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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 16 2013 EDA Report 7C 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: September 16, 2013 AGENDA #: 7C PREPARED BY: Dan Rogness, Community & Economic Development Director AGENDA ITEM: DOWNTOWN PARKING OPTIONS – ERIE AVENUE DISCUSSION: Introduction The purpose of this agenda item is to update the EDA on one downtown initiative thth that was previously discussed at the July 15 and August 19 meetings. History The EDA has periodically discussed property and various initiatives within the down- town area. Discussion on sites may relate to public or private projects. Examples include the city’s sale of land for the Rock Creek building, and TIF assistance for the Premier Dance Studio. Current Circumstances The EDA has discussed the possibility of providing a financial incentive (grant) to encourage the demolition of a vacant blighted house on Erie Avenue, which is lo- cated on the Monnens Lumber property in exchange for the temporary use of the property for public parking purposes. The typical cost range to demolish a house is $10,000-$15,000. The EDA asked staff to evaluate additional public parking that could potentially be constructed along the east side of Erie Avenue as a benefit to working with the Mertens’. Staff deter- mined that insufficient right-of-way exists to add 90-degree parking along that side of the street. However, the EDA asked staff to further evaluate some type of tem- porary off-street parking lot. Conclusion The attachment shows that 8 parking spaces could potentially fit on the parcel that includes the house and garage, but only if zero-setbacks are utilized. Existing trees can be preserved with this layout. ISSUES: Prior Lake City Code requires that parking surfaces, even if temporary, must be hard surface (meaning concrete or bituminous). Since there is no provision for a tempo- rary parking lot, a sidewalk should also continue along the east side of Erie, if pos- sible. Staff needs to further evaluate storm water drainage options. The project cost would increase if curb/gutter was added. An alternative would be to test either pervious pavers or pervious bituminous. We are assuming that the property owner would allow the EDA to lease the property for five years in exchange for the grant to demolish the building and cap the well and septic. This assumption will need to be confirmed. Assuming the above is true, the EDA will have invested approximately $47,000 in this parking lot (not including annual maintenance). This means the city would invest $5,875 per parking stall over the five years or $1,175 per stall per year. Finally there is some possibility that the property owner will agree to allow this use only if the city agrees to demolish the parking lot at the end of the lease period. This would add to the cost as well. FINANCIAL Estimated $3,000 per stall without curb/gutter ($24,000) versus $4,000 per stall IMPACT: with curb/gutter ($32,000). Project costs can come from the downtown TIF fund. This is in addition to the $15,000 grant for demolition. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Direct staff to discuss and finalize this plan with the Merten’s, including the demolition of the existing house and garage. 2. Provide the $10,000 to $15,000 grant to demolish the building only. 3. Do neither and take no action. RECOMMENDED As directed by the EDA MOTION: ATTACHMENT: Preliminary surface parking lot design 2