Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 01 2013 EDAC rpt 3a attach 12013 Business & Industry Forum Comments Downtown & Economic Development Need to plan, need to have financial incentives for business to expand. City could help upgrade building faces south of Hwy 21. Fresh look like north of Hwy 21 R Businesses south of CR21 to improve facades like the north side of CR 21. Over the past year, Community & Economic Development staff, along with the City Council, Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), have been working to update/develop guidelines and policies related to financing or incentive programs. Examples include the Technology Village Business Plan, an Economic Development Plan for Deerfield Business & Welcome Industrial Parks, EDA Business Plan, a Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program, Business Subsidies Policy, and an update of the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Guidelines. In 2004, the city provided nearly $275,000 in public financing incentives (grants) for a downtown building façade improvement program. Twelve buildings participated in the program. However, at this point, the City does not have a specific program in place to achieve the same outcome. The City and the EDAC may want to consider gauging the current interest level of businesses that would take a downtown façade restoration program and to evaluate funding options. Develop ways to connect commercial areas instead of pockets in the community. One major component of the Downtown South Study is to evaluate opportunities to connect commercial areas within the community; primarily the downtown core area with the commercial properties in the South Lake Village area. The EDAC agrees that a connection of commercial areas is a very important issue. The EDAC will not be evaluating a connection of commercial areas because a South Downtown Study group has already been formed for this purpose. For more information, please visit the South Downtown Study page on the City of Prior Lake website at: http://www.cityofpriorlake.com/southdowntown.php Office building across from Cleary Lake Regional Park. Use Plan designates property across from Clearly Lake Regional Park at the intersection of CR21 and Revere Way as C-HG, Hospitality General Business which would support an office type land use. A key aspect of moving in this direction is to see the Abhe/Svoboda corner cleaned up from the large outside storage area. The primary business storing machinery and materials is moving to a new site later this year. Unplatted lots in Deerfield Industrial area. Can be rezoned. Felt the city was a little inflexible in the past. High density residential R The City Council last reviewed a concept plan for medium density housing in the Deerfield Business Park in 2012. While reviewing the request, the Council expressed concerns about rezoning pad- ready land that has been designated for commercial and industrial development. The Council felt there is a limited supply of business/industrial park land; in addition, the City is actively working to improve conditions that would attract businesses. The Council recognized that commercial and industrial development has been modest and recent improvement to CR 21 and improved economic conditions may have a positive impact. Other areas of the city are guided for high density housing. Higher income housing ($400,000+) an excellent way to diversify the tax base. Prior Lake has been attracting higher end homes due to the beautiful lakes and residential subdivisions. The land value of lakefront property alone generates significant tax base. Residential builders and developers will continue to see Prior Lake as a positive location for larger and more expensive homes. Attract more businesses people (work force) so more people can work/play/live in PL. Two key people at City has improved with being consistent and are positive - Dan & Casey - need to keep them in their roles to continue the push moving forward. Love the "about face" of City working towards being more business friendly. - how to break this: New blood - has happened with Dan & Casey. R Being consistent throughout PL - do not show favoritism. R Why do businesses NOT come to PL? Suggest to go back to old records and investigate - R City of Prior Lake staff members are currently interviewing developers, business owners and residents who have recently completed, or were in the process of completing, development projects to find out how the process went; what is the city doing well, what are the areas where improvement is needed, etc. Some of the comments received so far include the need for better staff communication with the developer throughout the project. It is especially important to give out good information early in the process and along the way which can be costly with project delays. What is the % of land and how much in acres/lot sizes left that is marked for business development? In 2012, the EDAC developed a list of all commercial and industrial designated property in the City of Prior Lake and rated these , , on the existing topography, platting status and availability of public utilities and roadway systems. Although Prior Lake has 237 acres of industrial property and 207 acres of commercial property designated in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the study found that Prior Lake has only 12 acres of pad ready industrial and 19 acres of pad ready commercial property. Restaurants would be an attractive draw. Develop a want list of businesses - some that came up (to continue to live, work and play in PL). Restaurants- Malt Shop, Pizza Ranch) R Theater - movie