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Printer version: A downtown renaissance in the suburbs Page 2 of 3 to craft a project that would meet city goals on pedestrian activity and commercial activity and Jim's goals of having a successful project." _ g•� Beltz said that if he were a professional developer he probably wouldn't have Downtown development in spent the time it took to get approval for his project. Lakeville "There are a lot of places where you can put your money," Beltz said. "I didn't have to spend a period of my life going to City Council meetings and all the frustration. But I did, and I don't regret it. A lot of people would take the easy way out and say, 'I'm going to build something in Naples [Fla.].' " Similar challenges 701 Building in Wayzata Maenner's office is in a building at 50th and France that posed challenges similar to those Beltz has faced in Wayzata. Still, it is 96 percent occupied. The Pinehurst Building project, which features stores under offices as is preferred in the popular downtown Edina district, took three years to build. The brick building, which features a three-story cupola at the corner,replaced an old service station and low-slung commercial buildings. The Edina building was developed by a local businessman who was required to adhere to design. guidelines for the area,which overlaps the Edina-Minneapolis border. Features as brick exteriors, urban streetscapes and rear parking contributed to a more attractive structure, despite the hassle of dealing with two jurisdictions, Maenner said. • "They're asking for a lot of the right things --the right materials, the attention to aesthetics, attention to idea that something's going to be there a long time and that the community should have some say on how it works," he said. But Chris Slania,planning liaison for the city of Wayzata, said the design guidelines required in that city's downtown area aren't popular with all business people. "I know a number of property owners feel the city is being too restrictive," Slania said. "I think it gives property owners some guidelines to follow on what we want-- a pedestrian-friendly, small-town, village feel." Design guidelines also are being debated by the city of Farmington, which is planning a commercial project called the Spruce Street Corridor Development Plan. In a grant application to the Metropolitan Council, Farmington officials said they want to develop a 450-acre project of offices, retail and housing next to the historic downtown "in a way that . . . complement[s] rather than conflict[s] with existing businesses and neighborhoods." A similar development, called the North Central Business District, is being planned along the Rum River in downtown Anoka. Among the factors being discussed in a citizen-involvement process is how to integrate these new buildings with historic buildings in the north-metro suburb. Shared optimism • Developers of these projects cite similar reasons for their optimism that they'll succeed-- a desire for suburban residents to work near their homes and the desire of businesses to be near affluent customers in http://www.startribune.com/viewers/story.php?template=print_a&story=3907199 5/29/2003