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1 City Council Minutes April 5, 1982 Page Five plan. Mr. Schumacher indicated that in 1979, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored a commercial study to review the downtown commercial district and to make recommen- dations to promote the downtown area and a shopping center. Mr. Schumacher in- dicated that a task force was then formed to implement a study, and through the task force the recommendation to form the Housing and Redevelopment Authority was made to the City Council. The Housing and Redevelopment Authority was established to provide the City with an agency to work with the business community and develop- ers to provide a commercial environment for the community of Elk River. Mr. Schu- macher indicated that in 1981, Zack Johnson Associates was retained to study the area and make a recommendation for a redevelopment plan for the City. Mr. Schu- macher indicated that the redevelopment plan is a long range plan and that the im- plementation of it depends entirely upon the private sector. Mr. Schumacher indi- cated that the City of Elk River is not in the business of redevelopment and that the owners and developers would be the implementors of the redevelopment plan. Mr. Schumacher further indicated that the City would be involved with the streets, sewer and water systems, and to help coordinate the redevelopment with the private sector. Mr. Schumacher then introduced Mr.Jerry Messman and Mr. Zack Johnson of Zack John- son Associates, to make a slide presentation of the redevelopment plan. Mr. Zack Johnson indicated that the redevelopment plan consisted of approximately a fifteen block area which includes the present downtown commercial zone, involving the area of Jackson to 6th Street, west to Fullerton Lumber, and east to the City Hall, and north of the grocery store approximately one block. Mr. Johnson indicated that the basic concept was to have a strong central area with offices, commercial space and perhaps some multi-family. Mr. Johnson indicated that the plans involved a focal point or entry to the downtown area with the area north of the tracks serving as a commercial service district. Mr. Johnson reviewed the general land use with sug- gested plans for specific parcels and an overall general plan of the total area. Mr. Johnson further indicated that it was recommended that the first priority in the redevelopment plan is to fill the uses along Main Street and the town square with the addition of a building on the other side of the proposed town square area and that the second priority.would then be to fill the outer edges of the town square area with office and multi-family as suggested in the plan. Mr. Johnson further expressed the need of the private sector and developers to be involved in the redevelopment plan. Mayor Hinkle then opened the public hearing to the audience. Mr. Neil Larson ques- tioned the possibility of tax increment financing for the development of the down- town area and asked what the City Council's policy was regarding tax increment fi- nancing. Mr. Neil Larson further questioned the Council regarding any active plans now in progress. Mr. Johnson indicated that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority is open to different financing tools of which tax increment financing or industrial revenue bonds could be considered, and further indicated that no formal plan has or is in progress at this time. Mr. Schumacher indicated that a tax increment plan must be of significant size as there are certain findings that must be provided in order for it to be designated as a tax increment district. Mr. Schumacher further indicated that not all projects would qualify for a tax increment district. Mr. Zack Johnson indicated that the