4.3. SR 09-25-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A sidewalk replacement project most likely will be one part of a larger, long term downtown program that should include some improvements at the city park site and some improvements along the river from the park site to at least King Avenue and hopefully also in the other direction to the Parrish Avenue bridge. Any improvements along the river should be jointly financed by the city and benefited property owners, but today we are a long way away from anything happening along the river. At this time it would probably be best and most productive to keep the discussion focused on the electric line relocation and the sidewalk replacement project. Utilities Office Building...This is an issue that could become a "hot topic" anytime within the next few years. I think that everyone sees the benefit in keeping Utilities in the downtown area, especially the downtown area as defined by the railroad on the north and the river on the south. Ideally, the Utilities office would be at the King and Main location, but if this does not work, then maybe we can work together on another redevelopment project...either an existing commercial structure or maybe even something as far west as the intersection of Lowell and Main. If the Utilities relocates, then re-use of the building becomes an issue. It is conceivable that it is in our best interest for the building to be demolished and the parking lot expanded in conjunction with the closing of the Highway 10 intersection. How this works with the school administration one-way entrance into King Avenue is uncertain and is just another item that needs to be discussed if this parking lot expansion concept moves forward. There seems to be two issues that need to be considered. One issue is where Utilities will locate in the future, whether it is north of the railroad tracks, in the old core downtown area, or even out at City Hall with our expansion in the next few years. The other issue is what to do with the Utilities building and site. In the above paragraph I mentioned expansion of the parking lot, but it may be determined that it is in the best interest of the downtown to have another commercial establishment in that building (assuming the building is in "good health.") Duckor and Associates...Utilities has hired Duckor and Associates to do their communication and customer relations project. One goal of the project is to develop a consistency for Utilities information through establishing a common design for its key messages, and communication standards in how this design is managed.