7.2. HRSR 08-25-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Downtown Revitalization Project Update August 25,2003 HRA Meeting Page 5 of 5 • Young professionals,professional support, service industry and retired • Working individuals • Less than 10%will have a child,typically under the age of 3-years • Alternative life style desired—maintenance free,close to services, and a contemporary living environment with amenities Q. Has there been a study ofuhat age group uses dorzntorzn Elk River? A. No, a specific study to determine the age group of customers has not been completed for downtown Elk River. While the April 2001 Maxfield Research Inc. Market Analysis for Downtown Elk River provided market-based demographics,it did not specifically study the age group of current customers. The attached letter from Ms.Mary Buj old of Maxfield Research Inc. addresses generally the current age group being predominantly younger and older people (under 30 and over 65). A survey of downtown businesses to determine customer base could be completed to more specifically identify downtown users. Q What recam nendation has the Heritage Preserurtion Commission provide]reganiing the Elk Riser Municipal Utilities building? A. The Heritage Preservation Commission reviewed the Municipal Utilities building as part of its inventory of parcels involved in the Downtown Revitalization Project. The 2002 Elk River Historic Contexts Study and Phase II Downtown Commercial • Area Study found that this building, as well as others, did not appear to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places designation. The Context Study's Property Description and Significance page is attached. In January 2003 the HPC presented the attached recommendation on Local Historic Significance in the Downtown Area to the HRA. The HPC recommended that the building be retained. Following the presentation the HRA directed staff and the developer to proceed with the original proposal area,which included the Utilities building. In July 2003, the HPC recommend that the Utilities building not be torn down(see July 10,2003 minutes). Q. Will there be any publk hearings required before the project is constructed? A. Upon the HRA approving a development agreement with MetroPlains,public hearings will be required as part of the financing process. Per the recently adopted Downtown District ordinance,the proposed Jackson Block and Bluff Block projects are permitted uses. Only administrative review is required,unless a variance to the Wild and Scenic regulations is needed. However,the final development agreement could require that a public hearing for design review be conducted prior to final approval of the financing package. ID S:\Downtown Revitalization\Memos\8.25HRA.doc