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proposal. A great opportunity exists to reintroduce the Mississippi • <br /> River to the residents, shoppers, and visitors of Elk River. Funding <br /> will no doubt be a major consideration in making this pathway a <br /> reality. Theories have been discussed ad nauseum and it is time to <br /> have a tangible product from the Committee's efforts. Future <br /> segments of the pathway may connect the downtown area to the <br /> Babcock rest area. Still other segments may connect it to other multi- <br /> use paths that exist in Elk River. <br /> 3. Capitalize on What's Downtown - Spend a half hour downtown some <br /> day and you might be surprised on what you discover. Certainly Elk <br /> River's downtown is anchored by many great financial institutions. <br /> Sandwiched between the banks, you will find many retailers and . <br /> exceptional service providers. They include sporting goods stores, drug <br /> stores, automotive stores, a bakery, and a frame shop/gallery, etc. <br /> Services include a massage therapist, legal and medical providers, a <br /> print shop, and a travel agency, etc. There is a lot to discover in <br /> downtown Elk River. You might be amazed the next time you stop in <br /> at Kemper Drug and see firsthand what's exactly there. <br /> While the retail base has clearly shifted to US Highway 169, • <br /> downtown Elk River is still an excellent location for many services. <br /> Let's capitalize on them. <br /> 4. Work Together - No one individual, company, or public organization <br /> can address the ongoing challenges in an older downtown area. This <br /> will take a group effort - one that can best be described as a <br /> "public/private partnership". On a related note, businesses along Main <br /> Street or Jackson Avenue might consider working together as a single <br /> group too. Time is a precious commodity and it seems as though <br /> everyone is busy trying to earn a living. However, in some cases, <br /> working together may mean the difference between one's economic <br /> survival or demise. <br /> 5. Commit Public Funds - Here's one that will no doubt stir some <br /> discussion. Elk River is a growing community with a seemingly <br /> endless list of projects. Public funds, regardless of how scarce, should <br /> be committed to downtown redevelopment opportunities or to <br /> infrastructure projects as they emerge. The City or its economic <br /> development-redevelopment arms should not be the buyers of last <br /> resort. Investing in speculative real estate transactions is not <br /> recommended either. However, as redevelopment opportunities • <br /> present themselves, public agencies like the HRA./EDA should be the <br /> conduit or catalyst between the seller and the end user. Let's face it, <br /> redevelopment projects are a challenge. That's why it's easier to <br />