HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 [04] Apr 18 (2)
www.cityofstjoseph.com
CITY Of ST. JOSEPH
Administrdtor
Judy Weyrens
st. Joseph Economic Development Authority
Meeting Notice
Wednesday April 18, 2007
3:00 p.m. City Hall
MdYor
Richdrd Cdrlbom
1. Call to Order.
Councilors
Steve Frdnk
AI Rdssier
Renee Symdnietz
Ddle Wick
2. Approval of Agenda.
3. Approval of Minutes.
a. March 21,2007
4. Accounts Payable and Financial Report.
a. Approval of Accounts Payable
b. Approval of Financial Report
5. Business.
a. Industrial Park Update.
b. Economic Development Plan Update.
c. Communications CommitteefTelevising of Meetings.
d. Estimated Market Value Increases.
6. Board Member Announcements.
7. FYI.
8. Adjournment.
2. )" College Avenue N 0 rt h . P 0 B ox 6 6 8 . S din t. I 0 s e ph, M inn e sot d )" 6 ,7.4
Phone ,2.o,b,.]2.ol FdA 120.,6,.0'42.
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY
Meeting Minutes - Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Present: EDA Board Members Richard Carlbom, Ken Jacobson, Tom Skahen, and Dale Wick.
Absent: Carolyn Yaggie-Heinen.
AI~o present: Cynthia Smith - Strack of Municipal Development Group.
Chairperson Carlbom called the March 21, 2007 meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:01
p.m.
, Agenda.
Chairperson Carlbom introduced the agenda. Moved by Wick seconded by Skahen to approve
the agenda as presented. Motion carried 4-0.
Approval of Minutes.
EDA Chairperson Car/born introduced the minutes from the February 21, 2007 meeting. Minutes
approved without objection.
EDA Accounts Payable.
Carlbom introduced the topic. Carlbom inquired as to whether the MDG invoice totaled $2,264.99
or $2,469.17. Strack noted the correct invoice amount was $2,469.17 and that accounts payable
for the month totaled $2,508.23.
Motion by Skahen, second by Wick to approve the EDA accounts payable for the month of
February 2007 in the amount of $2, 508.23. Motion carried 4-0.
Financial Report.
Carlbom introduced the agenda item. Strack noted the February financial reports were contained
in the packet. Reports presented included: revenue, expense, check register and fund balance.
Motion by Wick second by Jacobson to approve the February financial report as presented.
Motion carried 4-0.
Industrial Park Update.
Carlbom introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that at the previous meeting the Board
reviewed a concept plan for Parkway Business Center, a proposed business
(commercial/industrial) park at the former Feld farm site. The concept illustrates the subdivision of
approximately 55 acres into 23 commercial and industrial lots. In addition the EDA discussed the
concept of participating in industrial lot development through the issuance of a TIF revenue bond
to purchase acreage and install public utilities. The EDA reached consensus at the meeting
noting the next step would be to discuss the potential for such participation with the City Council
at the upcoming staff/Council/consultant retreat.
Strack noted that the retreat was held on Wednesday, March 14th. Those attending the
staff/Council/consultant retreat recommended the EDA perform additional research to determine
what the best long-term approach toward potential participation in industrial development may be.
The EDA discussed the timing and pace of development in areas previously identified for future
industrial development including the proposed Parkway Business Center (former Feld farm site)
and acreage near Interstate 94. Wick noted the construction of re-routed CSAH 2 in 2009 could
reasonably be expected to impact the pace of development adjacent to Interstate 94. The Board
agreed and discussed the potential of actively preparing the area for development prior to
EDA Minutes - March 21, 2007
.,."
....;-"
roadway construction. The Board also discussed participation in the Parkway Business Center
development in the near-term with promotion of development adjacent to Interstate 94 as a
longer-term goal. The Board. ultimately reached consensus in noting additional information was
required. The Board requested Strack: obtain potential cost estimates/price points for the
Parkway Business Center lots, obtain additional information regarding the potential for tax
increment financing being used for improvements, and obtain input from existing industrial
prospects regarding development schedules. Strack will bring additional information to the April
meeting.
Economic Development Plan (Comprehensive Plan) Update:
Carlbom introduced the agenda item. Strack noted that the EDA had established updating the
economic development plan contained in the St. Joseph Comprehensive Plan as a goal for 2007.
The plan had last been updated in 2002.
Strack referenced the draft plan contained in the EDA packet noting:
· Economic Development is important because the City can help maintain a strong
economy by promoting and retaining jobs which provide a good standard of Iiving.Also,
increased personal income and wealth expand the tax base which can help the City
provide the services residents want. Finally, a balanced, healthy economy is essential for
the community's well-being.
· Understanding the local economy is not as easy as looking at a single picture but more
like a montage of pictures that frames our interpretation of the whole.
· Population estimates: St. Joseph - 5,700; five-mile trade area - 12,000; and St. Cloud
MSA-173,OOO.
· Traffic counts: Interstate 94 - 25,000 average daily trips; Hwy. 75 - 22,500 average daily
trips.
· Personal Income Growth: Regional higher than state average much higher than national
average
· Wage Growth - St. Joseph: Historical change much lower in St. Joseph than County &
MSA
· Job Growth - St. Joseph: Historical change higher in S1. Joseph than County & MSA
· Job Growth - Regional: Historical change higher in County & MSA than nation, par with
State
· St. Joseph Job Indices:
. Historic decline in # of establishments in following sectors: wholesale trade,
professional business services and health care/social assistance
. Historic increase in # of establishments in following sectors: leisure/hospitality,
construction, manufacturing and professional/technical services
. Historic decline in # of jobs in following sectors: retail trade and health care/social
assistance
- . Historic increase in # of jobs in following sectors: transportation/warehousing,
professional technical services, education and manufacturing
EDA Minutes - March 21, 2007
· Projected High Growth Industries (DEED):
. Computer and math-related fields including computer support specialists,
computer software engineers, and systems analysts
. Community and social services fields including social workers and social/human
services assistants
. Healthcare support fields including home health aides, nursing aides and
attendants, medical assistants, and medical transcriptionists
· Commute Shed (where people who live in S1. Joseph work): A greater percentClge of
those living within one mile of the center of the City of S1. Joseph (compared to those
living within five and ten miles of the City) work within the following sectors: construction,
transportation/warehousing and education. Conversely a lower percentage work within
the following sectors: wholesale trade, retail trade, health care/social services and
accommodations/food service.
· Labor Shed (where people who work in St. Joseph live): A greater percentage of those
working within a mile of the center of S1. Joseph (compared to those working within five
and ten miles of the City) work within the following sectors: construction, wholesale trade,
transportation & warehousing and accommodations/food service. Conversely a lower
percentage work within the following sectors: manufacturing, retail trade,
finance/insurance, professional/scientific/technical services, administration, educational
services and healthcare/social assistance.
· Hiring: Per DEED in Central Minnesota the following jobs have excess demand at this
time: advertising, marketing, PR, and sales managers; operations specialists managers;
art and design workers; supervisors, building, grounds cleaning and maintenance
workers; scheduling, dispatching and distributing workers; construction trade workers;
electrical and electronic equipment mechanics, installers and repairers; assemblers and
fabricators; and, material moving workers. Conversely, the following sectors have excess
job supply retail trade and healthcare/support services.
· Unemployment History: Unemployment rate in the S1. Cloud MSA has typically been
equal to or greater than the state average but consistently below the average, population
growth quicker than job growth.
· Market Value - S1. Joseph: Portion of tax base attributed to commercial/industrial
establishments greater in S1. Joseph than in S1. Augusta, Sartell and Sauk Rapids but
less than Waite Park.
· Population/Employment Ratio Analysis: (expressed as how many people one worker in
the selected industry serves)
. Growth Opportunities: retail trade; wholesale trade; manufacturing; professional
business services; and, education/health services.
. Excess Supply: accommodations/food service; construction; trade, transportation
& utilities; and, leisure/hospitality.
. Local economy highly dependent upon the following sectors: food
services/accommodations, trade/transportation/utilities and leisure and hospitality
businesses.
· Sales Tax Analysis: (county level is smallest data increment available)
. Annual per capita retail sales: $11,722 per person
. Actual sales exceed potential dales: Stearns County has a retail sales surplus
(pull factor) valued at $234 million annually.
EDA Minutes -March 21, 2007
. Conclusions: people are coming to Stearns County either tourists or visitors from
other counties. Adjacent counties do hot pose direct competition to businesses in
Stearns County.
. Building Costs - in general: Construction costs in Minnesota in 2006 were two (2) percent
above the national average, constructions costs in the S1. Cloud MSA were three (3)
percent above the national average and construction costs in the Minneapolis/S1. Paul
MSA were 14.5% above the national average.
. Building Costs - factors: Building quality; building shape/outline; building area (Le. larger
buildings cost less per square foot than smaller buildings); differences in typical wall
heights; location of building (redevelopment vs. new development); and, common
ownership (common walls, ownership on first floor vs. second story affect cost).
· Strengths:
. Population growth
. Location - transportation corridors
. Growth in personal income
. Job growth
. Construction, manufacturing, leisure/hospitality, professional/technical services,
education & transportation/warehousing sectors.
. Jobs in demand: computer & math, community & social services and healthcare
support fields.
