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minnesota.uli.org 6 <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />The City of Little Canada engaged ULI Minnesota Advisory Services for a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) to <br />provide recommendations regarding the best use for three city-owned parcels, while also offering guidance on <br />placemaking and development in the surrounding areas. <br />Key themes from stakeholder interviews and a community survey emphasized residents' desire for mixed-use <br />development, a "Town Center" destination, increased local activations, and a stronger city identity. Respondents <br />also expressed a need for enhanced walkability and pedestrian safety within the city. <br />The TAP, guided by principles of catalytic development, pedestrian connectivity, identity establishment, and <br />economic support, focused on three city-owned sites: <br />0 First Bank Drive: The panel recommends creating a vibrant gathering space to serve as a testing <br />ground for community activity which could potentially support the establishment of a permanent plaza. <br />The panel suggests advocating for relocating the BRT station adjacent to this site to enhance connectivity <br />and energy. <br />2750 Rice Street: Given its small size and the future Rice Street reconstruction, the panel suggests <br />strategically holding the lot until the Rice Street work is complete. Post-reconstruction, the site could be <br />sold, potentially in conjunction with neighboring parcels, for commercial redevelopment with a focus on <br />pedestrian connectivity to new sidewalks along Rice Street. <br />2828 Condit Drive: This large parcel offers multiple opportunities. The panel proposes two concepts: a <br />restaurant/grocery incubator inspired by successful models like Asia Mall and Malcolm Yards, or a <br />townhome community, leveraging the site's proximity to residential areas and trails. <br />Recommended Priorities: <br />Prioritize Placemaking and Walkability: Develop a design workbook with standards (and specifications if <br />possible) for the public realm to guide new development along Rice Street and Little Canada Road. <br />Standards would guide both public and private installations of these amenities. <br />Focus on Top Infrastructure Priorities: Continue building sidewalks, improving trails, and implementing site <br />preparation work on the Condit site. Leverage transit and transportation investments for economic <br />development, including advocating for the BRT station relocation and reconsidering planned traffic <br />engineering near the Condit site. <br />Focus on Key Programmatic Priorities: Target funding to support commercial growth through initiatives <br />like a facade improvement program, small business/entrepreneurship support, and district marketing. <br />Recommended Next Actions: <br />Create a Station Area/Small-Area Plan for the First Bank Drive area, focusing on the public realm, <br />programming improvements, and a public-private partnership framework. <br />Develop design standards for Rice Street and Little Canada Road. <br />Develop a Small-Area Plan for the 2828 Condit site, including infrastructure investments to prepare the <br />location for future development. <br />The panel believes that these recommendations, if implemented strategically, can contribute significantly to Little <br />Canada's goals of increased economic activity, enhanced community identity, and improved quality of life for its <br />residents.