Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.28.08 EDA Packet . AGENDA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY April 28, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. City Council Chambers. City Hall Members 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Approve Agenda Procedural Matters (Tina) i. Election of Officers ii. Adoption of By-Laws (7:00 p.m.) Mayor Kevan Soderberg Christy Jo Fogarty David McKnight 4. Citizens Comments/Presentations Steve Wilson 5. Consent Agenda (see attached) a. January 28, 2008 EDA Meeting Minutes b. March 24, 2008 EDA Meeting Minutes c. Bills d. March Budget Details 6. Public Hearings (None) David Pritzlaff City Staff Representatives Peter Herlofsky City Administrator . Tina Hansmeier Economic Development Specialist Lisa Dargis Administrative Assistant 7. Unfinished Business a. Exchange Bank Building (Lisa) b. Rental Property -Former Liquor Store (Tina) c. McVicker and Riste Lot Updates (Tina) i. Appearance ii. Sale Options d. City Hall (Tina) 325 Oak Street Farmington, MN 55024 8. New Business a. Business Development Grant (Lisa) b. Industrial Development Strategy (Lisa) c. Certificate of Completion (Tina) d. Regional Economic Development Web site (Tina) Phone: 651.463. 7111 http://www.ci.farmington.mn.us 9. City Staff Reports a. Economic Update, see attached b. Downtown Idea Exchange, see attached c. CDBG Status Report, see attached d. Future Topics, see attached 10. Adjourn . The Farmington EDA 's mission is to improve the economic vitality of the city of Farmington and to enhance the overall quality of life by creating partnerships, fostering employment opportunities, promoting workforce housing and by expanding the tax base through development and redevelopment . . . City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, Minnesota 651.463.7111 . Fax 651.463.2591 www.ci.farmington.mn.us TO: EDA Members FROM: Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist SUBJECT: Procedural Matters DATE: April 28th, 2008 INTRODUCTION Attached are the revised Economic Development Authority By-Laws per the EDA discussion at its meeting on March 24, 2008. Also attached is the response from the City Attorney regarding questions that were raised at the last meeting. DISCUSSION Although the items listed below were discussed and input was provided at the last meeting, due to the number of members in attendance it was requested to bring the Election of Officers and the Adoption of By- Laws to the April meeting for action. The following needs to be addressed at this time: a. Election of Officers Section 1, subd. 3 of the EDA By-Laws provides that each year, the EDA shall choose a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. In the past, the EDA's procedure in this regard typically involved a nomination for Chairperson, a second, and a vote, followed by a similar process for the Vice-Chairperson. b. Adoption of By-Laws A copy of the proposed by-laws has been enclosed. If they appear to be acceptable, a motion to approve and adopt the by-laws would be in order. ACTION REQUESTED Please provide action or direction for the above listed items. Res~ ctfully submitted, tfarr;rrrretJ Ti a Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist cc: Peter Herlofsky, Jr., City Administrator 2008 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BY-LAWS These By-Laws, when adopted, are intended to deal with matters not otherwise covered by State Law, City Ordinance or elsewhere. . Section 1- Meetines SUBD. I - Regular meetings of the Economic Development Authority shall be held on the fourth (4th) Monday of each month at 7:00 PM. Any regular meeting falling upon a holiday shall be held on the next following business day at the same time and place. All meetings, including special and adjourned meetings, shall be held in the City Hall unless otherwise designated. SUBD. 2 - Special meetings of the Authority may be called by the Chairperson or in written form by any other Jy.'o_ (2) _~~~~~r~ _of !~~ ~!l!l!.O!~ty,_ f11~~ _~i!~ !l!.e)~'S~c!l!iYl? ~i~~c!~r~ }:I~.e_ _ _ _ _ _' - { Deleted: three (3) Executive Director may also call a special meeting. At least 3 days before the meeting, the Executive Director shall notifY each member of the time, place and purpose of the meeting by causing written notice thereof to be delivered to himlher personally if he/she can be found, or, if he/she cannot be found, by leaving a copy at the home of the member with some person of suitable age and discretion residing therein. At least three (3) days prior to the meeting, the Executive Director shall also post notice of the meeting and ifapplicable, notifY each person who has filed an applicable written request for notice, or may, if necessary, provide such other more restricted notice, including but not limited to (as allowed by Statute, such as) M.S. 471.705, subd. 1 C, paragraph g, " if a person receives actual notice of a meeting of a public body at least 24 hours before the meeting, all notice requirements of this subdivision are satisfied with respect to that person, regardless of the method of receipt of notice." Emergency meetings may be held because of circumstances that, in the judgement of the Authority require immediate attention. The notice of special meeting shall state the item(s) to be discussed and acted upon. Items not stated in the notice may be discussed, but no action may be taken if any member objects. Any special meeting attended by a majority of the Authority members shall be a valid meeting for the transaction of business that may come before the meeting. . SUBD. 3 - At the regular Authority meeting in February of each year, the Authority shall (1) designate the official newspaper; (2) establish meeting schedule for the year; and (3) choose a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson, who shall perform the duties of the Chairperson during the Chairpersons disability or absence and in case of a vacancy in the office of Chairperson and until a successor has been appointed and qualifies to fulfill the duties of Chairperson. SUBD. 4 - All Authority meetings, as defined by State Law, including special and adjourned meetings shall be open to the public. The Authority Attorney shall advise the Authority in writing as to his interpretation of the state "Open Meeting Law" and all new members shall be provided such written interpretation. K:\TINA \Economic Development\EDA-HRA\EDA\By-laws\2008 EDA By-Laws. doc 1 . . . . Section II Presidio!?: Officer: Rules of Order SUBD. I - The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Authority. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside. In the absence of both, the Executive Director shall call the meeting to order and shall preside until the Authority members present at the meeting choose one oftheir number to act temporarily as presiding officer. SUBD. 2 - The presiding officer shall preserve order, enforce the rule of procedure herein prescribed, and determine all questions of procedure and order. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by these rules, the proceedings of the Authority shall be conducted in accordance with the following rules of order: A. A Motion must be seconded before being considered by the Authority and the The presiding officer must recognize mover, as well as the seconder. B. Any motion may be withdrawn by its mover with the consent ofhislher second. But a motion, once debated, cannot be withdrawn except by a majority vote of the Authority. C. A motion will not be subject to debate until it has been stated by the presiding officer and he/she has opened it to debate. D. Each member, while speaking, shall confine himselflherselfto the question at hand and avoid all personal, indecorous or sarcastic language. E. Whenever any member of the Authority desires to speak on any question, which affects himlher personally, he/she shall first vacate hislher chair and shall not resume hislher seat until the matter under consideration has been acted upon. He/she shall be allowed to make comments on the question as a private citizen only and while a member of the audience. F. Whenever public hearings are held, the presiding officer, shall allow any member of the public, the privilege of speaking. A reasonable time shall be allowed to anyone as long as they are not repeating points already made. The presiding officer shall maintain order and may rule anyone out of order. G. At any meeting, the presiding officer will allow the public to participate as long as there is reason to believe the input is beneficial. SUBD. 3 - Any member may appeal to the Authority from a ruling of the presiding officer. If the appeal is seconded, the appealing member may speak first on the reason for hislher appeal. General discussion can then take place on the appeal before a vote. The appeal shall be sustained if it is approved by a majority of the members present. K:\TINA\Economic Development\EDA-HRA\EDA\By-laws\2008 EDA By-Laws. doc 2 Section III - A!!endas SUBD. 1 - The agenda shall be prepared by the EDA Executive Director and shall be closed at noon on the Wednesday preceding the meeting for publication purposes. . SUBD. 2 - Any member may place an item on the agenda by so instructing the Executive Director. SUBD. 3 - No item shall be placed on the agenda unless the item is expressed in such a way as to clearly show the subject matter involved SUBD. 4 - The agenda add-ons are subject to approval by a majority vote of the members present and further such add-on items may be discussed, but no action may be taken if any member objects. Section N - Order of Business SUBD. 1 - Each meeting of the Authority shall convene at the time and place appointed therefore. Authority business shall be conducted in the following order: 1) Call to Order 2) Pledge of Allegiance 3) Approve Agenda 4) Approve Consent Agenda a. Bills b. Minutes c. Additional Consent Agenda items 5) Public Hearings 6) Continued Business 7) New Business 8) Executive Director's Report 9) Adjourn . SUBD. 2 - The order of business may be varied by the presiding officer, except that all public hearings shall be held at the time specified in the notice of hearing. Section V - Minutes SUBD. 1 - Minutes of each Authority meeting shall be kept by the Executive Director or, in hislher absence, hislher designee. In the absence of both, the presiding officer shall appoint a secretary pro tem. Resolutions need not be recorded in full in the minutes ifthey appear in other permanent records of the Executive Director and can be accurately identified from the description given in the minutes. SUBD. 2 - Minutes of each meeting shall be reduced to typewritten form, shall be signed by the taker, and copies thereof shall be delivered to each Authority member as soon as practicable after the meeting. At the next regular Authority meeting following such delivery, approval of the minutes shall be considered by the Authority. The minutes need not be read aloud, but the K:\TINA\Economic Development\EDA-HRA\EDA\By-laws\2008 EDA By-Laws.doc 3 . . . . presiding officer shall call for any additions or corrections. If there is an objection, the Authority shall vote upon the addition or correction. If there are no additions or corrections, the minutes shall stand approved by motion. If there is an objection, the Authority shall vote upon the addition or correction and approve the minutes by motion as amended. Section VI - Quorum and V otinl?; SUBD. 1 - At all meetings a majority of all members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. SUBD. 2 - The votes of members on any question pending before the EDA shall be by voice votes. Roll call vote can be requested by any member, except for the following agenda items; approval of the agenda; approval of the consent agenda; and the adjournment. The names of those voting for and against the question shall be recorded in the minutes. If any member present does not vote, the minutes shall state: "Abstain: Name". SUBD. 3 - Except as otherwise provided by statute, a majority vote of the quorum shall prevail. Section VII- Executive Director.. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .' . . {Deleted: ~ . IJ1~ Aut~o.ritvl11<lY ilPPo.i]lt<l~d providefo!'ill1I1L1<llperfo~]~al1~e revJe\~s of <111 I:::x~c.utiv~ .. Director. ...... ... -._ _ _.. . _.. ... _ .. .. m _ Section VIII- Suspension or Amendment of the Bv-Laws SUBD. 1- These by-laws may be temporarily suspended by a unanimous vote of the members present. SUBD. 2 - These by-laws shall not be repealed or amended except by a majority vote of the whole Authority after notice has been given at some preceding meeting. Section IX - Effective Date SUBD. 1 - These by-laws have been adopted by the on the day of immediately. ,20 and becomes effective Attest: EDA Executive Director EDA Chairperson Date: Date: K:\TINA \Economic Development\EDA-HRA\EDA\By-laws\2008 EDA By-Laws. doc 4 i -----' _ ..' Deleted: The City Administrator shall .... .' complete an annual penonnance review of the Executive Director. The City Administrator will provide an opportunity for Authority members to comment on the penormance of the Executive '. Director. " i Deleted: ~ Message Page 1 of!2 Peter Herlofsky From: Joel Jamnik [JJamnik@ck-law.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 26.20085:15 PM To: Cindy Muller Cc: Peter Herlofsky; Tina Hansmeier; Lisa Dargis; Andrea Poehler (External) Subject: RE: EDA Issues Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Red . Cindy, In response to your questions, see the embedded text: At the EDA meeting on March 24, a couple issues were raised for consideration and I would appreciate your assistance in resolving them. 1. In the by-laws, the Executive Director position was designated with a name of a person. The EDA would like to designation a position, like the City Administrator. Is that possible? Yes, but we should change the bylaws to something neutral, such as "...may appoint an executive director" or similar. 2. The official newspaper for City businesses has been the Independent. The EDA would like to know if the same conditions apply to designating an official newspaper for the EDA and would it have to be located within the City. Yes, the s~ rules apply. While Chapter 469 makes the EDA a separate entity or political subdivision, sect!~ 331A.05 provides the same priority ranking for designating official newspapers for all governing bodies of all political subdivisions. If the EDA had a choice, they would prefer This Week rather than the Farmington Independent. 3. The minutes for the January 28, 2008 EDA meeting were provided at the meeting. None of the members of the Council were at the last EDA meeting, the EDA wants to know what is the best way for them to approve the minutes since none of the members of the EDA were the same as those at the EDA meeting on the 28th. Your assistance with this item would also be appreciated. While it has been the custom and practice of the members of the City Council and boards in Farmington to abstain from voting on the approval of minutes at meetings which they did not personally attend, this practice is not required by state law or Robert's Rules. While the Council ByLaws have a reference to abstentions for minutes approvals in Section V, the EDA ByLaws Section V does not. It is my opinion that the newly constituted EDA may approve the minutes by adopting a motion to that effect, without any need to suspend rules, etc. Joel J. Jamnik Campbell Knutson, P.A. 317 Eagandale Office Center 1380 Corporate Center Curve Eagan, MN 55121 Direct Dial: 651- 234-6219 Fax: 651-452-5550 Email: iiamnik@ck-law.com . CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: 4/9/2008 "- . . . MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING January 28, 2008 1. Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Arey at 7 :00 p.m. Members Present: Arey, Starkman, Hardt, Collignon Members Absent: Flaherty, McKnight, Fogarty Also Present: Tina Hansmeier-Economic Development Specialist, Lisa Dargis- Administrative Assistant, Lee Smick-City Planner, Peter Herlofsky-City Administrator, Kevan Soderberg-Mayor, David Pritzlaff-City Council Member 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Approve Agenda MOTION by Hardt, second by Collignon to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 4. Citizen's Comments/Presentations None 5. Consent Agenda a.) Bills b.) November 26, 2007 Minutes c.) November Budget Details MOTION by Hardt, second by Collignon to approve the consent agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 6. Public Hearings None 7. Unfinished Business a.) Work Plan Update Staff compiled items that staff has been working on and how they relate to the priorities identified in the Comprehensive Plan Chapter. The contract with Global Synergy has been terminated and staffwill be utilizing Mr. Fursman on an as needed basis. Member Hardt asked what the philosophy behind ending the contract was. City Administrator Herlofsky stated that staff is obtaining quotes from consultants for individual activities like addressing the potential for a second industrial park. He stated that staff was not utilizing the consultant enough to continue paying a monthly retainer and the consultant agreed. Member Hardt stated that he does not feel that we have the resources to do a ten year plan for EDA Minutes January 28, 2008 Page 2 111 economic development. Chair Arey stated that since the contract was entered into by the EDA, he felt it should be the EDA who modifies or terminates the contract. City Administrator Herlofsky stated that the payment for the consultant was actually coming out of the general fund and we just received the termination letter. Chair Arey stated that they would like a copy of the letter for the next packet. . Member Starkman asked what kind of feedback has been received through the business outreach visits. Staff explained that most of the feedback has been positive. Business members have indicated that they would like to see expanded marketing efforts and more incentive programs. Member Collignon stated that he would like to see a spreadsheet with some of the feedback from the visits compiled. 