5.1. PCSR 08-24-2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r ger r c oage GRE Plant Reuse Support Artisan Manufacturing If decommissioned,the GRE Power Plant site,located To make room for artisan manufacturing,live-work spaces on the Mississippi riverfront between Highway 10 and many municipalities such as Nashville,TN,and Indianap- Highway 169,provides a unique opportunity for business olis,IN have developed innovative zoning code amend- park development.The site is currently divided by the ments that create clear categories for arts and culture-re- BNSF railroad,creating two plots,one east and one west of lated uses(such as small batch production of textiles)and the rail line.The eastern portion of the site is anticipated to removed barriers and special permit requirements for continue operation with the installation of a combustion artisan and micro-businesses.To support artisan manu- turbine by 2022 while the western portion of the site hosts facturing in Elk River the City should assess and update the the majority of the business operations for the facility.If I-1 Light Industrial Zoning District to permit artisan manu- GRE were to relinquish ownership of the western portion facturing that allows live-work spaces as of right. of the site,the City should encourage business park uses as it has vehicular access off Highway 10,would provide desir- Establish an Incubator Space able waterfront views to tenants,and would be compatible The City should work with regional partners such as the with the heavy industrial uses to the east and residential University of Minnesota,Cargill,Great River Energy, uses to the north.New development in this area should Sportech Inc,and Medtronic to establish an incubator in also provide pedestrian access to Babcock Memorial Park Elk River to support researchers who want to bring new and the waterfront. technology to market.The City should model the incubator space off of the University of Minnesota Venture Center Business Park and provide a robust system of support,partnerships,and programming to allow startups to establish themselves The City has the opportunity to become a hub for business in the City when they have graduated from the incubator and commerce in the region as it is already well positioned stage. at the confluence of multiple major highway routes and Minneapolis regional rail.To support and make the City more attractive to employers and sectors with higher wage jobs,the City should encourage business park uses at stra- tegic locations along Highway 169 and Highway 10 that can leverage views of the Mississippi River and natural ameni- ties like the extensive tree canopy and wetland habitats found throughout the City.Further,business park devel- opment should utilize low impact design and conservation design to preserve these natural amenities and create attractive campuses that showcase Elk Rivers natural assets.Business park developments should be utilized as a transitional use between higher intensity industrial and other lower intensity uses such as residential neighbor- hoods in the City. Elk River Comprehensive Plan•Economic Development Plan 73 DRAFT FOR REVIEW ONLY