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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 Annual Report I Attachment: .. or No REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DATE: December 22, 2005 EDA ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT APPROVAL AGENDA ITEM EDA annual report. PREVIOUS ACTION None. RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION For review and approval. FISCAL IMP ACT N/A. COMMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS EDA annual report offered for your review and approval. ~B\ MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC. Date: December 22, 2005 Memo To: Mayor Carlbom Councilors City Administrator Weyrens Memo From: Joanne Foust and Cynthia Smith-Strack, MDG, Inc. RE: Annual Report of EDA - 2005 Background: Attached is a report of annual activities of the St. Joseph EDA for calendar year 2005. The report satisfies a statutory requirement to report annually to the City Council regarding EDA activities. 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council 2005 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ST. JOSEPH EDA The following activities and events occurred during the calendar year of 2005. 2005 APPOINTMENTS: The following appointments to offices were made at the January 19, 2005 EDA meeting: Chair: Vice Chair: Treasurer: Secretary: Member at Large: Ross Rieke (Council Representative, term expires 2006). Richard Carlbom (Mayor, term expires 2007). Tom Skahen (At-large representative, term expires 2007). Bruce Gohman (At-large representative, term expires 2006). Ken Jacobson (At-large representative; term expires 2011) Mayor Richard Carlbom was sworn in as a member of the EDA Board on January 19, 2005 replacing outgoing Mayor Larry Hosch. Board Member Bruce Gohman's term expires January 1, 2006, however Gohman is to hold the seat until the first regular meeting of the 2006 or until his successor has been appointed and qualified. MEETING DATES: The St. Joseph Economic Development Authority met 12 times during the year 2005. The meeting dates were as follows: January 19, 2005 February 16, 2005 March 16, 2005 April 20, 2005 May 18, 2005 June 15, 2005 July 21,2005 August3,2005 September 21, 2005 October 19, 2005 November 16, 2005 December 21,2005 Mayor Richard Carlbom with support from the City Council created a Downtown Committee in 2005. The Committee is comprised of two representatives from the EDA (Carlbom, Rieke), residents and members of the business community. The Downtown Committee meetings/agendas are organized by EDA consulting staff. The Downtown Committee met five times in 2005: June 22, 2005 August 24, 2005 October 26, 2005 July 28, 2005 September 28, 2005 November 30, 2005 MISSION: The mission of the EDA is to provide a professional management program which assists industrial and commercial development activities that minimize impacts to the environment, transportation system, municipal water and sewer and financial resources for the City of St. Joseph. The EDA conducted its annual prioritization analysis during January and February of 2005 and selected the following priorities: 1. Proactively encourage/participate in the expansion of the joint annexation agreement with St. Joseph Township to include areas west of the Bechtold farm between CSAH 2, CSAH 75 and 1-94. Work with the Planning Commission to recommend Council guide areas within the expanded agreement for commercial/industrial future land use. 2. Promote commercial 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. 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 industrial uses and encourage new industrial development tot locate in existing industrial parks and industrial zoned areas. City of St. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council 2005 PROSPECTSITECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/COORDINATION The EDA members and their staff/consultants worked with a number of commercial and industrial businesses during 2005. Nine (9) new business contacts were made during 2005, and twenty-two (22) contacts from previous years were followed up with. Of the new prospects approximately 44% were commercial/service businesses while 56% were industrial or manufacturing. In 2004 60% of new contacts were commercial/service establishments and 40% industrial; during 2003 43% of the new contacts were commercial/service businesses while 57% were industrial or manufacturing businesses. Following is a summary of the various contact activities within 2005. Businesses have been identified with a project number to protect the confidentiality of the company, which is sometimes a concern while they explore expansion opportunities. Proiect 01-E: This project involves the expansion of a service within the community. MDG has been keeping in touch with the project contact over the past four and a half years. MDG continues correspondence on a regular basis. Most recently at the prospect's request MDG compiled and delivered information regarding vacant commercial sites adjacent to CSAH 75, future roadways, future residential developments, acreage owned by developers and the location of the new K-8 school. This prospect has been working with another entity within the community with regard to the sale of land for the expansion of the service in St. Joseph. Proiect 01-F: This