HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.21.25Jan. 21s', 2025
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority met on
Tuesday, January 21s', 2025 at 12:00 PM.
Members Present: Board Members Joe Bye, Kevin Kluesner, Kelly Beniek, Larry Hosch (via Zoom)
Members Absent: Ross Huls
City Representatives Present: Nate Keller, Community Development Director
Kluesner called the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority meeting to order at 12:00 PM
Public Comments: none
Agenda Approval: Bye made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; seconded by Kluesner
and passed unanimously by those present.
Consent Agenda: Bye made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by
Beniek and passed unanimously by those present.
a. Minutes —Nov. 19th
b. Financial Report Dec.
Nomination of Chair and Vice Chair
Kluesner made a motion to appoint Hosch as Chair and Bye as Vice Chair; seconded by Bye and passed
unanimously by those present.
Nominations for Finance Team
Kluesner and Bye expressed interest in being on the Finance team. Beniek also expressed interest.
Kluesner made a motion to appoint Bye and Beniek to the Finance team; seconded by Hosch and
passed unanimously by those present.
Recap of 2024 accomplishments and 2025 EDA focus areas
Keller recapped some wins from 2024 like: downtown redevelopment, industrial park development,
blighted property development like JR Mobile into the House I Food and Tap, Quinset building adjacent to
post office into two new tenants, purchase of Feedmill.
Keller highlighted priorities for 2025 including: support for Joetown Blocks event, funds to support Small
Cities grant, Boutique hotel, continued downtown redevelopment, Industrial Park (phase 2). Keller also
mentioned Council priorities like: bonding for the gateway area, increasing the housing options,
development of Casey's gas station, and Super America sites.
The EDA Board concurred with the priority layouts identified.
Characteristics of a Successful Downtown Activity
Information was shared by Keller on the characteristics of a successful downtown. Discussion ensued on
the categories which included:
• Density/quantity of businesses
➢ Overall development has occurred in areas that are connected to one another. For
example, Ash St redevelopment
➢ Some opportunities are improved crossings, sidewalks, and boutique hotel. These will all
allow for enhancements to connect and provide greater density/safety to and from
destinations
• Public gathering spaces
➢ Memorial and Centennial park exist on the Western and NW fringe of the downtown.
Hosch made a comment about the importance of being purposeful in how these spaces
are used or partnerships that could be leveraged.
➢ Consensus was we do not need a central park but should focus on enhancing what is
existing for public spaces
• Residential base
➢ Continue to encourage mixed use development that provides retention of residential.
Millstream lofts are a great example
• Variety of services and businesses
Jan. 215', 2025
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➢ Opportunity is to continue to connect property owners to entrepreneurs or those looking
to open businesses. Facilitate and be purposeful in providing a diverse offering of
entertainment and businesses to attract a wide demographic
Day and night time activities
➢ Overall good job of ensuring day and nighttime entertainment and options exist. Park and
Rec is a component of this. Continue to connect opportunities with those who own
property
Building and Sign aesthetics
➢ Current regulatory framework is in place. Opportunities like Fagade grant exist for
existing businesses. Continue to market and create awareness for the grant program
Large regional draw
➢ Opportunity — Boutique hotel
➢ Wins include current businesses, CSB events, other community events like Joetown
Blocks, 4ch of July, etc. Continue support of these events that draw folks in from outside
and within the region
CVB updates
Updates provided on CVB including some formalization of items like: CVB Director job description,
enabling CVB resolution and ordinance, and sponsorship idea that the CVB is exploring.
CVB Budget Request — Billboard Advertising
Kluesner made a motion to table the request; seconded by Beniek and passed unanimously by
those present.
General Business updates
Updates included: Boutique hotel, CSB/SJU project research on "Social District", announcement of My
Town Series, TIF/Abatement training, Cannabis Ordinance, Short-term Rental Ordinance, Casy's gas
station, Presidents Panel on Feb. 13th 8:30-10, new business —Well and Company.
Adjourn: Kluesner made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 1:03 PM, seconded by Bye and passed
unanimously by those present.
M utes by:
Nate Keller
Community Development Director