05-01-2006 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes May 1, 2006 Page 3 . 5.2. Temporary Changes to Downtown Traffic Flow Plan Community Development Director Scott Clark indicated that staff met this afternoon with representatives from Vanman Architects and Builders, Flannery Construction, CSS Builders, and MetroPlains to discuss temporary changes to the downtown traffic flow plan. Mr. Clark explained that when the original traffic flow plan was approved in July 2005, it included the Jackson and Bluff projects but since that time, The Bank of Elk River project and the city's Rivers Edge Park project have also been included. He stated that The Bank of Elk River's contractor is requesting traffic on Main Street be rerouted for a period of up to three months so retaining wall work and other improvements on the front side of the bank can be made which will require equipment to be located along a portion of Main Street between Jackson Avenue and Highway 10. Mr. Clark also stated that extensive utility work on Main Street (which is driven by MetroPlains) will also create the necessity for traffic to be rerouted for three to four weeks in the fall. . Mr. Clark indicated that an additional factor in this consideration is the necessity of MetroPlains to start construction on Jackson Place immediately following the transfer of Jackson Square. He stated that MetroPlains has completed all the necessary steps in the Development Agreement to accomplish the transfer of Jackson Square and it is of their opinion that construction will commence around June 15,2006. He explained that the original traffic flow plan approved by the Council in July 2005 included J ackson Avenue becoming a one-way south to allow MetroPlains to have their construction fence extend 30- feet into Jackson Avenue. Mr. Clark indicated that staff has discussed with MetroPlains the . feasibility of having their construction limits extending only to the curb line until the re- opening of Main Street but MetroPlains is of the opinion that this physically will not work and that they plan on abiding by the original traffic flow plan. Mr. Clark explained staff has had numerous meetings with all affected departments and has been in constant contact with the Rivers Edge Downtown Business Association's members to explain the situation and the preliminary recommendations. He stated that the city's main concerns are for public safety and to keep the downtown businesses viable during construction. Mr. Clark presented the two options to the Council as outlined in his staff report. Mr. Clark explained that staff is recommending option two which includes traffic to be diverted around Main Street between Jackson Avenue and Parrish Avenue for a period of up to three months beginning May 8 and with through traffic resuming sometime in early August. He stated that during the time that Main Street is rerouted and Jackson becomes a one-way, the city has the option to convert the parking on Main Street from Jackson Avenue to King Avenue from diagonal and parallel to 90 degree, head-in parking which would almost double the amount of parking. Mr. Clark reviewed the Downtown Business MarketingPlan the purpose of which is to provide a structure and organization for downtown business marketing efforts with target audiences throughout various construction projects happening in downtown Elk River, which are projected to last from Spring 2006 through Fall 2007. Mayor Klinzing thanked the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, city staff, and downtown businesses for taking the time to develop a plan. She stated that parking is the most important issue and no one wants the construction to negatively impact the downtown businesses. . Councilmember Dietz explained that he has an issue with the closure of Main Street and a lane of Jackson Avenue at the same time. He stated that MetroPlains had their construction