08-28-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Staff Memo • To: Economic Development Commission Members From: Cathy Bennett, Director of Economic Development Date: July 17, 1997 Subject: Consideration of Assigning an EDC Member to Participate (5.C.) in the Development of Design Themes for Highway 10 Corridor Background: At the July 7, 1997 work session staff was directed to go out for a Request for Proposal for professional services to prepare a design theme for Highway 10 Corridor between Edgewood Drive and Silver Lake Road. The goal of the project is to develop 2-3 alternatives which would identify the area as the Mounds View City Center which is seen as a focal point of community activity and the City's commercial core. This request was precipitated in response to the level of development activity planned along the corridor and the outcome of the UofM Design Course that suggested a ring road be developed to define the "Heart of Mounds View". In addition, one of the major issues in the community and identified by the Council at goal setting sessions is the Highway 10 Corridor. Specifically land use and design issues are critical to the success of current and future corridor development. The City currently has a window of opportunity to implement a design theme with the current development proposals that will have a significant impact on the character of the corridor. In addition, staff is hoping to develop a capital improvement plan for Highway 10 Corridor as part of the 1998 budget to include the elements of the design theme. Process and Conclusions: Staff mailed a request for proposals to 15 consulting firms in the Twin Cities. We received 8 proposals of which 4 were chosen for interviews by members of the Planning Commission with the assistance of staff. Planning Commission members Bobbie Brooks and Jean Miller volunteered to assist City staff in interviewing the 4 firms on August 19th and 21st. We were able to narrow the firms to SRF Consulting Group and Hoisington Koegler Group and after checking references Friday will bring a final recommendation to the EDA meeting on Monday. Once a firm is determined it will be recommended to establish a task force to work with the consultant on design themes. I would like at lease one volunteer from the EDC to participate in this process. It is estimated that this will be a 3-4 month process and will require attendance at 2-3 task force/community meetings.