company has been in contact with the EDA regarding potential sites for a commercial business since August, 2001. MDG has forwarded the contact information on a number of commercial sites at various times throughout the previous four and a half years. The local real estate representative and the corporate contact both changed in 2005. This prospect is occasionally active. MDG continues to follow up on a regular basis. Proiect 01-1: This business originally contacted the City in 2001. In 2002 they noted their project was on-hold. The company contacted MDG again in June of 2004 requesting additional information on available commercial sites in the City. MDG has forwarded additional information as requested on several occasions and remained in contact with this prospect. The project status remains active. Proiect 02-L: This prospect constructed an industrial facility in 2003. The business owner occupies a portion of the facility with the remainder used for industrial incubator facilities. The business/property owner notes difficulty in leasing the incubator space due to competition from an industrial park in the neighboring township. MDG remains in contact with this building owner on a regular basis. Proiect 02-R: This prospect originally contacted the City in 2002, the following year the prospect purchase 8.31 acres in the Buettner Business Park. In 2005 the prospect initiated construction of a 17,000 sJ. industrial facility which will bring an estimated 20 jobs into the community. The prospect is expected to occupy the building in early 2006. MDG remains in touch with the business owner to assist as requested. Proiect 02-AA This business owner contacted the City in 2002 and purchased a lot in the Buettner Business Park. The business owner completed and took occupancy of a 10,000 square foot industrial facility in 2005. Proiect 02-FF: This prospect phoned the City in late 2002 inquiring about a specific lot in the Buettner Business Park. The project has occasional periods of activity mixed with inactivity. Therefore, MDG, Inc. remains in contact with the prospect on an occasional basis. Proiect 03-A: This group of developers are contemplating a large highway commercial development in an area not yet annexed into the City. The development representatives are awaiting the results of the Field Street extension City of St. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 2 2005 EPA Annual Report to City Council corridor prior to moving forward with a potential project. MDG continues to maintain active correspondence with this prospect. Project 03-1: This lead contacted the City in 2003 and was searching for 5,000 s.f. of retail space to lease. MDG, Inc. remains in contact with this prospect on an occasional basis. The project has evolved into the search for a franchisee to partner with the project lead. This prospect owns several commercial retail stores in Minnesota and South Dakota. Proiect 03-8: The EDA has as its top priority the establishment of additional industrial lots featuring a full compliment of urban services. This project involves the potential development of additional industrial acreage. In 2005 a new purchase agreement for the acreage was executed. The pending sale and the potential for industrial acreage creation is to a certain extent dependent on the completion of a corridor study for a northern east/west collector street. The corridor study is underway. MDG assists as needed with this project. The EDA is expected to have a representative on the TAC committee for the study. Proiect 03-U: Inquiry forwarded to MDG in October 2003 regarding a commercial development in 8t. Joseph. MDG, Inc. remains in contact with the prospect on an occasional basis. Project 04-B: This developer purchased an industrial lot in the City earlier in the year. The prospect has no immediate construction plans. MDG follows up with the prospect routinely offering to assist as needed. Proiect 04-0: MDG contacted the owner of industrial acreage within the corporate limits regarding interest in re-subdividing and marketing industrial lots. During 2005, the property owner occasionally expressed an interest in possibly re- subdividing. MDG continues to follow up with the project representative regarding the project. Project 04-E: This prospect contacted MDG in 2004 regarding demographic and economic development data for 8t. Joseph. The prospect was considering a leasing commercial retail space in the community near the Wobegon Trail. This project is currently progressing through a period of inactivity, however MDG remains in touch do to the proposed redevelopment of a commercial parcel which could house the proposed establishment. Project 04-F: This prospect contacted MDG in May of 2004 regarding commercial lease space in the downtown area. The prospect continues to express occasional interest in a project in downtown. MDG remains in contact with this prospect occasionally. Proiect 04-H: This group of investors closed on an existing mixed-use facility in downtown 8t. Joseph in 2005. A site plan for building renovation is currently being reviewed by the City. MDG remains in contact with the prospect. Proiect 04-K: A representative from Project 04-K contacted the City in August 2004 regarding the need to secure new office lease space in an extremely cost effective manner. MDG forwarded information as requested and remained in touch as warranted. The prospect secured lease space in 8t. Joseph in January of 2005. Proiect 04-L: This project involved consideration of the use of TIF to facilitate the expansion of an existing facility within the City of 8t. Joseph. The developer originally requested TIF assistance in 2004 then decided to not seek TIF. In 2005 the request was reinitiated and again allowed to expire. City of 81. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 3 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council Proiect 04-M: This business is currently located in another community and is considering relocating to St. Joseph. This contact made his plans public in 2005. The business owner has completed an EAW in connection with the development. Groundbreaking in May 2006 is anticipated with facility occupancy in 2007. MDG continues to actively participate in this project. Proiect 04-N: This business owner contacted the City in the fall of 2004 regarding available industrial acreage. MDG representatives have met with the prospect on several occasions and remain in contact with the prospect. Proiect 04-0: This prospect contacted MDG in late 2004 requesting information on existing commercial lease space and vacant acreage available for purchase. The prospect is currently pursuing projects in other communities, however, MDG remains in occasional contact with this prospect. Proiect 04-P: This prospect contacted MDG in late 2004 to review applicable zoning standards, the process for rezoning and site plan review and redevelopment TIF for a parcel in the northern portion of the City. Also discussed redevelopment tax increment financing. The prospect ultimately decided to lease space in Albany, Minnesota. Proiect 04-P: This prospect approached the City regarding redevelopment of an existing structure in December of 2004. MDG met with the prospect, supplied information and followed up over the subsequent three months. The prospect ultimately determined the project was not financially feasible. Proiect 05-A: This prospect contacted the City in March 2005 regarding a possible redevelopment project. Since that time, this prospect has purchased an existing facility within the community and is continuing to contemplate rehabilitation. Preliminary building plans have been submitted to the City for review/comment. MDG follows up as needed. Proiect 05-B: This lead was forwarded to the Mayor by the SCAEDP on March 22nd. MDG followed up with the Mayor on March 23rd and contacted Project 02-L on the same day. Additional follow up by MDG occurred on March 29th and March 30th; April 6th, 13th and 2ih; and May 4th and 25th. On May 25th the company informed MDG they had secured leased space in another community. Project file closed. Project 05-C: This lead was forwarded to the Mayor by the SCAEDP on March 29th. MDG followed up on the lead on March 29th. The prospect was an out-of-state company looking for tax advantages (Le. JOBZ) in conjunction with the desire to lease industrial space. Timeline for response was extremely tight (less than one week). MDG performed additional research on March 30th re: JOBZ acreage. After speaking with representatives from DEED, Region 5 and West Central EDC it appears JOBZ assistance for this project is not warranted/feasible. Since St. Joseph couldn't comply with request for JOBZ a proposal was not submitted to the company. Proiect 05-0: MDG spoke to the project representative initially in June to respond to very preliminary requests. MDG met with the prospect and an industry specialist from the Mn. Department of Employment and Economic Development earlier in the year. MDG continues to remain in contact with this prospect including most recently on November 30th. The prospect is currently seeking venture capital, estimates search for a building may be as much as 9 to 12 months away. Proiect 05-F: This project involves the expansion of a commercial retail facility into the City of St. Joseph. MDG met with the development prospect and provided requested demographic, mapping and statistical data as requested. This prospect sought and received rezoning approval for a lot within Buettner Business Park. The company will close on the remaining two commercial lots in the Business Park in early 2006. City of 81. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 4 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council Proiect 05-1: This project involves a potential new investment within the business community. Property has been secured and concept ~Ianning is on-going. MDG remains in contact with the developer including most recently on November 30t . City of St. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 5 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council BUILDING PERMITS: 1998 - 2005 Following is a six year comparison of building permits let for commercial/industrial projects in the City of St. Joseph: YEAR APPLICANT PERMIT VALUE 1998 Sunset Mfging $250,000.00 1998 MeO Addition $300,000.00 1998 Borgert Products $725,000.00 1998 Kittridge Truck Storage $80,000.00 1998 Tamarack Addition $51,000.00 1998 Caseys $500,000.00 Subtotal $1,906,000.00 1999 Comm/rental $175,000.00 1999 Storage $60,000.00 1999 Bank $1,200,000.00 Subtotal $1,435,000.00 2000 Vicwest Remodel $21,000.00 2000 Vet CUnci $270,000.00 2000 Gas & Bait Expansion $16,500.00 2000 Lemmer Commercial $54,000.00 Subtotal $361,500.00 2001 Spring Green $143,000.00 2001 Autobody 2000 $280,000.00 2001 Ministorage $90,000.00 2001 Sunset Mfging $80,000.00 Subtotal $593,000.00 2002 Essilor $20,000.00 2002 Scherer Trucking $26,530.00 2002 Tanner Systems $350,000.00 2002 Bill Nelson $650,000.00 2002 Vicwest $2,500,000.00 2002 American Manufacturing $210,000.00 2002 St. Joseph Business Ctr. $148,000.00 2002 Knight Builders $225,000.00 2002 Borgert Products $99,000.00 2002 Deutz $350,000.00 2002 Deutz $108,900.00 Subtotal $4,687,430.00 2003 Mn. Home Improvements 132,000.00 2003 DM Partnership 400,000.00 2003 OMS/MAC 1,409,000.00 2003 Lemmer Trucking 25,000.00 City of St. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 6 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council YEAR APPLICANT PERMIT VALUE 2003 North Central Truck Accessories 1,058,300.00 2003 BTL Properties 400,000.00 2003 DM Builders 4,895.00 2003 Midnight Haulers 2,500.00 2003 Midnight Haulers 30,000.00 Subtotal $3,461,695.00 2004 Kaeter Trucking 113,400.00 2004 Safeshred 585,000.00 2004 Mn. Association of Farm Mut. Insur. 305,000.00 2004 Stonehouse Properties, LLC 997,043.00 2004 BTUSt. Joseph Partners, LLC 350,000.00 2004 Holiday 50,000.00 2004 Beeline 12,000.00 2004 Central MN. Fed Credit Union 125,000.00 2004 Mark Loso 158,395.00 2004 DM Bldg. Remodel 13,000.00 Subtotal 2,708,838.00 2005 DM Building Corp $ 175,000.00 2005 Verizon Wireless $ 75,000.00 2005 Midnight Haulers/David Potter $ 987,649.60 2005 Wilson HV AC $ 6,000.00 2005 T erwosscha Construction $ 436,000.00 2005 Gerald Wensmann $ 6,500.00 2005 RA Morton & Assoc (Bliss Media) $ 1,103,967.26 Subtotal $ 2,790,116.86 TOTAL $17 ,943,579.86 City of St. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 7 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council DIVERSIFICATION OF THE TAX BASE: The following summary and chart indicate the progress toward the EDA's goal of diversifying the tax base: CITY OF ST. JOSEPH - HISTORICAL COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION 1997 $895,000.00 1998 $1,906,000.00 1999 $1,435,000.00 2000 $361,500.00 2001 $593,000.00 2002 $4,687,430.00 2003 $3,461,695.00 2004 $2,708,838.00 2005* $2,790116.86 TOTAL $17,943,579.86 . Total building permit value through November 2005. $5,000,000.00 $4,500,000.00 $4,000,000.00 $3,500,000.00 $3,000,000.00 Amt. $2,500,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $1,500,000.00 - $1,000,000.00 $500,000.00 $0.00 ___u ____I I I Additional Commercial/Industrial Tax BaselYear 97 98 99 00 01 Year 02 03 04 05* City of St. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 8 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council Estimated Annual Increase in Taxes For All Jurisdictions YEAR CITY COUNTY SCHOOL STATE MISC 1997 $ 5,591.88 $ 4,905.49 $ 5,500.44 $ 6,302.59 $ 245.43 1998 $ 16,241.82 $ 14,248.16 $ 15,976.22 $ 18,306.09 $ 196.37 1999 $ 12,995.39 $ 11,400.22 $ 12,782.88 $ 14,647.05 $ 43.96 2000 $ 2,909.47 $ 2,552.34 $ 2,861.89 $ 3,279.25 $ 69.68 2001 $ 4,611.19 $ 4,045.17 $ 4,535.78 $ 5,197.25 $ 636.83 2002 $ 42,143.93 $ 36,970.81 $ 41,454.76 $ 47,500.25 $ 476.41 2003 $ 31,528.04 $ 27,658.00 $ 31,012.47 $ 35,535.12 $1,753.17 2004 $ 21,224.27 $ 20,706.77 $ 23,218.16 $ 26,604.14 $ 356.68 2005* $ 26,785.25 $ 22,516.09 $ 25,134.24 $ 28,511.65 $ 382.25 TOTAL $164,031.24 $145,003.04 $162,476.85 $185,883.39 $4,160.78 . Based on taxes payable 2006 proposed (i.e. city tax rate 51.153; county tax rate of 43%; school tax rate of 48%; state tax rate of 54.45 and misc. tax rate .73% and tax capacity rates for commercial property of 1.5% for first $150,000 in value and 2.0% thereafter. r~"-'----"--'-~---'---- , Annual Increase in City Tax Revenue $45,000.00 $40,000.00 $35,000.00 $30,000.00 $25,000.00 - AMT. $20,000.00 $15,000.00 $10,000.00 $5,000.00 $0.00 I I ! L_______~ 97 98 99 00 01 Year 02 03 04 05* City of 81. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 9 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council ADDITIONAL PROJECTS: The St. Joseph EDA actively pursued other projects during 2005. Preparation/Maintenance of Information for Distribution to Development Leads The EDA created and distributed information to development leads as requested throughout the year. The information includes a summary of development activity based on City data and commercial/industrial sales based on data from the Stearns County Assessor's Office. All data reflected is part of the public record. A summary of sample information created follows and includes: 1. A summary of current residential development activity, phasing and resulting increases in population. 2. A summary of historical commercial development activity. 3. A summary of residential building permit information for 2005. 4. A summary of sales of vacant commercial acreage. 5. A summary of sales of commercial facilities. 6. A summary of sales of vacant industrial acreage and industrial facilities. Preparation of Inventory of Available Commercial and Industrial Land and Buildinas for Sale or Lease. The EDA has created a database of information regarding available commercial and industrial properties (for sale or lease). The database contains GIS information that is available with overlays of existing urban facilities/infrastructure, orthophotos, topography, soil types, wetlands and more. The data is tied to Stearns County's GIS database and includes information such as names of property owners, property identification numbers, estimated market values, property addresses and more. The EDA file includes electronic copies of: 1. Vacant commercial and industrial parcels available for sale within the community. 