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City Council Minutes Page 3 <br />February 22, 2021 <br />----------------------------- <br />empty most of the time except for Farmer’s Market event days. Better <br />signage for accessibility is needed. <br /> Some development/redevelopment to keep downtown thriving. <br /> Not a need for high density housing and suggest having it located outside the <br />core downtown area (the few blocks where the businesses are mostly located, <br />not what the city considers downtown). <br /> Additional amenities for park users such as public restrooms and water <br />fountains, so they are not using nearby businesses unless they are customers. <br /> More community events such as a Thanksgiving parade, 5k races, and winter <br />fireworks. <br /> A traffic study to consider changing Jackson Avenue to a one-way to provide <br />more convenience to businesses. <br /> Would like downtown to be a destination and not a cut-through for traffic. <br /> Marquee signage listing the businesses. <br /> Better accessibility over Highway 10 such as a pedestrian bridge. <br /> Destination businesses and for businesses to be able to take advantage of the <br />river, such as canoe/kayak rentals. <br /> Boutique hotel or use of old houses (bed & breakfast). <br /> Use of what is currently downtown for infrastructure and not necessarily <br />adding new buildings. <br /> Maintaining the current charm. <br /> <br />Ms. Leedahl, speaking personally and not for DERBA, said she would like to see <br />everyone work together and to have building consistency, such as historical <br />information or a placard about the building or business. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer asked Ms. Leedahl to explain DEBRA because many don’t <br />know about it. <br /> <br />Ms. Leedahl explained DERBA noting there are about 100 members with 10-20 <br />active businesses. <br /> <br />Leo Dombrovski, 834 Xenia Avenue, stated downtown is a diamond in the rough, <br />noting it is currently very vintage and people like it. He expressed concern with <br />accessibility for walking and biking, noting it is dangerous to cross the highway. He <br />stated a parking ramp and hotel are not a good fit. He suggested more events. He <br />said the City of St. Cloud installed a ring road to attract more people, but it killed <br />their downtown. <br /> <br />rd <br />Michele Cole, 515 3 Street, expressed the need for more accessibility from the north <br />side of the highway. She stated more walking friendly and no hotel. <br /> <br />Vicky Stevenson, 19850 Watson Circle, stated more parking is needed for the <br />summer activities. She stated it’s a nightmare to safely navigate the area and would <br />like a spot to grab a takeout order quickly. She stated there is a need to get people <br />who park on the north side of the highway to the south side. She stated you can’t <br />stop development and growth but can protect it and make it beautiful. <br /> <br />