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EDC Minutes January 17, 2003 Page 2 C. TCN Chamber of Commerce Update—Backman reported that Colonial Craft joined the local Chamber the last week of December (as they said they would do when Backman first met them in Roseville). Earlier this week he attended the Public Policy Task Force meeting in Fridley. The Committee decided to continue the focus on transportation issues and to add a focus on fiscal matters (state & city budget issues). Along the lines of transportation, the Chamber held a Transportation Forum yesterday at the Majestic Oaks Clubhouse. Attendance was good. Chuck Morris, another Chamber member, and Backman put the agenda together and developed a short marketing piece for the forum. Frank Pafko, the Division Area Manager for MNDOT and the main speaker for the event focused on six primary highway issues: Trunk Hwy 10 from 35W to Elk River, Interstate 35W north of Hwy 36, Additional lanes on Interstate 694, Hwy 10/Snelling/694 Bottleneck east of 35W, Trunk Hwy 65 north of Interstate 694, and Hwy 252 south of 610. Pafko distributed a handout discussing construction projects planned in Anoka and Ramsey Counties Backman also obtained Pafko’s overhead presentation and has copies available for members. D. Report of Staff: 1. Edgewood Regional Pond Project: Backman noted that the State of Minnesota did process the drawdown or disbursement request to DTED for the Edgewood Regional Pond in conjunction with the Mermaid project. The $105K was wired on December 20th. 2. Met. Council Practicum—Revitalization of Suburban Retail Strips: On January 8th Backman and Ericson attended a workshop discussing reinventing suburban retail strips. The main speaker Michael Beyard from the Urban Land Institute discussed ten principles for reinventing strip malls. In brief they were: 1) Form public/private partnerships to develop strategies and implement change, 2) Anticipate an evolution in demographics and in the marketplace, 3) Realistically assess the market for a strip mall, 4) Develop zoning strategies that improve the quality of strip malls by limiting the amount of retail-zoned land, 5) Establish pulse nodes of development interspersed with stretches of low-intensity land use or open space, 6) Create traffic patterns and parking to provide convenient access to retail stores and also serve through-traffic, 7) Create suburban “places” that attract people and encourage them to visit often, 8) Diversify the development of strip malls as development pressures increase and land values rise, 9) Eradicate the ugliness by enhancing the physical design to attract new and repeat customers, 10) Put your money & regulations where you policy is. In addition to Mr. Beyard, there were presenters representing local projects that utilized this principles—Lyndale Gateway West in Richfield, and Coon Rapids Blvd./Port Riverwalk (4 PORTS , that is Preservation Or Renovation Tract). 3. Rob Carlson Builders Activities—Hwy 10 Business Center: Rob Carlson Builders began pouring concrete for the footings the week of January 6th. Up until this week unseasonably warm weather was a big help for the project. The crane that appears there now will be used to hoist concrete panels later this month. 4. Developer Activities—Amoco Site Prospect, etc.: Not a lot to report regarding the Old Amoco site. Written offers have been provided to BP Amoco and to owners of the vacant lot behind the Glacier Sales (or PAC) bldg. Tony Strauss, the broker, is waiting for a response from the landowners. Hopefully they will respond. Other Developments/Projects: On January 8th Backman was contacted by a business in Fridley interested in relocating to Mounds View. He provided information about some potential locations, met with one of the owners, and toured some warehouse space that is currently available. Nice article appeared