and/or performing arts R Clothing stores/shoes R Sporting goods (also enhanced lake accessories) R Appliance store R Trader Joes R Mayo Campus R [need for] Seniors e-pharmacy, CVS pharmacy. The EDAC has heard from residents and business leaders in the past about the need for a pharmacy in Prior Lake. City staff is aware of two national pharmacy companies who have evaluated a downtown Prior Lake location in the past and staff continues to hear from developers there is interest in bringing a pharmacy to the downtown area. Highlight our positives and market them, School District, downtown, parks, trails, lake, small town feel. Market PL - - change that image by advertising - maybe doing some marketing ideas. market). Who should we compare to? Stillwater, Chanhassen, Chaska, etc? Or who do we want to become? The EDAC developed City of Prior Lake marketing materials in 2011. The EDAC will begin to update the marketing materials this year and will attempt to promote the community benefits wherever possible. More businesses along CR42. WSB and Associates is currently completing a CR42 corridor study to evaluate, in part, a commercial market analysis for the area. Really push to spend dollars locally and live, work, play right here. The EDA and EDAC are discussing a plan to promote local spending in the community. (More Information Needed) Downtown Prior Lake. Need a sign to Prior Lake downtown. R Need to promote downtown. R Need for small downtown businesses to join the Chamber and/or have meetings for R businesses. A new downtown business group has formed recently to increase activity and promotion; at some point, the EDAC may want to partner with this group for one or more initiatives. Have the casino advertise downtown businesses. Downtown would need to offer some benefit to SMSC/casino. R More partnering with SMSC - especially in helping businesses expand, grow, etc. Need to allow other businesses (other than tech) to use Technology Village. Technology Village is not full; why can't other service businesses use the facility? R There are currently two business occupying space with another two moving in by September 1; although all office spaces are now occupied, the overall space capacity would allow another 1-2 businesses depending on business needs. Transportation & Parking Three-quarter access from Hwy 13 to Pleasant St. Three-quarter access is vital. R Hwy 13 & CR21 intersection; this upgrade may reduce or eliminate the need to close Main Ave. on CR21. Two left turn lanes may eliminate the stacking problem; downtown should not be split. R Main Avenue should be kept open as long as possible, speed should be 25 MPH - 30 MPH. Concerned about downtown throughway being closed at Main Avenue. Funeral Home would move their entrance to Arcadia if this new road could come through. Connect Downtown to Uptown and add businesses and walking trails/bike trails, this group was very positive with the Arcadia road to Hwy13. The City of Prior Lake and EDAC are aware of the concerns about the Downtown South Study process voiced during the Business & Industry Forum. The EDAC will not be evaluating comments related to the South Downtown Study area because a group has already been formed for this purpose. For more information, please visit the South Downtown Study page on the City of Prior Lake website at: http://www.cityofpriorlake.com/southdowntown.php Crosswalk sign at Main Avenue. Crosswalk signs should be put back up. R This comment (will be) has been forwarded to the City of Prior Lake Traffic and Safety Committee. Since 1961, Hwy 13 keeps sinking. Highway 13 is a Minnesota State Highway and the MN Department of Transportation is aware of the sinking issues on Hwy 13. Rock Creek Building parking lot should be a 2-hour limit 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (M-F). Bus riders and employees fill up the parking lot. R This comment (will be) has been forwarded to the City of Prior Lake Traffic and Safety Committee. Tourism & Visitors Expand tourism, specifically the lake. Provide and promote more parking options near and around the lake to promote fishing, R beaches and boating. Further business will come to bars, restaurants and other retail stores. Positives are big events like MusicFest - we should be showcasing PL at that time, people are here why not put out the red carpet - show them the positives. Visitor's Bureau needed. General/Miscellaneous [Business & Industry Forum is a] Good opportunity for discussion. Satellite University in Prior Lake. Why does this drug house still exist? (Main Avenue) Stop by and watch "transactions". R Cities typically work towards the redevelopment of properties in their downtown areas that are underutilized, blighted or needed for a specific public/private project. This property has not yet been targeted for any of those reasons. Inspector still a problem (building inspector) not consumer friendly, until this changes/retrain - new builders are not willing to move to PL Keep positive with SMSC. The leaders with the city and county have been holding quarterly meetings with SMSC to discuss topics of mutual interest. The relationship between the City of Prior Lake and SMSC is very positive. Need a facility for the performing arts. PL Players want to do more shows but cannot get a facility where they can perform. R ISD 719 facilities are too busy, too small and it limits when the PL Players can have a R performance. Also need help in promotion of shows. R Corner of CR42 & Hwy 13 not good for Prior Lake. Need to promote Prior Lake at this corner; install a welcome sign and promote Prior Lake. R ion; possibly some additional enhancements here are worth evaluating.