. Commercial/industrial tax base is growing
· Challenges:
. Historical wage growth locally slower than region
. Decline in number of wholesale trade, professional business services and health
care/social assistance establishments
. Decline in number of jobs in retail trade and health care/social assistance
. DEED reports difficult market for those seeking jobs in advertising, marketing,
PR, and sales management; operations specialist; art and design; building,
grounds cleaning and maintenance; scheduling, dispatching and distribution;
construction; installation/repair; assembly and fabrication
. Local economy highly dependent upon the following sectors: food
services/accommodations, trade/transportation/utilities and leisure and hospitality
businesses
. Potential excess supply of accommodations/food service; construction; trade,
transportation & utilities; and, leisure/hospitality establishments in S1. Joseph
· Opportunities:
. Potential for expansion of retail and healthcare services establishments
. Excess demand locally for retail trade; wholesale trade; professional business
services; and, education/health services
. Population within trade area over 12,000
· Goals:
. Downtown Revitalization
. Highway Commercial Renewal
. Competitively Priced Industrial Lots
· Work Plan:
. Promote commercial and industrial developments that maximize the return on
City investments in public facilities and services, expand the tax base, provide
quality employment opportunities and complement existing services.
EDA Minutes - March 21, 2007
. Retain existing commercial/industrial uses and encourage new'
commerciallindustrial development to locate in existing commercial/industrial
parks and commercial/industrial zoned areas.
. Proactivelyand consistently promote downtown revitalization activities.
. Promote efforts to achieve commercial renewal/redevelopment in previously
developed areas within the highway commercial district.
. Provide appropriate, professional information to development leads in a timely
fashion.
. Administer financial incentive programs offered by the City/EDA.
. Promote the exchange of information between the business community and the
City of St. Joseph.
· Other ideas:
. Market research study - promote findings, actively distribute to retailers.
. Recruit healthcare facility expansion and tie into nursing program at CSB.
Following the presentation the Board discussed the local economy, existing goals/priorities and
the volume of information reviewed. Board members requested copies of the presentation for
review and referral between this meeting and the next. Board members will resume discussion
and finalize the economic development plan draft at the April EDA meeting with presentation to
the Planning Commission expected in May.
Board Member Announcements.
Mayor Carlbom announced the formation of a Communications Committee for the City. Thus far
those on the committee include Council Members Renee Symanietz and Steve Frank and City
Administrator Judy Weyrens. Carlbom stated the purpose of the Committee was to help provide
information to the public and to manage the gathering and distribution of information. The
Committee's initial task would be to institute a communications plan. Carlbom asked whether or
not the EDA should be represented on the Committee. Board Members suggested EDA
representation on the Committee be re-addressed at the April meeting as Carolyn Yaggie-Heinen
was not present.
Mayor Carlbom announced that beginning in April, 2007 all regular public meetings, including
EDA meetings, were to be televised. Carlbom noted the decision had been made and was final.
Wick inquired as to whether the Communication Plan and Committee should be established prior
to the requirement for televising meetings becoming effective. Skahen asked what the cost of
televising would be and whether or not the EDA would be responsible for such costs. Jacobson
suggested a list of "do's and don'ts" for televised meetings be compiled. Carlbom agreed to delay
implementation of televising meetings until additional discussion could take place at the April
meeting. Strack will create list of 'do's and don'ts' for review at the April meeting.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned by consensus at 4:20 PM
EDA Minutes - March 21, 2007
www.cityofstjoseph.com
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
DATE:
April 11, 2007
Administrdtor
Judy Weyrens
MEMO TO:
St. Joseph Economic Development Authority
FROM:
Cynthia Smith-Strack, Municipal Development Group
Mdvor
R.ichard Cdrlbom RE:
Accounts Payable - April 2007
April Financial Reports
Councilors
Steve Frdnk
AI Rdssier
R.enee Symdnietz
Ddle Wick
A. Accounts Payable:
Following are Accounts Payable for the EDA's Consideration.
Payable To
MDG, Inc.
TDS Metrocom
Total
For Fund
April Econ. Dev. Service 150-46500-300
Telephone
Amount
$ 2,333.13
$ 38.75
$ 2,471.88
Action:
A MOTION is in order to approve the Accounts Payable.
B. Final.1J:ial Report:
April financial reports for the EDA are following. The reports consist of:
1. EDA revenue to date.
2. EDAexpenditures to date.
3. CtIetk~ister.
4. Fund Balances (Econ Dev. 150, TIF 1-3 155, TIF 1-4156 and RLF 250).
Action:
A MOTION is in order to approve the financial reports.
2." College Avenue North' PO Box
Phone )2.0.)6).72.01
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668 . S din t. 10 s e p h ,M inn e sot d
Fox )20)6).0)42
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INVOICE
MUNICIPAL DevELOPMENT GROUP, INC.
25562 WILLOW LANE
NEW PRAGUE, MN 56071
952-758-7399
FAX.: 952-758-3711
mdg@bevcomm.net
City of St. Joseph
Attn: Judy Weyrens
City Administrator
PO 668
S1. Joseph, MN 56374
Invoice Date 04-10-07
I Payment Terms: 30 days I Customer 10 #: ST J06ED
Project
March Economic Development Services
See attached detail
Amount:
$1,925.00 Monthly contract fee - 41.75 hrs.
$ 408.13 841.5 miles x .485
$2,333.13
Code to: 150-46500-300 for general EDA
Remit To:
Municipal Development Group, Inc.
25562 Willow Lane
New Prague, MN 56071
Dates-EDA
March 7, 2007 Hours at MDG Office
March 14, 2007 EDA Office Hours
March .15, 2007 Attend Downtown Promotions & UE
March 21,2007 EDA Office Hours
March 28, 2007 EDA Office Hours
March 29, 2007 Attend Downtown UE meeting
Total March, 2007
6.00 hrs. C. Strack
10.50 hrs. C. Strack
2.00 hrs. C. Strack
7.50 hrs. C. Strack
7.50 hrs. C. Strack
1.00 hrs. C. Strack
36.50 hours
Total MDG, Inc. 2007 Hours through March, 2007 = 130
Thank you! We appreciated the opportunity to work with you!
I Check No.
Date:
4A;~ ULL-
Principal
City of St. Jose.ph
EDA Report
March 31, 2007
2007 YTD March 2007
Account Descr BUclget 2007 Amt YTD Amt Balance
FUND 150 Economic Development
E 150-46500-103 Legislative Bodies $750.00 $0.00 $0.00 $750.00
E 150-46500-151 Workers Camp. $150.00 $0.00 $0.00 $150.00
E 150-46500-200 Office Supplies $500.00 $0.00 $0.00 $500.00
E 150-46500-300 Professional $24,100.00 $2,505.75 $4,770.74 $19,329.26
E 150-46500-.303 Engineering Fee $2,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $2;000.00
E 150-46500-304 Legal Fees $1,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $1,000.00
E 150-46500-321 Telephone $600.00 $54.45 $136.35 $463.65
E 150-46500-322 Postage $250.00 $0.00 $0.00 $250.00
E 150-46500-327 Tax Increment $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
E 150-46500-331 Travel & $500.00 $0.00 $0.00 $500.00
E 150-46500-340 Advertising $500.00 $0.00 $0.00 $500.00
E 150-46500-433 Dues & $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
E 150-46500-510 Land $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
E 150-46500-582 Computer Software $300.00 $0.00 $0.00 $300.00
E 150-46500-587 Special Projects $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
E 150-46500-700 Misc $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
FUND 150 Economic Development $30,650.00 $2,560.20 $4,907.09 $25,742.91
FUND 155 TIF 1-3 Borgert (SKN)
E 155-46500-300 Professional $935.00 $0.00 $0.00 $935.00
E 155-46500-327 Tax Increment $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
'E 155-46500-340 Advertising $50.00 $0.00 . $0.00 $50.00
E 155-46.500-600 Debt Service - $8,307.00 $0.00 $0.00 $8,307.00
E 155-46500-611 Bond Interest $10,413.00 $0.00 $0.00 $10,413.00
E 155-46500-620 Agent Fees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
FUND 155 TIF 1-3 Borgert (SKN) $19,705.00 $0.00 $0.00 $19,705.00
FUND 156 TIF 1-4 St. Joe Development
E 156-46500-300 Professional $4,700.00 $0.00 $0.00 $4,700.00
E 156-46500-304 Legal Fees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
E 156-46500-327 Tax Increment $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
E 156-46500-340 Advertising $50.00 $0.00 $0.00 $50.00
E 156-46500-600 Debt Service - $14,996.00 $0.00 $0.00 $14,996.00
E 156-46500-611 Bond Interest $32,196.00 $0.00 $0.00 $32,196.00
E 156-46500-620 Agent Fees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
FUND 156 TIF 1-4 St. Joe Development $51,942.00 $0.00 $0.00 $51,942.00
FUND 250 Revolving Loan Fund
E 250-46500-304 Legal Fees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
E 250-46500-490 Revolving Loan $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
FUND 250 Revolving Loan Fund $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$102,297.00 $2,560.20 $4,907.09 $97,389.91
City of St. Joseph
Page 1
EDA Revenues
March 31, 2007
YTO %
SOURCE SOURCE Oescr Budget Rev Revenue Balance of Budget
FUND 150 Economic Development
34150 T1F/MIF Deposit $0.00 $17,000.00 -$17,000.00 0.00%
36210 Interest Earnings $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
36300 Reimbursement $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
39201 Transfers from Other $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
FUND 150 Economic Development $0.00 $17,000.00 -$17,000.00 0.00%
FUND 155 TIF 1-3 Borgert (5KN)
31050 Tax Increment $0.00 $0:00 $0.00 0.00%
FUND 155 TIF 1-3 Borgert (5KN) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
FUND 156 TIF 1-4 51. Joe Development
31050 Tax Increment $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
FUND 156 TIF 1-451. Joe Development $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
FUND 250 Revolving Loan Fund
36210 Interest Earnings $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
36212 CDAP Loan Interest $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
39312 CDAP Loan Proceeds $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
FUND 250 Revolving Loan Fund $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
$0.00 $17,000.00 -$17,000.00 0.00%
/' '"
City of St. Joseph
EDA,Check Register
March 31, 2007
Page 1
Search Name CHECK # Comments FUND DEPART Amount
TDS METROCOM 030006 Telephone - Feb 150 46500 $38.75
QWEST-TELEPHONE 038609 Telephone 150 46500 $15.70
MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT CORP 038647 eda contract 150 46500 $2,505.75
$2,560.20 .