2. Commercial and industrial facilities available for sale within the community. 3. Commercial and industrial facilities for lease within the community. 4. A parcel by parcel inventory/examination of all properties within the B-1 Downtown Commercial District zoning classification. Participation in the Southern Corridor (Field Street) TAC EDA consulting staff was pleased to serve on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Southern Collector Street corridor study. MDG, Inc. may also be involved in the TAC for the Northern easUwest Collector Street corridor study. Promotion/Offerina of Financial Incentives Available The EDA continues to offer the following incentives to qualified applicants. Tax Increment Financing The EDA received and MDG reviewed one pre-application for the use of tax increment financing in 2005. The proposed use of economic development TIF was the expansion of an existing industrial facility. The applicant pulled the pre-application prior to consideration by the EDA and City Council. EDA staff have reviewed TIF concepts with a variety of business prospects. Among TIF districts contemplated were economic development district(s), redevelopment district(s) and renovation/rehabilitation district(s). Economic development districts have the shortest duration (eight years of payable increment) whereas both redevelopment and renovation/rehabilitation districts can have a life of up to twenty five years. City of 81. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 10 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council As you may be aware tax increment financing is a tool which allows the City/EDA to reimburse the company or land owner a portion of the new property taxes which are generated as a result of an expansion project. The amount of financial assistance available (TIF) is dependent upon a number of factors including but not limited to the assessed market value of the building and the financial need of the company. Tax Abatement EDA staff reviewed tax abatement as an incentive with many business prospects this year, and received and reviewed one pre-application for tax abatement assistance. The application for tax abatement was pulled by the applicant prior to consideration by the EDA/City Council. Like TIF, tax abatement is a tool which allows the City/EDA to reimburse the company a portion of property taxes which are generated within a specified period of time. The difference between TIF and tax abatement is that with tax abatement the County and/or school district have an option to participate (with TIF participation is mandatory). The amount of the tax abatement available depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to the financial need of the company and participation by County and school entities. The legislature's omnibus bill includes a provision for the extension of tax abatement districts for up to twenty years in specific situations. The omnibus bill has not been acted on by the State legislature. Revolving Loan Fund The revolving loan fund, established in 2002 through principal and interest payments from a MIF grant/loan have been building the fund, which has a current balance of approximately $18,000. EDA staff have discussed the RLF with a few business contacts however no formal applications for assistance were received. Minnesota Community Capital Foundation The City of St. Joseph/EDA participates in the Minnesota Community Capital Foundation (MCCF). The MCCF became operable nearly three years ago (Feb. 2003). Throughout the year EDA staff have distributed information to several development prospects regarding the fund. Through the MCCF the City is able to offer up to $250,000 to qualified projects for a variety of uses (including working capital) on reoccurring basis. Development leads have not been interested in the MCCF perhaps due to the absence of interest savings. The EDA has suggested the City petition to cease participation in the MCCF at a City level. Development prospects in St. Joseph may be able to access the MCCF through sponsorship by Stearns Electric. Downtown Committee Staff Liaison The inaugural meeting of the Downtown Committee was held in June of 2005. Since that time, the committee has met five additional times. During 2005 the committee developed the following mission statement and goals: Mission statement: "To create an identifiable destination area of local and regional interest by promoting a sense of place and ambiance in a united, revitalized and viable core of the City." Committee Qoals: . Definition of 'Downtown': what area/dimensions; structure/parcel inventory or catalog. . Image/attributes desired to make downtown a focal point/place of destination. . Design standards for developments in downtown which focus on pedestrians and relate to a human scale (storefronts, entrances, signage, etc.). . Identification of priority elements of historic architecture desired for replication within new construction and/or rehabilitation projects. . Priority areas for redevelopment. . Streetscape amenities desired. . Pursue market studies to determine what type/extent of commercial, office and residential uses that may be best for the downtown. City of 81. