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Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 3 <br />Apri19, 2007 <br />Ms. Mehelich questioned the types of retail the EDA would like to see. <br />Commissioners Motin and Klinzing stated they would like to see a big bog retail area similar <br />to the Wal-mart area in Elk River. <br />Commissioner Gongoll stated he could see it as a small boutique neighborhood center. <br />Mr. Barnhart created a sample drawing of the land uses the EDA is requesting. <br />Mr. Maurer stated there will be some constraints to the site due to wetlands and gas lines. <br />Ms. Mehelich questioned how Maxfield Research, Inc., considered the viability of developing <br />retail in this proximity from the rail station. <br />Mr. Martin stated the key feature they considered for the rail station is walkability. He stated <br />if a site can be walkable, you will keep people there to utilize the retail; but once they are in <br />the car they can go anywhere. He stated the city shouldn't count on rail as a draw for retail. <br />Commissioner Moon disagreed with the walkability component. He stated people coming <br />home at the end of night don't walk and shop and they don't have time in the morning to <br />shop. He stated commuters plan their trips to the rail station to within five minutes of an <br />available train. He stated it is not walkable from the rail station to the Gateway Business <br />Park. <br />Ms. Mehelich stated people catching the train will come and go in short time frames limited <br />to the train's arrival. She questioned the support of retail businesses for the non-commuter <br />times throughout the day. She noted initially there w~11 be limited train trips from the station. <br />Mr. Claxk noted there will be competition with Elk River Station and their retail <br />development. <br />Ms. Mehelich questioned if the study area scope was broadened to include adjacent private <br />parcels for development, would that improve the market opportunity for retail. <br />Mr. Martin stated it would but the city would need to improve the access to the southern <br />portion of the site. <br />8. Adjournment <br />The meeting of the Elk River Economic Development Authority adjourned at 6:30 p.m. <br />Tina Allard <br />City Clerk <br />