City of St. Joseph
Page 1
EDA Expenditures
March 31, 2007
YTO %
OBJ OBJ Oescr Budget Exp Expense Balance of Budget
FUND 150 Economic Development
DEPART 46500 Economic Development Authority
103 Legislative Bodies $750.00 $0.00 $750.00 0.00%
151 Workers Compo Insur. Premo $150.00 $0.00 $150.00 0.00%
200 Office Supplies $500.00 $0.00 $500.00 0.00%
300 Professional Services $24,100.00 $4,770.74 $19,329.26 19.80%
303 Engineering Fee $2,000.00 $0.00 $2,000.00 0.00%
304 Legal Fees $1,000.00 $0.00 $1,000.00 0.00%
321 Telephone $600.00 $136.35 $463.65 22.73%
322 Postage $250.00 $0.00 $250.00 0.00%
327 Tax Increment Certification $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
331 Travel & Conference $500,00 $0.00 $500.00 0.00%
340 Advertising $500.00 $0.00 $500.00 0.00%
433 DueS & Subscriptions $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
510 Land $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
582 Computer Software $300.00 $0.00 $300.00 0.00%
587 Special Projects $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
700 Misc $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
DEPART 46500 Economic Development $30,650.00 $4,907.09 $25,742.91 16.01%
FUND 150 Economic Development $30,650.00 $4,907.09 $25,742.91 16.01%
FUND 155 TIF 1-3 Borgert (SKN)
DEPART 46500 Economic Development Authority
300 Professional Services $935.00 $0.00 $935.00 0.00%
327 Tax Increment Certification $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
340 Advertising $50.00 $0.00 $50.00 0.00%
600 Debt Service - Principal $8,307.00 $0.00 $8,307.00 0.00%
611 Bond Interest $10,413.00 $0.00 $10,413.00 0.00%
620 Agent Fees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
DEPART 46500 Economic Development $19,705.00 $0.00 $19,705.00 0.00%
DEPART 49301 Transfer to other Funds
700 Misc $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
DEPART 49301 Transfer to other Funds $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
FUND 155 TIF 1-3 Borgert (SKN) $19,705.00 $0.00 $19,705.00 0.00%
FUND 156 TIF 1-4 St. Joe Development
DEPART 46500 Economic Development Authority
300 Professional Services $4,700.00 $0.00 $4,700.00 0.00%
304 Legal Fees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
327 Tax Increment Certification $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
340 Advertising $50.00 $0.00 $50.00 0.00%
600 Debt Service - Principal $14,996.00 $0.00 $14,996.00 0.00%
611 Bond Interest $32,196.00 $0.00 $32,196.00 0.00%
620 Agent Fees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
DEPART 46500 Economic Development $51,942.00 $0.00 $51,942.00 0.00%
FUND 156 TIF 1-4 St. Joe Development $51,942.00 $0.00 $51,942.00 0.00%
FUND 250 Revolving Loan Fund
DEPART 46500 Economic Development Authority
304 Legal Fees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
490 Revolving Loan $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
DEPART 46500 Economic Development $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
FUND 250 Revolving Loan Fund $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%
$102,297.00 $4,907.09 $97,389.91 4.80%
, :...-<
\vww. cityofstjoseph.com
CITY Of ST. JOSEPH
DATE:
April 11, 2007
Administrdtor
Judy'Weyrens
MEMO TO:
Economic Development Authority
FROM:
Cynthia Smith-Strack Municipal Development Group
MdYor
Richdrd Cdrlbom
RE:
Industrial Property
Councilors
Steve Frdnk
AI Rdssier
Renee Symdnietz
Ddle 'Wick
Background:
As you are aware, the EDA continues to discuss options for the creation of shovel ready
industrial sites. At the March meeting the EDA requested information regarding:
1. Potential cost estimates/price points for new industrial lots within the area.
2. The use of TIF to assist with installation of utilities.
3. Existing prospects regarding development schedules.
Following are industrial land prices (with improvements) as pulled from public advertisements,
postings and qualified land sales. Additional information shall be forthcoming as qualified
commercial/industrial land sales for previous year have been requested from Stearns County.
Additional information is attached.
City/Industrial Park Price - er s.f.
Cold S rin Industrial Park $2.75_
Free ort Industrial Park $0.23 & $0.45
Rice Industrial Park $0.30
St. Cloud - Air ort Industrial Park $1.25
St. Cloud - 0 ortuni Drive $1.75
Most recent sale - Buettner Business Park 2005 $0.90
Local- roposed* $2.00
"Note based on utilities installation at $0.75/square foot. City Engineer's estimate (2006) $1.39/sf
Use of TIF for assistance with installation of improvements has been requested from various
TIF professionals. Potential update to be provided at EDA meeting.
Follow up with projects 06-0, 07-A and 07-0 was conducted regarding development
schedules. Project 06-0 is still looking to expand but working through more pressing issues at
this time. Project 07 -A is still comparing parcels in St. Joseph, Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud.
Project 07-0 is creating business plan. All have potential to move forward this year, perhaps in
St. Joseph.
Action:
This item is for information and discussion.
!
I
2.)" College Avenue North, PO Box 668 . Sdint. joseph, Minnesotd )"6174
Phone )2.0.,6,.72.01 FdX ,2.C),6,.O'42.
Industrial Property for Sale - S1. Cloud lIRA
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(' . 11-94 Industrial Park
\ . iopportunity Drive
iSt. Cloud, MN
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ILocated East of 1-94, South of Exit No. 171, on Stearns
iCountry Road 75.
fFeatures
iLocated on 1-94 approximately 5 miles south of downtown
iSt Cloud.
130 acres of land remains available in sizes ranging from 5-
110 acres
-==+ !Current price is $1.75 per square foot
Price includes utilities and assessme
!Site Characteristics
iFinancial
ihttp:hVrVifW' .stc:~-oudhra. conllefI:_~pgb~tctts5tstance
St. Cloud HRA
i 1225 West St Germain SI.
St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 252-0880
Page 1 of 1
The 1-94 Business Park is an excellent
opportunity for development projects with
distribution requirements along the
interstate highway system. In spring 2004,
a direct interchange was completed that
provides direct access to the freeway from
the business park. Land is shovel-ready
and the land price includes all utilities.
Current businesses located in the park
include New Flyer Bus Company,
Antioch/Creative Memories and Menasha.
Anderson Trucking, Arctic Cat and Gold
Leaf Plastics will be building in 2006.
hitn'/I,xmmr <l.t('l{,\llrlhr~ ('.l\lYI/nrl\nprh,r nhn?Tnrlll<l.tri~lPrl\npr1'Vm=l Q
4/111?007
Industrial Property for Sale - St. Cloud HRA
, Airport Business Park
\ '.' 7609 Riverdale Drive.~
~t.~
Description:
The Airport Business Park is the newest and largest
business park in the St. Cloud area. It is located just off
! Highway 23 on County Road 8 near the St.Cloud Regional
! Airport. There is close access to Minnesota State Highway
10. The park is designed to accommodate developments
from as small as 5 acres to as large as 100 acres. All
! utilities are in place and included in the price of the land.
The partners in the park include East Central Energy, City of
St. Cloud, st. Cloud Opportunities and St. Cloud HRA.
Features
· located 3 miles east of downtown St. Cloud
. 360 acres oftotalland available
. Parcels range from 5 acres to 100 acres
Site Characteristics
.~
Financial
The cost is $1.25 per square foot.
Page 1 of 1
VR T(:'HH
A virtual tour of the Airport Industrial Park.
1_L.t..~_. 11_______ _L_1 ___ .31_ ____ _ _ ~__ 1._ __.._ _....L-_ ._l_._flT _ .1___.........: _In__._ _-L-_'TT""\._1 c
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Current Property - Rice Industrial Park
I Status: IIPurchase
I Size,: 115,08 acres
IAddress: IILot 1 Block 1 V~~Mill2
I City: II Rice
ITnpogmphy: II Flat
IPdo!" Lise: Ilvacant
IPurchase Price: 1112'700.00 I a[~
I Lease Rate: 10.00
IDate Available: I!Now
I Conrad Name: I!Nancy Hoffman
ICOntlld Complmy: I I Benton County
\contact Phone: 11320-968-5071
-
-
rl'llpJ
AdditioIlllllnformatioll
Price per acre. Incentives provided based upon community impact.
H{H'ne
Proper!}!
