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Home My WebLink About7B- Downtown Development Guide Udpate and Downtown Tour 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: August 15, 2016 AGENDA #: 7B PREPARED BY: Casey McCabe, Community Development Specialist AGENDA ITEM: DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT GUIDE UPDATE AND DOWNTOWN TOUR DISCUSSION: Introduction The purpose of this agenda item is to review the updated graphic (Draft #2) of the Downtown Development Guide. History On March 21, 2016 the EDA Commissioners discussed the need for some type of visual that shows the future development of downtown Prior Lake. The EDA ap- proved staff entering into a contract with Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. (HKgi) to update the previous development guide graphic to include: (1) changes in the down- town area from 2000 through 2015; and (2) future improvements to downtown be- yond 2015. Current Circumstances During their July 18, 2016 meeting, the EDA reviewed Draft #1 of the Downtown Development Guide graphic and directed staff to discuss the plan with other city advisory committees and develop a plan to share the updated downtown develop- ment plan with the public. Staff reviewed the draft graphic with the Planning Commission and the EDAC. After comments were received from the EDA and both committees, HKgi updated the graphic, which is attached as Draft #2, to include the following revisions:  The Completed Projects map was revised to show the library with the dark blue color to reflect that all public buildings have been completed.  The “NOTE” box was moved further to the right on the Planned Projects map so more of the buildings show in the red/pink South Lake District.  A sidewalk was added on the Planned Project map along the west side of Hwy. 13 where the new connection is made to Pleasant Ave. to the south boundary line.  The boundary of both maps was extended to the west along CH 21 and addi- tional parcels in this area are shown as a Redevelopment Focal Area; this ex- tension matches the current Comprehensive Plan, and it was further suggested by the Planning Commission. Conclusion EDA members should review the second draft of the revised graphics and provide comments to staff. 2 Downtown Tour During a discussion of the Downtown Development Guide, the Planning Commis- sion suggested a tour of other successful downtowns in order to see what some communities are doing to improve their downtowns both visually and economi- cally. Staff is working with the Planning Commission to schedule a tour of downtown Chaska and downtown Excelsior on Tuesday, September 6th from 3:30-6:30. The EDA members would also be invited to attend. EDA members should discuss whether they feel this downtown tour would be beneficial and whether or not they would like to attend. ISSUES: Staff would like EDA feedback related to public engagement. Staff has discussed an option to incorporate the Downtown Development Plan into the 2040 Compre- hensive Plan update, or a presentation of the Downtown Development Plan when the TH13 / CH21 intersection plans are presented. EDA members may have addi- tional recommendations related to public engagement. Below are some potential discussion topics on this point: 1. One or two city-wide town meetings could be scheduled to review the plans with the public. 2. A separate town meeting could be conducted to include all or some of the following: north downtown, south downtown, transitional town center, south lake village businesses, Duluth Avenue residents, institutions, and busi- nesses. 3. At present, the Scott County TIP shows the CR21/TH13 improvement pro- ject for 2019. While this could change, one or more of the town meeting(s) could include this discussion. 4. Other steps are possible including website, Wavelength, Cable TV and so- cial media. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Cost for HKgi to complete Downtown Development Plan update; not to exceed $3,500. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Motion and a second to approve Draft #2 of the Downtown Development Guide update as prepared by HKgi, or as further amended by the EDA, including di- rection on a public review process. 2. Motion and a second to table approval and request staff to return with further information as directed by the EDA. 3. Discussion related to EDA participation in the Downtown Tour on September 6th. RECOMMENDED MOTION: As directed by the EDA ATTACHMENTS: 1. Downtown Development Guide Update - Draft #2 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT GUIDE UPDATE Completed Projects AUGUST 2016 N 1 1 1 The City of Prior Lake has made significant investments in civic structures to enhance the downtown public campus with the construction of new City Hall and Police Station. CIVIC CENTER 1 2 Arcadia Avenue is extended form Colorado Street to CSAH 21, to increase access to the businesses south of CSAH 21. The Arcadia Avenue / CSAH 21 intersection was reconstructed to be signalized