2.0. HRSR 03-10-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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, downtown's neighbors. It deserves the same level of attention as we might give River Street or Walnut Street; enhancement of this street will have a positive effect on downtown — as the neighborhood gets 4111/healthier, so too does the downtown. Actions • Pursue development of Broadway with a wide landscaped median and two lane roadway as an introduction to Monticello and the downtown area. • Update zoning to encourage primarily residential development on Broadway outside of downtown (limit additional retail development). • Meet with Wright County to review plans for downtown and Broadway; as this project is programmed at the county level, the need for making them aware of the City's intentions is critical Probable Costs • The county will be making the basic roadway improvements, but the enhancements to their program will fall to the City. The overall cost of the improvements described in the plan (based on improvements made from Palm Street to the area near Mississippi Shores) is estimat- ed to be$4 million. Funding • Tax increment financing might be used here, but it likely could be used in other areas to better serve the whole of the downtown and river- front. • State Aid funds for roadways might be directed to this project. • •Wright County might be a very likely source of funds if they can be made a part of the solution at the start. • Develop Walnut Street as Related Guiding Principles downtown's new"main street" • A compact center: Walnut Street is a new "main street" in this plan, and it lies at the heart of downtown. To make it effective as a walking street, its character must focus on pedestrians —the walking distance of the entire length of this new main street will be about ten minutes. • An identity related to Monticello: As a main street, Walnut Street should be developed with streetlighting, landscaping and signs that are appropriate to Monticello, almost as if it were a billboard with the name of the community written large across its length. • A mix of uses: Like Broadway, to encourage pedestrian activity there must be a high degree of mixed uses, including many two story build- ings. If there is no mixing, there will be no pedestrian activity —and no life for this important downtown street. • Embracing the River: Walnut Street, once it extends past River Street, provides a direct connection to downtown's greatest natural resource. This street should end in dramatic fashion at the Mississippi River. Actions • Extend Walnut Street to River Street; investigate impacts of extension on buildings at the intersection of Walnut and River Street; acquire sites if necessary • Pursue development of acquired sites consistent with the intention of the plan for the "River District"of downtown • • A New Bridge - ' Revitalizing Monticello•s Downtown and Riverfront Page 4:6