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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.w. Authorization to submit an application to the Dakota County Community Development Agency Redevelopment Incentive GrantAGENDA ITEM: Authorization to submit an application to the Dakota County Community Development Agency Redevelopment Incentive Grant AGENDA SECTION: C0111,Sad- PREPARED BY: Eric Zweber; Senior Planner AGENDA NO. (0.U1/. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution, Application APPROVED BY: LP-J RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to adopt a Resolution approving the Submittal of the Downtown Park and Ride (Rosemount Depot) Enhancements for the Dakota County Community Development Agency Redevelopment Incentive Grant. 4 ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL City Council Special Meeting: December 15, 2009 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ISSUE The Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) has made $1,200,000 available to the Dakota County cities during 2010 for redevelopment grants. The application for the Redevelopment Incentive Grant is to provide enhancement to the Downtown park and ride that we have referred to as the Rosemount Depot. The proposed enhancements include creating a more substantial and aesthetically pleasing station (likely looking as an early twentieth century train depot), pedestrian enhancements, and infrastructure costs. A City Council resolution authorizing the submittal of the application is required as a part of the CDA application process. The CDA requires a 2 to 1 local match. The grant application is for $250,000 for the enhancement. The local match to be used for the grant is the amount of money that the Port Authority had spent on land acquisition for the park and ride site, which was $890,840. In addition, the local match for the Federal CMAQ funds in the amount of $917,000 would also qualify for the local match. No additional City funds would need to be budgeted for this grant. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends a motion to adopt the resolutions to submit an application for the CDA Redevelopment Incentive Grant. CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 2009- A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE DOWNTOWN ROSEMOUNT PARK AND RIDE (ROSEMOUNT DEPOT) ENHANCEMENTS APPLICATION FOR THE DAKOTA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY REDEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE GRANT WHEREAS, the City of Rosemount has identified the Downtown Rosemount Park and Ride (Rosemount Depot) as a proposed project within the City that meets the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) Redevelopment Incentive Grant program's purposes and criteria; and WHEREAS, the City has established the Redevelopment Framework for Downtown Rosemount, a Redevelopment Plan, which establishes goals and policies to create a pedestrian friendly, mixed uses, transit orientated Downtown; and WHEREAS, the City has the capability and capacity to ensure the proposed project be completed and administered within the Redevelopment Incentive Grant program guidelines; and WHEREAS, the City has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance; and WHEREAS, the City is supportive of affordable housing and of the CDA's mission to improve the lives of Dakota County residents through affordable housing and community development. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Rosemount approves the application for funding from the Dakota County CDA Redevelopment Incentive Grant program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval of its application by the Dakota County CDA, the City Administrator of the City of Rosemount, is hereby authorized to execute such agreements as are necessary to receive and use the funding for the proposed project. ADOPTED this 15th day of December, 2009, by the City Council of the City of Rosemount. ATTEST: Amy Domeier, City Clerk William H. Droste, Mayor Motion by: Second by: Voted in favor: Voted against: Member absent: CDA Redevelopment Incentive Grant Application General Information Project Name: Downtown Rosemount Park and Ride (Rosemount Depot) Enhancements Applicant City: Rosemount Applicant Address: 2875 145 Street West, Rosemount, MN 55068 Application/Project Contact: Kim Lindquist, Community Development Director Contact Email Address: kim. lindquist(&,,ci.rosemount.mn.us Phone Number: 651- 322 -2020 Fax Number: 651- 423 -4424 Authorized Official(s) for Execution of Contracts (name and title): Dwight Johnson, City Administrator How much funding are you requesting? $148,000 Project Site Information Site Address (es): 2810 145 Street West, 14500 block of Burnley Avenue Acreage of Site: 1.25 acres Current Site Owner(s): Rosemount Port Authority Dakota County Community Development Agency Is the site publicly or privately owned? Publicly owned Current Appraised or Assessed Value of the Site: $184,300 Number of Parcels: 6 parcels Projected appraised or Assessed Value of the Site after redevelopment: $1,000,000 Attach the appraisal or assessor's current and projected values. After redevelopment is complete, will the site be publicly or privately owned? Publicly Post redevelopment Site Owner(s): City of Rosemount When has /will the acquisition be completed ?Acquisition of the site was completed in 2006 Legal Description of Site (may be separate attachment): Lots 1 through 8, Block 5, Rosemount Plat Provide a location map, photos, and current and projected site plans. Maps should include property boundaries, north arrow, and bar scale. Attach a brief history of the site including previous uses, activities, prior or existing contamination, and other attempts at redevelopment. How many residential buildings are on site? 0 Commercial buildings 1 How many residential buildings are vacant? 