!i<iJ'U;iI'fch and Da~
,~l:H:Hn SL Cloud
A.l:mut TheP,u'oonecfsnlp
C~:I":r\tact U"
P,.O.Bog 'ltJ91
st;,Ci.:iitld, MIN 563tl2
Pl:1o,(320} 2 52~2171
Fa){.(s'20} 251 ~OiOf.l'l
E-!naif:
imD@s1:l<3psrtnsronlp,{loQ.rn
http://scapartnership.com/cgi-bin/inventory . cgi ?pg=details&id= 101
4/11/2007
Administrdtor
Judy Weyrens
MdYor
Richdrd Cdrl60m
Councilors
Steve Frdnk
Al Rdssier
Renee Symdnietz
Ddle Wick
CITY Of ST. JOSEPH
www.cityofstjoseph.com
DATE:
April 11, 2007
MEMO TO:
Economic Development Authority
FROM:
Cynthia Smith-Strack Municipal Development Group
RE:
Update of Economic Development Chapter of 2002 Comprehensive Plan
Background:
One of the EDA's goals for 2007 was to update the Economic Development Plan included in
the 2002 Comprehensive Plan. At the March meeting the Board reviewed statistical
information and trend data related to the local economy. Board members requested an
opportunity to reflect on the data prior to reviewing specific comprehensive initiatives, goals
and strategies.
Attached please find a summary of the powerpoint presentation reviewed at the March
meeting. The March meeting minutes also contain a summary of the presentation,
Also attached as a starting point for discussion are comprehensive initiatives, goals and
strategies for review prior to discussion at the EDA meeting.
Action:
This item is for information and discussion.
1.) College Avenue North' PO Box bb8 . Sdint. Joseph, Minnesotd )6574
Phone )2.0)b).71.01 FdX )1.0)6)0)41.
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY
LEFT BLANK
Comprehensive: Plan. Update. .
P.conomic(j)evefQpment (}?[a,t
Economic SnapshOt: . St. Joseph and St. aoud MSA
.. Popuiation:
St I""""h: 5.700
Five mile trade area: 12,000
St aoud MSA: 173,000
. TraffiC;:
_ 94: 25,000 avemge dailylrips
Hwy. 75: 22,500 avemge'dailytrip.
'c.u'" _
~~..~"'"-_.
MJG.;InC~
Co....prehensivePlanLJpdilte
P.cotuJmic (j)evefopment (}>(an
Econ6micSnapshot; St.. Joseph and St. C10udMSA
51:. J~h3ObIndices:
Histpri,,,lecliaeini# OfeotablilhmentBinfon~_:wholesale tnide,(,"'l
~res.ion8lbnsiness1leIVice.and heaIth""""social assistmwe,-".'
Histprioil1-in# ofestabJishmeats ;"foBowin~ _, leismJl~,
construdiOn,lIl8I11JfiIcturgand~fessionaIIIecImselV1Ce8 \y__ "
HistoriC&iolinein# of job. info Bowing seeton: IOlail tmde 8I1dhealth fi.J- c.
csreIsocial-assistance ".":
Hisicmoinciessein # of jOboin f<>DDwil!g seeton: lIansportstiODlwmebousiD,g,
~ftissiol1lilteolmioalservioeo> eda<:atimi and lJIllIl1Ifuofur ,..
S!(
Mlri:h 2l,;2D07 M:lG.;.1Ac..
Job GroWth - St. Joseph: Hislmioolohai.ge higberinSt i..~-,. ....,
Ioseph than Counly& MSA if!!}'.
Job Growth -Regional: ~~.:t:~= l,if'
NOTE:,,~,r.e.tpawb@~~~_
Miwc:ffit...2<<,Q't ~,,~'.
Comprehensive:Plan. Update
. 'Economic (j)evewpment (/!(an'
Economic SnapshOt:.St. Joseph and St. Cloud MSA
Projected High GrowthInd"'ies (DEED):
CompulBr and malh-r<ilated fields including computer support specialists.
computer <<lflware engineers, .and systemS.analysls
. ,',- ........, ,
Community and social services fields including social workers and
sociallhuman services assistants
Healthcare support fields including home health ~ides, nursing aides and
attendants, medical assistants, and medical transcriptionists .
HEAtTHCAREft SUPPORT FIELDS "ST. JOSEPH OPPORTUNITY
MtWm21,;-1Dar
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1
COIqPrehenSive1Plan.;;tlpdate
<Ecooomic..<Devef9pment.<1!fan
Ecol1omic Snapshot: St. . Joseph andSt.Cloucl MSA
COMMUTE SHED Snapshot: Wherepeoplewholive inSt Joseph work
D Agreaterperoentage of those living within one mile of the
.centerofthe City of 51. Joseph (compared to those IMng
. within five and ten miiesofthe City)WOIkwithin the
followingsectClfS: construction, transportatiOnlwarehousing
andeducal:ion.
n Conversely a lower percentageworkwithirl the following
sectors:wItoiesale trade, retail trade, healthcarelsocial
. services.andaccommodationS/food service.
Mardt 2J:.,2IX17
foI>G;JDc.
Comprebensive....PlanUpdate
P.cooomicCDevef9pmentc.Pfan
Economic Snapshot: St, Joseph and St.Cloud .MSA
Hiring: Per DEED in Central Minnesota
~ Advertising.rnarkElting,PR,andsales managers;
operations specialislsrnanagers; art and design workers;
SUpeMSClfS. bUilding, grounds cleaning and maintenance
workers; SCheduling, dispatching and distribllting workers;
construclion trade workers; electrical and electronic
equipment rnechanics,installersandrepairers;
assemblers. and fabricators; and,rnaterial moving workers
U Retaittrade andhealthcareJsupportservices.
Mllrdt21,j.lIXf1
Comprehen$ivePlanUpdate
<EcOfWmic<Devef9pmentc.Pfan
Economic Snapshot: St. Joseph and St. aoud MSA
Popullttion/EmploymentRatioAnalysis:
(Elcpress\!d as howmony pecpIe one ""'"""" in the seIecled inckJslry.5elVeSl
,.jiI
ri#!I'
Gnnrth Opportu..iti..,reIBill!ade; wholesale lrode;
JIIlIllUlilcturg;-profelllliomUbusiness seIVi""" and,
educationIhe"ltllllervices.
ExeessSllP. ply:8CCO..mm. oda1ionsl. foodseIVice;_. .on; ......._.. e._
1mde, tnmsportation &llIilities; and,leiB1llelhospilality. ;
Local ecollomy higlllydepelldeatllpoD thefollowiag seeton' food
~~0118, tIadeitnD18podBaIuliIities and leisure and
Mmdi21..~7
11
M>G,Inc.
comprehensive.PlantlDCIate
P.co1Wmic(])evefopment cdan
Economic Snapshot: St. Joseph and St. Cloud MSA
LABORStlED Snapshot: Where people who work in St Joseph live
Agreater percentage ofthose working withina mile of the
D center of st. Joseph (compared tothoseworkil1llwithin
. five and ten miles of the City) work within the following
sectors: construction, whOlesale trade,transportalion&
warehousing andaccommodationslfood service .
n Conversely a Iowerperce~geworkwithin the following
sectors: rnanufad:uril1ll. retaK trade, financeJinsurance,
professionaVscientilicltechnlca1 services, administration,
educational services andhealthcare/sOcial assistance .
Math 21,.'1JJUl
M>G, Int.
Comprehensive Plan . Update
<Economic(])evelOpment{P(an
Economic Snapshot: St. Joseph and St. aoud MSA
.
Unemployment History: UaemploymenllllleiD1he St. Cloud i<i~-
MSA he111M>i<:allybeea equal to or ,,^c'
greater than 1he lIIale avemge bat..,
comistoaIIy below the average ~.
PopnJaliongrowth quicker thanjob growth.
Market Value ... st. Joseph: Portionoftsx hose .tllibuted to
commerciallindestrial estsbJiohmeaIB
greateriD St. Joseph than jn Sl r'"
~=;'~SaukRapids. i,~
Mai'dt21,1/YJ7
MXi,lnc.
1.
Comprehensive Plan '.Update
<Ecooomic (])evelOpment{P(an
Economic Snapshot: St. Joseph and St. Cloud MSA
sales Tax AnaJy$is:
(Ccu1ly level is SITIIIIIest cIeIa 1ncremen18VllillIbIe)
ADDllol P.~ C~plta llJIlaII S81es, $11,722 per person .~
ActwII S81esExceedPotoallal S81es' StemJJlI Comdy hell a Retail Sale. Surplus
(poll fu<:tor) valnedatS234 millioD annually.
Condusions:
People are comiDgfD' Steam. Comdy either tourista orviBitOlB from other
4. counties.
(~ . Adjoceat coDDlies do DOt PO" direct competition to businesoes in Steams
C01llrty.
