06-27-2001 HR MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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• decided not to submit a plan at this time. She introduced Jon Hempel of Best&Hempel, to the I-IRA. Mr. Hempel introduced the team,which includes Kraus-Anderson Construction, Hoisington-Koegler Group,Inc., and Hagen, Christensen and MclLwain Architects. He stated that his firm would like more input from the HRA on their preliminary development concept and what the HRA's role in the redevelopment project might be. Daryl Thompson arrived at 5:30 p.m. Tim MclLwain with HCM Architect presented the preliminary redevelopment concept. He stated that the project is mixed-use with a blend of residential, office,and retail spaces. Three three-story buildings were proposed which would generally include retail on the first level and residential on the second and third levels.A fourth building was 3-level townhomes. He stated that this concept plan demonstrates the types of uses that can be put in a downtown area in response to the demand indicated in the HRA's recent Maxfield Research Market Study. Mr. MclLwain stated that there would be public access to a river walk and bike path on the south of the project along the river. Ms. Mehelich asked the proposed process the team might take to start this type of project and whether it would be done in phases or all at once. Mr. Hempel stated that the developer would work with the HRA and the community to determine how the project would progress and discuss financing needs. Chair Toth asked if the developer had contacted any of the landowners about acquiring • some of the properties and also stated a concern about adequate parking. Mr. Hempel stated they have had preliminary contact with two landowners at this point. Commissioner Wilson stated that residential use does add extra attraction to the downtown area but he is concerned about there being too much residential use and questioned why there seem to be a lot of housing in this concept plan and little service related uses.He stated concerns about having some type of draw for people to visit the downtown area and if the area is too residential people may not visit. Mr. MclLwain stated that based on the research study by Maxfield Research Group the market demand within the next five to ten years projected a greater demand for housing and a lesser demand for retail in the entire downtown area. He stated that a mixed-use development is a big draw for people especially with things such as the river walkway and economically the downtown can only support a limited amount of retail/office. Commissioner Motin asked to what extent the buildings would get pushed away from the river to accomplish attracting usage of the river and he questioned the parking lot on the concept plan. He stated that one of his concerns is having ample parking. Mr. MclLwain stated that there is a need for parking and that in the concept plan there is an underground parking facility and some additional parking along the river. The townhomes and condominiums would have enough parking underneath them for one stall per unit. Commissioner Motin questioned if any existing structures lent themselves to the development concept. Mr. Hempel stated they would probably not since it creates a • challenge to work around.