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<br />Downtown Redevelopment Plan Taskforce :Minutes <br />December 4, 2006 <br /> <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />Dynamics of Change <br />Scott Clark presented information regarding how Elk River has changed over the years. He <br />presented a commercial radius map, which visually indicated downtown's size in relationship <br />to the size of the commercial areas along Hwy 169. Mr. Clark and the taskforce discussed <br />that Hwy 10 downtown used to be Elk River's main commercial area but now Elk River's <br />main commercial area is along Hwy 169. Mr. Clark also discussed the competitive <br />advantages that Ramsey and Otsego may have over Elk River. <br /> <br />Member Holme commented that he is concerned about "tying" downtown north of Hwy 10 <br />together with downtown south of Hwy 10 due to the physical and safety constraints to cross <br />Hwy 10. He also mentioned his concern that there is no grocery store downtown. <br /> <br />Member T oth added that downtown does not mean much to newer Elk River residents, who <br />are a large portion of Elk River's population and that the taskforce needs to figure out how <br />to get those newer residents downtown. Member Toth also agreed with member Holme <br />that there needs to be a grocery store downtown. <br /> <br />Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis <br />The taskforce broke into four small groups and completed a SWOT analysis. The results of <br />the analysis are attached to these minutes. <br /> <br />Question/Answer Session <br />After the SWOT was completed, the taskforce answered the following question: Is the <br />former/current model of downtown still viable? Why or why not? Twelve taskforce <br />members answered "no" and one member was unsure. Additional comments are attached <br />to these minutes. <br /> <br />6. Next Steps <br />Member Rymanowski asked if future meetings will last three hours. Ms. Kvilvang indicated <br />that members should plan on meeting for three hours but that some meetings may not last <br />that long. She added that a typical redevelopment plan takes twelve meetings to complete <br />rather than the taskforce's estimated eight meetings. She and staff feel that in respect to <br />members'time, eight meetings will allow the plan to be completed before the busy summer <br />season. <br /> <br />7. Final Comments <br />Each taskforce member stated what he/ she thought about the second meeting. Most <br />members indicated that they thought the SWOT analysis and final question were eye <br />opening. <br /> <br />Submitted by, <br /> <br />#d.f~ <br /> <br />Heidi Steinmetz <br />Assistant Director of Economic Development <br />