5. HRSR 02-06-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF ELK RIVER DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION Q&A NEWSLETTER IANI I~GV Anna (continued from previous page) For information on the availability of housing and retail units, call the following numbers: Commercial inquiries for both projects: 763-746-9400 The Bluffs of Elk River condo sales: 763-633-7010 Jackson Place apartment rental: 763-241-4004 Q. Have traffic patterns changed downtown since project construction began? A. Yes. First, the King Avenue access from Highway 10 was permanently closed to provide room for more parking. Second, the City Council has approved a traffic flow plan for during construction. The plan will change as construction and other circumstances evolve. The no left turn signs from 3-6pm onto Main Street from Parrish Avenue have now been removed and The Bluffs of Elk River construction zone encroaches onto Main Street, making it narrower for drivers. It is still a two-way street, but this could change once The Bank of Elk River expansion project begins this spring. Q. How is public parking being handled downtown? A. There is designated parking for downtown employees in the King Avenue municipal parking lot. There are many large parking signs identifying the public lot from Highway 10 and Main Street and addi- tional signage within the lot directing employees and shoppers where to park. The Police Department is issuing parking permits at no charge to all downtown employees and to residents who live above Brick Block businesses. Contact the Elk River Police Department to receive your permit. The on-street parking available downtown is also appropriately signed. The Police Department enforces downtown parking along the street and within all municipal parking lots to ensure that the best parking remains available for shoppers. Q. If we get a big snowstorm, does the City have a plan for snowplowing downtown? A. Yes. The City's Streets Superintendent has developed a plan in case of a heavy snowfall to ensure downtown stays open for business. The plan pays special attention to the streets already impacted by con- struction to ensure continued free movement of traffic in those areas. In addition, the snow will be plowed as quickly as possible. Q. Were the downtown flag pole and the gazebo relocated? A. Yes. The 100-foot flag pole that was donated to the City by Cretex Companies in 1983 was moved by the City from Jackson Square to east of the Elk River School District building and west of the King Avenue parking lot. Several local groups expressed an interest in the gazebo but because of the cost of moving the gazebo, decided against it. The gazebo was sold intact at the City's auction this past summer to a private party from Otsego. The gazebo was originally built in 1996 to honor the City's 150th anniversary by the River's Edge Downtown Association and other volunteers with materials donated by the City. 4. Is the City coordinating the construction along the river with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)? A. Yes. The City's Environmental Administrator stays in contact with the DNR about the construction to ensure that there are no issues and concerns and the project complies with all DNR regulations. The City has its own Environmental Division and takes issues like the monitor- ing of this development very seriously. ll. What can you tell me about the park that is being planned in conjunction with the Downtown Revitalization Project? A. In April of 2005, the City Council approved a concept design for the park, which will be located in the green space between the Cinema Professional Building and the Sunshine Depot in downtown Elk River. The concept approved by the Council will consist of a park with three levels that step down the slope to the river. The concept includes the closure of the alley adjacent to the Sunshine Depot and removal of four parking stalls (both for safety reasons), a downtown square, an amphitheatre with performance area and a river overlook. Construction of the park is anticipated to begin in late spring. For more information on the park, please contact the City's Park and Recreation Director at 763-635-1150. ll. What is happening with The Bank of Elk River expansion project? A. The Bank of Elk River is undergoing an expansion of its corporate offices which will create about $2.9 million in increased market value for the downtown. The result will be a 20,000 square foot expansion of their existing facility downtown. Because it is going to cost the bank significantly more money to do their expansion project down- town than it would be to construct a new building on bare land, the Elk River Housing & Redevelopment Authority has agreed to a rebate of $300,000, which is a portion the new property taxes generated from the project. The Bank is also requesting that Sherburne County rebate a matching share of $300,000 for the same period of time. The County will review this request in February. The expansion will accommodate current and future growth for the bank's corporate offices and ensure it can remain downtown Elk River. The Bank antici- pates commencing construction this spring. Q. Who can I contact if I have questions about Downtown Revitalization or construction activities downtown? A. You can contact the Elk River Economic Development Division at 763-635-1040. Other ways to keep informed about the Downtown Revitalization include: • Visit the City's Web site at www.ci.elk-river.mn.us and click on the "Downtown Revitalization Project" link found under the "News & Events" section of the City's home page. • Attend HRA and City Council meetings or watch them on ERtV Channel 12. Meeting information is available on the City Web site. • Read the Elk River Star News. Articles on the project frequently appear in the Star News and in the City's newsletter The Current, which is distributed as a Star News insert every other month. ver