04-04-2005 HR MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Housing & Redevelopment Authority April 4, 2005 5. Downtown Revitalization Project Update Page 2 Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich indicated that staff continues to work with MetroPlains in anticipation of the summer project construction of the Downtown Revitalization Project. K»zgAzpnue Parking Lot brcpmz.~reertt Ms. Mehelich indicated that staff is continuing to work with the King Avenue Parking Lot Taskforce to discuss parking lot design and enforcement options. Ms. Mehelich stated that staff has been discussing signage during construction of the parking lot and other forms of communication for businesses and customers. She reviewed the anticipated project schedule and indicated that the parking lot is proposed to be completed by July 4. Chair Wilson questioned what type of signage would be used during parking lot construction. Ms. Mehelich indicated that staff brainstormed with Lisa Raduenz, the transportation consultant who is facilitating the Taskfoce, and the thought was to have the signage geared more towards customers maybe indicating that the construction is temporary and that additional parking is coming soon. Chair Wilson questioned what was on the King Avenue Parking Lot Taskforce agenda for their next meeting. Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz indicated that this will be the first meeting on parking enforcement and Police Chief Jeffrey Beahen will be present to discuss this issue with the Taskforce. Commissioner Kuester questioned if employee parking will be designated by signage or if the employers will be responsible for notifying their employees of where to park. Ms. Steinmetz indicated that this issue will be discussed at the next Taskforce meeting but that the Taskforce did designate the northwest quadrant of the parking lot as employee parking. She indicated that she went door to door to the businesses and questioned how many employees will be parking in the area at any one peak time and that the numbers are higher than originally estimated by the Taskforce. Blu,$'Block P%aerties Ms. Mehelich stated that a purchase agreement between MetroPlains and US Bank was fully executed at the end of February and that depending on the completion of their new facility, US Bank anticipates vacating their current location no later than October 1. Ms. Mehelich indicated that a relocation advisor, Conworth, Inc., has been retained by the city to advise the property/business owners and residential tenants of their statutory relocation rights and to process all relocation claims. She noted that the city is ultimately responsible for meeting relocation regulations but that all relocation costs are being passed directly on to the developer. Small Cities DecelodnaZt Program (SCDP) - Tackson Block Loan Ms. Mehelich stated that a key component of the downtown project included a Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) grant that was awarded to the city from the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in 2004. Ms. Mehelich indicated that although the city's application included a funding request for commercial and rental rehabilitation, a $400,000 grant was awarded specifically to the Jackson Block rental housing new construction component of the application. Ms. Mehelich indicated that the grant application proposed that the city, through its HRA, would lend MetroPlains $400,000 to help fill the financing gap that results from the