12/19/1994 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 8, 1994 FACILITIES STUDY is a 1990's neighborhood concept. Mr. Wessel referred to page three (3) of the notebook, Needs Assessment. He noted that the proposed city hall will require about 24,000 square feet of space and the Police Department will require about 14,000 square feet. Mr. Wessel also noted that the Centennial School District is looking for about 10,000 square feet to rent/lease. Several proposals have already been submitted to the District. Mr. Wessel explained that a growing city like Lino Lakes will be requiring retail services and this concept could provide these services as well as provide the best use of land and a broad housing profile. Mr. Wessel requested that the City Council review the information provided in the notebook, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a Town Center concept and determine if a definitive program should be prepared. He explained that he envisioned that the program would be phased -in starting with the construction of the City facilities. These facilities would be the anchor for the development. Ms. LaForest referred to the Summary on page 15 noting that Town Center concepts have been gathering momentum in recent years as marketing concepts and as design ideas. These projects are usually located in suburbs and are designed to become focal points in their communities. Some of these projects revolve around the concept of an open air gathering place reminiscent of the Main Street of a small town, and include street front retail, town squares, city facilities, offices and residential uses. They are meant to act as new downtowns for suburban ares that evolved without such traditional cores. Ms. LaForest briefly mentioned a Town Center concept for Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Tualitin, Oregon and Orlando, Florida. Ms. LaForest further explained that a Town Center plan calls for extensive public interaction, community input and review, the use of consultants, developers and contractors. A city interested in using the impetus of public development to stimulate private development should first come to a consensus on its needs and objectives. Although the concept is complicated to complete, strategic public investment and concentrated marketing efforts can have a dramatic effect on encouraging private investment. Mayor Reinert had several questions including what would the tax base be and how much square footage would be designated for the public buildings. Ms. LaForest explained that this has not been determined since only the concept is being introduced this PAGE 2