07-28-2003 HR MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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HRA Minutes Page 3 July 28,2003 • Lance Lindberg, 1001 School St.NW— Mr.Lindberg stated the total amount of downtown parking stalls and mentioned that the zoning code for other multi-family units in the city calls for more stalls than the proposed downtown project includes. Cliff Lundberg,400 Jackson Ave.NW —Mr.Lundberg stated that Jackson Square represents historic Elk River's town square open space and that if buildings were built on the Square,visibility to the river would be lost. Mr.Lundberg also mentioned that customers are not willing to walk 3-4 blocks to their destination and that the learning curve to convince them to do so would take too long. David Raymond, 13686 River View Drive NW(Elk River Arts Alliance) — On behalf of the Arts Alliance,Mr.Raymond stated that the Alliance has not taken a stand on the project but indicated that their main concern is that although the City has plans to replace the"lost" parking,there doesn't seem to be plans to accommodate the parking needs that will increase with the addition of new businesses. The Arts Alliance also feels that downtown should extend to Handke School. On a personal note,Mr.Raymond raised the issues of MnDot's plans for Hwy 10 and the possibility of a parking ramp downtown. Mr.Raymond also mentioned that the MetroPlains proposal is the best he has seen so far. Barb Maricle, 1234-6th St.NW—Ms.Maricle expressed that Jackson Square should remain a town square,that all"old" downtown buildings,including the Municipal Utilities building should be saved. She stated that she does like the Bluff Block plans. John Houlton, 1149 Nile Lane (First National Financial Services) —Mr.Houlton stated that First National Financial Services has not taken a position on the project. Mr.Houlton indicated that First National's preliminary discussions with MetroPlains have been good and that the bank is willing to cooperate with MetroPlains and the City during construction to allow some public parking in the First National lots. Mr.Houlton also stated that the project is the City's best hope of revitalizing downtown and that something needs to be done in order to compete with downtown Otsego and other nearby downtowns. Keith Holme, (Kemper Drug Building Co-owner) —Mr.Holme stated that he is most concerned with parking issues and the disruption construction will cause to his business. Mr.Holme mentioned that building height is another concern due to visibility issues for the Brick Block and is not of historic nature with the rest of downtown. David Raymond, 13686 River View Drive NW (Elk River Arts Alliance) —Mr.Raymond mentioned that the open space between the Sunshine Depot and the Cinema Building is currently used during the bi-annual ArtSoup festival and that the Arts Alliance would like to see that open space remain. Chuck Christian,403 Main St.NW(Cynthia's Stamps&Scrapbooking,St.Maximillian Books,Cinema Building Co-owner, &Century 21 Christian) —Mr.Christian stated that parking is his main issue with the project and that the Cinema building parking is dependant on a partnership with the City. He stated that the City is simply"going too far"to make development happen by giving up parking. •