8. New Business a.) Joint Workshop The Historic Preservation Commission received a copy of the EDA's Comprehensive Plan Chapter and initiated scheduling a workshop with the City Council to discuss downtown. Staff felt that the downtown commercial district delineation should be the first steE' The boards and commissions will meet to discuss this issue on February 11 . Staff provided the EDA members with an overview of the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay District that the HPC has been working on, as it will also be discussed at this workshop. . b.) CDA Housing Rehab Summary At the November 2007 meeting the EDA requested a breakdown of the residential rehabilitation funding that has been used by Farmington residents. Staff provided a breakdown and noted that Farmington has used more than the allocated amount each year. The CDBG allocation that Farmington is receiving for 2008 is a 2% reduction from the 2007 amount. Half of the 2008 allocation was allocated to residential rehab. c.) Certificate of Completion Staff was contacted by a commercial real estate company that has been supporting the refinancing of a commercial loan for Just Kidding Around Daycare. A document verifying completion of the project and all requirements was requested. Staff is requesting approval of the certificate of completion for this project. Chair Arey asked if this step should have been completed earlier since the business has been operating for some time. Staff indicated that there is no indication in the City's records of the certificate being issued. MOTION by Collignon, second by Starkman to approve the execution of the certificate of completion. APIF, MOTION CARlED. . .. . . . EDA Minutes January 28, 2008 Page 3 d.) Rental Property update Staff is looking to move forward with making some improvements to the former liquor store building. The Dakota Valley Arts Council (DV AC) has expressed an interest to occupy the space. Regardless of what tenant eventually utilizes the space, there are some repairs that should be completed. Member Starkman stated that the building could eventually be demolished so he is concerned with spending $15,000 to improve it. He also inquired how the $15,000 estimate was compiled. Staff stated that there have been estimates obtained in the past for the construction work as well as a recent estimate for cleaning of the space. Staff indicated that there are no current plans to redevelop the site. Member Starkman stated that he would like to see new estimates obtained before approving an amount. The DV AC has provided a proposal regarding the space and what they would like to see repaired/remodeled prior to their use of the space. There has not been a particular rent price identified. Staff would like to make the space more presentable and would not like to compete with the other downtown landlords. The EDA members indicated that they would like to see new estimates before approving funding for improvements to the space. They would also like to see a proposal from the DV AC. Member Collignon asked staff to bring this item to the Downtown Business Association for their feedback on the DV AC occupying the space. MOTION by Hardt to authorize staff to spend the $15,000 to make the improvements that they have identified. MOTION DIED for lack of a second. Staff will bring more information to the February meeting for the members to reVIew. e.) School and Conference Staff would like to attend the 2008 Ehlers Public Finance Seminar. MOTION by Starkman, second by Collignon to approve the funding for staffto attend the conference. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. City Staff Reports/Discussion a.) Economic Update Information received. b.) Downtown Idea Exchange Information received. c.) 2007 Business List Reports Staff provided year end reports regarding new businesses that have opened in Farmington and those that have closed or relocated. d.) Chair Arey thanked Member Hardt for his contributions to the Economic Development Authority during his time on the board. EDA Minutes January 28, 2008 Page 4 10. Adjourn MOTION by Collignon, second by Starkman to adjourn at 7:58 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. ,/" {.~ ~ . Lisa DargIS Administrative Assist ~---- - ~ .. . . . . . . MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting March 24, 2008 1. Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Arey at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Soderberg, Pritzlaff, Fogarty, Members Absent: McKnight, Wilson Also Present: Tina Hansmeier-Economic Development Specialist, Lisa Dargis- Administrative Assistant, Peter Herlofsky-City Administrator, Chad Collignon-EGC, Ann Carlon - EGC, Jeff Thelen - EGC, Doug Bonar - EGC/ISD # 192, Ruthe Batulis - EGC/DCR 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Approve Agenda Member Fogarty felt that item Sa should be pulled until verification that the EDA members can approve those minutes if none of them were present at that meeting. Member Pritzlaff stated that he would like to remove item 3-ii until the next meeting so that more of the members could be present. Mayor Soderberg will preside as temporary Chair this evening so that documents can be executed. Member Pritzlaff stated that he would like to put item 8-b-iv on the next meeting's agenda also. Staff would like to add item 3-a-v, EGC discussion. Staffwould also like to add item 7-a-i, Expressive Embroidery variance application. MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Fogarty to approve the agenda with the noted changes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. a. Procedural Matters i. Adoption of Bylaws Member Fogarty stated that she would like to change the Subdivision 2 of the Bylaws to reflect the correct figures now that the EDA is five (5) members rather than seven (7). Member Fogarty asked if the Executive Director needs to be named as the City Administrator in the Bylaws. Staff will research this item. She also asked if in Subdivision 3, The Farmington Independent is the option for official newspaper or if they could potentially name the This Week News. City Administrator Herlofsky stated that it must be the Independent because they are the only local paper. MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Fogarty to approve the Bylaws with the noted changes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. ii. Election of Officers MOTION by Fogarty, second by Pritzlaffto have Mayor Soderberg act as temporary Chair until there is a full EDA. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. iii. Official Newspaper MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Fogarty to name The Farmington Independent as the official newspaper. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. iv. Meeting Schedule EDA Minutes March 24, 2008 . Page 2 . .' It was discussed at the special meeting of the City Council that the schedule will remain the fourth Monday of each month. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Pritzlaffto set the meeting schedule as the fourth Monday of each month. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. v. EGC Discussion The Economic Growth Committee (EGC) was created by the Dakota County Regional Chamber and they have requested discussion regarding their role as it relates to the EDA and City Council. Ruthe Batulis stated that the group was formed in the private sector rather than jointly with the City of Farmington because they felt that they may have more impact if they formed the committee and then provided input to the City. There will need to be modification to the previously passed resolution. Mayor Soderberg stated that he prefers the direction that has been taken by forming the committee with Chamber Members. Staffwill determine how the resolution needs to be modified. Member McKnight is serving on the EGC as a City Council representative. Ruthe stated that having ongoing dialogue is the key to success. 4. Citizen's Comments/Presentations a. Presentation of Market Study Summary of Findings & Development Strategy Jim McComb and Bruce Maus presented a summary of their findings from the market study and recommendations for development strategies. This presentation is a follow-up to the initial market study presentation and focused on findings and conclusions that were part of the Summary of Findings rather than the how the data was gathered. 5. Consent Agenda a. January 28, 2008 Meeting Minutes b. February 25, 2008 Special City Council Meeting Minutes c. Bills d. January & February Budget Details e. School & Conference Item "a" was pulled. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Pritzlaffto approve the remaining items. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 6. Public Hearings None 7. Unfinished Business a. Rental Property - Former Liquor Store At the Special City Council Meeting in February, staffwas directed to make improvements to the former liquor store building. Staff received 3 estimates for work and has chosen the lowest responsible proposal. Member Pritzlaff asked what the change order included was pertaining to. Staff indicated that the change order had been anticipated because the condition of the floor under the carpeting was not known EDA Minutes March 24, 2008 . Page 3 at the time ofthe original estimates. MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Fogarty to approve the contract with Handyman Services. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. The space is going to be leased by Expressive Embroidery. A lease agreement has been created. Mayor Soderberg asked if there was information available regarding the average lease rate in the downtown. The rate that has been determined for the space is believed to be within the range of what is being charged for downtown space. The City of Farmington will be paying the real estate taxes on the building. The lease rate will increase each year for the three years included in the lease agreement. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Pritzlaffto approve the lease agreement. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. The tenant has filled out a variance application to place a sign on th northern face of the building. There was previously a sign located in that location. The EDA would have to co-sign the variance application as the building owner. MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Fogarty to approve the application for a variance. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. . b. McVicker & Riste Lot Updates i. Appearance Staff would like to aesthetically improve both the McVicker and Riste lots for the upcoming summer months. Staff will bring further information to the next meeting. There has also been discussion regarding the potential for using the sites for a farmer's market or other events. ii. Sale Options At the meeting in February there was discussion regarding determining the value of the Riste and McVicker lots and what requirements the EDA may need to adhere to when selling the properties. With regard to the McVicker lot, the City must sell the property at fair market value due to the fact that it was acquired by tax forfeiture through the State of Minnesota. There is also a requirement on the deed of the McVicker lot that there must be a 20 foot walkway maintained on the south side of the lot. The Riste lot was acquired with CDBG funds and must therefore be sold at fair market value or for a lesser amount ifthe end use of the property meets the CDBG national objective of benefit to low to moderate income persons. The EDA members would like staff to advertise both of the lots as available for sale. It was asked that the EGC provide any thoughts that they might have as to a complimentary use of the property. Staffwill also research into whether or not there are targeted businesses that should be marketed to directly. 8. New Business a. McVicker CDBG Fund Balance There are unused CDBG fund dollars that were allocated to the McVicker property in 2005. The dollars were directed to support the national objective of benefiting low to . . EDA Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 4 moderate income persons so any use of the funding would have to adhere to those guidelines. Staff has submitted four possible options for use of the funding and would like the EDA's direction with regard to the use of the funds. Member Fogarty asked if there was any way to create a fund that would incorporate all of the proposed options except for residential rehabilitation. Staff would like to ensure that the funds are made available in a way that is fair to any interested business so that business owners do not feel that there has been preferential treatment. Staff will draft a program to offer the funds as a grant that could be used for options 1, 3 and 4 and develop a plan to disseminate the information to local business owners. The program will be brought back to the next meeting for the EDA to review. . b. Downtown Discussion i. Downtown Delineation Public Meeting The public input session regarding delineation of the Downtown Commercial District has been scheduled for Monday, April 28th at 5:30 p.m. ii. Design Standards Example Staff provided an example of what design standards for the proposed Downtown Commercial District might look like. The setbacks in the area would differ due to the difference in zoning designations throughout the area, so this is a topic that would need to be addressed in the future. If there is a district created the HPC and Planning Commission would begin working on the creation of design standards. iii. Downtown Success Strategies Staff has summarized the information that was handed out at the last meeting regarding downtown strategies. The items were categorized and then compared to the activities that we are currently undertaking. The comparison showed that there were many opportunities in the area of marketing. iv. Current City Hall This item will be continued to the next meeting. Staff would like to initiate discussion regarding how to best determine the options available for the future use of the site. There has been discussion regarding using the building for elections this fall. The EDA members would like staff to develop a process of how to gather the suggestions for the site and assess them. Staff will look into what the building has been valued at by Dakota County. . c. Marketing Discussion Staff met with a representative from a marketing firm to gather information regarding the cost of a comprehensive marketing plan. Staff would like feedback from the EDA regarding how they would like to approach initiating a comprehensive marketing strategy. Mayor Soderberg stated that he would like to initiate activity with regard to expansion of the industrial park prior to developing the marketing plan. Members Pritzlaff and Fogarty agreed that the industrial piece is an important component to forming the marketing strategy. Member Fogarty stated that she feels that most of the marketing materials could be designed in house by staff rather than hiring a marketing firm. . . . EDA Minutes March 24, 2008 Page 5 d. Industrial Development Staffhas proposed two possible options for utilizing consultants to assist in the negotiations with landowners in the prospective industrial park area. A proposal has been received from Bruce Maus ofMaus Group, and also jointly from Lee Mann of Bonestroo and Joel Jamnik of Campbell Knutson. Mayor Soderberg stated that he feels that we should be looking to find out what firm is the best firm to do this job. Member Pritzlaff stated that we should specifically identify who we feel would be the best choice to do this piece. Member Fogarty stated that she is in favor of utilizing Lee Mann's existing relationships with the landowners. She feels that perhaps the best choice is a combination of the two options. e. Dakota County's Economic Development Strategy Initiatives This item is for information only. The County is developing a website to better market available sites throughout Dakota County. There would be a searchable database incorporated in the website so that site selectors can look for available properties. The website should become active sometime in April 2008. 9. City Staff Reports a. Economic Update Information received. There was discussion regarding adding this item to the mailing of The Bridge so that it is sent to residents. Staff will look into other possible ways to get the publication into resident's hands. b. Downtown Idea Exchange Information received. 10. Adjourn MOTION by Fogarty, second by Pritzlaffto adjourn. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectf)l-ll ubmitted, ~ ~ A. . .'0(. Lisa Dargis Administrative Assist _ .. . . R55CKSUM LOG23000VO Vendor ALWAYS HANDY-HANDYMAN SERVICES DOBOSZENSKI & SONS FARMINGTON PRINTING INC MINNESOTA ENERGY RESOURCES COR POSTMASTER VARIETY HOMES INC Business Unit HRNECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HRNECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HRAlECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HRAlECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HRNECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HRAlECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT . CITY OF FARMINGTON Council Check Summary 03/24/2008 - 04/27/2008 Object OTHER OTHER PROGRAMMING EXPENSE NATURAL GAS OTHER OTHER Report Totals Amount 10,026.73 10,026.73 1,800.00 1,800.00 1,700.00 1,700.00 13,797.89 . 04/24/200815:41 :38 Page - 8.52 8.52 213.39 213.39 49.25 49.25 . . . City of Farmington Budget Summary 427,969 2008 % Fund DescriPtion Budaet Jan Feb Mar Anr Mav June Julv Auo Seot Oct Nov Dee Total Balance Received 2000 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Fund Balance $ 427.969 $ 423,942 $ 423,415 $ 408.397 $ 408,397 408,397 408,397 408,397 408,397 408,397 408,397 408,397 Revenues Intergovernmental Revenue $ #DIVIOI Federal (CDBG) #DIV/OI State #DIVIOI Other #DIV 101 4518 Administrative fees 7,500 7,500 0.00% 4950 Investment Interest 4,000 612 611 610 1,833 2,167 45.83%, 4972 Rental Income 9,000 9,000 O.OQtI/o 5010 Sale of Assests #DIVIOI 5355 Donations #DiVIO! Total $ 20,500 612 611 610 $ 1,833 18,667 8.94% 2008 % Budoet Jan Feb Mar Aor Mav June Julv Aua Seot Oct Noy Dee Total Balance Expended Exoenditures Supplies #DIVIOi #DIVlOI Other Services & Charges #DIVIOI 6401 Professional services 50,000 2.889 560 3.449 46.551 6.90% 6403 Legal services 12.000 t,931 1,931 10,070 16.09% 6421 Municipal services 500 25 25 475 5.03% 6422 Electric 500 64 134 77 274 226 54.90% 6423 Natural Gas 500 336 290 626 (126) 125.15% 6426 Insurance 1,300 108 108 108 324 976 24.92% 6450 Outside prinling 200 200 0.00% 6455 Legal Notices Publicalions 44 6460 dues & subscriptions 200 191 191 10 95.25% 6470 Training 250 250 0.000'10 6485 Mileage 50 112 112 (62) 223.60% 6570 Programming Expense 251 60 311 (311) #DIVlOI 6915 Building & Structure 8,601 6,601 (8,601) #DIV/O! 7420 Other Expenditures 10,000 1,000 4,516 5,518 4,482 55.18% #DIVIO! Total 75,500 $ 4.639 1,138 15,628 $ $ $ $ 21.362 $ 54,138 28.29% Fund BalanCE 423,942 423,415 408,397 408.397 408,397 408,397 408.397 408.397 408,397 408.397 406,397 408.397 K\TINA\Economlc Oevelopment\EOA.