5.0. 6.0. 7.0. 8.0. 9.0. HRSR 01-22-2001

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1111 Item #6. City of Elk River MEMORANDUM TO: Housing and Redevelopment Authority Mayor & City Council FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator DATE: January 22, 2001 SUBJECT: Central Business District Sidewalk INTRODUCTION Staff understood that reaching a consensus and decision on what to do with the sidewalks in the central business district would be difficult. This is especially true as the sidewalk decision is being made prior to an updated • downtown comprehensive plan being completed. There are as many options for a downtown sidewalk plan, as there are individuals with opinions about what looks good and what we can afford. I think everyone is going to have to come with "compromise" on his or her mind if a consensus is to be reached on the sidewalk replacement project. After numerous staff meetings and discussions, our recommendation is that the sidewalks in the central business district, including the King and Main site, should be all the same. The downtown area needs one consistent look and appearance. Two or more sidewalk designs installed downtown will give the impression that the project was not well planned and the area will have a disjointed or hodgepodge look. Additionally, it is our recommendation that the best look for downtown is the Cobblestone paver in the random pattern rather than the Symetry paver in the venetian parquet pattern (see attached brochures). Regarding which concrete paver design is best downtown; it is still staffs recommendation that a solid (100%) Cobblestone paver is best. We have some combination paver/flat gray design options available for review and consideration, but the various widths of the downtown sidewalk and the cutting of the pavers make it difficult for some of the paver/flat gray • combinations to look good. The extra cost between the total paver and a 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD &Phone(763) 441-7420 • Fax(763) 441-7425