5.2. HRSR 12-06-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• Existing diagonal customer parking in front of the Bluff Block will be removed during construction and that area will be used for access to the site. Bluff Block residential parking will potentially exceed the 1&1/2 cars per unit minimum. Condo owners tend to have a greater vehicle parking requirement. It is easier to control parking in rental units and so the Jackson Square Site will stick with the 1&1/2 parking spots per unit. Geological surveys of the construction sites were done. The water table is down 25 to 35 feet. No bedrock was found—just native soil. Sixteen borings were done on the Bluff and Jackson Blocks. The land was found to be environmentally sound, not polluted. The land is fine except for the Nadeau site which may have some remediation necessary. There was concern that the Bluff Block was adjacent to a Wild and Scenic River and the project might be affected by DNR regulations. There is not a problem on that front. The old sanitary line however, will be a challenge. Metro Plains is exploring options to reroute a portion of the old line. They are also looking at the necessity for updating some of the line. The Bluff block businesses will most likely be service businesses rather than retail. The building will be a four story setback. The commercial spaces will be 900 to 1100 square feet. Could possibly be 1 larger unit. Could be sold as office condos.. It is not an ideal spot for fine dining, better for quick in and out type of businesses. MetroPlains will tentatively be working with • Brookstone for business tenents. Mendota Homes will be handling the residential development and sale of the bluff block units. Residential condos would be facing the street and waterfront. MetroPlains will be putting a Riverwalk on the parcels of land adjacent to the river that they will be developing. It is up to the City of Elk River to continue the riverwalk west of the development. The Jackson Square Development will be three stories high. The residential portion of the Jackson Square development would contain a 50/50 split of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Each unit would have its own utilities—washer, dryer, furnace, central air. The TIF Plan is being worked on. Both The HRA and the Elk River City Council have to approve the plan. After the TIF Plan is approved, MetroPlains will submit a development agreement that will need to be approved. MetroPlains historically has maintained ownership of 99% of the areas they have revitalized. They have their own property management company. They plan to maintain ownership of Jackson Square. The Bluff Block residential will be sold as condos. The retail portion may possibly be sold as office condos. The meeting was adjourned at 9AM. •