-HRA\EDA\Budget\2008 EOA Monthly Report (2).xIa Source: Finance Dept pjn . . . City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, Minnesota 651.463.7111 . Fax 651.463.2591 www.ci.farmington.mn.us TO: EDA Members FROM: Lisa Dargis, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Exchange Bank DATE: April 28, 2008 INTRODUCTION Staff is providing an update on the status of the Exchange Bank Building. DISCUSSION As of Friday, April 25, 2008 the Exchange Bank Building renovation has not been completed. Per the City Building Official, the entire building is approximately 70% complete. The items that were identified that needed to be finished are approximately 25% complete. Per the advice oflegal council, in an effort to forgo additional legal fees, the Brown's were presented with the option of providing an $80,000 letter of credit that would be forfeited to the City in the event that the building was not finished by June 1, 2008. This agreement was sent to Mr. Brown via fax on Friday, April 18, 2008. Thus far, no signed document has been returned by the Brown's although they had indicated that they would be executing the agreement and providing the letter of credit. A building permit was issued for the completion of the work in the Grand Hall with the understanding that the agreement and letter of credit would be expeditiously submitted to the City of Farmington. The attorneys at Campbell Knutson have possession of the warranty deed that was included as a remedy in the original contract and are prepared to record the deed reconveying the property to the EDA if there is no execution of the aforementioned agreement. ACTION REQUESTED The options at this point are to direct staff to either pursue the letter of credit agreement or to record the warranty deed. Staff is recommending recording of the warranty deed to transfer ownership of the building back to the Economic Development Authority. Respectfully Submitted, sistant '. Lisa Dargis From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Tom Scott [TScott@ck-law.com] Friday, April 18, 2008 12:05 PM Lisa Dargis Andrea Poehler (External); Joel Jamnik FW: Farmington EDA - 2004 Real Estate Company . Attachments: DOCS-#138132-v1-LETTER OF CREDIT FARMINGTON EDA 2004 REAL ESTATE CO .DOC;DOCS-#138119-v2-AGREEMENT FARMINGTON EDA 2004 - - -- - -- _REAL_ESTATE_CO.DOC ~ ~ ~ EJ DOCS-# 138132-vl-DOCS-# 138119-v2- .ElTER OF CRED..IGREEMENT FARM.. - - - Lisa, attached is an agreement and letter of credit form I have faxed to Hosmer Brown Sr. this morning. I will follow up with a call to him. I also heard from his banker yesterday who stated that the bank would issue an $80K letter of credit. The agreement gives them until June 1 to complete the work. I will be out of the office next week. Andrea can work with you and Mr. Brown to complete this next week if it doesn't get signed today. Thomas M. Scott, Esq. CAMPBELL KNUTSON, P.A. 317 Eagandale Office Center 1380 Corporate Center Curve Eagan, MN 55121 Direct Dial: 651-234-6218 Office: 651-452-5000 Fax: 651-452-5550 E-mail: tscott@ck-law.com Website: www.ck-law.com . <<DOCS-#138132-v1-LETTER OF CREDIT FARMINGTON EDA 2004 REAL ESTATE CO .D OC>> <<DOCS-#138119-v2-AGREEMENT FARMINGTON EDA 2004 REAL ESTATE CO. DOC>> - - - - . 1 . . . AGREEMENT TillS AGREEMENT, made on the day of ,2008, by and between 2004 Real Estate Company, a Minnesota corporation ("Developer") and the Economic Development Authority in and for the City of Farmington, a public body corporate and politic under the laws of the State of Minnesota (the "EDA") relating to that certain Contract for Private Sale between the parties, dated November 9, 1998, as amended ("Development Contract"), relating to property commonly referred to as the Exchange Building. The parties agree as follows: 1. 1,2008. Developer shall complete all work required by the Development Contract by June 2. As security for the completion of the work, Developer will provide the EDA with a Letter of Credit in the amount of $80,000.00 in a form acceptable to the EDA. 3. Upon completion of the work, the Letter of Credit shall be returned to Developer. 4. If Developer does not complete the work by June 1,2008, EDA may, at its option, draw the $80,000.00 Letter of Credit which amount shall be forfeited by Developer to the EDA. 5. If Developer fails to complete the work by June 1, 2008, in addition to Developer forfeiting the amount of the Letter of Credit, the EDA retains all other remedies set forth in the Contract for Private Sale, including the right to reconveyance of the Property. 2004 REAL ESTATE COMPANY By: Hosmer A. Brown Its President ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IN AND FOR THE CITY OF FARMINGTON By: Its Chairperson By: Its Executive Director 138119v2 1 ,..... IRREVOCABLE lETTER OF CREDIT No. Date: . TO: Farmington EDA 325 Oak Street Farmington, MN 55024 Dear Sir or Madam: We hereby issue, for the account of Irrevocable Letter of Credit in the amount of $ on sight on the undersigned bank. (Name of Developer) and in your favor, our , available to you by your draft drawn The draft must: a) Bear the clause, "Drawn under Letter of Credit No. , 2 , of (Name of Bank) "; b) Be signed by the Chairperson or Executive Director of the Economic Development Authority in and for the City of Farmington. , dated c) Be presented for payment at 30, 2008. (Address of Bank) , on or before 4:00 p.m. on June This Letter of Credit sets forth in full our understanding which shall not in any way be modified, amended, amplified, or limited by reference to any document, instrument, or agreement, . whether or not referred to herein. This Letter of Credit is not assignable. This is not a Notation Letter of Credit. More than one draw may be made under this Letter of Credit. This Letter of Credit shall be governed by the most recent revision of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500. We hereby 'agree that a draft drawn under and in compliance with this Letter of Credit shall be duly honored upon presentation. BY: Its . 138132vl . . . ~ w C3 -:e ,. "' ~ ! 0'0 ~ ~ '.!?>~ oSr. A PRO~\'" City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, Minnesota 651.463.7111 . Fax 651.463.2591 www.ci.farmington.mn.us TO: EDA Members FROM: Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist SUBJECT: Rental Property - Former Liquor Store Building DATE: April 28, 2008 INTRODUCTION Expressive Embroidery has entered into an agreement to lease the space at 305 3rd Street as of April 15, 2008. DISCUSSION As staff was directed several improvements were made to the interior of the building space which were substantially complete by April 7th. Attached is a picture illustrating the state of the building prior to the beginning of work contracted for. Please see below for the original estimate, change order and total cost of the renovation. Original Estimate: $12,112.00 Change Order: $6,511:}. 7~ Total: $18,627.73 During Monday's meeting staff would like to offer a tour of the property. ACTION REQUIRED For information only. Respectfully Submitted, '~fr1~ID(}~J;;r Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist Cc: Peter Herlofsky Jr, City Administrator ,p.-~' ~.~.-. ~ !l:: - i::l .. .. ~;"! :.J~\ .,,!, i. 4:..~~ ~ i ~:..~i~: f ,i~..;. ~"'1 :~ '.,. .~.;,.-:~, 10 .~~~ 1 '" " ~J; I[ ..Jl :,.~: ~ i!~~E'~['?~~ _lIIf": - .... "');Yi' 1. "'r..,jl-.....'*'. , .._. .,~. w -"" : .t: ..-. . ,'t;'}' ~~~... ~. 'l-t::6.~J}" . ''!i' ... .'1'".... .,. ~ .;~ qr 'lIi .1 -. it -- . . . City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, Minnesota 651.463.7111 . Fax 651.463.2591 www.ci.farmington.mn.us TO: EDA Members FROM: Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist SUBJECT: €ity IIfily 1111 C V tub r / f-~ <:J<. DATE: April 28, 2008 INTRODUCTION Staff is providing information regarding the sale options and ideas for improving the aesthetics of the properties for the interim. DISCUSSION In follow-up to the March 24th EDA meeting staff is providing, attached, a spreadsheet containing the 2008 estimated market value, assessments, acreage and requirements for the lots in questions. MCVICKER LOT Also attached is a schematic of a park plan, rendering and illustration of the plantings proposed for the McVicker lot. Please see below for cost estimates for the aesthetic improvements. Estimates for McVicker Park Plan Otv Common Name Size Unit Total 5 Arrowwood Viburnum 3ft $12.95 $65 40 "Indian Summer" Black Eyed Susan # 1 cont. $3.50-5.50 $140-220 60 Fairy Tales Fountain Grass # I cont. $3.50-5.50 $210-330 43 Veronica 'Goodness Grows' # 1 cont. $3.50-5.50 $171-237 19 'Sweet Dream' Coreopsis # 1 cont. $3.50-5.50 $67-105 42 Purple Fountain Grass # 1 cont. $3.50-5.50 $147-231 13 Stokes aster 'Klaus Jelito' # 1 cont. $3.50-5.50 $46- 72 Total $1,051-1,260 Pavers Number PriceIPaver Total Cost Brookstone 16" 197 15.00 $2,955 ] 10' Trail Cost Estimates 4/24/2008 Item Number Item Quantitv Unit Unit Price Total Price 3 Common Excavation 26 CY $25.00 $649.31 4 Aggregate (CL. 5) 36 TN $30.00 $1,089.00 Bituminous Trail (3" lift), Type LV 3 Wearing 6 Course 14 TN $80.00 $1,124.44 TOTAL $2,862.75 Notes: 1) Subgrade prep is included in Common Excavation and is an cost. 2) Type LV 3 Wearing Mixture used for 2.5" single lift. 3) Trail shall meet requirements ofGEN-21 RISTE LOT The Riste lot currently consists of a sand base. A quote has been received for $1,000 to establish grass on the site. ACTION REOUESTED Direct staff to what extent they'd like to see these properties advertised for sale, and at what price and provide input on the aesthetic improvements proposed for the interim. Respectfully submitted, Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist Cc: Peter Herlofsky , J . . . McVicker Lot Riste Lot . 2008 Estimated Market Value $53,900.00 $29,600.00 Special Assessments $11,961.57 $7,103.08 Acreage Requirements Property must be sold at Fair Market Value. Any proceeds revert back to the County. Property was conveyed to the HRA for public use as redevelopment property with a public walkway to provide a pedestrian link between the City's downtown commercial corridor and nearby public parking lot. If the EDA doesn't want to require a walkway, a Change of Use Form would need to be submitted to Dakota County Board for review. 0.18 0.08 Property can either be sold for Fair Market Value, no requirements attached or sold at reduced price requiring end user to meet certain national objectives. . . ( ~ .J" ~_~,. f . I ; 91 ,\~~ I \':'j "1 .....-. -. .... ~.. :~..... ~.~ '. .... . . ~ ~ .~. ,-.:' ,.".. "- .' . J(..~" \'.. . 'Ii '" ..X ~ " -> . ", ~'......, .,\..~. ~,~ ~, , . " . ..:.;: {,;.:. 1'(.... '" . ,~ f!:""-: r..:. ..i~~T10 I "FA- vBC5 'l \ ~ ", ~ARJfj)JriYCifp YIBdRltU;11 ....~.;...;. Ex.6i04VGL 'fttRKllVtfr).trr 1 ,.......' ~~/L -: .:-rAaLE '" " ~-rH __~"U5 ". ~' Vtl1?& "- " . flfZD?: -.. -, -~ ~.... '.. ---. ......... ., ."'" "co ~'" ffcAIf4E cf~ =-f f?;:I?..en tf fA l- C; I~~ /rAtL- - "~-r ~ -~ ~ ':f_~. ~~~~~4:l,~ ~~ c..;t. :'..~r :.~ ~~~~ ~ ":'.-~ .;.:~;:...... ;~. 6 '\..lol.u.._ .... ~-~... ~"I' ~fl~..._.". ;", - , ...... - . - A~ '. . tfclll1? 7*d AP!OL~8 . I /II_L/l' I -roV t Otv Common Name Size 5 Arrowwood Viburnum 3ft 40 "Indian Summer" Black Eyed Susan #1 cant. 60 Fairy Tales Fountain Grass #1 cant. 43 Veronica 'Goodness Grows' #1 cant. 19 'Sweet Dream' Coreopsis #1 cont. 42 Purple Fountain Grass # 1 cont. 13 Stokes aster 'Klaus Jelito' # 1 cont. . ~...'i. >l:',-; I Ie I e il II \] I~- rr: i""; J:-... ...,:t....:.'-*' ~{-~" <.,.",,- ".-:.:\ ----- - i\ , ''---. - . --..--- - McVicker Lot Plantings . . . . ~ f~~~ <3 -:;e. ,. '" \ -0 g ~ ... ~ (".~ ~ ~~ Sr. A PRO~\S\: City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, Minnesota 651.463.7111 . Fax 651.463.2591 www.ci.farmington.mn.us TO: EDA Members FROM: Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist SUBJECT: City Hall DATE: April 28, 2008 INTRODUCTION Staff would like to initiate discussion regarding the future use of the current City Hall site. DISCUSSION This item was continued from the March EDA meeting so that more members could be present for this discussion. To date there have been several potential uses suggested, however, a formal discussion has yet to take place by the City Council or EDA. One option for the EDA to gather and assess suggestions regarding the future use of the building would be to hold an open house as a first step in gathering information. Staff has asked WOLD Architects to provide information regarding a cost estimate to demolish the building and one to renovate. This information will be disseminated at Monday's meeting. The current estimated market value of the City Hall site is roughly $600,000 according to Dakota County. The figure provided accounts for all four parcels that make up the current site, including parking. Also attached for your review is a park plan submitted by the Veteran's group interested in erecting a Veteran's Memorial on the site. ACTION REQUESTED Provide further direction. ResI?ectfully submitted, ~Vf#~ Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist cc: Peter Herlofsky, Jr., City Administrator CONCEPT DRAWING FARMINGTON HERITAGE SQUARE WITH VETERAN'S MEMORIAL SECTION REVISED APRIL 5. 2008 I NOTES: I 1. SHELTER IS 32" X 50' STRUCTURE MODELED AFTER THE OLD FARMINGTON TRAIN STATION. IT WOULD HAVE SHORT WALL SECTIONS AT EACH CORNER TO DISPLAY HISTORICAL PICTURES OF FARMINGTON. IT IS OPEN TOWARD THE MEMORIAL. IT WOULD HAVE THE "FARMINGTON" SIGN ON THE ROOF ENDS LIKE THE OLD TRAIN STATION. 2. THE CURRENT WELL HOUSE WOULD HAVE BRICK FACE ADDED AND A NEW PITCHED ROOF SHAPED LIKE THE ONE ON THE SHELTER. THE ACCESS DOOR WOULD NEED TO BE MOVED TO ANOTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING. 3. THE MASONARY WALL ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE PARK SERVES AS A BACKDROP TO THE MEMORIAL. IT WOULD HAVE BRICK FACING TOWARD THE PARK. 4. BRICK COLUMNS AND SOME ATTACHED SHORT WALL SECTIONS CARRY THE SUBSTANCE AND DESIGN OF THE LARGER MASONARY WALL TO THE WEST. 5. THE FOUR ENTRANCES ARE DESIGNED WITH SET BACK COLUMNS WITH WROUGHT IRON SECTIONS LEADING OUT TO THE SIDEWALKS. THESE WROUGHT IRON SECTIONS WOULD BE 6 FT. HIGH AT THE COLUMN AND WOULD CURVE DOWN TO A 4 FT. HEIGHT AS THEY MOVE OUTWARD. 6. THE WATER FALL WOULD CONSIST OF TWO 9 FT. 61N. COLUMNS WITH ACCESS DOORS ON THE ENDS TO GET TO PUMPS. ELECTRICAL. ETC. THE WELL HOUSE ROOF WOULD EXTEND OVER THESE COLUMNS. A 7 FT. SHEET OF WATER WOULD DROP ABOUT 8 FT. INTO THE POND BELOW. THE POND WOULD BE FILLED WITH ROCKS AND BE ABOUT A FOOT DEEP. 7. COMFORTABLE BENCHES ARE LOCATED AROUND THE POOL AND LARGE TABLET HONORING THE DEAD. 8. ENGRAVED VETERANS PAVERS ARE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SIDEWALK WITHIN THE MEMORIAL AREA. (ABOUT 300 EA.) 9. THE OVERALL PARK DESIGN DIVIDES THE AREA INTO FOUR PARTS. THE MEMORIAL SECTION IS SUCH THAT FOR EVENTS RELATING TO THE MEMORIAL. THE SHELTER AND ALL SURROUNDING AREAS CAN BE USED. , O. BRICK AND MARBLE TYPES AND COLORS WOULD BE SELECTED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH HISTORICAL FARMINGTON. 11. THE SIDEWALK SYSTEM WITHIN THE PARK LENDS WELL FOR "ART IN THE PARK". FLEA MARKETS, FARMER'S MARKETS. ETC. 12. THIS LOCATION AND LAYOUT ALSO LENDS ITSELF FOR A LOT OF RAMBLING RIVER DAYS ACTIVITIES. 13. THE MEMORIAL AREA IS ENCLOSED WITH A HEDGE AND THE SIDEWALK AREA WOULD BE STAMPED CONCRETE COLORED TO COMPLEMENT THE ENGRAVED PAVERS. ISCALE I 310 2f 210 115 110 I 111111 NORTH t . I ALLEY I SIDEWALK .._'''~ ~O . ~fz.. '1<]- GRASS . PARKING SIDEWALK ........ ,....... ........ ........ o. ........ ........ ........ ........ I 32 FT X 50 FT. SHELTER 1600 SQ. FT. COlUMNAH TREES ~I. ........ _~...... i ........ -...... ........ -.-... ........ ........ SIDEWALK GRASS . 1...................1 . :::::~::::: ................... ................... LSIGN AND PLANTINGS WROUGHT IRON FENCE SECTION SIDEWALK . I OAK STREET I ..... ..... . @I@I.e@l8888 888e88... ... ~ 8888 .8fl ill . 8 ::5J~: 8 ..0:: O. . ... Li .... .......fl. ......... (f) wO:: f-W 0 I~ 11 ~g LL ......... ......... ...(f).... ..WC::. . ..3'5:!. · ..m> · ... g. . ... LL .... ......... ......... ISE POND . ........ ......... ...(f).... ..woc.~. · · :::J '5:!. · ..-.J>. . ..COo. . ...li.... ......... ......... (f) wO:: I-W I~ ~o -' LL MERCHANT MARINES COAST GUARD NAVY ENGRAVED PAVERS TER FALL GRANITE TABLET OF THE DEAD I o z w STAMPED aJ COLORED CONCRETE SIDEWALK ARMY MARINES ......... ......... -...(f).... I.. C"::. . ,..au. . ..~~. . .. o. . '... c.... .......... ,i~\.~ ;V~ AIR FORCE &0 ~~ 11(1- . GRASS SIDEWAll ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .. ti .. AMERICAN ,\AG - ~........ ... ,.: ........ .. . ...(t .,~. ........ .. . ." ........ .. . CD 32 FT X 50 SHEL TEF 1600 SQ. F 0 ~........ ... ,..itJ' · · · · · · · · ... . ........ ... o ........ ... - . PURPLE FLOWERS SIDEWAL~ J- ~~.. <~// '".~ / . GRASS I:' ,~ -e ~ I .,r-" [I FARMINGTON I FRONT ELEVATION - SHELTER BUILDING (Modeled after original Farmington train station) ....plll i ?OC.(l -, ~---~ SIDE ELEVATION . SHELTER BUILDING (Modeled after original Farmington train station) --e- e . . . ------------l r--- .. t! : ! t: : t ;' i i t77.~:~" AIL GA\lE"SOME t5;i~,T~! 'l ': ! ! .~~I SOME GAVE A~L ..~~~. -----------~ 'I ' ", I I I I ,-,-- -----.,-----, I I , , I I I I I I I , I I I I I , I I , I , I I I I I I I I 1 I I : L-L- I I ___________--1.._____ I WATER FALL FRONT ELEVATION - WATER FALL (END OF WELL HOUSE) I I I I ,------------- I I I I I I , I I I I I I I I I I , I I I -1-____________ : _ "SOUTH COLUMN ~ r-DOUBLE SOLDIER COURSE I 1 -------, I i I L___~___________________~_________________________________________________________________1____ 8 FT. MASONARY WALL ALONG WEST END OF PARK . . WAT~R FALL >-' . . -At______J....__....... FRONT ELEVATION - WATER FALL (END OF WELL HOUSE) . c, --.-..-.-__0, I I , , _____-1._ . . . NORTH COLUMN I II c:;::~ . ' , , , , , . , . , . , , . , I WATER FALL FRONT ELEVATION - WATER FALL (END OF WELL HOUSE) . . . City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, Minnesota 651.463.7111 . Fax 651.463.2591 www.ci.farmington.mn.us TO: EDA Members FROM: Lisa Dargis, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Business Development Grant Program DATE: April 28, 2008 INTRODUCTION Staff is providing a draft of a new grant program for your review. DISCUSSION As was discussed at the March EDA Meeting, there are CDBG fund dollars that were allocated in 2005 that have not been spent down. It was the direction of the EDA to create a program to utilize the funding in any of three ways. The possible uses include redevelopment of the McVicker Property, business expansion assistance or microenterprise assistance. I have created the program to allow use of the funds and to allow for additional funds allocation in the future if desired. The program has been approved by the Dakota County Community Development Agency and meets the approval of the City Attorney. ACTION REQUESTED Please review the program and authorize staff to begin advertising the fund's availability . . Re~:~~~:; ~ ~dmin~~veAss1Stant --- ---.