7.2. HRSR 07-28-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ETROPLAINS Narrative for the Elk River Proposal • ■ MetroPlains has identified four areas in which the Request for Proposal can best meet the initiative of the city. Needs for areas are interconnected but they can happen independently and over a period of time in order to facilitate the overall goal of strengthening the existing central business district "traditional downtown" of Elk River. The existing Brick Block is a series of anchor masonry structures that should be preserved and are part of MetroPlains' proposal. MetroPlains has dealt with the historic renovation of National Register and non National Register properties and is in full understanding of the requirements that are necessary in order for structures such as these to be renovated and maintained as part of an overall redevelopment plan. Our proposal does not preclude the existing ownership of the buildings to remain intact but that a facilitation with MetroPlains Development, a series of opportunities of which CDBG funds and/or Block Grants or Main Street Programs can be accessed so that a combination of these efforts with MetroPlains will help maintain the existing vitality that is occurring within the commercial components of these first floor spaces as well as to regenerate the historic components and at the same time provide an opportunity for the development of the second floor into contemporary residential spaces. The four areas that MetroPlains has identified as being part of the first stage is the site behind the Brick Block buildings facing King Avenue, the parking lot with gazebo facing Hwy 10 and Jackson Avenue, the Bluff/Nadeau block on Main Street and the existing park. We also believe that the area identified under the planning department's proposal for the residential along the waterfront on the west side is also a part, but a future step, because it does not directly contribute to the revitalization of the downtown in the initial stages. MetroPlains' proposal also believes that the Art's Alliance can provide a significant opportunity for the focus in the downtown area. The opportunity for the Art's Alliance to be part of the overall plan can consist in either an independent, stand alone structure or as part of the larger development. The opportunity can best be defined when MetroPlains is selected as the preferred developer to identify those options or opportunities that make best sense for all parties involved. It is a combination of a team effort that will eventually provide the success for the revitalization of the downtown of which the team consisting of the City of Elk River, MetroPlains, respective community leaders as well as the Art Alliance. MetroPlains' proposal believes that as a stage evolution occurs for the traditional downtown Elk River that it is important to maintain the existing businesses as part of this evolution so as to not change the vitality that is currently present by coming in and completely removing without the opportunity for businesses or one's similar to it to be in continuous operation. Our proposal has established a phasing that would allow existing conditions to remain intact while new ones are evolved, which would eventually allow some of the existing conditions, in particular those businesses between Main Street and • 1600 UNIVERSITY AVENUE,SUITE 212 al ST.PAUL,MINNESOTA a (651)646-7848 m wwwmetroplains.com