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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />City Council :Minutes <br />May 9, 2005 <br /> <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />Councilmember Farber inquired if twin homes could be considered in the Mixed Use. <br /> <br />Mayor Klinzing inquired about the houses that are now up for sale and is there a financial <br />vehicle in place to obtain or hold these properties and why this hasn't been done. <br /> <br />Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich stated that she felt the reason the <br />HRA hasn't pursued acquisition was financial. Also, the HRA has discussed a general policy <br />in whether the HRA wants to be in front of a redevelopment or work with the private sector <br />in encouraging them to consider this area for redevelopment. The developer would <br />undertake those initial costs of acquisition and negotiate the best they can similar to what the <br />HRA has done on the south side for the MetroPlains development. The HRA has decided <br />to wait and to encourage discussions among developers for opportunities for that area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Farber stated that he feels we should take a more aggressive approach to <br />buy properties that are up for sale with the possibility of putting a project together. <br /> <br />Councilmember Morin stated that he felt we should float the ideas first, let the market take <br />over with the hope the developers would work with uS first rather than the HRA buying up <br />the properties now. If it looks like it is going nowhere, we can move into that mode. Part of <br />the reason is that we are still recovering from the other part of the downtown area. <br />Hopefully enthusiasm will catch on for this part of north downtown and if it doesn't then <br />the HRA can take action at that point. <br /> <br />Mayor Klinzing stated that she was recently asked about parking for businesses that are <br />going into homes on Jackson and the east side of Main, whether there is leniency on parking <br />requirements. She stated that she would like uS to find a program that would allow the City <br />to buy these properties. She suggested looking at Small City grants. <br /> <br />Chair Wilson stated that the HRA is in agreement but wishes to have a plan or concept to <br />work from. He is glad that the Council is in agreement and wishes to have the HRA make <br />this happen. <br /> <br />Ms. Mehelich asked for discussion of other priority areas such as the potential of relocation <br />of the post office and the Arrow Building Center area. <br /> <br />Mayor Klinzing feels there is a lack of commercial in the city and feels there is more <br />potential for commercial development in the city and if we have an extension of downtown <br />that can be used for commercial uses, she feels this should be pursued. <br /> <br />Commissioner Toth stated that he feels the main area is from the gas station down to the <br />post office which is somewhat blighted but could be made to compliment the downtown <br />area. His hope is that something would develop there prior to some of these other areas. <br /> <br />Ms. Mehelich stated that we have not received a lot of interest in the north side of <br />downtown. She feels that marketwise that area will be the biggest challenge. She stated thatwe could have HRA acquire some of these properties, market it, and felt that the homes on <br />the eastside of Main Street would go first because of their proximity to highly visible <br />corridors. <br />