09-11-2024 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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TAP PROCESS: TAP Pre-Visit Prior to any onsite work, city staff met with ULI representatives on a regular basis to ensure panelists were selected and engaged. The Little Canada panelist team consisted of seven highly qualified industry professionals, with two serving as the panel co-chairs. The background of the panelists included developers, architects, placing-making experts, AICP-certified consultants, and municipal community development staff. Once panelists were engaged, staff provided key briefing materials including, historical information, adopted city plans, and applicable documents. In advance of the TAP, city staff surveyed residents from May 20 to June 4. A total of 115 residents completed the questionnaire, and staff made the findings available for the panelist’s consideration. TAP Onsite work On June 4, panelists toured the three sites and Rice Street Corridor and met with staff. On the evening of June 4, the city hosted a reception at Cardigan Ridge Senior Living facility with key stakeholders including City Council members, Advisory Commission chairs, city staff, business owners, community partners, nonprofit organizations, industry professionals, and residents. On June 5, the city hosted the panelists for an all-day session that included three in-person stakeholder listening sessions with business owners, community partners, and industry professionals. Following analysis, brainstorming, and deliberations, the panelists presented initial findings and concept designs to city staff. At the June 12 City Council meeting, the panelists presented initial findings to the City Council, with a final report planned for completion by the end of August. FINDINGS: On August 30, city staff received the final report from ULI Minnesota. As outlined within the attached report (See Attachment A) and the initial findings presented to the City Council on June 12, the TAP panelists provided independent opinions and analyses as real estate, planning, design, finance, placemaking, and development professionals. The panel recommendations and concept plans for each of the three city-owned sites were provided with justifications for each of the three recommendations. In addition to concept plans for each parcel, the panelists also provided over-arching recommendations that included: • Prioritize Placemaking and Walkability • Focus on top Infrastructure Priorities • Focus on Key Programmatic Priorities