MIlrch21,.1IX1l
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2
Comprehensive Plan Qpdate
P.conomic (DevelOpment CPfan'
Economic Snapshot: St. Joseph and St. Cloud MSA
Building Costs:
iiii~ Building CDSI.~iD general: Constmctioncosl.in Minnesotain 2006were'two
",,',.(2)percentaboVe,the lIlIliollllhVOIll~e;_otioDs,coots inthe'Sl. CloudMSA
" WOIlO three(3)pereeuI aboVethe.naIional""erageondconmuction coobl in the
MinueapoJisfSl:,Paul.MSAwere 14:S%aboVethelllllionalaveroge;
Building Cosls-'facIors: BuiIding,qualily;'building.hapeiOlllline;'buildiog
area(L..lm:ger buiJdiogoCOlltlelsper~".....fo<>t,_omallerbuildiogs);
difl'ereuoeo inl.yJlicalwall,heighD;'l_on'ofbuildiog',(redevel"!'ment'vo. n,ew
development);8Dd, commonownendtiI> (commonwallB, ownendtiI> onlinotl1oor
.....0000 story affeclcosl). .....', >/
Mlnb2J.,2JX11
13
Co.qprehensiveiPlan Update
P.conomic (f)epelOpment q?fan
Economic.5napshot:St.Joseph and St. Cloud MSA
Challenges:
~ HisloricalWll@OlJOwth1ocallyslowerlbauRgion
~ Dccline,inmmber of_lcsale trade, p-ofessicool business suvices and
hcollh CORIsocisl assistance eslIblislmeJts
~ Decline inwni>er of jobs in RtBillnldcand hcaItb CORIsocielllSlSistance
~ =='~es~;-~~~de>ign;
building. grouuds cleaning and lJIllimtnauce; sch<:WIing, di,!iIlIlICbinIt and
disIn'bulim; CCIISb1Jction; inslallalilllJ/ropoir; asseni>1y and lIWricatiOo
,/ Local eclHlOmy bighlyckpeodenlupon IlIefollowiDl! sectors: food
;~~,~onhJljlmsandleimRand
~ P_sl,......supplyofao:ommodalionslfoodscrvice;CCIISb1Jction;
trade,tnmspoIlalion &.otililies; and1eisure1hospita1 __ in St. Joseph
M/Jfdt21..21X17
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Comprehensive Plan Update
,P.conomic (j)evelOpment cpfan
Goals:
~ Downtown Revila1i.zation
~ Highway Commercinl Renewal
~ Competitively Priced _a1 Lots
.-
- - ._-
- :-
- .- - _ ;, --u~;.' '
... ..
Mard121,: 1lX11
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17
Comprehensive Plan update
P.conomic (j)evelOpment cpfan
Economic Snapshot: St. Joseph and St. Cloud MSA
strengths:
~ Popu1atWn growth
~ Loc8Iion ~ 1IanoportaIion corridors
~ Growth in personal income
~ Job growth
~ ConJImction, IIUII1Ilfioclnr 1eiourelhoopit:ali\y, prore.,;onal/teclmical
services, education: & tta:noporlatian/warebonaing _.
~ Job. in demand: computer & math, community &,SOCiaJ IlOl:Vices and
healthcare .upportfields.
~ Commerciallindtulritax base is growing
March 2l~ .'JlJI1l
MXi'~ Inc.
..
Comprehensive~lanQpdate
CEconomic(j)e'fJ~wpment{1J{(Jn.
Economic Snapshot: St. JoSeph and St. Cloud MSA
Opportunities:
~ Potenlialfor expansion of retailnnd healtb<:are oeM.,..!lStilblishmeuti
~ . _ demand locally fortelail trade; WlWleoaI. trade;prore.,;onal.!nJOimlss
services;'BIld; edncationIhealtservices
., population wilbin trade BRBover 12,000
M5dJ 21.1lX1l
MXi',lnc.
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Comprehensive Plan ..Upclate
P.conomic (j)evelOpment q?fan '..
Work Plan:
~~':=c~~=~~~=.,:~
~ oppodIIailies and ~lcmemexistitlgscrvices.
~~~=::f~-=-~~~-=~..=w
znoed BRBS.
"_lyand c:onsisIc:dlypromote dowdownreviIali2aI.ionacIiviIies.
~=-~~=,~~~flIlIU"JtinJRYious1ydevclopc:il
~'Provide ~ proftsaicool inl\lnnalion 10 devclopmenI1cads in a timely_on.
~ A<minist<r finauciaI inccDivt prosrams olfaed by IlIe ~IIIDA.
~ PromoIe tile =baDge ofinfonnation beIwccn tile business ,COIJIIIlIlitY andllle City of St.
JooopIL
Mlrth 21, '1WJ1
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3
COIl1Prehensive..;PI.aO....QPdate
P.conomicCDeve{i,pmentlPfan
OltIer ideas:
'" Market..........n!lludy - promote fin<lin8s, 8dM:1y distribute to _crs.
'" R<<ri1it hcaIthcare mcillty expansionlllld tie. into mnsil1g JlR>l!/llIII at CSB?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
MlI1:h 21;2007
~IJnc.
.9
4
XI. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A. Core Initiatives
1. Continue to promote the sustainability of the City of S1. Joseph in order to enhance the quality of
life for all residents.
2. Promote commercial development and redevelopment that: maximizes return on City investments
in public facilities and services; expands the tax base; provides quality employment opportunities;
and, complements existing services.
3. Promote industrial developments that maximize the return on City investments in pUblic facilities
and services, expand the tax base, provide quality employment opportunities and complement
existing services.
4. Retain existing commercial/industrial uses and encourage new commercial/industrial
development to locate in existing commercial/industrial parks and commercial/industrial zoned
areas.
5. Proactively and consistently promote downtown revitalization activities.
6. Promote efforts to achieve commercial renewal/redevelopment in previously developed areas
within the highWay commercial district.
7. Provide appropriate, professional information to development leads in a timely fashion.
8. Administer financial incentive programs offered by the City/EDA.
9. Promote the exchange of information between the business community and the City of S1.
Joseph.
B. Strategies for Development and Redevelopment.
Central Business District
1. Redevelopment/revitalization efforts in the Central Business District should contribute to an area-
wide focus on creating a pedestrian friendly environment with public spaces, structures, signage
and amenities built in dimensions that are specifically suited to humans on foot, those which
relate and are proportional to a human's size and walking speed (human scale) as opposed to
interaction with vehicular traffic. Specifically, the City should develop guidelines for
rehabilitation/development of properties that encourage:
a. Preservation of existing historic buildings and building elements;
b. Infill/new development that retains the existing street grid/building orientation;
c. Infill/new development that is sympathetic in scale/bulk to existing buildings;
d. A variety of land use types;
e. The employment of a variety of building materials (historically appropriate context) and
diverse appearances - not counterfeit or phony old buildings but a high standard of
contemporary architecture.
~ Implementation: St. Joseph Economic Development Authority, Downtown Urban
Environs Work Group, Planning Commission and City Council.
2. The EDAlCity should investigate the means to create pedestrian areas that:
City of St. Joseph Comprehensive Plan, 2007
. Chapter 11, Page 31
a. Are spacious and well-defined; ,
b. Are protected/separated/buffered from high volumes of traffic;
c. Are interconnected in both a physical sense (space to walk through) and visual sense
(spaces to see through);
d. Are safe; and,
e. Include public amenities such as benches, trash receptacles, trees, decorative paving,
other plants/greenery, directional signage, adequate lighting, etc.
> Implementation: St. Joseph Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission
and City Council.
. 3. The EDA should gauge business interest in participating in a commercial rehabilitation program
and if strong interest exists consider the application for funding to the Small Cities Development
Program.
> Implementation: The St. Joseph Economic Development Authority and City Council.
4. The City should work with the College of St. Benedict to investigate potential to update
streetscape amenities to link the College to Downtown.
> Implementation: City Council.
5. The City should continue to embrace Central Business District revitalization efforts by retaining a
dialogue with the community, business owners and other stakeholders in the project and
promoting the district as the cultural-center of the City.
> Implementation:. St. Joseph Economic Development Authority and City Council.
6. The City should continue to embrace Central Business District revitalization efforts by retaining a
dialogue with the community at-large, business owners and other stakeholders in the project and
by working with community members to retain guests/tourists within the community.
> Implementation: St. Joseph Economic Development Authority and City Council.
7. The City should investigate the provision of adequate public off-street parking facilities within the
Downtown.
> Implementation: St. Joseph Economic Development Authority and City Council.
8. The City should encourage the conversion of older single-family homes within the downtown to
office and small-scale businesses. High-density residential housing units should be located in
close proximity to the Downtown. Civic, government and cultural uses should be located within
the Central Business District.
> Implementation: St. Joseph Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission
and City Council.
City of St. Joseph Comprehensive Plan, 2007
Chapter 11, Page 32
HiQhwav Commercial Districts
1. New development, redevelopment and renewal efforts within commercial districts dependent on
high volumes of vehicular traffic should focus on creating commercial nodes or centers that are
located near intersections of high volume roadw~ys, designed to be fully integrated within the
greater community and transitioned into related land uses. Single tier auto-oriented strip
development adjacent to high volume roadways is discouraged.
>> Implementation: St. Joseph Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission
and City Council.
2. Buildings and other improvements within vehicle-oriented commercial areas should be designed
for the site on which they are to be placed. When designing and siting new
buildings/improvements consideration shall be given to the relationship of the proposed
structures/improvements and existing structures, scenic values, viewsheds and environmentally
significant/sensitive ateas.
>> Implementation: St. Joseph Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission
and City Council.
3. Intense, vehicular-oriented commercial uses should be limited to areas guided toward such uses
within the future land use.map and directly. related to serving.the driving public.
>> Implementation:. Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission and City
Council.
4. The City/EDA should deliberately work to renew existing areas of aging auto-oriented lineal
commercial strip development while respecting the needs of existing single-family neighborhoods
adjacent to said commercial development. The City/EDA should consider such areas for master
planning as future transit oriented communities as said conversion of existing lineal strip
commercial development is expected to be lengthy process which may be better integrated with
existing development through master planning a broad area.
>> Implementation: Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission and City
Council.
