07-19-95 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JITLY 19, 1995 Alden sugqested a combination of concepts. Alden liked the idea of shutting off some streets to create a mall area. Jim Vitale asked how much retail area is proposed. Schroeder replied that he does not know at this point and will be working with Bujold to determine the amount of retail, office, and residential space. Bujold replied that there are a lot of options for retail, office space, as well as public space such as County government services or a library. Fahey felt the uses proposed should be tax-paying. Schroeder reported that they are looking to create buildings that are flexible. That is, a building which can be converted from retail to office use, for example, as the market changes over the years. Fahey again suggested a combination of Concept A and B, with buildings placed up to the road at the intersection of Rice and Little Canada Road. DeLonais suggested that the uses in the most eastern buildings should be office space. Schroeder replied that that is likely how it will work out. Pedersen suggested that sidewalks and crosswalks along Rice Street will make it inviting for the apartment residents on the west side of Rice Street to walk over and patronize the businesses. Fahey suggested that Concept B was not as innovative or different in image from what is in the area now. Schroeder stated that the key in Concept B is what happens on Middle 5treet. Scalze suqgested that people like to patronize shops around a square. That concept seems to draw people. The City Administrator reported that the owners of the Market Place Shopping Center are talkinq about bringing parking closer to the building. The alignment of Market Place Drive may have to be re-oriented to facilitate this. There are also visibility issues to consider. The Administrator asked what Middle Street 8