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<br />minnesota.uli.org 23 <br />2828 Condit St <br />This site represents an exciting opportunity, as it is a large parcel that <br />presents several options. With its prime location and the orientation of <br />the road connection, thoughtful planning here has the opportunity to <br />reenergize development in the area. <br /> <br />This site offers a soft transition into the adjacent R1 area and serves <br />as an important connection point to the land south and the bike trail. <br />With foresight, this trail can connect all the way through Little Canada <br />with complementary uses around it. The lack of a sound barrier from <br />the Condit site to the intersection is a benefit, as it allows the <br />opportunity to think about how building structures can help manage <br />sound as it moves into the residential zoning. The visual opportunity off of I-35 can attract business <br />investment. This area is also home to a cherished destination in the Porterhouse restaurant; this node <br />has real promise. <br /> <br />It is important to remember that this location exists within a larger surrounding area, and the panel <br />had some thoughts on the surrounding infrastructure. Because one of the questions concerned <br />placemaking, the panel looked at the larger picture through that lens. <br /> <br />One of the principles of placemaking is to not negatively impact unique places that already exist. <br />During the stakeholder interviews, the panel heard many people talk about how much they appreciate <br />their local businesses, like Porterhouse, Gordie’s, Donut Hut, and Qamaria Yemeni coffee. When <br />considering infrastructure in this area, the panel recommends not focusing on moving cars quickly <br />through the community, but instead thinking about how to encourage people to see and experience <br />the local businesses that Little Canada residents cherish. This also fits in with the repeated feedback <br />from residents for pedestrian safety, walkability, and connection. <br /> <br />There is potential for a complementary commercial node at County Road C and County Drive that <br />could be mixed-use and multi modal (i.e. accommodating walking, biking, and driving). Developer <br />investment could enhance grant-funding viability for pedestrian and bike connections between the <br />eastern and western portions of Little Canada. This broader infrastructure project will enable a larger <br />plan that makes use of best VPD intersection for commercial investment. The city is urged to orient <br />investment to protect and enhance the current community assets and to revisit the road concepts with <br />economic development in mind, rather than traffic movement. <br />Cyclist and pedestrian safety on the bridge is another important issue. While there are currently <br />efforts in place to secure funding for a pedestrian bridge, there are interventions such as simple <br />barricades and jersey barriers that can increase safety in the short term. <br /> <br />One suggestion for the 2828 <br />Condit Street site was a hotel. <br />The panel likes the idea of a <br />hotel, as Little Canada <br />currently does not have one, <br />but would not put it on this site, <br />but rather near the <br />Porterhouse. This would also <br />offer an opportunity for that <br />local business to be the <br />outsourced food & beverage <br />provider for a hotel.