5. New development should be undertaken as a means of responding to current needs/desires of
the public, however, such development should be designed using sustainable techniques which
assist in future redevelopment/reuse.
>> Implementation: Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission and City
Council.
Industrial Develooment:
1. Retain and attract industrial development which enhances the tax base, provides quality job
opportunities, and is energy efficient.
>> Implementation: Economic Development Authority and City Council.
City of S1. Joseph Comprehensive Plan, 2007
Chapter 11, Page 33
2. Industrial Lises should be limited to areas guided toward such uses within the future land use
map. Industrial uses should not negatively impact the provision of services within the City or
negatively impact the environment.
~ Implementation: Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission and City
Council.
3. The EDA should continue to work with property owners to develop future industrial areas adjacent
to current industrial zoned land, to assure an adequate supply of industrial land is available for
development in the future.
~ Implementation: Economic Development Authority and City Council.
4. The EDA should continue to work with property owners to develop future industrial areas adjacent
to current industrial zoned land, to assure an adequate supply of industrial land is available for
development in the future.
~ Implementation: Economic Development Authority.
5. Industrial activities complementary to existing uses should be identified and the development of
such industries should be promoted and facilitated.
~ Implementation: Economic Development Authority and City Council
6. The Economic Development Authority should work with developers of new industrial parks to
develop covenants which provide for aesthetically pleasing and quality developments.
~ Implementation: Economic Development Authority.
City of 81. Joseph Comprehensive Plan, 2007
Chapter 11, Page 34
Administrdtor
] udy Weyrens
MdYor
. Richdrd Cdrl60m
Councilors
Steve Ffdnk
AI Rdssier
Renee Symdnietz
Ddle Wick
CITY Of ST. JOSEPH
www.cityofstjoseph.com
DATE:
MEMO TO:
April 11 , 2007
Economic Development Authority
FROM:
Cynthia Smith-Strack Municipal Development Group
RE:
Communications Committee & Televising of Meetings
Background:
At the March EDA meeting Mayor Carlbom announced the formation of a Communications
Committee for the City. Those appointed to the committee previously include Council
Members Renee Symanietz and Steve Frank and City Administrator Judy Weyrens. The
purpose of the Committee is to help provide information to the public and to manage the
gathering and distribution of information.
Carlbom asked whether or not any EDA Board Member(s) would like to serve on the
Committee. Board Members decided EDA representation on the Committee should be re-
addressed at the April meeting as Carolyn Yaggie~Heinen was not present.
In addition, Mayor Carlbom announced that beginning shortly all regular public meetings
including EDA meetings are to be televised. Carlbom agreed to delay implementation of
televising meetings until additional discussion could take place at the April meeting.
In addition a list of 'do's and don'ts' was to be prepared for review at the April meeting. The
City currently has not developed guidelines for televising meetings. It is expected this will
occur as part of the communication's plan. Until then attached please find tips from other cities
as obtained in a web search.
Action:
This item is for information and discussion.
2.) College Avenue North' PO Box 66s . Sdint. Joseph, Minnesotd )6)74
Phone ,2.0.,6).72.01 FdX )2.0.)6).0')42.
, You're On!
~ So islheeamera.
So is the microphone.
TIPS & TRICKS
for addressinf! the em Council
@ Sign up prior to the start of the
meeting if you'd like to address the
Council regarding an item on the
Agenda or an issue/concern.
@ Prepare your statement and practice
it. Public comment is time limited.
Make the best use of everyone's time.
@ Introduce yourself. When you arrive at
the podium, always state your name. If
you are giving public comment, state
your address and advise whether you
are speaking on behalf of a group or
organization. '
@ Handouts are helpful, especially if you
bring at least 12 copies to distribute to
the councilmembers and key staff.
@ Speak clearly as the City Council
meetings are recorded via audio
cassette and videotaped.
@ Face the dais where the Council sits
because you are addressing them
directly.
o Address the Council appropriately.
For example: "Councilmember Smith,"
"Madam Mayor," "Deputy Mayor
Jones," "Your honor" (for Mayor)
o Seek assistance from any staff member before
or during the meeting.
Woodi nvil Ie "IV 21
In a franchise agreement between the City of
Woodinville and Comcast, Channel 21 has been
designated as the City's government access
channel. Comcast cable subscribers can "tune in"
to WTV-21 to view information about City
programs, services and events.
In addition, City Council
meetings will be videotaped and
rebroadcast. These webcasts can
be viewed on Channel 21 and
from the City's website at
www.ci.woodinville.wa.us.
LOOK & SOUND"
GOOD
on camera and on microphone
o Avoid HWhite Washout"
o Wear neutral colored-clothing
(not white).
o Posture yourself
o Stand comfortably at the
podium.
o Make eye contact
o With the Council as you
address them.
o With the audience when
necessary .
o Control your facial expressions
o The cameras will accentuate
every movement (blinking,
yawning).
o Watch your body language
o It can be more powerful than
the spoken word.
o Know and control your habits.
o Microphones are (literally)
always on.
o Keep a 6-inch distance from
the microphone.
o Keep your cool with an even
tone.
o Do not look directly at the
camera.
o It leaves an impression with
the viewer that "something's
fishy. "
@ SMILE!
o You really are on camera!
o It makes you look
confident.
For questions about WTV21, contact Marie Stake,
Station Manager at 425-877-2267 or
MarieS@ci. woodinville. wa. us.
Video Conferencing Presentation Tips and Guidelines - TKO VideoConferencing
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- Craig Ortiz, Program Manager
The manner in which a person makes a presentation is important
both in face-to-face meetings and video conference meetings. Listed
on this page are some guidelines and presentation tips that will be
helpful for your next video conference.
What to Wear
Solid shades of blue or gray are usually best. These colors
(depending on the background) bring out healthy skin tones and do
not create a visual distraction. On
a television monitor, black and
white clothing coiors can also
enhance the skin tones, however,
if they contrast sharply with your
skin tone, it is usually bestto
wear a less contrasting color.
Similarly, try notto dress in colors
that match your skin and hairn_~~_._
tones. These will tend to wash out your natural coloration. Avoid
wearing red, green and orange, especially in bright or bold shades.
These colors can cause an unfriendly hue that is distracting to the
viewer.
Sounds and Movements
Noises that you may not notice in a personal meeting can become
distracting in a video conference. Avoid tapping on a desk,
whispering to others or shuffling papers. Modern high quality
microphones are designed pick up even the softest voic~ and so
while whispering may seem harmless, the parties on the other end
of your video conference may hear every word you speak.
Avoid unnecessary movements such as rocking in a chair or moving
side to side. Video systems are sensitive to motion and movements
you make that may seem slight can be magnified depending on the
framing of your position in the video window. Allow the viewer to
concentrate on what you have to say and not on the movements that
you make. !fyou do move substantially, do so \i'Jhen trying to
emphasize a statement or key phrase as you speak. In this way, you
can use the cameras to your advantage by allowing a key word or
phrase to create a picture as well as a statement.
http://www.video-conferencing.com/presentation.html
4/11/2007
Video Conferencing Presentation Tips and Guidelines - TKO VideoConferencing
Page 2 of2
Speaking and Eye Contact
Eye to eye contact is important and video conferencing systems are
quite good at transmitting facial expressions including the line of
your eyes. When speaking, look towards the monitors and gesture
as you would if the other parties were sitting right in front of you. The
camera is usually located above the monitor and this makes it
unnecessary to look directly at the camera in order to look natural as
you speak. Instead, look at the monjtors that will be showing you the
images of the other meeting participants.
Managing Motion and Sound Delay
Meeting through a video conference is very similar to a face-to-face
meeting except some participants may be half-way around the
world. This can cause some important differences in the way we
interact. Most people tend to interrupt one another in meetings and
we do this without even thinking about it. Video conference meetings
highlight interruptions especially when there is a slight delay
between speakers due to the network connection. This usually
happens when network connections are of slow speed and over long
distances. Do your best to be patient while waiting to speak. Wait
until a speaker is finished talking before you begin to speak.
About TKO VideoConferencing
TKO VideoConferencing is a division of TKO Video
Communications, an industry leader, providing high-quality global
video communication solutions for business and government.
Services include audio and video conferencing, event management,
streaming, and broadcasting via sateliite. Founded in 1995, TKO is
based in Silicon Valley, with offices in San Diego, New York City,
Washington, DC, Singapore and Cork, ireland.
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TKQj{illeoQQIlj-'t[~ngl19. i faci.illi.~ I M~lli!Mm\)J}t i 'Q<;LrTI9_gUll'
Copyright? 2003 All Rights Reserved TKO VideoConferencing
_t,\ustr2
httn'//uroml virlpo_p.nnfprpnp.inu (".nm/nrp~pntl'ltinn html
4/11/?007
Administrdtor
judy Weyrens
MdYor
Richdrd Cdrlbom
Councilors
Steve Frdnk
AI Rdssier
Renee Symdnietz
Ddle Wick
www.cityofstjoseph.com
CITY.Of ST. JOSEPH
DATE:
April 11, 2007
MEMO TO:
Economic Development Authority
FROM:
Cynthia Smith-Strack Municipal DevelopmentGroup
RE:
Significant Estimated Market Value Increases: St. Joseph Businesses
Background:
The City has changed the entity responsible for asslgntng estimated market values to
properties within the City of St. Joseph. The City is now contracting. with Stearns County for
assessor services. The City Council was recently informed by Stearns County that following a
citywide market value assessment, some property owners, especially commercial property
owners, will soon be informed of significant valuation increases.
