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City of <br /> Elk Special Meeting of the Elk River <br /> River Housing and Redevelopment Authority <br /> Held at the Elk River City Hall <br /> Thursday, February 25, 2021 <br /> Members Present: Vice Chair Denny Chuba, Commissioners Nate Ovall,Jayme Swenson,and <br /> Jennifer Wagner <br /> Members Absent: Chair Larry Toth <br /> Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner,Planning Manager Zack Carlton,Economic <br /> Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, and Sr. Admin. Assistant/Recording <br /> Secretary Jennifer Green <br /> I. Call Meeting to Order Joe <br /> Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Housing and <br /> Redevelopment Authority was called to order at 4:04 p.m. by Vice Chair Chuba. <br /> 2. Main and Gates Redevelopment Discussion Ir <br /> Ms. Eddy presented the staff report and asked about any fe back from Monday night's <br /> community meeting as it pertained to Main and Gates. <br /> Commissioner Ovall noted the downtown area is constricie by Highway 10, the railroad, <br /> and the river. He stated he is supportive of creating a corridor from downtown to the Main <br /> and Gates area,which would require MnDOT support in improving pedestrian traffic across <br /> Highway 10. He felt it was clear from Monday night's meeting that the community was very <br /> supportive of whatever the city could do to facilitate this. <br /> Commission Wagner agreed that pedestrian safety was a concern heard from Monday's <br /> meeting and asked how the city addresses this. As a councilmember, she stated she has <br /> worked as an advocate for pedestrian-friendly travel and commented this year, construction <br /> will take place along Highway 10 of the lighted trail from downtown to Lake Orono. She <br /> wondered how a full connection for safe pedestrian movement could occur from Highway <br /> 169 to Lake Orono. She stated she also heard comments that residents were open to <br /> redevelopment downtown and were open to something if it fit, something lower key, and <br /> something that builds up the outside of the core area. <br /> Commission Chuba stated the wildcard is the highway. He stated he liked the proposal that <br /> Mr. Hartung brought forwards because it contained a hotel and wondered if it were <br /> marketed properly would it be successful. He also mentioned a tunnel but noted there would <br /> be security concerns. <br /> Commissioner Ovall wondered if MnDOT would consider a pedestrian overpass over <br /> Highway 10, noting he was impressed with how MnDOT listened to the city when putting <br /> the overpass over Highway 169. <br />