Laserfiche WebLink
<br />November 19, 2012 -Part I, page 11 - <br />IIII.. SSuummmmaarryy ooff EExxiissttiinngg CCoonnddiittiioonnss <br /> <br />The Plan grew out of information collected and considered by the Task Force over several months. This section of the Plan highlights <br />some of the key data sources that contributed to the planning process. <br /> <br />The Changing Face of Downtown <br />Historically, Elk River was a “freestanding community” (characterized by distance from the metropolitan area, self- contained economy, <br />and limited transportation routes). An essential element of all freestanding communities was a core downtown area that served a highly <br />agrarian economy. As is the case with many cities that are on the edge of the metropolitan area, the form and function of our downtown <br />has changed based on a series of factors, these being: <br /> <br /> Incorporation of the City of Elk River and the Township in the <br />late 1970’s started the process of land development through <br />public utility extensions. <br /> <br /> As part of this process, the TH 169 corridor opened to <br />commercial development ultimately creating competition for <br />the downtown area, starting in the early 1980’s. <br /> <br /> Over the past thirty years, shopping habits have shifted to <br />larger complexes of value and destination shopping. <br /> <br /> Loyalty to shopping areas has been replaced by value attached <br />to location and accessibility. <br /> <br /> As retail moved out of our downtown area it has <br />been replaced with office uses. Less retail starts the <br />chain of other retail uses not having a significant synergy to exist and in turn, seeking other market areas. <br /> <br /> The economic downturn starting in 2008 has hampered ability of smaller businesses from opening or continuing businesses. It is these <br />businesses that are the primary market for a downtown area of our size.