to expand to Downtown or viability is no longer there since interest has moved elsewhere in the community) November 19, 2012 - Part IV, page 2 -