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Steering Committee Minutes Page 4 <br /> June 15, 1995 <br /> - Red Wing has been successful using a theme and preserving historic buildings. <br /> • <br /> -some grants and revolving loan fund helped to finance revitalization of <br /> downtown. <br /> Keith Holme <br /> -with taxes and businesses costs, the profit margins are becoming smaller <br /> - many businesses in areas such as Red Wing and Excelsior last a year or two <br /> and then move out <br /> - cost prohibitive to renovate; expensive to put in elevators and sprinkler systems <br /> Pat Dwyer <br /> - no longer tax benefits for historic districts <br /> Arne Engstrom <br /> - old courthouse built better than buildings today <br /> -was demolished because it was to costly to renovate; requirements for <br /> sprinklers, elevators, windows, insulation too restrictive <br /> Robin Tuttle <br /> - Compared Elk River to Stillwater where they have taken advantage of their <br /> riverfront with walkways, specialty shops, restaurants, etc. <br /> - Enhancing the downtown would bring people to the downtown <br /> Marty Glines <br /> -signage restrictions hinder the downtown businesses in drawing people off the <br /> IIIhighway <br /> Chris Kreger <br /> - possibly an "architectural style" could be incorporated in downtown theme <br /> -not in favor of giving up safety to safety to the public to save old buildings <br /> -supports residential use in upper levels of businesses <br /> Barb Maricle <br /> -questioned if rents are too high in downtown; why are businesses leaving? <br /> Bud Houlton <br /> - downtown rent is less than other areas which are $5.00-$5.50 per square foot <br /> plus taxes <br /> - rent is immaterial if retailers can get the draw of people through the door <br /> Jeff Gonctoll <br /> - Discussed softening restrictions in the downtown such as parking, signage, etc. <br /> at EDA workshop. EDA is considering options to offer direct financial <br /> assistance for changes in downtown. <br /> Chris Kreger <br /> - Possible language changes to ordinance to allow more signage and reduce <br /> parking requirements. <br /> Bud Houlton <br /> • - Rules too strict for remodeling; more common sense issues <br />