once Main Avenue is closed. Reconstruction of the Main Avenue / Highway 13 intersection. TRAFFIC 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 Commercial growth is focused on Main Avenue, north of CSAH 21, with some additional development south of CSAH 21. Existing building facade improvements completed throughout downtown. COMMERCIAL GROWTH 4 Multi-family residential housing has been constructed near the intersection of Dakota Street and Main Avenue. A multi-family residential structure of 168 units is currently under construction in the Gateway District northeast of the downtown core. HIGHER DENSITY HOUSING 5 5 5 Enhancements at Lakefront Park (Kop Family Farm) and the addition of the Rotary Park along Dakota Street with trail connections help anchor the north end of downtown with park and recreation amenities. COMMUNITY GATHERING 6 6 6 7 7 Main Avenue and Dakota Street are restructured to accommodate diagonal parking on both sides of the street. Surface parking lots are located on the interior of city blocks to maximize the amount of businesses fronting streets. They are in close proximity to Main Avenue to minimize the walking distance from car to shopping. PARKING 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10 Main Avenue, Dakota Street and Arcadia Avenue have become more pedestrian friendly streets that encourage walking, shopping and lingering downtown. They are enhanced through the use of shade trees, ornamental street lighting, benches, paving and other site amenities. Erie Avenue improved as a pedestrian / vehicle corridor. CSAH 21 is a landscaped boulevard that indicates to drivers that they have entered into downtown and traffic speeds are reduced within the downtown limits. PEDESTRIAN SPACES 9 10 11 11 1212 12 12 15 15 13 13 14 14 Downtown entries are marked by monument signs, architectural elements, landscaping and lighting. ENTRIES 12 The City of Prior Lake has moved toward expanding the downtown area by planning connections to the South Lake and Gateway Districts. CONCEPT C PLAN ADDITIONS 15 Trails link Lakefront Park and the northern neighborhoods to downtown and the civic core. Improved open space areas south and east of City Hall. OPEN SPACE LINKAGES 13 14 00.250.50.125 Miles 0800 1,600 2,400400Feet DRAFT 8.8.2016 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT GUIDE UPDATE AUGUST 2016 N Planned Projects 00.250.50.125 Miles 0800 1,600 2,400400Feet Enhance the downtown public campus and linkage to Lakefront Park with a Community Center or expanded business adjacent to City Hall and Rotary Park. CIVIC CENTER A G F E E D D A D D D D D C B B B B C Proposed improvements to the CSAH 21 and Highway 13 intersection include the addition of a median at the center of CSAH 21 at Main Avenue to allow right-in/right out movements only on Main Avenue and the installation of a signal at the Arcadia Avenue and CSAH 21 intersection. Improvements also include a new right-in/right-out intersection at Dakota Street and Highway 13 and Duluth Avenue and CSAH 21 and the realignment of Pleasant Street to incorporate a 3/4 intersection and median at Highway 13 (2019) Extend Arcadia Avenue south connecting CSAH 21 to Pleasant Street. TRAFFIC D Focus commercial growth on along Highway 13 and CSAH 21, with additional development south of CSAH 21. COMMERCIAL GROWTH F Potential for new or improved community gathering space at the south end of Main Avenue connecting downtown to the natural areas to the south. COMMUNITY GATHERING Potential for multi-family residential housing development south of CSAH 21. HIGHER DENSITY HOUSING E I J J J J J H G Surface parking lots will be located and maintained on the interior of city blocks to maximize the amount of businesses fronting Main Avenue They are in close proximity to Main Avenue to minimize the walking distance from car to shopping. Structured parking with a retail facade facing Dakota Street and Main Avenue will be considered long term. PARKING FH Upgrade Main Avenue, from CSAH 21 to Pleasant Avenue, to become a pedestrian friendly street that encourage walking, shopping and lingering downtown. Enhance through the use of shade trees, ornamental street lighting, benches, paving and other site amenities. PEDESTRIAN SPACES K K I J Provide entry signage similar to entry sign at Main Avenue and Highway 13 intersection will signal entry into Downtown on the northwest corner of CSAH 21 and Highway 13 outside of planned roadway improvements. Downtown entries are marked through the use of architectural elements, landscaping and lighting as established on Main Avenue and Dakota Street. Install landscaping and trails along Highway 13 from Main Avenue to Pleasant Avenue. ENTRIES K Establish trail connections to northern and southern neighborhoods adjacent to downtown core. OPEN SPACE LINKAGES NOTE: Graphic do not represent actual development proposals and is intended as a guiding document for planning purposes only. Development show is contingent on willingness and support of property owners. DRAFT 8.8.2016