07-28-2003 HR MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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HRA Minutes Page 4 July 28,2003 7.2 Overview of Process,Project,and Next Steps Ms.McPherson provided the HRA with a presentation regarding some of the issues that have been raised by the public,either to members of the HRA,members of the City Council,or members of staff regarding the Downtown Revitalization Project. Such issues include,but are not limited to:parking,housing,financial assistance,and communication. Following Ms.McPherson's presentation,Commissioner Motin asked Vern Hanson of MetroPlains Development to explain why the Brick Block redevelopment concept was no longer an option. Mr.Hanson explained that the relocation of one of the businesses located within the Brick Block would not be financially feasible for the project to occur. Chair Toth asked Mr.Hanson if research was done regarding the inclusion of the business into the Brick Block concept. Mr.Hanson explained that the residential component of the concept,which was crucial for the financial feasibility of the concept,would not fit well with the type of activity that occurs at the business (slaughtering). Commissioner Motin added that the redevelopment of the Brick Block would seem to eliminate more parking spaces than the Jackson Square concept. Mr.Hanson concurred. Commissioner Motion asked if Jackson Ave.could be widened. Ms.McPherson stated that federal regulations prohibit the widening of Jackson but that temporary parking may be allowed. Commissioner Motin asked if permanent diagonal parking was possible for the north side of Main St. Ms.McPherson stated that staff would need to further research the 4110 issue. Cliff Lundberg,400 Jackson Ave.NW—Mr.Lundberg asked if the underground parking will be public or private. Mr.Hanson stated that the underground parking would accommodate commercial and residential tenants of the new building only due to security issues. He stated that on-street parking should cater to customers. Rob VanValkenburg,Baxter,MN(Cinema Building Co-owner) —Mr.VanValkenburg stated that the City's plans to replace the development's "lost" parking by replacing the Municipal Utilities building with a parking lot two blocks away is irrelevant to the project. Mr.VanValkenburg stated that the"lost"parking must be replaced in the exact same area in which it was "lost". Jeff Ackerman, 19081 Evans Circle (Avalon Contemporary Salon) —Mr.Ackerman asked Vern Hanson of MetroPlains why the housing proposed in the Jackson Square development cannot be "for sale" units. Mr.Hanson explained that the downtown housing market will need to be developed first by rental units in order to create the"for sale"market. Commissioner Lieser asked if more parking would be available if all the units were 1- bedroom. Mr.Hanson mentioned that conceivably more parking would be available. • Commissioner Motion asked Mr.Hanson to reply to Mr.VanValkenburg's concern for a lack of safety and play area accommodations for children living in the 2-bedroom residential