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Steering Committee Minutes Pa e 6 <br /> July 14, 1994 O T1 <br /> U vt <br /> • railroad, or walls with walking bridges over the tracks. Robert Dare, business U <br /> owner, felt the railroad may be an asset in the future for providing mass transit <br /> opportunities to Minneapolis and St. Paul. <br /> Pat Dwyer noted the downtown area has been studied over and over, but the <br /> same problems remain, such as cost of redevelopment and parking. Service- <br /> oriented businesses will likely locate in downtown, but some type of <br /> redevelopment project will be required. <br /> Steve Johnson, business owner, commented that it has been past practice to <br /> reinvest commercial tax dollars in residential projects. He suggested that a <br /> portion of the City's taxes be set aside to reinvest in its downtown. <br /> Discussion followed regarding the T.I.F. program. <br /> Bill Rubin informed the Committee that there are many positive attributes in the <br /> downtown area. There are no boarded up buildings downtown, it is clean, and <br /> the recent landscaping and expansion projects in the downtown are attracting <br /> attention. Also, Elk River is unique in that it has an actual "Main Street" . <br /> Discussion followed regarding boundaries of the downtown. Don Heinzman <br /> explained that business owners north of the railroad tracks do not seem to feel <br /> they are a part of the downtown and questioned the definition of "downtown". <br /> Bill Rubin referred to the map outlining the central business district, including the <br /> C l, Central Business District, the core downtown area, and areas complimenting <br /> the downtown such as the East Main Street corridor. Bill stated that the defining <br /> the downtown would likely be an internal issue. <br /> Hank Duitsman stated that some commercial tax dollars do go back into the <br /> downtown by providing police and fire protection, and other services, indicating <br /> that he hopes a plan for the downtown can be agreed upon so that some type <br /> of funding can be provided in the future. Arne Engstrom emphasized if money is <br /> not available to invest now, the City can create a theme by using the mechanics <br /> of the ordinance to regulate construction and remodeling in the downtown area. <br /> Margo Foster expressed her concern that retail in the downtown area not be <br /> limited to a service district that would coexist with retail. Pat Dwyer agreed there <br /> are retail uses that would be compatible. <br /> The concept of entrances to the downtown businesses and shops facing the river <br /> was discussed. Mr. Dare expressed his concern for the deteriorating riverbank, <br /> noting that 12 to 15 feet have eroded away since his business located there. <br /> Marlon Glines indicated he did not feel either of his businesses were part of the <br /> downtown, one being north of the railroad tracks and the other on East Main <br /> Street. He agreed that the downtown area is appropriate for service-oriented <br /> businesses and specialty retail, and that people would be more likely to spend <br /> time walking around in the downtown area. <br />