In an attempt to be proactive the City has ordered the County to mail notices to affected
property owners prior to mailing estimated valuation statements. The notices will be mailed
soon. The notices will invite property owners to meet one-on-one with County officials
regarding estimated market values prior to the Board of Adjustment/Review meeting hosted by
the County.
Action:
This item is for information.
2.'j College Avenue North, PO Box bbs . Sdint. joseph, Minnesotd 'jb,74
Phone )2.0.,b).72.01 FdX )2.0.)6,.0)42.
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
"
FYI
o
u
April 9, 2007
Judy Wehrens, City Administrator
25 North College Avenue
City of st. Joseph, MN
Sf. Joseph, MN 56374
- Re: AMERICAN MANUFACTURING - NARRATIVE
Judy,
Attached you will find a site plan, elevations, including the requested details, along with a check in
the amount of $500.00. The following narrative describes the proposed expansion of the American
Manufacturing Company in St. Joseph, Minnesota.
NARRATIVE:
American Manufacturing Company requests approval to expand their facilities in the St. Joseph
c Industrial park to accommodate their growing business. The proposed building will be used for
storage of raw materials as well as completed parts. There will be no restroom facilities in the new
storage building, therefore, no sewer and/or water hook-up is proposed. It is understood that, since
American Manufacturing is already hooked up to City sewer and water and has paid the associated
connection (SAC/WAC) fees, no additional charges will be levied as the result of the proposed
project.
During Construction we plan to erect a construction site sign describing the project, and this
sign will be removed at the time the project achieves substantial completion. During the last project
(5 years ago), a detention pond was constructed in the north east comer of site to capture all run-
off. This pond will be expanded as needed to handle the increased run-off.
Parking required is satisfied by the current stalls provided, and because most parking is along the
north side of the existing building, the owner does not plan to add asphalt paving to the existing
Class 2 (crushed granite) parking area. This is largely due to the heavy trucking traffic this site
experiences.
If you should need any further assistance please feel free to contact us. We look forward to
assisting you on your next facility expansion project.
Sinlerely, ~
R~apl~M'MBA
Cc: ~rf
SCHAPER ARCHITECTURE
. A DIVISION OF FMS .
8605 NE RIVER ROAD; RICE, MN 56367
PHONE: 320.393.3463 FAX: 320.393.3463
WWW.SCHAPERARCHITECTURE.COM
C:\PUBLlC\AMERICAN MANU\New Building submittal40907.doc
The right foot forward
What's needed to make Toronto a great pedestrian citY?
by Dylan Reid .
Pedestrians are essential to the life of a large city. When we talk about how "alive" a
city seems, what we mean is the number of pedestrians in the city's public space.
The cities that are widely considered to be the greatest to live in or visit, such as
Manhattan or Paris, are those one can walk around in for days with pleasure. If.
Toronto is to fulfill its long-'standing desire to be one of the world's great cities, it has
to bring its citizens out into the street - not only in a few prize downtown locations,
but throughout the city.
What makes pedestrians distinctive is that they are open and slow. These qualities
enable walkers to truly experience and interact with their urban environment. As
Janice Etter of Toronto's Pedestrian Planning Network points out, "when you're
walking you have time to look." Encased in a vehicle, we are separated by a shell
and traveling too fast to experience the city - we can see it, but not absorb it. It is
on foot that we can get the tactile sensation of how a city works and fits together.
EquallY, only on foot are we open and accessible enough to interact with the other
people who inhabit our city and so learn to feel comfortable and secure with them.
Without walkers in its public spaces, an urban environment retreats into the prjvate
spaces of home, car and workplace, becoming merely a series of isolated silos that
do not form a coherent whole. It is walking that knits the structures, spaces and
people of a city together.
There are two obvious purposes to walking in a city - for transportation, in order to
get to a particular destination; or for pleasure, in order to look at interesting sights
or to get exercise. These two purposes can be combined. We might choose a
particular route to our destination because it is more attractive. Or we might select a
destination for our pleasure walk in order to give it some structure.
But there is also a kind of walking in the city that transcends these two purposes. It
is walking as a way of living the city, without a single purpose or destination. It
includes being out on the street to see and be seen, to shop or eat or drink at
multiple locations which you may not even have in mind when you set out, to cross
paths and hang out with friends, to do chores or explore new spaces as the
opportunity arises. Other forms of transportation, even bicycles, bring you to specific
destinations or achieve specific goals. Only with walking can you browse a city,
interact with it, and truly get to know it.
We can think of this kind of walking as deep pedestrianism. It is when a city spawns
this kind of walking that it begins to achieve greatness, because this is when its
inhabitants and visitors appreciate it as an integrated whole, not simply as a place to
accomplish tasks. To achieve this state, it is not enough to simply have a few
pleasant walks, whether a pretty shopping street or a lovely nature trail. Nor is it
enough to simply plan residential areas within walking distance of useful
destinations, such as retail or employment. In order for deep pedestrianism to thrive,
the city as a whole must be integrated into a great pedestrian experience and must
seek, not just to tolerate, but to seduce pedestrians into its public space.
But how do we create this great pedestrian city? What follows is a list of some of the
most essential elements that attract pedestrians into public space.
Pedestrian Space
Pedestrians need to be welcomed with a defined zone that is specifically for them. At
its most essential,' that means sidewalks on streets and paths in parkland. To really
bring pedestrians out, this pedestrian zone has to be spacious and well-defined.
Obstacles on sidewalks affect this pedestrian space. Sandwich boards, poorly sited
garbage cans, uncollected garbage, dog droppings, or unplowed snow restrict and
discourage walkers.
A fine example of how a bit of extra space can draw pedestrians is the wider
sidewalk on the north side of Queen Street West between SoHo and Spadina, which
is always bustling with activity. An example of the damage a-lack of space can do is
visible one block west, at Beverly, where the relatively new Club Monaco and HMV
buildings were built to a narrow sidewalk. Instead of using the opportunity to expand
the thriving pedestrian zone, these buildings perpetuate a little dead area that
people hurry by between the wider spaces on-either side.
Too many of Toronto's sidewalks, if they exist at all, are narrow, suggesting
pedestrianism is no more than tolerated. The most basic step the city can take to
encourage pedestrians is to build sidewalks where there are none, widen sidewalks
where they are narrow, and enforce setbacks from the street, enabling wider
sidewalks, in all new construction. Under pressure from pedestrian activists, the city
has already embarked on a project to add sidewalks to the 130km of major roads
where they are missing; a good start, but there is much more to do. To really
stimulate walking, the city can create true pedestrian zones, temporary or
permanent, building on the encouraging model of the car-free Kensington Market
and Church Street that will begin this summer.
Destinations
To get people out on the street, you need places for them to go that are within
walking distance. The destination could be as humble as a post box, as practical as a
store, or as diverting as a pleasing walk in a park (see Popsicle Test sidebar).
The city can encourage the creation ~f destinations by systematically encouraging
shopping, work and residential areas to exist within walking distance of each other.
The city can also stimulate walking directly by strategically seeding the city with
destinations such as municipal services (libraries, schools), parks and other
attractions that are easily accessible by foot.
Human Scale
Pedestrians are, by definition, human sized and move at human speed - so a
pedestrian-friendly city has to be built in dimensions that are specifically suited to a
human on foot. There are. well-understood, balanced proportions between sidewalk,
road and adjacent buildings that create the most attractive environment for
pedestrians.
The most common enemies of these proportions are the wide empty spaces of the
suburbs, where every destination seems too far to walk to, and massive tall buildings
that overwhelm the space around them. The "avenues" and "centres" strategy in
Toronto's new official plan, in which major streets and core areas in the suburbs will
be made more urban through denser buildings closely linked with improved
pedestrian zones, could go a long way towards expanding the area of Toronto that is
built to a human scale - but the city will have to systematically enforce zoning to
ensure that the balance is not tipped the other way, towards overwhelming buildings
that are equally out of proportion. North York's dire "downtown" on Yonge betw.een
Sheppard and Finch is a cautionary example of what can go wrong.
Of course, cities themselves are by definition beyond human scale - it is impractical
to walk all the way across them. To bring cities back to a human scale, o~e needs
regular, reliable and fast public transit, to bring distant parts of the city within reach
of someone on foot.
Amenities
It's not enough simply to get pedestrians out onto the street - it is also important to
keep them there. A bare empty surface is merely a space to pass over as quickly as
p.ossibl.e. In order to encourage the kind of deep pedestrianism that makes a city
come alive, pedestrians need to be persuaded to linger on the street. To do so, they
need amenities.
Amenities can be both public and private. They include benches and ledges to rest
on, contemplate on, eat at; garbage bins to keep the streets free of litter; newspaper
boxes to provide information; lighting to keep the street life going after nightfall. The
presence of vendors of food that can be purchased and eaten on the street and of
street performers has been shown to encourage people to spend more time in public
space. Amenities also include trees to provide greenery, shade and windbreaks to
the sidewalk, and other kinds of plants to delight the eye and soothe the soul.
Amenities also mean maps and good signage to orient pedestrians; clean, accessible
public washing and toilet facilities; and features such as public water fountains for
refreshment and public telephones for communication.
Sustaining amenities requires a city to allocate money specifically for pedestrians. It
also requires a city to maintain tolerant by-laws which regulate but allow people to
work on the street providing services as vendors and entertainers, rather than
chasing them away in a misguided attempt to keep the streets "clean."
