2.0. HRSR 03-10-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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,./ to prosper in the years to come. The downtown will likely remain the focus on offering neighborhood goods and services in addition to specialty items. Encouraging businesses and activities that will bring people together down- � �� j('r town will begin to create the excitement necessary to develop the vision of It downtown Monticello as a vital place. 4 Industrial development in Monticello exhibits characteristics similar to many other communities in the I-94 corridor between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. # Monticello has experienced substantial demand from small and medium-sized businesses seeking expansion space and less expensive land than is available f. closer to the Twin Cities. The strongdemand for industrial space currently '.� P being experienced in the Twin Cities is mirrored in development activity in communities in that I-94 corridor— a trend that will likely continue provided •-•"1-....46..r. ' the economy remains stable. Infrastructure... • One of the great symbols of a small town is its watertower—a visual link Workforce and labor issues are key for nearly all industrial businesses. to the entire community, a reference Locating a stable supply of potential workers is increasingly difficult; most point throughout the surrounding land- employers are currently relying on a labor force which is not immediately scape, a physical connection to every home and business, and a manifesta- available in the Monticello area. Also, a significant proportion of Monticello tion of a community's commitment to residents are employed outside of the community, many of whom commute move forward together. In Monticello, daily to the Twin Cities or St. Cloud. Encouraging workers to live in the back-up watertower is located in the heart of the community — in its Monticello proper may be difficult due to limited housing opportunities, but downtown. when possible and when shopping opportunities exist, these people usually become downtown consumers. Therefore, as the community looks to revital- ize its downtown, it must also address the needs in residential development. Commuters have access to larger commercial centers close to the Twin Cities, • which diminishes their attraction to downtown for certain types of goods and services. This plan will not change the shopping habits of all Monticello resi- 1� !1 ;- _, l dents,but the presence of a larger population increases market opportunities- �#41 �r , �' i some of which maytranslate into a wider varietyand number of downtown � .-4`' `- =.r'�: businesses. _ p Broadway... 4' • "Main Street" has changed, but it still feels like the center of town. While the integrity of some buildings has been diminished by changes, they still say "small town" in their scale ands form. As changes are considered, and ? . i * s as new buildings dreplace those that no longer function well, they should reflect the true character of Commuters have opportunities for shopping In Maple Grove and Plymouth,but a growing population base may translate Monticello, without losing the small into expanded retail development in Monticello. town scale they still present. Physical Conditions Monticello's physical environment is not atypical of many small Minnesota communities. Market forces have fragmented the commercial areas, with more contemporary retail centers springing up near I-94 in the last 25 years; while the traditional downtown has lost some of its vibrancy, it is not a sea of - vacant spaces. Traffic volumes have increased on highways creating barriers • • A New Bridge - Revitalizing Monticello's Downtown and Riverfront Page 1:10