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3 <br /> <br />people want to identify with an interesting and active place to live, work, recreate and <br />shop. Some of the keys: <br />o Walkability is a must. Sidewalks and paths that connect important places along <br />safe and interesting routes are essential to creating a great gathering place. <br />o Density. Successful gathering places are often dependent on a concentration of <br />activities and people. Higher residential densities in such areas contribute to their <br />vibrancy. <br />o The City should take the lead. The City should take the lead in identifying <br />where gathering places could be and be prepared to put some “skin in the game” <br />to make them happen. <br />• New workforce housing with modern amenities can provide a needed component of <br />Little Canada’s housing stock. Today’s mixed income workforce housing products are <br />far different from yesterday’s low-income housing. Cities that have welcomed such <br />developments are generally happy with the results and there are many examples in the <br />metro area that Little Canada may wish to visit. But…up front education and preparation <br />are needed to dispel misinformation and opposition. Information provided in <br />http://housingcounts.org/ will be helpful to the City for finding resources associated with <br />workforce housing. Or share a video message from ULI MN’s recent Housing Summit <br />that explains why affordable housing is essential for a city’s economic success. <br />• The economics of housing often make new rental projects difficult in many settings. <br />In most locations, the market simply cannot bear the rents needed to induce the high <br />construction costs of new rental housing. In such settings, public/private initiatives such <br />as low-income housing tax credits, tax increment financing, tax abatement, reduced fees, <br />and allowing flexible in your land use codes may be necessary to spur the development of <br />new housing options. TIF and abatement can also provide a vehicle for enhancing the <br />appearance of and amenities associated with new rental housing. <br />• Bring physical planning and financial planning together. The best laid plans are only <br />as good as developing the financial wherewithal to accomplish them. The City’s <br />involvement in (re)development can take many forms. It could be financial assistance, it <br />could be marketing initiatives and it could be property assemblage. Whatever the <br />approach, it is important for the City to align available resources and communicate them <br />effectively to the (re)development community. The policies and practices outlined in the <br />ULI MN (Re)Development-Ready Guide will assist the City in establishing <br />(re)development policies and practices that use scarce public dollars to attract private <br />investment, grow jobs, provide affordable housing and build tax base. <br />• Plan around Little Canada’s assets. Sometimes cities attempt to promote development <br />that doesn’t fit with who they are. Focus on Little Canada’s wonderful assets and how