Agenda 08-17-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The City should commit to a"master plan" which includes such things as . landscaping, parking lots, signage, and anticipated pedestrian patterns. An opportunity exists in a master plan to identify some common threads - such as signage or certain landscape elements. Once put in place, the common themes could reinforce Elk River's downtown own identity - that of a"village square". • Commit Public Funds Public funds, regardless of how scarce, should be committed to downtown redevelopment opportunities, public space opportunities or to infrastructure projects as they emerge. Public funds may take the form of tax increment financing, the HRA annual levy, or the EDA's supplemental micro - loan fund. • Provide Access to the River Work is currently underway to plan, design, fund, and construct a pathway along the Mississippi River in the Elk River CBD. This project has great potential and will go a long way towards helping residents, shoppers, and visitors rediscover a long - neglected asset -the Mississippi River. Preliminary designs of the pathway are beginning to emerge and its construction is recommended. • Establish Off- Street Parking Standards/Evaluate Building Code Restrictions in the CBD The CBD task force recommends that the City of Elk River explore the easing of off- • street parking requirements in downtown Elk River. In addition, the Uniform Building Code may represent a barrier to most businesses or investors seeking to renovate or upgrade buildings in the downtown. Additional businesses may be attracted to the CBD if these restrictions were eased. However, there is a delicate balance between easing the restrictions at the expense of public safety issues. • Work Together* Elected and appointed officials will play a vital role in shaping a true "public/private" partnership. • Expand the Service Base* Through its zoning controls, the City of Elk River will play a large role in determining the appropriate mix of businesses in the downtown. If additional property needs to be rezoned to accommodate more service providers, the task force recommends this course of action. • Capitalize on What's Downtown* Through its financing programs, the City of Elk River may play a large role in helping retain the businesses currently located in the CBD. Loan fund polices may have to be re-evaluated to enable greater access to the supplemental funds by downtown businesses. Perhaps zero interest loans could be made available to • downtown businesses - only if the businesses agree to retain some historic or architectural character to their renovations. *Recommendations that appear on both lists cbdtask