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<br />November 19, 2012 - Part I Executive Summary, page 2 - <br />Highway 10 planned improvements and the task force’s response <br />to those changes. <br /> <br /> <br />The nature of a redevelopment <br />framework plan demands <br />imagination, a strong vision, and <br />patience. The framework is both a <br />strategic and tactical description of <br />how a community will address <br />complicated issues such as <br />changing markets, commitments <br />to a process and defining an <br />ultimate vision for the future. <br /> <br />The following is a summary of the <br />Task Force’s philosophy behind <br />the framework, some of the key <br />planning elements, and comments regarding its implementation. <br />The mission and vision statements, as shown at the top of this <br />section, drove the formation of this plan. <br /> <br />1. 20-Year Vision- the redevelopment framework is <br />designed by necessity to have a long term horizon for <br />completion. However, this reality should not serve as <br />deterrence to either starting the plan or waiting for ideal <br />market conditions. The framework’s “Implementation <br />Priorities” articulate, in detail, tasks needed to be done within <br />the first three years of plan initiation followed by long term <br />objectives. Working hard in the first three years to establish <br />momentum and excitement will serve to propel the vision <br />forward with commitment and conviction. <br /> <br />The collection of small projects builds more momentum <br />from property owners, stakeholders, and other interests. <br /> <br />2. “Redefine”- the strongest operative words found within <br />the mission statement is…’redefine the “greater downtown <br />area”’…. The word “redefine” carries with it both the most <br />controversial aspect of the redevelopment framework <br />(physical change) but it also explicitly conveys the hope and <br />vision of the plan. The intent of the framework is to respond <br />to time and market changes that have already occurred, and <br />to redefine a context for present and future <br />development/redevelopment opportunities, offering <br />guidance and opportunity for the area to survive these <br />changes, many of which establish a development pattern <br />much different from what the area was formed under. <br />“Redefine” becomes both the vision and the intrinsic value of <br />recognizing the need for careful and guided change. <br /> <br />3. History- the greatest challenge to the Task Force was <br />creating a framework that balanced future changes with the <br />area’s history and environmental assets and opportunities. <br />The framework anticipates saving major core downtown <br />block of buildings at Jackson and Main, the water tower, <br />reinvigorating the single family neighborhoods, re- <br />establishing the Mississippi and the Elk Rivers as a <br />commemoration to past history, by constructing interpretive <br />signage and venues that tells the “Elk River Story”. The <br />framework envisions, in part, the creation of a new history <br />committed to attracting the community as a whole to enjoy <br />this area’s uniqueness and opportunities. Building on our rich <br />history will take time and patience but this objective is a <br />critical tenant of the plan. <br /> <br />This vision, albeit <br />appearing idealistic in <br />form, is a long term <br />plan that allows the <br />City to guide its own <br />fate as development <br />and redevelopment <br />opportunities present <br />themselves to the <br />community.