EDA Packet 10.17.17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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rf CITY pF HU I:ST. lAOfs Ensure Infrastructure is Provided to Meet Business Needs It is important for the City to implement the improvements identified on the City's infrastructure plans illustrated in Chapters 8, 9, 10 and 11 of this document. The important transportation connections and sewer and water improvements that are necessary to accommodate existing and future businesses have been taken into account and are shown in this comprehensive plan. The BNSF rail line serving the Bald Eagle Industrial Park is an important transportation element for existing businesses located there. The rail line should be maintained as long as the businesses rely on it. The City should encourage the eventual conversion of the rail line along TH 61 to a transit corridor that may accommodate both freight and passengers. Provisions for transit will provide businesses with expanded access to the area's workforce. Higher intensity mixed use development and retail development should be encouraged along the transit corridor. The City will cooperate with the Rush Line Corridor Task Force to implement recommended improvements along the corridor. The transportation plan illustrates a future interchange at County Road 4 and 1-35E. The interchange is also identified on MnDOT's Inter -Regional Corridor Plan for 1-35. The timing of the construction of this interchange is critical in implementing the plans for business development in northern Hugo. The City should continue to lobby for the accelerated construction of the interchange though the I-35 W/E Coalition. The City will locate new commercial businesses where municipal utilities are available. Urban services will be made available to the areas guided for business development in accordance with the City's sewer and water plans. The City will strive to ensure that telecommunications needs are met for new or existing businesses. The City will evaluate how fiber optic lines or other telecommunication technology can be extended and used in areas where businesses are located or plan to locate. Downtown Redevelopment The City has adopted a redevelopment plan for downtown Hugo (Chapter 4). The downtown plan strives to maintain the City's business core in downtown with a traditional downtown urban format. For this to become possible, redevelopment of structures in the downtown area must occur. The City has purchased a number of properties in downtown along the east side of Highway 61. As additional properties become available by willing sellers in this area, the City will pursue purchases of those properties. Most of the structures have been be removed, and the properties will be redeveloped by the City as restaurant/entertainment, retail, and office.space. Multiple other property owners in the downtown area have expressed interest in redeveloping their properties in a manner consistent with the downtown plan. In order to facilitate that development, the City has approved a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District to help ensure that development is feasible in the downtown area. As residential growth continues in the City and commercial development takes interest in Hugo, there is heightened opportunity for the City to guide economic growth to this area. The City should market the downtown aggressively, and source programs and incentives that may make redevelopment more feasible. Gateways The new development along County Road 8 has established a quality atmosphere at the major western entrance to the City. The attractive development there helps create a good first impression and serves to define the image of City. The City will expend extra effort to establish gateways that exude a similar image of quality at all major entrances to the City, including the northern and southern limits of Highway 61, and the western limit of County Road 4. Promote Quality among New Businesses The City has establish and implement Commercial and Industrial Design Guidelines for new and existing business development, including architectural guidelines for retail development, standards requiring quality building materials, and guidance for the preparation of site plans that promote good land planning principles. Proper use of guidelines will ensure that the desired businesses locate in the appropriate areas. DRAFT 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update — Economic Development HUG16015 - September 15, 2017