--- < mington I pment Grant City of Farmington Business Development Grant . The City of Farmington has received funding from the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) in the form of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. These funds will aid the City in supporting local businesses by assisting with financing to for business development and growth. The Dakota County CDA distributes the funds on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Projects that receive CDBG funds are subject to HUD requirements. Types of Assistance CDBG funded gra e projects that meet the 'fe income (L/M) The following policies and procedures have been devel with CDBG dollars in the City of Farmington. Thes as recommended by the Dakota County Commu the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban D Program Purpose To provide financial assistance to b criteria for the national objective of persons. . roperty or per Applicant during the June 30th. 5 Mic notexc months. are Ii d to funding availability. No grant may exceed 1 de elopment costs for construction related projects. 1 assistance is based on the tenant's lease terms and will e monthly rental payment up to twelve (12) consecutive Program Objectlv .. s a) To retain localjobs within the City by encouraging existing businesses to relocate or expand within the City of Farmington. b) To create additionaljob opportunities within the City. c) To support entrepreneurial growth within the City. Note: HUD requires that at least 51 % of jobs created and/ or retained on a full-time equivalent basis are either held by or are considered to be available to low and moderate income persons. . 04/01/2008 1 . ~ligjble Ilecipiellts a) The property must be located within a commercially or industrially zoned district or a district that has a commercial or industrial component. This would include the following zoning districts: I-I, IP, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, SSC, Business/Commercial Flex, Mixed Use and R-T. b) All individuals having an ownership interest in such structure or an interest as purchaser in a contract for deed must join in the application and sign the grant agreement with the Economic Development Au ity, including the contract holder. . c) Leaseholders are eligible to make application for Farmington Economic Development Authori review such applications to determine their . the length of the lease on the property a operated in Farmington. The prope comply with Program requirement d) Projects that would result in permanent d business tenants will not be anced with C temporary displacement of t resulting fro responsibility of the property nants sha project plans, and the expected N ondisplacement or Displaceme rehabilitation. owners w assistance t quired un Property cies Act of e) No member oft e locality, or official, employee, or a al g en xercises policy, decision-making function mc members of the Economic Development Co on and Farmington City Council, in Ian ,: g and implementation of the Business rogram shall directly or indirectly benefit from this bition shall continue for one (1) year after an individual's e local government ends. Any potential conflicts of mnesota Statues 412.311 and 471.87-471.89 or Federal Regulations{i CFR, Part 570, Uniform Administration Requirements, shall be evaluated on the basis of a legal opinion to be requested from the Farmington City Attorney. funds. The -by-case basis, will ing, based on siness has . tion and . f) Ineligible project costs include but are not limited to interior remodeling improvements, furniture, financing fees, business or operating costs (excluding rental cost assistance for microenterprise applicants), equipment, removable fixtures and building acquisition costs. Costs incurred prior to the application date are not eligible for program funding. 04/01/2008 2 2. Program Definitions . CDBG Administrator The CDBG Administrator shall be the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA), 1228 Town Centre Drive, Eagan, MN 55123, Phone (651) 675-4400. CDA staff shall work with the Project Coordinator in administration of all aspects of the Program. Applicant Any person determined to be an eligible recipient seeking to the terms of this Program. If the applicant is a leaseholde also be a co-applicant. Target Are Locatio zonm 1, I . Building Official The Building Official for the program sha11 be shall provide pIan review and technical exp quality, code compliance and scope ofwot' Project Coordinator The Project Coordinator for the Pr Farmington and shall provide assista activities. The Project Coordinator is intake, scheduling of inspections, prepa processing of paymen . The Pro person for rehabilit plication during regular b armm on that are in commercial and industrial mercial or industrial component, including: l- ess/Commercial Flex, Mixed Use, and R-T. pplicants may apply for grant funding for one of the a) sion Assistance. One time grant funding for an existing Farmington usiness that is expanding their current facility, relocating to, or constructing a facility elsewhere within the city limits. The Applicant would have to meet the criteria for the national objective of benefiting low to moderate income persons as defined by the Federal Department of Rousing and Urban Development through job creation. Please refer to Job Creation Requirements and Wage and Income Reporting under Section 3, Special Conditions (page 5) for further requirements. . 04/01/2008 3 . b) Microenterprise assistance. Rental assistance for a period of one year to an owner of a micro enterprise business or a person choosing to develop a micro enterprise business that will occupy a currently vacant commercial or industrial space within the city limits. The business must meet the criteria of microenterprise defined as a business having five or fewer employees, one or more of whom owns the business. The Applicant must submit a comprehensive business plan and the business must not relocate outside of the City of Farmington for a period of three years after receiving assistance. Please refer to Job Creation Requirements and Wage and Income Reporting under Section 3, Special Conditions (page 5) for further requirements. . c) Redevelopment Assistance. Redevelopment of 317/323 Third Street, commonly referred to as redevelopment would have to meet the crite . benefiting low to moderate income perso Department of Housing and Urban D includes commercial and residenti~:::i: related to both job creation and 10w/m of the development requires the installatio side of any proposed build' 0 be construct details please contact a City ington Eco member. Please refer to Job uirem Reporting under Section 3, Spe a requirements. ough this program must be completed as applicable) and provide proof of Contractors: by bona msura . Riston The City 0 Certified Local Government under the Histcric Preservation ~ect submitted for review will follow the procedures outlined in the or Historic Preservation in Farmington. Eligible "historic properties" are tho ich have been designated or determined eligible for designation as Far gton Heritage Landmarks; within or immediately adjacent to the boundaries of a historic district; or listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The City will work in conjunction with the State Historic Preservation Office to implement Federal preservation guidelines as they relate to eligibility and certification of work. If the building or the unit was originally built prior to 1950, the property will be evaluated for historical significance by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) using the eligibility criteria in the Farmington City Code. If it has been determined that the property is eligible for Farmington Heritage Landmark Designation, a review of the proposed rehabilitation work is necessary, and the work must be in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for 04/01/2008 4 Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings. Once work is approved by the Historic Preservation Commission and applicable preservation standards have been met, a Certificate of Appropriateness will be issued by the HPC. . Microenterprise Applicants: Application materials must include a business plan for the proposed or existing microenterprise. The business pIan must include an Executive Summary, Company Summary, Product Information, Market Analysis, Strategy and Implementation, Management Summary and Financial PIan. Job Creation Requirements and Wage and Income Repo . meet the CDBG national objective of benefiting low to the Applicant will be required to verify that 51 % of pe retained on a full time equivalent basis are low to ' be documented as either being held by or availa persons (per 24 CFR Part 570.208 (a)(4)). Ve . to the Project Coordinator for a period of the low to moderate income benefit may also B microenterprise is oflow to moderate income. F lot with affordable housing units tb requirements Affordable Housing Requirements orting (pa ii require compliance Bacon Act. Contractors e rate determined by the u.S. rmation must be included in the bid IICoordinator must approve all . ensure marital st treated fairly program infor The City will enc and local businesse pp d ~ct Coordinator will work affirmatively to rdles frace, color, creed, national origin, sex, religion, , familial status or reliance on public assistance will be purposes of participation in the Program. Access to aterials will not be denied to any person for any reason. the participation of women and minority-owned businesses nd suppliers who meet Section 3 Criteria. Lead Based Paint The program will conform to the requirements of the Residential Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 for any assisted property that contains residential dwelling units. All program Applicants must provide notification of the hazards of lead based paint to impacted tenants. The Building Official shall inspect for defective paint surfaces at the time the property is being inspected for code compliance. All defective surfaces will be corrected in accordance with the regulations in 24 CFR . 04/01/2008 5 . Part 35 and Minnesota statutes and safe work practices. Additionally, contracts work will include language explicitly prohibiting the use oflead based paint. Data Privacy All information provided by Applicants under the Business Development Grant Program shall be maintained in accordance with the Minnesota Data Practices Act and the City's Subrecipient Agreement with the Dakota County Community Development Agency. Affordable Housing Requirements and Reporting: Applica McVicker lot with affordable housing must meet the CDB benefiting low to moderate income persons. The Applic that the rents are set at affordable 1evels and that 51 % low or moderate income households. a) rty to be aI, the following will be . ~i c) d) e) fees or charges are current; g an ership interest, including contract holders, to 'oin in the application; info on and zoning compliance. Ian. he project meets the program objectives; ~ect's overall impact on the surrounding area. Ifnecessary, appli s competing for limited funds may be selected based upon these criteria. Proj ts that are not financially feasible within the constraints of available funding will be eliminated from consideration. Property Inspections Upon determination that an Applicant requesting assistance is eligible based on the program guidelines, the Building Official shall conduct an inspection of the property to determine the corrective actions necessary for the property to conform to City of Farmington building code standards. . 04/01/2008 6 ~~~ . The Scope of Work will have two (2) components: a) Upon completion of the initial inspection, the Building Official shall prepare a report indicating the work necessary to bring the property into compliance with Farmington building codes inclusive of the Minnesota Energy Efficiency Standards. This report, and any improvements deemed necessary by the Project Coordinator for the project to satisfy the intent of the Program, shall be included as a part of the Scope of Work. b) The Applicant shall provide a report or elevation dra planned exterior improvements. This report will Farmington and the Historic Preservation Co Historic Properties, page 4). tificate ofInsurance Coverage. Contractors must . the requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act. pplicant as a part of the contractor's Competitive Bidding . A minimum of three bids must be obta' Program fundin contractor meets the All con also Th instructio Awarding Co The contract will een the Applicant and the contractor. The contract will be awarded to the low bid unless one (1) of the following circumstances occur: a) The bid is determined to be unrealistically low and the contractor agrees to withdraw the bid; b) The contractor has failed to follow the procedures as outlined in the instructions to the bidders; c) The Applicant does not want the low-bid contractor to perform the work and agrees to pay the difference between the 10west bid and the preferred contractor's bid. . 04/01/2008 7 . d) There appears to be collusion between two (2) or more contractors, in which case, all bids in the questionable trade category will be thrown out and different contractors will be solicited for bids; or e) The contractor fails to bid according to the specifications, and it proves impossible to compare that contractor's bid with the other bids received. Approval by the Economic Development Authority Once the Applicant has accepted a bid(s) determining the cost of the entire project, the project coordinator will prepare the information for presentation to the Economic Development Authority. Upon EDA approval, a Grant Agre ent will be signed by the Applicant and a designated City official. This Agreem 1liloutline the terms and conditions of the project, including the City's role a pplicant's responsibilities, and any corrective actions to be taken . nt of a dispute. . . wthe approval of the Project plicant and contractor. Accept lnte . I with the Building Official to monitor work in pro hall required to ensure that the work has been complete anner. In the event of a dispute between the Applicant and contrac e completion of work, the Project Coordinator shall work with both to negotiate a satisfactory solution. Disputes that cannot be resolve gotiation, and that result in legal action by either party to the contract, shall esolved in accordance with applicable State law. CDBG funds shall not be released to either the Applicant or contractor until such dispute has been settled. . Hold Harmless The Applicant and the contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the City of Farmington and the Dakota County CDA and their respective officers, employees, and officials from any damages or liability arising from, or occurring as a result of, the activities funded through this Program. 04/01/2008 8 CDBG Payment All CDBG funds will be disbursed by the Dakota County CDA upon authorization . by the Applicant and the City of Farmington. Payments will be made only after all project work has been completed according to the authorized scope of work, and has been accepted by the Applicant. Funds will be released once all improvements are complete to the satisfaction of the City Building Official and once title ownership, Davis-Bacon wage payments and other requirements are satisfied with the CDA and the City. The Building Official and City staffwill inspect the final project, and a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) will be issued by the Building Inspections Division. The CO or T as well as lien waivers are required before the CDA releases funds. The following must be presented to the Proje payment: a) Billing Statement/Paid Receipt b) Sworn Contractor's Statement c) Completion Certificate d) Weekly Payroll Reports e) Lien Waiver . Payment may be made directly to the contractor or in Applicant, upon presentation of paid receipts for a Private Financing Applicants are respo bid, and costs abo Program. Applicant their po suita be c Applican be presente of their choice to arrange financing for ants should request a letter of credit or other ing institution to prove that private funds have is t submitted with the completed application. If an ing mstitution, other evidence of committed funds must pplication. Escrow The Applicant may!! requested to establish an escrow account or other private account for deposit"of the private funds that will be used to complete the improvement project. The CDBG funds shall be reserved on the Applicant's behalf by the Dakota County CDA, but shall be drawn from the U.S. Treasury only when actually needed for disbursement to contractors or vendors, or in reimbursement to the Owner. Appeals Process Appeals concerning eligibility for the Business Development Grant Program or the proposed improvements shall be made in writing and addressed to the Project . 04/01/2008 9 . . . Coordinator. The Coordinator will contact the Applicant and attempt to rectify any concerns. A written response will be made within fifteen (15) days. 04/01/2008 10 . . . City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, Minnesota 651.463.7111 . Fax 651.463.2591 www.ci.farmington.mn.us TO: EDA Members FROM: Lisa Dargis, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Industrial Development Strategies DATE: April 28, 2008 INTRODUCTION Staff is providing follow up information regarding industrial development strategies. DISCUSSION At the March 24th EDA meeting, staff was directed to determine who they felt would be the best choice to assist the EDA and staff with the process of acquiring property for a second industrial park. Staff has determined that utilizing the services of Bruce Maus would provide the level of experience and expertise that would be most beneficial in this endeavor. As was discussed previously, there is also a potential to utilize the services of Lee Mann and his established relationships with some of the landowners involved. We do not feel that contracting with Mr. Maus would preclude us from utilizing Mr. Mann's services as well, as the City of Farmington is already under contract with Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates. ACTION REQUESTED Execute the agreement with Bruce Mans of Maus Group, Ltd. to initiate the creation of a work plan for addressing negotiations with landowners and begin preparation for industrial park expansion. (~ .R~speCtfun... ';ubm. .itt ed.. '.. ~ \ ~> . ..