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 11 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council Visionino Process The committee is currently conducting a visioning process which will culminate in a purposeful decision to move forward because sufficient interest exists or to elect not to pursue a project due to lack of community support. The following processes are underway and expected to wrap up by March 2006. 1. Visiting other downtowns that have successfully undertaken such projects. Members of the Downtown Committee are individually visiting several downtowns, taking pictures and reporting back to the entire committee. Ten such visits are scheduled with ten reports expected for the January 2006 meeting. 2. Create a technical inventory of the downtown. A technical inventory has been created and distributed to Downtown Committee members and is available for public review and reference. Subjective analysis: what is valuable, what is missed, what is good, what is negative. A community meeting is planned for February 22"d, 2006. The meeting will expose those in attendance to pictures from other downtowns and include a survey component regarding subjective analysis. 3. Conduct public meetings to inform citizens of technical and subjective analysis and what other communities have done. Participants queried about downtown vision. The Downtown Committee hosted one event bringing property/business owners within the downtown together to discuss redevelopment/revitalization in general. A second meeting is scheduled for February 22"d. 4. Decide whether or not interest in moving forward with substantial redevelopment project. The Downtown Committee has not made a conscious and definitive decision as to whether or not public support for downtown redevelopment exists. It is presumed additional information and meetings would likely need to occur prior to such a definitive decision, but that decision is expected by March 2006. 5. Summarize the findings and disseminate widely. Following a conscious decision to either move forward with a revitalization effort or not, concise findings and on-going activity updates will be widely disseminated so as to evoke a definitive vision in the minds of all members of the community. Draft Strateoic Plan While pursuing the visioning process the Downtown Committee is also researching/drafting a Strategic Plan outline for a revitalization project. The Plan will be a comprehensive strategy for achieving the identified vision for downtown: a place of 'walkable urbanity' that can become the entire community's gathering place. The strategic plan will reflect input received in visioning process and should include a tangible work plan. Following is the start of the Strategic Plan. It is only included for your information as it has not been thoroughly reviewed by the committee as of yet. CHARACTER. Define the boundaries of downtown, how dense it should be, and how it addresses the immediate surrounding neighborhoods. The downtown 'urban' character is reflected in a density of land use that highest in the city: small lot sizes/widths; building forward/parking rear; no side yard setbacks; no maximum surface coverage limit, building may cover entire lot). If there are less dense neighborhoods surrounding downtown, this can and should be maintained, thus providing those residents with the best of two worlds: 'suburban' homes a short distance from walkable urbanity. · What specifically do we want the urban environment to look like? Downtown committee, public input, research, professional advice (e.g. landscape architect). · How can we help to promote a downtown 'experience' for pedestrians that will be different depending on the time of day, the day of the week, or the season of the year - even if a pedestrian is traveling along a well trod path. How can we provide opportunities for new experiences nearly every time a pedestrian takes to the streets? Downtown City of St. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 12 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council committee, property owner/business owners take ownership of the downtown 'experience', involvement by civic organizations, public input, research, etc. . What do we need to do to make sure it can happen? Ordinance amendments, letting property owners know what options are available, funding source identification. HOUSING. It is important to realize that housing is two-thirds of the built environment, so it is a critical part of the strategy to revitalize a downtown. Commercial development and employment opportunities follow the development of roof-tops. Encourage a vast array of moderate and high density housing at both market rate and affordable levels. . What are opportunities for housing development? Public input and professional market research and advice. . City officials to make sure such housing is legally allowed within the downtown (revise zoning ordinance 50/50 business to residential mix requirement). City officialslstaff. . City staff inventory city-owned land and buildings that could be available for early