Diversity
Many new developments in Toronto provide pedestrian-friendly features such as wide
sidewalks, trees and retail shops on the ground floor of monolithic, block-long condo
buildings. Yet these areas tend to be dead, whereas older areas broken up into a
multitude of different small buildings remain vibrant, despite other drawbacks.
Compare, for instance, barren Bay Street between Dundas and Bloor with seedy but
bustling Yonge Street, only one block to the east.
The reason is that pleasure in walking requires diversity. Even the most beautiful
structure or landscape becomes oppressive if it is unchanging. Variety of experience
is a fundamental requirement of all walks, anywhere - the walker needs, in the
words of Toronto pedestrian activist Rhona Swarbrick, "a richly detailed
environment" which will constantly stimulate the eye and mind.
Diversity means a constant variation in the appearance and materials of buildings
and paths (sidewalks, plazas, parks, trails). It means mixing in the natural - trees,
grass, water - to soften the hardness of the human-built. Even in parkland, happy
walking requires constant variations in environments. A flat, empty field is not
inviting to walkers. Diversity also means a mix of uses - different kinds of
businesses, work spaces and residences, mixed with public institutions, parks, public
art. On a residential street, it means variety of housing styles, personalized. front
lawns and decorations, with mixed-use commercial and work areas always close at
hand.
Diversity of uses leads to a diversity of people. The best pedestrian areas are the
ones that combine many different types of people. As Jane Jacobs points out, a mix
of users - locals and visitors, residents, parents and children, shoppers and
shopkeepers, workers - creates constant pedestrian traffic throughout the day
rather than only at specific times. An area becomes an even better walking space if it
features a mix of social classes, ethnic origins, appearances, sexualities, and age
groups, such as Queen Street West, or if it showcases an element of the city's
diversity, such as Chinatown or the Church-Wellesley Village. When people walk,
their experience is shaped as much by the people they share the public space with as
by the buildings and environment around them.
Connections
Pedestrians are the soft threads whose constant movement knits the hard, isolated
surfaces of a city together. In order to do so, it must be possible for them to
penetrate these hard surfaces. The pedestrian environment must be porous, open,
always providing the feeling that there are multiple ways to pass between spaces.
This interconnectedness is. both physical - spaces you can walk through - and
Visual - spaces you can see through.
These connections mean buildings whose entrances face the street, with doors and
windows that are visible and inviting - large, high, often leading to destinations
open to the public such as retail and restaurants. Interconnectedness also needs
intermediate spaces that invite transitions - awnings, store signage, street displays,
entrances and porticoes, sidewalk cafes, balconies, front yards. In parks, even a
basic issue such as whether passers-by can see into the park can make a profound
difference to how heavily it is used, as public space guru William H. Whyte
demonstrated with New York's Bryant Park.
Finally, interconnectedness means multiple and accessible passages between streets
and between destinations. Opening up passages between a neighbourhood and its
adjoining major street can make a remarkable difference.
For those whose mobility is impaired, connections must go even deeper, including
features that ease their transitions between private and public spaces, or between
different public spaces themselves.
A classic Toronto example of the need for connections is the Eaton Centre aiong
Yonge Street. Originally built as a blank wall with only one mid-block connection
between the mall and the street, it quickly killed its stretch of what was one of
Toronto's prime commercial stretches. Only recently was the need for connections
between the building and the sidewalk realized and implemented, with the ground
level stores opening second entrances onto the sidewalk, returning at least some life
to the street.
Security
The same qualities that make walking the best way to know a city - its openness,
its slowness - also make pedestrians vulnerable. Pedestrians are not protected by
the walls of a building or a vehicle. They cannot move quickly to get away from
threats. To bring citizens out onto their streets, they need to feel secure.
Security means, in the first instance, feeling safe from assault, whether it be physical
or verbal. This issue is particularly crucial for female pedestrians. While for most
people this means security from criminals, for visible minorities, youths, and those
exercising their right to march in protest orsupportdf a cause, it can also mean
security from authorities, whether public or private, who may harass, assault or
incarcerate them for no reason..
This kind of safety benefits from a police force that is not only present, but is also
well.trainedand circulates at a human level, on foot or by bicycle. It equally benefits
from amenities such as lighting, and connections which provide the "eyes on the
street" identified by Jane Jacobs. Most crucial, however, is simply the presence of
other pedestrians. Not only does the presence of many other people make a
pedestrian feel safe, but the accumulated experience of interacting safe.ly with
strangers gradually removes the fear of public space that can build in those who
isolate themselves in the private spaces of their home, car and office.
Pedestrians also need to feel secure from accidental injury or death, especially from
cars. Wide streets, fast driving, poorly designed or inadequate crossing points will all
reduce a pedestrian's sense of security from cars and push them off the street.
Intersections need to be specifically designed to enable pedestrians to feel safe when
crossing.
And, as the urban designer Donald Appleyard demonstrated, high volume and speed
of traffic directly discourage people from walking. Even so simple a measure as on-
street parking, creating a buffer zone between traffic and the sidewalk, can improve
a pedestrian's sense of security from cars. This kind of buffer can also be provided by
amenities such as cycle lanes, trees, benches and Toronto's own ring-and-post
bicycle stands.
A virtuous circle
As William H. Whyte observed, "what attracts people most ... is other people." Each
of these principles make it more likely that pedestrians will inhabit public space,
creating a virtuous Circle that attracts more pedestrian.friendly features. But the
circle can also go the other way - if any of these principles are lacking, a public
space can easily lose its pedestrians, and therefore its vitality.
Toronto's Pedestrian Charter, accepted by city council in 2002, provides an excellent
basis for reinforcing and expanding walking in Toronto. Toronto's new Official Plan,
influenced by the Charter, is very conscious of the importance of pedestrians in
achieving its goal of "re-urbanizing" the city. It emphasizes qualities such as mixed
uses, pedestrian zones and amenities, creating connections and destinations,
buildings sizes that are in proportion to the street, and safe street design, which if
implemented would bring into reality many of the principles listed here.
But, as Jane Jacobs warned at the unveiling of the Charter, "The hardest part is
seeing to it that the elected officials and the bureaucracy... actually respect [the
Charter] and follow it in their decisions." Toronto will only become a great pedestrian
city if the needs and desires of pedestrians are incorporated systematically into every
aspect of the planning and development of the city.
Popcicle Test
To test whether there are sufficient destinations for pedestrians, Dan Burden of Walkable
Communities, Inc. has proposed The Popsicle Test: At every location there must be some
destination worth walking to, close enough that if you walk there to get a popsicle, you could walk
there in comfort and walk back without it melting. Since Burden lives in sunny Florida, the test is
quite a stringent one.
What can Toronto do to become abetter pedestrian city?
The problem is far too complex for one thing to make a difference, but how about two things, just
for starters? Increase urban densities and improve public transit. The main reason Toronto isn't
more pedestrian friendly is that we lack the compact form and density of European cities, as well
as the cheap, efficient, and accessible systems of public transit that such forms support. The
City's plan to increase densities along main streets is a start, as are proposals for transit right-of-
ways, but driving and parking must become much more expensive and unpleasant to break the
addiction to private cars.
. Barbara Rahder, Associate Professor Faculty of Environmental Studies York University
'Walks to the Water' One of the great pedestrian divides in Toronto is the inhospitable passage
from the established part of the city north of Front Street and east of Yonge Street, the Esplanade
and Mill Street to the central waterfront. While it is physically possible to cross these relatively
short distances on foot on Cherry Street, Parliament, Sherbourne, Jarvis, Yonge, Bay, York,
Spadina, Bathurst and even on Strachan, not one of these walks is inviting. In fact they
are downright discouraging and bleak. Eventually they may be improved by redevelopment along
the routes, but at the current rate this could take forever. Why not show a positive sign now and
. make modest investments in making these into great 'Walks to the Water' with improved paving,
lighting, street furniture, planting, signage, and public art?
· Ken Greenberg, Greenberg Consultants
Densities in space
To draw pedestrians into pUblic space and justify amenities and public transit, a critical mass of
people within walking distance is needed. Density, however, is not enough. One of the most
densely populated areas of Toronto is the St. Jamestown development near Wellesley and
Sherbourne, yet its violation of many of the other principles listed here means that it has not
created an attractive pedestrian environment.
The blind pursuit of density, if it ignores other factors such as human scale and diversity, can
create a pedestrian dead zone - a real danger in current high-rise developments such as the
Minto Towers at Yonge and Eglinton, or the Railway Lands at the foot of Spadina. By contrast, a
suburban residential neighborhood can potentially draw many pedestrians into the street, if it
follows the other principles listed here. How many people live in an area is less important than
how often those people walk out into public space.
Aesthetically speaking
The walking experience is enhanced by beauty, of course. Yet beauty is not a requirement for a
good pedestrian experience. Think of Kensington Market - thriving, diverse, but there are no
buildings, grand plazas or artworks that can be considered conventionally beautiful. The belief
that beauty by itself can make a good pedestrian environment often be-comes an enemy of
human scale or diversity, and thus kills what it seeks to encourage.
Ambitious, monolithic architecture looks impressive, but deadens the space around it. Main
streets may be made-up with pretty surfaces, but suppress the vibrancy and variety that makes a
street work in practice (see page 26). In fact, what pedestrians think of as "ugly" is often simply a
violation of one of the elements described in this article - a blank wall without connections, a dull
street without diversity, a monumental space lacking in human scale and destinations
~~~
--'