-...., /' .".// '----.- . .-~,.~"- ..."....... ,. --. ..' ......., -:... // ';.' ,,' .,' ,,' 'ha Dargis, Admin:tt~~sistant "'-., \ ~.,.____..J January 28, 2008 . Peter J. Herlofsky, Jr. City Administrator City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, MN 55024 RE: Development Services Dear Mr. Herlofsky: Thank you for the opportunity for Maus Group, LLC (Consultant) to provide community development services to the City of Farmington (City). We look forward to working with you on the following basis: Scope of Work Consultant will assist you in addressing the following objectives: 1. Meet with Staff and EDA to identify land for industrial park expansion. 2. Meet property owners to determine availability of land. . 3. Develop scenarios to own or control the property. 4. Negotiate agreements representing the City of Farmington. 5. Provide written and oral reports as required. Our success in addressing these objectives is based in part on receiving the cooperation of your employees and our receipt of timely and accurate information. Compensation Consultant will be paid the hourly rate and mileage reimbursement noted below. In addition City will reimburse Consultant for out-of-pocket expenses approved in advance by the City. Hourly Rate $260/hour Mileage $.0485/mile . " . . . Peter J. Herlofsky, Jr. January 28, 2008 Page 2 Termination Either party may terminate this engagement upon seven days written notice. Should you notify Consultant of your intent to terminate, we will deliver all completed work in our possession to the City upon payment to Consultant for services performed prior to termination, together with expenses incurred by Consultant. Liability In no event shall Consultant's liability to you exceed the fees paid to Consultant under the terms of this agreement. Attorneys Fees and Costs Consultant shall be entitled to recover reasonable fees and expenses incurred in any action or proceeding to recover fees or expenses earned under this agreement. Applicable Law Any disputes arising under this agreement shall be resolved or determined in accordance with Minnesota law. Please sign where indicated to confirm your acceptance of these terms. Maus Group, LLC Date: By: Bruce A. Maus City of Farmington Date: By: Peter J. Herlofsky, Jr. City Administrator City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, Minnesota 651.463.7111 . Fax 651.463.2591 www.ci.farmington.mn.us TO: EDA Members FROM: Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist SUBJECT: Certificate of Completion, B & L Adventures DATE: April 28, 2008 INTRODUCTION Land Title Incorporated has requested a Certificate of Completion on behalf of B & L Adventures. DISCUSSION B & L Adventures, LLC, developer of Bernard Dalsin Manufacturing, has met all obligations outlined in the Contract for Private Sale for Commercial Development between the Housing and Redevelopment Authority n/k/a Economic Development Authority of Farmington dated July 29, 1999. Therefore, a Certificate of Completion has been attached for your review and approval. ACTION REQUESTED Motion to approve and execute the attached Certificate of Completion. Respectfully submitted, { i C' - . '*fAJlf1ffi ((l~lcV Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist cc: Peter Herlofsky, Jr., City Administrator CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION The undersigned hereby certifies that B & L ADVENTURES, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability corporation ("Developer") has fully complied with its obligations to construct the Minimum Improvements under that document titled Contract for Private Sale for Commercial Development dated July 29, 1999 ("Agreement"), by and between the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Farmington, kin/a the Economic Development Authority in and for the City of Farmington (the "EDA") and Developer, relating to the Property described in Exhibit A attached hereto. The issuance of this Certificate of Completion by the EDA does not effect, modify, or terminate the additional and continuing duties, covenants, and obligations of Developer its successors and assigns, as stated in the Agreement. The Dakota County Recorder's Office is hereby authorized to accept for recording the filing of this instrument, to be a conclusive determination of the satisfaction and termination of the covenants and conditions of the Agreement described above. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the EDA has caused this Certificate to be duly executed in its name and behalf on or as of the date first above-written. Economic Development Authority in and for the City of Farmington By: Its President By: Its Executive Director 13 8260 STATE OF MINNESOTA ) )55. COUNTY OF DAKOTA ) The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _ day of 2008, by and , the President and Executive Director, respectively, of the Economic Development Authority in and for the City of Farmington, Minnesota, a public body corporate and politic under the laws of the State of Minnesota, on behalf of the public body corporate and politic. Notary Public THIS INSTRUMENT WAS DRAFTED BY: CAMPBELL KNUTSON 317 Eagandale Office Center 1380 Corporate Center Curve Eagan, Minnesota 55121 651-452-5000 AMP/cjh 13 8260 138260 EXHIBIT A LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY Lot 12, Block 1, Farmington Industrial Park 2nd Addition, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION The undersigned hereby certifies that B & L ADVENTURES, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability corporation ("Developer") has fully complied with its obligations to construct the Minimum Improvements under that document titled Contract for Private Sale for Commercial Development dated July 29, 1999 ("Agreement"), by and between the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Farmington, kin/a the Economic Development Authority in and for the City of Farmington (the "EDA") and Developer, relating to the Property described in Exhibit A attached hereto. The issuance of this Certificate of Completion by the EDA does not effect, modify, or terminate the additional and continuing duties, covenants, and obligations of Developer its successors and assigns, as stated in the Agreement. The Dakota County Recorder's Office is hereby authorized to accept for recording the filing of this instrument, to be a conclusive determination of the satisfaction and termination of the covenants and conditions of the Agreement described above. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the EDA has caused this Certificate to be duly executed in its name and behalf on or as of the date first above-written. Economic Development Authority in and for the City of Farmington By: Its President By: Its Executive Director 138260 STATE OF MINNESOTA ) )ss. COUNTY OF DAKOTA ) The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _ day of 2008, by and , the President and Executive Director, respectively, of the Economic Development Authority in and for the City of Farmington, Minnesota, a public body corporate and politic under the laws of the State of Minnesota, on behalf of the public body corporate and politic. Notary Public THIS INSTRUMENT WAS DRAFTED BY: CAMPBELL KNUTSON 317 Eagandale Office Center 1380 Corporate Center Curve Eagan, Minnesota 55121 651-452-5000 AMP/cjh 138260 138260 EXHIBIT A LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY Lot 12, Block 1, Farmington Industrial Park 2nd Addition, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota. . . . City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington. Minnesota 651.463.7111 . Fax 651.463.2591 www.ci.fannington.mn.us TO: EDA Members FROM: Tina Hansmeier. Economic Development Specialist SUBJECT: New Web Resource Demonstration metro,:~~'.::::org DATE: April 28, 2008 INTRODUCTION A powerful economic development tool for the ll-county metro region will be launched on May 8, 2008. The objective of this website. www.metromsp.org, is to meet the information needs of business site location decision makers. DISCUSSION All city/county officials were mailed an invitation to the launch and introduction of metromsp.org which will take place on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at Medtronic Headquarters in Mounds View. Pre-registration is required by May 5th. If you are interested in attending the launch, please RSVP to me by May 1st. ACTION REQUESTED For information only. Respectfully submitted, I jl I ' ';1 9-1./ ' '-j/[;f!{b ra47Zfrk:JGO Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist cc: Peter Herlofsky, Jr., City Administrator Pa!!e 4 Farmington Economic Update What Can They Help You With? . Planning an Event? Need Advertising Flyers? Business Cards? Catalogs? Printed Folders..... '-' The list of what Farmington Printing can do for you goes on and on! You'll find them at 306 - 4th Street, Uust south of Elm Street). Operating in Farmington for over 20 years, owner Jill Jeppeson can help you with any job large or small. Give her a call at (651) 463-8444 or stop by today to see their selection of gift items. ~-- ~ = --.- i?E:.. ~ -.-=.: ~~"'o.'":. _"__"."_"_ o~"")- "._ ~ _. ::s:l .--'!f'.....- ( I -- '~nt-\"'K\OL. ~...._....,...,. .~.--, _" ~.. , ~~,.,~_.~~,,~ -'" 6.';c: ~:- --- .'-', -..a.:;- <>_ " -" - ..~~.E:!:. r4~ -;::--:: ~~ .~ ~ ~ -- .- Did yo... ."iss al" isslJe cf ......e Eco:-:omlc Upda'.e? ~heck o...t t~e C;r,'s "Vebsfte u'1der ~.ew$ a"d IrforTat:or for pa.s\ issu es. WW'''v.ci.farmirgtor..,mn us -J - _. - - .-'-. fill ;.-:::~- .""-""- , ,\, --- .' " - '- ~, ".~ FREMONT ~ --~. ~ . 91: 'ON I!WJ8d NV'l 'U01DU!WJe::l OI'Vd 38'V.lSOd's'n pJepUelS I.lOS8Jd PZOSS NW 'UOl6u!wJe:l laaJlS )tea SZ~ . UOl6u!wJe:l JO ^l!~ . Workshops, Training & Networking · Tina Hansmeier attended the LCDA Grant information session . Lisa Dargis attended the Economic Development Finance Professional ED10l Course in Brooklyn Park · Tina Hansmeier attended the Federal Grants Expo in Apple Valley · Staff attended the Economic Growth Committee Meeting · Staff attended the Dakota County Regional Chamber Business Excellence Awards L[ljfE lY1E~ (ffiI~ ~e'II"1111~I~J CUliElmll!-1I1r~ I~ . ... Illlir.lj"~ . .", . '. 1I1o!('1't.'1 ~~1L1 ~diO &U) iin ~ ftn Ji1!&"'fJl(U'~ ri:l"lftl~ ~~ Preserving Memories Heikkila Studios has arguably some of the most beautiful windows in town. It's not because of the elegant architecture of their historic building. It's because of what's in their windows. A collection of gorgeous photos that capture and preserve the memories and special occasions in people's lives. Recently they were honored as a 2008 Pick for The Knot Best of Weddings Magazine, a coast - to -coast guide to the "best of the best" in weddings. We would like to congratu- late them on their win! For those of us who regularly admire their windows, we already knew how great they are! www.heikkkilastudios.com Summer is Coming Feeling like its time to work out and get in shape for better health? Maybe it's time to pay a visit to Curves on Highway 3 in Farmington. Owners Helen Lee and Jeanne Zupfer provide women with a place to utilize strength training and car- dio equipment and meet their fitness goals. They recently led a walk to support the Olivia Newton John Cancer Center. ..... ..-..:..0.... Curves is located at 925 8th Street. (651) 463-2403 Pa!:!e 2 Farmington Economic Update I Catch the News.... . The first Farmington Realtor Information Day was held on April 2nd - Watch for information on how you can view the forum on the web... e Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner... The Longbranch Saloon & Eatery and Gossips Bar & Grill have got you covered! Located in downtown Farmington, the establishments owned by Kenny and Buffy LaBeau have been offering local residents home cooked meals and a place to gather and relax for over a decade. Gossips is located at 313 3rd Street and Longbranch is located at 309 3rd Street. Stop in soon and grab a bite to eat or catch a game with friends! Gossips: (651) 463-9367 Longbranch: (651) 460-6990 ,e Business Trivia.... One of the people sitting at the table below represents a local Farmington business that received a Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award at the annual ceremony held on April 24th. Watch for details next month on who the winner is! I ffiiillrtJ?m~[![py :~ g@!11 g ~ tm ~ gm!l I (:{')i1i1~ ~&OIiimml~ ;Oil ell ~ ~ ~ ~l!rsmil~[.~ ~ ~ ml_ mmm (ffi] b lml~~~ e _1Iil~~~C!l?d ~~ Page 3 e . 1. Adina Clinic Giou"rlbreaking Dm)!JI:U~'1 i lIilfm.=1r.t.f1~ m I ~;fr;'\ll!mir!l n I [il'IIIIII[:J(~~ fl I ~.J.II..[~,..-t:1l~ fJ I I r:l'rr:1I.~ fj I I fIi11'I.Ilf:m'J.I~ ~ I e: Itl.l.!~~ m I~ ~ I~ m With the site preparation be- gun, construction of the new Allina Medical Clinic is going to be starting soon. The new site which will be located just north of their current location on Highway 3 is set to open this October... Anna's Bananas Daycare has submitted a site plan for their new facility to be located just north of the new clinic. Watch for construction of both buildings yet this summer! Check Out This Beautiful New Space With the Elm Street reconstruction completed and their newly renovated space to enjoy, owners Linn and Gloria Peirson are looking forward to another successful year in Farmington. Linn's Carpet offers quality flooring products from companies like Shaw and Mohawk. In fact they are the only dealer in the U.S. to offer both of those brands in one location. Be sure to visit and see their renovated show floor at 301 Elm Street. (651) 463-4887 www.linnscarpet.com ~---- Idea, " ..tixchange . Generosity of property owners central to down- town plans Still trying to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, city leaders in D'Iberville, MS (pop. 7,610), recently outlined $12 million in proposed downtown improve- ments. This includes burying utili- ties and widening an important street from two to three lanes, with six foot sidewalks on either side. There will also be a two-foot area for street lighting and landscaping. But the project depends in part on the generosity of 75 property own- ers to donate approximately five feet of their frontage to the city. In return, the city will make facade improvement grants available. Unfortunately, several business owners, arguing that the property is too valuable and the parking spaces they would lose are essen- tial, want the city to pay them for the land. "We don't want to buy the land," counters City Manager Richard Rose. "If we have to buy the land, that's less money that the city will have to put into the aes- thetics of downtown." Rubber sidewalks reduce tripping hazards Bellevue, WA (pop. 109,600), is the latest city to install rubber sidewalks downtown. The city is testing the new sidewalk material in a pilot project to determine how well it works in areas where tree roots have damaged the concrete sidewalks, causing potential trip- ping hazards. Because Bellevue wants to protect its tree canopy, 8 installing the rubber pavers around problem trees was seen as a viable alternative to cutting them down. As an additional environmental benefit, the pavers are made from recycled tires. The city plans to evaluate the durability and long- term maintenance costs of rubber sidewalks compared with other materials. Although rubber pavers cost more than traditional concrete sidewalks, they last much longer. (pop. 4,290), must fill out a Cer- tificate of Appropriateness for the Board of Architectural Review. This includes detailed project plans, photographs or drawings of the proposed project, and sam- ples of materials and colors. For signs, the following information must be provided: dimensions; subject matter; colors of letters, fields, and borders, with samples; letter styles and sizes; and location on the building. The criteria for approval are harmony of scale and materials, affect on the surround- ing structures and environment, and historic or architectural signif- icance of the project. . Projects must meet architectural guidelines To preserve its historic fea- tures, those proposing new projects in downtown Clifton Forge, VA Downtown Idea EXChange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com April 1, 2008 . . . . i. Planning Does downtown have a workable business plan? . Downtown is as much a busi- ness as any it is home to, and so must plan like one. For example, the San Luis Obispo Downtown Association, in San Luis Obispo, CA (pop. 44,170), recently updat- ed what it refers to as downtown's strategic business plan. Major funding for the San Luis Obispo Downtown Strategic Busi- ness Plan: A Sustainable Operat- ing Plan for 2007 and Beyond was provided by the city, and the down- town association will use the plan to develop its two-year workplans. As its name implies, the plan is focused on planning for the eco- nomic future of downtown, not the district's overall future. It is meant to complement two municipal gov- ernment documents, which plan specifically for physical improve- ments/design in downtown as well as parking, access, and transporta- tion strategies. The heart of the downtown business plan lays out strategies to pursue key goals that the downtown association has set for 2007-2012: (Continued on page 2) Management Even befriending a park requires a savvy board, balancing progress with outreach The Friends of Barker Park is a not-for-profit organization focused on the beautification and mainte- nance of an underutilized city-owned park in downtown Troy, NY (pop. 49,170). The organization's goal is to lead the revival of this largely neglected green space, and transform it into a more accessible and inviting third place that all can freely enjoy. Like the park itself, the organi- zation that took it upon itself to befriend it was in dire need of a new lease on life. An established organi- zation made up of local citizens and business owners, the Friends of Barker Park reorganized its board last year and is now moving for- ward with its mission to rehabilitate the half-acre park. Former city hall area became blighted park The president of the Friends of Barker Park is Marc Coudert, an (Continued on page 4) Brochure provides business start-up info The Heart of Biddeford, the downtown agency for Bid- deford, ME (pop. 20,940), helps new businesses navigate the maze of details involved in locating downtown with a sim- ple brochure, which prOVides information on: · Finding space. The agency maintains a database of space available for lease or purchase. · Financing options and economic incentives. The brochure lists a number of local and statewide incentives, with contact information. · Permits, licenses. and approvals. · FAQs. The brochure answers questions such as, how to get an appropriate business sign or a liquor license. Inside this issue Association must change to keep pace with evolving downtown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Bringing artist live-work housing downtown requires strong leadership. . . . . . . . . . 