09-07-2021 HRA MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 4 September 7, 202] infrastructure cost and subsequent impacts to other areas of downtown. He suggested revisiting this topic in five years after the 169 Redefine project is completed. Chair Toth asked if the Highway 10 project will ever happen and how will it affect downtown. Mr. Femrite indicated it would depend ultimately on what was built. He stated the original MnDOT geometrics presented in 2010 were constructed to show the realignment of Jackson to come out through the King Avenue parking lot and reconnect with Main Street, so many things would be changed. He felt it would be a completely different study and a new review would be required. Commissioner Ovall stated the parking assessment study data sets were interesting from 2015-2019 and noted the data also included multiple days and times, including Saturdays. He stated he felt crossing Highway 10 would be challenging. He suggested the 104 parking spaces could be removed from the study since they didn't provide a high level of parking supply because they aren't easily acceptable. He stated by no means does this diminish the report and its findings and liked going through this report. He appreciated this report and liked that they did this study. Commissioner Wagner discussed when taking away the scientific data, she asked why the HRA did this study. She stated it was because they listened to residents at an open forum and their desire for a more pedestrian -friendly crossing, and downtown business owners wanted the same thing. She wondered if the study would grade the same after the 169 Redefine if the one-way were implemented on Jackson. Commissioner Wagner expressed her thoughts on how dangerous Jackson and Highway 10 is with traffic patterns and speed and was hoping to increase the safety in this area. Commissioner Chuba asked for clarification of the configuration of the Jackson one way and Mr. Fernrite pointed out the example configuration on Page 15 of the study. Commissioner Swenson stated this was great information to have and doesn't want to change things until after the 169 Redefine is completed. Commissioner Chuba stated he questions the increase of traffic from Otsego over the Parrish Avenue bridge due to their population growth and development. Commissioner Ovall stated the study provided the data to show we really didn't provide the clear beacon we were hoping for, and now we can show the study and is huge for priority projects and get shovel ready as it stands out as a high priority and changes everything. He stated he appreciates the report and feedback from Mr. Femrite. Chair Toth stated they need to provide this information to the city council based on their request regarding redevelopment of downtown. He stated there's still lots of work to do. Commissioner Swenson stated the HRA can take this information and digest it.