8.1. HRSR 09-23-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFIT • ,,..( , Dowieowlemt- City of Elk News le er,0144„„......., RiverOCTOBER 2002- ' As a t tad Retail,Cosrunerrial lk River Role and Residential Area. Q. What is happening with the revitalization and analysis of market feasibility,financial feasibility,as well as communi- ties redevelopment of Elk River's downtown? ty input. It is possible that as a result of this review,the exact proper A. The Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority(HRA)and City to be acquired and the project area may change somewhat.An Council will enter a preliminary development agreement with open house will be held later this year for public input into a prelimi MetroPlains Development for the downtown revitalization project.The nary site plan. HRA selected and the City Council ratified the selection of MetroPlains from three finalist developers at its August 26 meeting. Q. Do we know at this point which downtown City officials said MetroPlains demonstrated the most experience on buildings will be preserved, which restored and similar projects and had received a high level of support at the July which redeveloped? open house from residents and the busi A. No,we do not have those specifics yet. Hess community. ThZS newsletter However,consistent with the recently complet ed Historic Contexts Study,the project will Q. What happens next? responds to Some respect the traditional character of downtown. A. The HRA and the developer will enter a pre The project will also preserve the"brick block" liminary development agreement in the com f h2 C2n ques ions which includes the buildings along the west ing months.During the preliminary develop about E k River S side of Jackson Avenue south of Highway 10. • ment agreement phase,the developer works with the City to identify issues that must be L ownt ZfJ7Z �� o Q. What will happen to the existing addressed prior to the final development anC redevelopment, businesses in the downtown agreement phase.These issues include redevelopment area? financial and market feasibility;project sched A. What typically happens in other downtown ule,and a refined site plan.If the City chooses to move forward to a redevelopment efforts is that some businesses choose to stay and final development agreement,that is when the planning and zoning some choose to relocate.The developer will work with downtown approvals,land acquisition and construction will occur. business owners within the project area to identify their interests and how they could be incorporated in any redevelopment plans.For Q. What is the timetable for a downtown project those businesses.that do not stay,arrangements for acquisition and to occur? for relocation assstance will be offered. A. The HRA expects to enter a preliminary development agreement with MetroPlains in October.The preliminary development agreement Q. When will the developer contact downtown phase is expected to last for at least six to nine months with a com businesses and property owners? munity open house later this year on preliminary site plan options. If A. MetroPlains will start to make initial contacts with property owners the developer satisfactorily completes the preliminary development and tenants this fall after a preliminary development agreement has agreement phase,the City and developer would enter a final level been reached with the HRA. Property is not actually acquired until a opment agreement.The earliest construction could begin would be final development agreement has been reached by the City and sometime in 2004. the developer. Q. Does MetroPlains already have a completed Q. If my business or home must relocate in the plan for the project? future, will I receive any financial assistance? A. No,but MetroPlains has a concept for redevelopment which A. Businesses and residents who are required to relocate from the includes the following sites: redevelopment area are provided relocation assistance to help with • East King Avenue and the northeast corner of moving costs,as provided for under the Uniform Relocation King&Main,and, Assistance Act.Properties that are purchased for redevelopment • The southwest corner of Main and County Road 42 must be purchased at fair market value.That value is determined by 0 (Parrish Avenue Bridge). a professional appraisal. In situations where communities are under taking redevelopment,the acquisitions are typically accomplished The next step will involve refining the MetroPlains concept for through voluntary sales.