5 Youth art program enhances blighted corridor.. . . . . . . . . . 7 Dealing with redevelopment funding shortfalls. . . . . . . . . . 8 @ 2008 Alexander Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Does downtown have a workable Clean & Safe long as there's interest on the part business plan? - continued from page 1 Youth art program enhances of the municipal leaders to do . . something like this for their com- blighted corridor munity as well as the young people · Maintain downtown as the town Association reassessed its involved," he says. social center of the community. own organizational management Since its inception in 1995, The blighted corridor mural The resulting murals can add · Maintain a diverse mix of and need for change. ArtWorks has helped over 5,000 project, a collaboration of private aesthetic and placemaking value to uses. "Our organizational manage- young people perform thousands and public partners, came to be rec- a downtown. What's more, "when · Maintain retail health. ment will be evaluated to deter- of community service hours and ognized as an arts program uniquely you have a mural on a wall, the · Encourage hotel, housing, mine if the current operating create over 1,500 murals in the able to reach at-risk youth. The pro- taggers or graffiti people pretty and live-work developments in structure, that of an unincorporated industrial SODa (South of Down- ject not only makes the rough and much stay away from it. They downtown. advisory body to the City, is effec- town) district of Seattle, WA. tumble indus- respect that · Retain and expand the unique tive and, more importantly, if the Downtown area resident trial area next mural. ... If pedestrian character and small town organization is securely funded Michael Peringer, founder of the to downtown a community ambiance. for the long term," the business SODO Business Association, cleaner and wants to get · Maintain an effective down- plan says. started the program with a grant cheerier-Iook- rid of graffiti, town association. "Events over the past two the organization received. He ing but this is one way · Establish a disaster response years have illuminated the need believes the program's success can friendlier and of doing it. and recovery plan for the down- for the association to more clearly be replicated in other downtown safer as well. "Cities are town association. define how it may operate inde- That's 00- beginning to pendently and to relinquish some areas confronting problem youth cause 70 per- realize that if Association must change of its dependence on the City. The and graffiti, and argues that point cent of youth there's struc- in his book GoodKids. A SODO Urban Art Corridor mural. to keep pace ... City has recognized that meeting ArtWorks was founded to help involved in ture, reason, From the above list, one of downtown's needs is becoming the program do not re-offend. and meaning to [the mural art], it the most fundamental goals is increasingly complex and demand- the SODO Business Association "The program grew into a can be a positive thing for all the maintaining an effective downtown ing and neither the association . . clean up the busway in Seattle's year-round program in a permanent people involved, including the association. (as presently funded) or the City industrial zone abutting downtown. studio facility, with paint produc- building owner." Two of the most critical strate- (given General Fund limitations) Using a grant from the city, the tion space and offices. It is sup- Contact: Michael Peringer, ArtWorks, gies that the downtown business can be counted on to meet those plan was to create vibrant murals ported by the community as well www.urbanartworks.org. . plan prescribes toward that end needs in the long-term." that would enrich the surroundings as individual businesses, and the are: (1) increasing downtown asso- and discourage graffiti and litter. It city, county, and state," he says. ... And lead a more efficient was such a success that this area is Please start/renew my one-year ciation revenues, and (2) forming and viable downtown now known as the SODa Urban "It's ongoing now with a full-time subscription to Downtown Idea a more independent downtown staff and a relatively small budget Exchange for $227.* association. When it came time to update Art Corridor. because we don't have to pay for The association's old structure the 2001 plan, clearly a lot about Other organizations had the labor, obviously. We just have NAME made sense for the downtown of downtown had changed. The key employed street kids and the dis- to pay for the management expens- TITLE seven years ago, but not today. question was "What do we really enfranchised to paint such murals, es to mentor the muralists." FIRM/ORGANIZATION "At the time the 2001 Strategic want to do?," says Deborah Cash, Peringer says, "but we took it to Through an agreement with the Business Plan was adopted, the administrator of the San Luis another level by going to the coun- county, ArtWorks has a mentor to ADDRESS community saw downtown as most- Obispo Downtown Association. ty superior court, responsible for supervise every five youths CI1Y STATE ZIP ly a specialty retail, dining and cul- "Do we want to just do more of the juvenile detention center. We involved in the program. PHONE tural district," according to the the same, to keep downtown nice- got permission for the first time Giving downtowns a way to updated business plan. "Today, looking, do some promotions, and ever to use a number of 13- to 17- see an old problem with fresh FAX year old youth who were convicted eyes motivated Peringer to write more office, residential and hotel EMAll N,S uses are desired and proposed - o Web Extras of mid-level felonies," such as car his book. "While they don't neces- 4J MAIL: 712 Main Street - Suite 1878 bringing opportunities for business- theft and burglaries. sarily have to emulate the entire Boonton, NJ 07005-1450 ~ To view the current San WFAX: (973) 402-6056 es to serve those markets as well." Luis Obispo Downtown Strategic The business association put program, they might pick up . PHONE: {9731265-2300 To ensure that it continues to Business Plan in its entirety, visit . . up some 20 murals in the heavily- something that will help," he says. @ EMAIL: info@OowntownDevelopment.com meet the evolving needs of down- www.DowntownDevelopment.com traveled bus corridor into and out "It doesn't make a difference . North America, $227. Elsewhere, $257 and click on Web Extras. of downtown the fIrst year. what size your downtown is, as (includes airmail delivery). town, the San Luis Obispo Down- 2 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com April 1, 2008 April 1, 2008 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com 7 Steering committee raises pre-development money HEvery town we work in is a different story," says the develop- er's project manager, Heidi Kurtze, director of property development for Artspace Projects Inc. in Min- neapolis. In this case, one of the Artspace staff members is original- ly from Minot, so coming to this downtown was very relationship- driven. HThe folks at Minot State University and in the downtown knew about us because of one of our staff. So we started working with them on ideas for how to build an arts facility that would be a new home for the arts classroom and gallery space for the universi- ty, and also be the traditional live- work artist housing development that we do allover the United States," she says. Due to a lack of state support, the project didn't launch. Minot townspeople responded by forming a steering committee to help raise Artspace's pre-development costs, "and were so behind the project that when the relationship with the university didn't go forward, we decided to move the project down- town. Downtown is where the artists who are interested in being part of the project probably pre- ferred it be built anyway, because there's a greater chance to use the project as an anchor for economic development." New building would be first in over 30 years The planned live-work housing will be all-new construction. It will be the first major building built downtown since 1976. HFor a place like Minot that hasn't had a lot of new construc- 6 tion lately, it really should serve as an anchor," Kurtze says. Artspace is currently negotiating with the parking authority to purchase the site on which it plans to build. As in every successful Art- space development, a handful of key people in the community ral- lied behind this project, including a former mayor of Minot and a representative of the community development-oriented Bremer Bank and the Otto Bremer Foun- dation. Without strong leadership from downtown, projects like this don't happen. Finding the money and the new artist-residents Other downtowns considering arts-driven revitalization are prob- ably wondering how such live- work developments can be funded and marketed to pioneering artists. Artspace finances its developments through state hous- ing authorities and fmance agen- cies. It estimates it will need to raise $8.1 million for the down- town Minot development. The organization used to rely on a selection committee to deter- mine who could live in its build- ings, but not so any more. "We do general advertising, but a majority of the folks who end up living in our developments do so through word of mouth," says Kurtze. The organization is also mov- ing towards greater use of targeted marketing and surveys. For down- town Minot, Artspace surveyed over 150 people who live as far as Bismarck (110 miles/two-hour drive) and Fargo (269 mileslfour and a half-hour drive). It also sur- veyed artists living on Native American reservations. The survey found at least 40 artists from North Dakota and neighboring states interested in renting from Artspace in Minot, according to Terri Aldrich, a mem- ber of the Minot Area Council of the Arts and Artspace Committee. HI'm doing another project in Council Bluffs, IA (pop. 58,270). That's part of the greater Omaha metro area, which has more people but it's a physically smaller geo- graphic area," she says. "In North Dakota, we reached as far as we thought practical for people who may be willing to relocate to this project." Get downtown's big fish organized and onboard HGet organized," Kurtze advis- es downtowns seeking to imple- ment arts-driven revitalization. "And you have to have local lead- ership. Artspace really is only as successful as the local leadership that the community has." The small downtowns that get Artspace's attention, she adds, Hare the ones that are organized. Either the arts organizations, civic and business leadership, or on the political side. Usually it's a combination of all three. And in Minot, that's certainly the case. We've got the will ofthe city council, we've got a very active Minot Area Council for the Arts, and the downtown development council is very involved. "It really does take all of those types of organizations to bring us there in the first place, to say, 'This is a potentially viable area for us.' There not only has to be artists. There also has to be strong local leadership and support. If we don't have that then it usually doesn't make sense." Contact: Heidi Kurtze, Artspace Pro- jects Inc., (612) 465-0215, heidi@art- spaceusa.org, www.artspaceusa.org. . Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com April 1, 2008 . . . . . . that kind of thing, or do we really want to be involved in the bigger picture of keeping property values high, ensuring a good business mix, and really being very hands-on about it? We decided to go that [lat- ter] route - that we wanted to be the creators and the caretakers of a highly efficient and highly econom- ically viable downtown. "The problem was, because our status as an advisory body to the city made us a government agency, there was so much con- straint that went along with that. We couldn't take political posi- tions or support candidates. There are a lot of things that government agencies just can't do. On the other hand, there are a lot of things that government agencies are required to do," she says, which often are not at all consistent with running a nimble, responsive, and efficient operation. "We decided that after 34 years, it was time to break away from the city, create a BID and set our own fee schedule. That will enable us to do more [economic development] programs," she says. The motion for the downtown association's emancipation from the City and increase of fees goes before council April 1. Assuming it passes, on July 1 the association will become an independent not- for-profit organization. Encourage hotel, housing and live-work developments Several years ago, an earth- quake in downtown Paso Robles, about 45 minutes away, levelled some buildings and killed two peo- ple. As a result, the City of San Luis Obispo immediately adopted new seismic retrofit standards, requiring retrofits to all buildings by 2010. Many properties changed hands in the wake of those new standards, and a number of extreme down- town building makeovers resulted. A few more large renovations are planned, at least two of which incorporate hotels. Given that tourism is one of the city's top industries, and down- town residential uses provide a 24-hour presence which enhances security as well as the economy, there are four major strategies to encourage housing and hotel devel- opments through 2012: · Support higher density pro- jects as appropriate. · Balance housing with com- mercial uses. · Identify locations that are best for residents. · Support improvements that will appeal to overnight visi- tors and hotel developers. Establish a disaster response and recovery plan Emergency preparedness is truly an important planning and management issue for every down- town, not just those in earthquake, hurricane, flood, or tornado zones. The most commonly reported dis- asters are actually fires, water leaks, power outages, computer virus attacks, premise liability issues, and human errors, any of which can happen anywhere. "There are two parts to our emergency preparedness. In addi- tion to helping businesses under- stand they need to do this, what does the downtown association do in a disaster?" Cash says. "Like when Paso Robles had their earthquake, their downtown Main Street program didn't contin- ue business as usual that day. They had to go into disaster mode of assisting businesses, helping with public relations, helping businesses get back on their feet and fmding new locations, all of these things. They weren't doing the things they would normally be doing. They had to shift their whole focus, and that's what we would have to do." The downtown business plan recommends the following strate- gies to include in a business dis- trict disaster response and recovery plan. · Develop business assistance activities. · Encourage the use of City policies that will facilitate post-disaster rebuilding. · Encourage the use of access and entry guidelines that will enable business and property owners to easily assess dam- age and retrieve belongings and inventory. · Include downtown business recovery issues in citywide disaster planning activities and practice drills. Strategic business plan is invaluable The old downtown strategic business plan was a very useful eye-opener, Cash says, and the new one "is even better than I could have expected, because it really opened my eyes to the dys- functional relationship we had with the city, and that needed to change so we could go forward at a higher level." Having a strategic business plan for downtown is "invaluable," she says. "I would encourage any- body who doesn't have one to either read ours, and maybe use it as a template to figure one out, or hire a consultant." Contact: Deborah Cash, (805) 541- 0286, dcash@downtownslo.com, www. downtownslo.com. . April 1, 2008 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com 3 Even befriending a park requires a savvy board, balancing progress with outreach - continued from page 1 intern architect and urban designer at Saratoga Associates and an adjunct professor at the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Poly- technic Institute. Coudert and his wife have been property owners and residents of downtown Troy since 2004. The park lies in view across the street from their rehabili- tated, early 19th century building. "The park is as old as the city itself," he says. "It was originally a cemetery for the church next door, and converted into a city hall for about four years back in the 18oos. In the 1930s it burned down and became a public park again," in 1944. But years of neglect and mis- guided attempts at urban renewal took a heavy toll on the park, he says. "It really became a negative place. People weren't sure if it was a park or just a very big sidewalk. You can see from the [current] pic- tures that it's mostly hardscape with a couple of benches. It's become a haven for the homeless, and on any given nice day you'll see about 40 people there, mostly intoxicated." As a former city hall, the park is located "in the heart and center of Troy," and it has dense development around it, "but it fell away for a couple of years. Nobody took care of it. It progressively got worse." Disbanded park advocacy group was revived "In about 2003, a group of peo- ple got together and raised aware- ness, raised funds, put in some planters, and did other stuff. But as things changed and people's lives changed, they disbanded last year," Coudert says. Seeing a leadership gap that could hurt their downtown, Coud- ert and two community-minded friends, one a graphic designer and the other a downtown business owner, all relatively young and new to the area, would become the revived park group's president, vice president, and treasurer. "I knew that they lived close by, and we had done stuff together for other things, like a Green Mate- rial Expo," Coudert says. "We looked around, and whoever seemed interested was allowed to join. The couple across the street own a huge building. They are older developers, and they wanted to be involved too, because the suc- cess of their building is dependent on the success of the park." The three other board members are a landscape architect with over 35 years of design experience, who lives one street over from the park, the city's director of public infor- mation, and an assistant professor of sculpture at the University of Albany. Immediate goal: raise awareness and money "When we got here two years ago, all the storefronts were empty," Coudert says. "Now that most of them have filled up, people have gotten pretty interested in the park. So we got together and decided to do something different." Given the diverse and complementary talents of the board, "we believed we could bring it all together and have some- thing cool here;' he says. "The more we did, the more people became interested, and the more we included more people." The group's immediate goal is to increase awareness about Barker Park so that it can raise money to complete a redesign and capital improvement. The Friends estimate it will cost $93,000 to redo the park with new benches, trees, lights, brick pavers, granite curb- ing, and decorative fencing. About half of that target amount, $50,000 has been raised so far. "The ultimate goal is to have a nice park where people can sit," Coudert says. "In the existing park, there are two benches. We want to put in 10 to 20 more benches. And make it a nice place again - something that people can identify as a park." Design will enhance public safety He likens the rationale for sprucing up the park to the broken window theory: "If you build something nice, people have a ten- dency to treat it better," he says. "If you build something designed badly, people will treat it badly. Our goal is that if we make it nice, more people will hang out there. And the more people you have there, the less likely it is that you'll have illegal or unsavory activities." For example, when the former park group installed planters, they let the plants get way too high. The plants then hid the adjacent church, whose exterior walls essentially became an outdoor bathroom. "Our design will enable people to look through it, so that people can at least be dignified. I think through better design and a more attractive place, the park will have a positive effect on the surrounding neighborhood." 