development or redevelopment. City staff. . Downtown Committee (sub-committee?) identify landlbuildings that could be available for early development and/or redevelopment. Downtown Committee or sub-committee. What are opportunities for housing development? Public input and professional market research and advice. . What do we need to do to make sure it can happen? Ordinance amendments, letting property owners know what options are available, funding source identification. RETAIL. Determine the retail concentrations that a downtown market could support, including urban entertainment (movies, restaurants, night clubs); specialty retail (clothing, furniture, and jewelry boutique stores); regional retail (department stores, lifestyle retail); and local-serving retail (grocery, drug, book, video stores). These different retail options should be concentrated into walkable districts, creating, in essence, regional destinations that give the area critical mass, identity and a reason to live there. . What are opportunities for retail development? Public input and professional market research and advice. . What do we need to do to make sure it can happen? Ordinance amendments, letting property owners know what options are available, funding source identification. CULTURE. Determine how the link between one-of-a-kind existing cultural facilities and the downtown can be measurably strengthened and opportunities for abstract and physical interaction opened/facilitated. . Create "road map" to strengthen the link between the College of St. Benedict, St. Benedict's Monastery, downtown property owners, adjacent residents, the public at-large and City officials and provide City of 51. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 13 2005 EDA Annual Report to City Council measurable opportunities for abstract and physical interaction between the aforementioned entities. Public input and Downtown Committee (sub-committee?). · What do we need to do to make sure it can happen? Changes in the physical environment, cooperative interaction between event planners, property owners and public entities. PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. Focus on essential issues such as water and sewer, parks and open space, opportunities for gathering/lingeringlpeople watching, transportation (pedestrian, transit, vehicular, truck), structured parking, and enhanced security and cleanliness. Potential funding sources for newlimproved infrastructure. · Research quality of water and sewer laterals within the downtown. Research opportunities to create/install: 'pocket' park, open space, gathering spaces, street furniture, outdoor dining opportunities, etc. Research opportunities to provide meaningful pedestrian infrastructure such as an interconnected sidewalk/walkway system, areas to gather, opportunities to linger, etc. Research opportunities to accommodate an expanded public transportation presence in the future. Research opportunities to promote structured parking facilities within the downtown (e.g. fee in-lieu of parking proceeds used to establish public parking). Research methods to promote continued security and cleanliness in the downtown (e.g. cooperative effort among property owners/stakeholders). Public input, College of Sf. Benedict, Sf. Benedict's Monastery, downtown property owners, adjacent residents, the public at-large and City officials and Downtown Committee (sub- committee ?). · What do we need to do to make sure it can happen? Changes in the physical environment, identification of funding sources, cooperative interaction between property owners and public entities. EMPLOYMENT. Focus recruitment efforts on businesses that could be downtown, which includes both "export" employment (businesses that export goods and services from the metropolitan area which provide fresh cash into the economy) and regional- servicing employment (support businesses or organizations which locate in regional concentrations such as downtown). Generally these strategies occur later in the turn- around process, after a critical mass of urban entertainment and housing has occurred. · What do we need to do to make sure opportunities for employment within the downtown can happen? Economic development authority and city staff continue to reach out to potential business leads, conduct retention and expansion visits with existing businesses and identify/promote funding sources/available financial incentives. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. According to a research brief from the well-respected non- profit, community based think-tank The Brookings Institute, successful downtown revitalizations are generally privatelpublic partnerships - not the other way around. While the public sector, usually lead by the mayor or some other public official, may convene the strategy process but it must quickly be led by the private entities whose time and money will ultimately determine the effort's success. A healthy, sustained partnership is crucial to getting the revitalization process off the ground and building the critical mass needed to spur a cycle of sustainable development. Therefore, the strategic plan for the downtown must help ensure citizens, particularly property owners, business owners and residents of surrounding neighborhoods. have City of St. Joseph EDA 2005 Annual Report 14