5.1. HRSR 06-05-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF ELK RIVER DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION O&A NEWSLETTER JUNE 2005 Q. A. Q A. (;?. A. Will the construction have impacts on traffic and businesses in the downtown area? Yes, it will occasionally make traffic more difficult. The City's primary concern is for the safety of pedestrians and drivers in the construction area. However, it is also important that access to businesses is maintained to the greatest extent possible. The City will be following construction traffic zone safety techniques. These techniques assure the safety of pedestrians and drivers while permitting pedestrian move- ment and traffic flow in the construction area. The techniques include signage, potential lane changes, warning lights, striping, and other traffic control measures. A City staff per- son will be assigned to coordinate traffic issues with busi- nesses and contractors. Information also will be provided to the public through a variety of means, including the City Web site at www.ci.elk-rivermn.us, news releases to the Elk River Star News and the City Newsletter-The Current. Residents will also be able to provide feedback and ask questions on the City's Web site. What can you tell me about the park that is being planned in conjunction with the Downtown Revitalization Project? In April, 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 (upper right). The concept approved by the Council will consist of a park with four levels that step down the slope to the river. The concept includes the clo- sure of the alley adjacent to the Sunshine Depot (for safety reasons), a downtown square, grassy flat area, an amphitheatre with performance area and a "river room" overlooking the river. How much will the park cost and when would it be developed? More than $200,000 in park dedication fees from the Jackson Place and The Bluffs of Elk River downtown redevel- opment projects has been set aside for construction of the park. The City has not yet determined a final cost estimate of the park construction. It is anticipated that construction of the park will begin Fall of 2006. For more information on the park, please contact the City's Park and Recreation Director, . Bill Maertz at 763-635-1150. (~. I understand that Nadeau's dry cleaners downtown is closing. Was Nadeau's forced to leave downtown because of the redevelopment? A. No, Nadeau's was not forced to leave because of the down- town redevelopment. The City Council passed a special orc Hance to allow dry cleaners (through a conditional use per- mit) to locate anywhere in the City. This would accommodate any dry cleaning business to locate in the downtown. However, the process of downtown redevelopment in a com- munity can be disruptive to businesses, especially those that must look at relocating or becoming part of a new develop- ment. In this situation, Nadeau's has recently advised the City that they have made a business decision to close and not relocate within the downtown area. ~. Who can I contact if I have questions about Downtown Revitalization or construction activities downtown? A. You can contact the Elk River Economic Development Department at 763-635-1040. Other ways to keep informed about the Downtown Revitalization include: • Visit the City's Web site at www.ci.elk-rivermn.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 c;tY or and in the City's newsletter-The Elk Current, which is distributed as a Star News insert every other month. ~Ver Model of City Council approved park design. Architect's rendering of The Bluffs of Elk River at Main Street and County Road 42.