4 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com April 1., 2008 . . . . . . Park group looks for community partners Despite the impressive talent and enthusiasm on the part of the reorganized Friends of Barker Park board, it will need plenty of help from other parts of the city to be effective. For example, a park advocacy group alone won't be able to disperse the church-run food pantries on three of the park's four sides. "Some of these problems we can't solve by ourselves. We need the cooperation of everybody," Coudert says. "Cities don't get revitalized just by one group or one person. It has to be a joint effort by everybody. Sometimes it's [better] policing. Sometimes it's having community groups talk to each other." For example, a food co-op is planned to open a block away from the park, and the Friends board has been talking with the co-op founders about ways of hosting events in the park, and connecting the park to the co-op so that downtown workers will be more inclined to have lunch in the park. The Friends have also talked with Russell Sage College, about a block away, about providing Wi-Fi in the park as a shared benefit for their students and downtowners. "Good urban design is really based around designing for every- body, and all activities," Coudert says. Delicate balance between progress and outreach Organizing and running an effective grass-roots organization, Coudert says, "is a delicate balance between getting things done and showing progress while including the community." Some groups will meet once a week for years and never get any- thing done, he says, "because they end up just talking themselves into a box. It's a delicate balance between progress and community involvement. You want to show progress to get people excited, but don't let them feel like they were left out of the process." In other words, present plans publicly in a community meeting, as the Friends did, before steam- rollering ahead. Make sure every- body's on board, and make your group leaders available for ques- tions and answers. "Also, contact other communi- ty groups to see what they're doing and how you can collaborate," he says, which builds community excitement and support. The Friends also use diverse publicity efforts to get its message out - its website, posters, post- cards, hosting a lot of events, and working with the newspaper. The Friends are planning their next fund-raiser for May, as well as a large summer ball. "And I'm thinking of having bands play at a bar, where all proceeds will go to the park. We're also sending letters to local businesses, individuals, and developers. I'm ready to have a bake sale if we need to. Really the best thing to do is to diversify as much as possible. The more you wait for one big ticket, the longer you wait." Donations are also accepted via the Friends of Barker Park website. Contact: The Friends of Barker Park, friends@barkerpark.org, http://barker- park.org. . Arts & Entertainment Bringing artist live-work housing downtown requires strong leadership A new construction project featuring live-work space for artists is intended to serve as a catalyst for the Minot, ND (pop. 36,570), central business district. The site is currently being used as a surface parking lot owned by the municipal parking authority. The four-story, 26-unit mixed- use building planned for the site is designed to meet the space needs of creative individuals and their families, with 12 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom units. Each rental unit in the over 50,OOO-square-foot building will have sufficient additional space - about 200 square feet - for an artist's studio. The project will also contain over 4,400 square feet of non-residential space that will be designated for commercial arts- related uses, such as frame shops and galleries and/or serve the needs of local arts organizations. The live/work units will be affordable to households with incomes below 60 percent of the median income for Minot's Ward County (the median income is currently $52,900). The project will have 17 enclosed parking spaces, nine outside stalls, a community room, and public and private roof gardens. Thankfully for downtown, this development will be in the core of Minot, and not at a state university nearby as initial talks would have placed it. April 1., 2008 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com 5 Idea ..Exchange Make establishing a Web presence simple As an online presence becomes ever more important to business success, groups supporting down- town businesses need to make get- ting information on the Web as simple as possible. For instance, follow the example of the Narra- gansett Pier, RI (pop. 3,671), ChamberofCOrrunerce: "Many of our members hesitate in creating their online presence with the belief that it's too costly, complicated, or time consuming. The Narragansett Chamber of Com- merce Business Member Web Ser- vices Spotlight Pages makes the process easy and at no cost We realize how important your time is so we made it uncomplicated, fast, and in five easy steps you are fin- ished. The process could take five or six minutes. We will take care of the rest. With our new site search technology, websire visitors will find pages specific to the key words they search. After your Spotlight Page is online, we'll take care of the maintenance, hosting, and updating for you." City promotes common courtesy Last month, the city of South Pasadena, CA (pop. 24,290), took an important step toward promoting public civility when it issued a proclamation against profanity and rude gestures - at least for a week. Beginning last month, swearing will be verboten the first week of every March. The idea was the brainchild of 14-year-old McKay Hatch, who 8 also founded South Pasadena High School's No Cussing Club. He con- siders it a quality-of-life issue that could also help curb violence and other bad behavior. "You have to start with the little things," he said. Erase boundaries in town-gown relationships "Economic development today turns on three Ts - technology, talent, and tolerance - and univer- sities nurture all of tbem," writes Richard Florida in the Globe and Mail. 'The key to the future lies in building stronger bridges between universities and their surrounding communities," says Florida, pro- fessor of Business and Creativity at the Rotman School of Manage- ment, University of Toronto. "The old town-gown boundaries must dissolve until it becomes impossi- ble to see where the university ends and the community begins." As an example of this, he cites the Savannah College of Art and Design, which became a major force in Savannah, GA's redevelop- ment when it took over old build- ings in the downtown. He also points to the University of Toronto as another school that is "seamless- ly integrated into its downtown community." Downtown development benefits the entire community James Calhoun, a member of the city board of directors for Arkadel- phia, AR (pop. 10,912), offers this reminder of why downtown develop- ment is important to the entire com- munity. "Vibrant communities have a vibrant downtown. It starts in the downtown area and the city moves outward. The downtown ... is the vital part of the city, of any city. That is where the city council sits, the post office, and the other things that every city has. The improvement will flow outwards toward the newer parts of town if we get this part revitalized." . Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com April 15, 2008 . . . I. i. '. Walking & Recreation Pedestrian studies can aid redevelopment effort but require creative techniques Foot traffic is all-important to a vibrant downtown. And so pedestrian counts, which in their most basic form involve researchers counting pedestrian traffic midblock on the sidewalks of key streets downtown, can be enormously useful. Downtown pedestrian traffic data can be used to: · Measure traffic volumes over time. · Examine impacts of events, public art, sidewalk closings, weather, and new buildings. · Determine shopper character- istics. · Shape shopper traffic patterns and evaluate pathway identities. · Attract more foot traffic to specific locations. · Help retail recruitment efforts. But since pedestrian behavior varies from one downtown to the next, sometimes pedestrian traffic studies need to fmd more creative ways of collecting data than just counting people walking the length of a given block. (Continued on page 3) Residential Development Compromise allows first-floor housing in struggling downtown A recently proposed ordinance amendment would do something that at first doesn't sound so bene- ficial for a central business district - it would make possible ftrst- floor residential use in downtown Crookston, MN (pop. 8,190). For downtowns that need to consolidate commerce to a more sensibly sized core, allowing this flexibility to adaptive reuse rede- velopment efforts can make sense. The trick is in doing it prudently, as a win-win for businesses, prop- erty owners, and new residents. "We've struggled to compete with regional retail centers, and retail may not be as viable as it once was. Certainly, we want to maintain as much as we can. However, we've had to look at alternative strategies to utilize the buildings downtown and to encour- age reinvestment in them," says Aaron Parrish, city administrator. (Continued on page 5) Sales gap analyses can target opportunities A sales gap analysis is useful for identifying economic development opportunities. The Lehi, UT (pop. 19,030), Down- town Revitalization Plan illus- trates how this works. First, the average sales per capita in each major Standard Industrial Classification were cal- culated for the entire state. Next, sales in Lehi were compared to average sales statewide to esti- mate the proportion of purchas- es made within Lehi. Negative results identify gaps to work on, while positive capture rates show areas of strength. "For example, in the sporting goods category, Lehi had a capture rate of 868 percent. '" meaning that residents from other com- munities are traveling to Lehi to make these types of purchases," explains the plan. Inside this issue Perspectives: Downtowns need to cater to the needs of a more mature populace. .... 2 Leaders need to see their downtown with fresh eyes. . . 3 In strategically planning for Mure, downtown eyes expan- sion across the river. . . . . . 7 Multiple fund-raisers can really add up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . 8 @ 2008 Alexander Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Perspectives Planning downtown opens up exciting possi- Downtowns need to cater to the needs In strategically planning for future, bilities and potential for a down- . . town that has struggled to balance of a more mature population downtown eyes expansion its historic character with its eco- nomic need for growth and change. By Laurence A. Alexander ness. In addition to design con- A shifting regional economy, blighted but is not currently attain- "I think the way that downtowns sideration, this will require care- growing county population, and ing its highest and best use," says can continue to live and be vibrant North American populations ful, insightful examination of changing demographics have trans- Christy Myers, a city economic today is to constantly reinvent them- are starting to show a bulge in the zoning and all other development formed the traditionally central role development director in charge of selves," Myers says. "This doesn't numbers of people over 60, 70 or and construction codes. These of downtown Noblesville, IN (pop. implementing the downtown strate- mean taking away history or famil- more years of age. This demo- will be needed to help guide 28,590). While the downtown busi- gic development plan. iarity, but it does mean shaking it up graphic force is hitting virtually development, and reinforce com- ness community is fairing well, it "The comprehensive vision for a bit, diversifying, and of course everywhere and it is just beginning pactness while even lowering has lacked common management the Westside is to make the area hopping on intriguing bandwagons. to roll out. costs and bolstering financial and concerted marketing, and lost more vibrant and frankly usable "The White River has always For future success, down- feasibility. market share as a result. What's from a pedestrian or community been a barrier from the east and towns must cater to this demo- The new downtown residents more, issues related to parking and member's perspective. Currently the west sides of town and we are chal- graphic giant, and do so correctly will certainly own fewer cars and general accessibility impact the hospital remains the only real hub lenging that perception by asking to capture their time, attention, drive each of them less. This core's image as a viable and conve- of activity, besides some restaurants why it can't and shouldn't be a and dollars. should be reflected in parking nient destination for employees, which are dominated by automo- focal point. This geographic feature Downtowns often have real requirements. When onsite park- residents, and visitors. biles, and we would like to change is actually a huge asset whose rede- advantages as places to live for ing is not possible, the rules These factors challenged this or at least guide future develop- velopment (from an economic and the 60-plus group: compactness, should support well-located pub- Noblesville to redefme the role of ment in the area towards it." community perspective) has nation- essential services, and opportuni- lie lots and garages correctly de- downtown and engage the growing wide examples. In order to make it ties for personal contact abound. signed and properly priced. population. Noblesville rose to the How will the new and old sides a bridge rather than a barrier, we This holds true both right in Most downtowns will still be challenge by producing the Down- of downtown relate? need to create new, mixed, and downtown in upper stories, new vehicular magnets. Car and truck . . town Noblesville Strategic Devel- If downtown successfully exciting uses on the west side, buildings, warehouse adaptive routings, speed restrictions, traffic opment Plan. Introduced last year, annexes the Westside, and steers which is currently barren from a reuses, and similarly in very near- signals, and loading zones will the plan serves as a guide to smart more pedestrian-oriented develop- sustainability point of view." by neighborhoods. People can need careful review as more rela- incremental change that respects ment to that part of town, a new And stretching downtown escape car-dependent sprawl by tively slower-moving seniors the community's history and challenge will be in bridging its across the river serves the overar- living and enjoying downtown move downtown. enhances its assets. dual identity. ching strategy of the Noblesville Please start/renew my one-year lifestyles. With less car use, the role of "The intended way that New Strategic Development Plan: to subscription to Downtown Idea To serve them, downtowns transit and bikes grows larger. Downtown looks to expand Town and Old Town would relate capture regional growth and invest- Exchange for $227.* need to expand or extend their The design and operating fea- across the river to one another is in the aesthetic ment in downtown and make use of commercial offerings and ensure tures of transit and bike systems One of the bolder initiatives feel and physical development of vacant and underutilized land in NAME they are targeted correctly. That need to enable more, better, and that has come as a result of down- the structures, infrastructure, and and around the historic core. TITLE includes recruiting the right safer use of these modes for the town's new focus is studying the streetscape," Myers says. Contact: Christy Myers, Economic FIRM/ORGANIZATION stores, restaurants, cinemas, etc. older cohorts along with every- potential for expansion of down- "Although we expect more Development Department, City of Further, this includes general one else. town across the river, and trans- modern buildings and materials, ide- Noblesville, Indiana, (317) 776-6345, ADDRESS services such as doctor, social The basic considerations are ally the physical appearance of the cmyers@noblesville.in.us, www.cityof- forming an auto-oriented area CITY STATE ZIP services, and pharmacies. To where these people live, work into something recognizable as a two would be similar: zero lot set- noblesville.org. . PHONE make all this possible, downtowns (many still will), and how they downtown. backs, parking in the rear, wide will need to facilitate building reach downtown facilities and "We are coming to an end on sidewalks with street furniture, D Web Extras FAX conversions, upgrades and new important destinations. the Westside Redevelopment Study mixed uses, broken up street grids, EMAIL N15 construction specific to seniors' Still, this picture reveals that where we have analyzed existing etc. Psychologically, because of ~ To view the Downtown 4J MAIL: 712 Main Street - Suite 1878 requirements. walking will assume even greater these similarities between old and Noblesvil/e Strategic Development Boonton, NJ 07005-1450 uses, infrastructure and opportuni- Plan, which includes among its key WFAX: (973) 402-6056 While developing services functional importance - and gen- ties across the White River from the new, we would hope to create a kind strategies a Riverfront Enhance- . PHONE: (973) 265-2300 and residential offerings, down- erate heftier economic impact. An . . historic downtown to determine of fluidity married by the White ment Program, visit www.Down- @ EMAIL: info@OowntownDevelopment.com towns need to maintain one of overall pedestrian component in how we can expand the downtown River rather than separated by it. townDevelopment.com and click . North America, $227. Elsewhere. $257 on Web Extras. Oncludes airmail delivery). their greatest resources: compact- downtown master plans is a must. into an area that is not necessarily Annexing a newer part of 2 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com Apri/15, 2008 April 15, 2008 7 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com are present downtown were con- tial redevelopment that includes Hotel could even happen, they'd Elements like good sidewalks, structed around the turn of the some first-floor housing are an have to come up with parking crossings and seating areas are all century, and so utilization of these old armory and a defunct junior spots for them." . . in the mix as are excellent signage, buildings is critical to their sur- high school. sidewalk and crossing maintenance vival. And so the thought is that Another tool in downtown's kit and repair, snow removal, public by allowing a path for residential Reaction from business MacDonald does not expect to area illumination - the list is use, we'll be able to better utilize community mixed see large-scale conversion of first extensive. some of these facilities. And in Downtown businesspeople floors to apartments in downtown Barrier-free design, which is that process of using them, pre- generally feel that the planned because of this ordinance change. important now, will become even serve them," says Mike Mac Don- unit development requirement for But "it will become, I think, more so on a practical basis. aId, the city's community frrst-floor housing downtown is a part of the toolkit that folks will Downtown planners and designers development director. decent compromise, Melbye says. use as they're trying to preserve will need to examine every step of The planned unit development "Because that way we've got a bit and convert these old buildings the way from the car to the store- process, he says, "would allow the of latitude as to where we want to into something that can perform front, right into the store. Ditto council to be able to consider the keep retail. If it's off on a side economically." from the bus stop to the sidewalk appropriateness of the proposal street, and it fits for housing, why If the city and intended devel- then into the bank and back again. and all of the development ideas not? We've got control so that oper are able to pull renovation of Even though there are many or concepts that are associated we're able to keep our retail dis- the old Wayne Hotel together, this applicable federal and state codes, with that for suitability within the trict semi-together rather than will be an important part of it, he like ADA, downtowns need to go area in which they're proposed to having to say, whatever goes says. beyond bare minimums to serve be located. goes." "And it may be beneficial to us the public better. One broken, "The criteria would be that "It's nice if you don't have to have this available for a number high, or dangerous curb can be overall, the development is con- the problem that we've got with of other buildings. But it doesn't, an insurmountable barrier. sistent with the underlying dis- empty storefronts," he says. That in and of itself, pave the path and As a target group downtown, trict requirements. It also takes said, allowing residential use on make it a snap to preserve all these . i. seniors will have their own special into account any special features the first floor as part of a planned old buildings. It's still going to be tastes in music, film, dining, art, that the project may include, unit development could provide an effort. A lot of things have to fashion, recreation, and exercise. and/or characteristics of the area, this and other slumping down- come together in order to make it Actions like those discussed and how they may be in the pub- towns a much-needed jump-start. happen." above will have an impact on lie's interest to pursue even if "It could be a good thing if it For years, the problem of seniors. At the same time, market- they're not totally consistent with brings more people down there vacant old buildings in downtown ing and advertising programs need the underlying district's require- that need goods and services," he Crookston has stagnated, to the to reflect this market. Hip slogans ments. says. "But it's a compromise. We point of seeming overwhelming, and images from the teen world "So it's a way to evaluate and want to spur redevelopment of the notes Leon Heath, executive direc- will not impress seniors. Ad copy consider the appropriateness and Wayne Hotel, so we would have tor, Northwest Regional Develop- should be accurately targeted and the benefits of the proposed pro- more people downtown living in ment Commission, Warren, MN. developed for this market seg- ject," MacDonald says. 20-some units. Yet at the same The business sector was long ment. Some events, too, should be "If we went with a condition- time we don't want downtown opposed to subsidizing residential custom-fitted to seniors' interests. al use permit, which is what was opened up as a residential center redevelopment that would crowd it There are other aspects of first proposed, anybody down- because of parking and what not. out, but the proposal to redevelop town that owned a vacant store- As you get residential, people downtowns that already need front could turn it into apartment tend to park more than the two- the old hotel has inspired new attention to adequately serve the housing, which I don't think we hour limit that you would like. thinking on the part of the town. senior demographic. The need wanted for our downtown," says "It can help, but it can hinder. Contact: Wayne Melbye, Residential will accelerate as the boomer pop- Wayne Melbye, committee chair, Some of the businesspeople didn't Improvement and Development Commit- ulation share advances inexorably. tee, wamelbye@hotmail.com; Aaron RID. "Here we can pick and like the idea of people parking Parrish and Mike MacDonald, (218) Laurence A. Alexander, AICp, is the choose more." overnight, but the city requires 281-1232, City of Crookston, www. founder of Downtown Idea Exchange Besides the former hotel, that new residential units be built crookston.mn.us, Leon Heath, Northwest . (. and Downtown Promotion Reporter. other vacant buildings downtown with dedicated parking for their Regional Development Commission, Email him at lalexander@downtownde- that would serve well for residen- tenants. So before the Wayne www.nwrdc.org. . velopment.com. . 6 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com April 15, 2008 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com 3 April 15, 2008 Pedestrian traffic offers many nooks and crannies to study - continued from page 1 For example, a downtown with well-used skyways or tunnels may have to rethink how it assesses and presents its pedestrian metrics. Likewise, pedestrian views may be very pertinent to prospec- tive tenants or investors, in addi- tion to how many people are walking in either direction on adja- cent sidewalks. An expert in this field is Peter Bruce, of Pedestrian Studies. formal attempt to document how many pedestrians can actually see that comer as they walk around the intersection. Determining that required eight streams of foot traf- fic to be measured at the same time - two sides of each street from four directions of approach. U sing this research method, anchor tenant spaces downtown can be better marketed with the help of 'impressions' data, just as sellers of billboard advertising tout how many motorists go by a billboard. "It's a little different from a traditional pedestrian count How valuable is corner space? Recently at the request of a client who owns a comer retail space, Pedestrian Studies made a because I don't have counters in tend to do it, and high jaywalker or walkways are open to the pub- "There are these various things Compromise allows first-floor housing the middle of the block watching volume can be documented in a lic. In harsh climates, downtown that affect a decision to walk down in struggling downtown - continuedfrom page 1 people go by them just on that pedestrian study to show good hoofers tend to cross from one . . a street. The problem is that when sidewalk. We had to have four peo- retail access between sidewalks. office building atrium walkway we do a pedestrian count, we don't Generally, the strategy of pIe watching TV as you walked or pIe sitting at the to the next, and measure the people who are not allowing for more flexible re-use drove down the street? intersection and avoid the side- going down the block. In this case, of buildings, including the poten- To ensure that you won't, the collecting data walks as much you have to do a subjective audit, tial for first-floor housing down- city will require some screening of related to peo- as possible. and use researchers' judgment to town, has been well-received. residential uses on the first floor. pIe's views of A good way figure out, 'Why are people not "However, we did have to And to ensure on-street park- this particular to ensure pedes- walking down the sidewalk?' Or, implement a flexible zoning ing supply remains adequate, park- comer," Bruce trians are still 'Why are they not turning the cor- approach that would allow us to ing must be packaged with new says. being counted in ner to go down the side street?''' "It's quite a this scenario is consider the impact [of first-floor residential units. One of the big factors that tend residences] to the streetscape. labor-intensive to count people to make people avoid walking "If an area is more retail in How it works study, but it entering and down a street by day is the pres- character, maybe we would try To ensure that downtown stays does give you a exiting the build- measure of true Note in the key: "High jaywalker volume documents good retail access between sidewalks." ings that contain ence of dark spots - areas with to continue to encourage retail in well balanced and that new resi- potential for such walkways, poor sunlight or too much shade. that area. Whereas in many areas dential is added in the right places, By night, people tend to look impressions. And that's how you With reasonable precautions and include those count figures on of our downtown, first-floor hous- "what we ended up doing is allow- show how valuable a corner space taken to ensure safety, "it's impor- the traffic map. for factors that reassure their sense ing would be a great opportunity." ing first-floor housing by planned of safety, like a uniformed officer, is. In that respect, a comer space is tant for a main retail street to "Stores located next to those bright lighting, and other people. Addressing concerns unit development," Parrish says. three to four times as valuable as a encourage jaywalking, because it arcade entrances have good expo- "So each individual that elects mid-block space, because of the helps the street act like a shopping sure, and they need to take advan- After the safety factor, people The idea of changing the zon- to go this route will have to bring additional exposure," he says. center atrium," Bruce says. That is, tage of it," Bruce says. look for visual appeal and interest, ing ordinance was brought before forth a plan to the city, which our to the extent it's made feasible and tend to avoid streets with council because the proposed rede- planning commission will evalu- Jaywalking is a good thing, through slowing down vehicular Accounting for visual . . blank walls and boring facades. velopment of a former hotel in ate. Planned unit development is sort of traffic, downtowns should encour- impressions Some downtowns have turned downtown needed the option of most often used for allowing flexi- Jaywalking creates very dan- age people to follow their whims to Some visual impressions or their construction fences into im- frrst-floor living to make the pro- bility to the zoning code, for uses gerous situations in some cases, walk back and forth from one side judgments that people make when promptu folk art galleries to good ject viable. and/or specific performance and for many decades, traffic engi- of their main streets to the other. they look down a block, such as effect, through the use of murals But to gain support for its idea, requirements in the zoning codes." neers have frowned upon it. But In one downtown, Bruce found distance, are at the subconscious and decorative posters. Aestheti- the city had to reassure commercial In very informal terms, it increasingly over the last 10 years, that the spontaneous jaywalking level and very hard to measure or cally pleasing public art at key property and business owners that could be thought of as "Let's make towns have experimented with volume was five times the formal figure out. locations down a sight line can the entire downtown would not be a deal zoning," he says. introducing devices to slow and and legal mid-block crossing vol- "When people who've never also excite a pedestrian enough to converted to housing, and that The provision lets the city, in narrow streets downtown. For ume! Jaywalking was not original- visited or rarely visit downtown walk down an unfamiliar street. developers would need to meet cer- reviewing a plan, to allow some example, narrowing or throating ly intended to be part of the study, look down a block, they have to Design guidelines can also tain standards to incorporate frrst- variance from its zoning code four lanes of traffic down to two at but it turned out to be an important make a quick judgment if they be useful to stimulate private floor housing. (use of first-floor housing in the downtown intersections, so that factor to point out on a map of want to walk down that block. property owners and developers There are two main considera- downtown district), in exchange pedestrians only have to cross two downtown's pedestrian traffic pat- That decision is influenced by to think ahead and buy in to tions in order to appropriately for meeting certain requirements lanes of relatively slow traffic. terns (see graphic, this page). how far the distance looks and improving their building's pedes- blend existing retail and new resi- (parking, impact to the streetscape, "That helps make people feel what the visual enticements are," trian orientation. dential uses in downtown, Parrish and screening). comfortable in jaywalking or illegal People take shortcuts and Bruce says. "You just need to be careful says: mid-block crossing. In some cases, shelter indoors, too The presence of other people that you don't make it so standard- · Impact on the streetscape - Goal is to spur preservation downtowns add legal mid-block Another area where people on on the sidewalk provides the ized that you have a factory-like Is the visual integrity still main- The city's hope is that the crossings, with lights, signs, or foot in downtown don't always pedestrian a very strong clue that look of stores that are appealing tained at the street level? ordinance change will put some of other traffic control methods," operate by the book (and can con- there's something interesting to but all the same. Because variety is · Impact on infrastructure - downtown's oldest buildings that Bruce says. found the counters) is in making look at. Another enticement is most appealing." Are parking opportunities still have fallen to neglect and disrepair In a downtown where traffic shortcuts or taking cover from the color on building fronts. Signs . . Contact: Peter Bruce, Pedestrian Stud- there for retail uses? to good use. has been tamed sufficiently to elements by walking through can also attract, but do more harm ies, (612) 827-8080, pbruceceo@aol. For example, some downtown- "The downtown is largely make jaywalking safe, people will buildings whose arcades or interi- than good if they are cluttered. com, www.pedestrianstudies.com. . ers wondered: Would you see peo- under-utilized. The buildings that 4 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com April 15, 2008 April 15, 2008 Downtown Idea Exchange . www.DowntownDevelopment.com 5 . . . FARMINGTON CDBG STATUS REPORT --- FUND BALANCES 31-Mar-08 HHH 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 Total Percent ...:...:.............:.:: .. Downtown Code Improvements $7,255.99 $7,255.99 6.0% Residential Rehabilitation $18,669.06 $18,669.06 15.5% Commercial Rehabilitation $18,669.00 $18,669.00 15.5% Riste Redevelopment $12,433.96 $30,400.00 $42,833.96 35.6% McVicker Revelopment $32,750.00 $32,750.00 27.3% TOTAL (by year) $7,255.99 $18,669.00 $32,750.00 $12,433.96 $49,069.06 i' $120,178.01 100.0% TOTAL BUDGET -- 63,669.00 65,500.00 60,800.00 60,800.00 PERCENT EXPENDED BYYEAR nOL "'~ (''30/ .,:v.:, .....:..... v,,", '" Note: The fund balances may include project administration. FY2007 Spendown Ratio 1.98 . . . City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, Minnesota 651.463.7111 . Fax 651.463.2591 www.ci.farmington.mn.us TO: EDA Members FROM: Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development Specialist SUBJECT: Future Discussion Topics DATE: April 28th, 2008 INTRODUCTION / DISCUSSION The following is a list of topics that will be addressed in the future. . Craig Rapp's Analysis . Design Standards . Downtown Cornmercial Delineation . Marketing . EDA Downtown Sign