0 Commercial buildings 1 1 Project Information Describe the city's goals and need for this project. MVTA has applied for CMAQ funding to create a 101 stall park and ride site that will provide express bus service from Downtown Rosemount to Downtown Minneapolis. The City's goal for the funding is to enhance a traditional park and ride facility to ensure site development is consistent with the adopted Development Framework for Downtown Rosemount. The park and ride site will redevelop five former residential lots and one commercial property located east of Burnley Avenue, south of 145 Street, and west of the railroad tracks into a parking lot and will realign Burnley Avenue to serve bus parking and loading as well as drop -offs for kiss and ride transit users. The acquisition of the land for the park and ride has been accomplished by the Rosemount Port Authority using TIF funds, and construction funding of the basic park and ride site will be accomplished through a CMAQ grant. The Redevelopment Initiative Grant (RIG) requested from the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) will provide funds to upgrade the park and ride from its basic form to a park and ride that is the aesthetic equivalent of other recent redevelopment projects within Downtown. The City will use the Development Framework, agreed upon Downtown design guidelines and recent landscape and streetscape enhancements as the prototype for design improvements to the park and ride site and its environs. The funds from the RIG would be used to construct a larger and higher quality transit shelter, to demolish the existing vacant commercial structure on the property, and to perform numerous infrastructure improvements such as mill and overlaying of Burnley Avenue, undergrounding the electrical utilities, installing decorative acorn -style streetlights, and additional boulevard landscaping. Downtown has a population that can benefit from the increased transit opportunities provided by the park and ride. One block away from the park and ride site is the Rosemount Plaza apartments, the Rosemount Plaza condominiums, and Waterford Commons. These 168 units are in part allocated to low income and transit dependant residents. Rosemount has made significant investment in its Downtown to benefit the pedestrians who live Downtown and the investments made as a result of this RIG will make the park and ride more attractive and useful for the pedestrian walking up for transit services that is otherwise not provided at typical park and ride sites. Attach a detailed description the redevelopment project. Attach a site plan, vicinity map, and elevations or drawings of proposed redevelopment. Has an end user committed to redevelopment of site? Yes, MVTA has committed to operating the transit service once the CMAQ funds are secured. Attach letter of commitment. Describe how the project will make more efficient use of the site. The site has traditionally been six single family residential sites, with one converted to a commercial establishment, and is currently vacant except for the remaining commercial structure which will need to be demolished. The Development Framework for Downtown Rosemount calls for replacing the existing small enclaves of single family homes with multiple family housing, commercial, or civic uses. The park and ride site will provide the transit component needed to transition the Downtown area into a more dense development pattern. The existing residents of Rosemount Plaza and Waterford Commons will be 2 able to walk up to the park and ride site and use the express service to Downtown Minneapolis or the local service to Apple Valley. Typically, the transit shelters at park and ride sites are not very large because most people wait in their cars until their bus arrives. The facilities requested in this grant would improve the size and features at the shelter to better accommodate the walk up transit users, many living at Rosemount Plaza or Waterford Commons who have low income and other transit dependent residents. Describe the larger redevelopment project to which this project will be a part. Include details of anticipated businesses, housing units, and other proposed components. Attach copy of Redevelopment Plan. The Development Framework for Downtown Rosemount "Framework the redevelopment plan for Downtown Rosemount, was written in 2004. Many components of the Framework have been implemented, including construction of the Robert Trail Library, construction of Waterford Commons (a MnAPA award winning mixed use project containing 13,000 square feet of commercial space and 108 residential units including 20% of the units being affordable), purchase of the St. Joseph's church complex to be converted into an arts and cultural center, and the negotiation for redevelopment of the Genz -Ryan block into commercial space. In addition, with the financial assistance of the CDA through its redevelopment grants, the City completed a plan to expand Central Park and has repaired sidewalk and improved the streetscape of 145 Street West just west of the proposed project site. Describe redevelopment phase(s) already completed and/or other adjacent development/redevelopment. The Robert Trail Library opened in February 2009 and is located approximately two blocks north and west of the site. Waterford Commons opened in July 2009 and is located one block south and west of the site. St. Joseph's School moved to its new location at Biscayne Avenue and Connemara Trail for the 2009 -2010 school year, allowing the City to convert the entire St. Joseph's complex (located one block north of 145 Street West) into a multi purpose center with an eye toward arts and culture. The City is currently taking bids to perform some building code and ADA improvements to the St. Joe's church. The City has conducted a planning study to determine the possibility of expanding Central Park onto 145 Street near the northeast corner of 145 Street and South Robert Trail and has completed the sidewalk repair and streetscape improvements on 145 Street west from Cameo to Burma Avenue. The finishing touches on the streetscape, the spring installation of planters, benches, and trash receptacles will occur spring 2010. Describe how owners, tenants, and businesses will be temporarily or permanently relocated. Attach relocation plan, if applicable. There are no tenants or businesses that would need to be relocated. The Rosemount Port Authority is the owner of the property and the City purchased the property with the intent to redevelop the site. Any required relocation was paid at the time the Port Authority purchased the six properties. 3 Itemized Use of Funds /Expenses Costs Funding Source Shelter Enhancements $100,000 CDA Grant Downtown Acorn-style Lighting $50,000 CDA Grant Electrical Undergrounding $30,000 CDA Grant Burnley Avenue Mill and Overlay $30,000 CDA Grant Building Demolition $15,000 CDA Grant In- Sidewalk Landscaping $10,000 CDA Grant Alternative /Enhanced Paving at Shelter $10,000 CDA Grant Hazardous Material Removal $5,000 CDA Grant Total: $250,000 vj Source of Funds Amount Committed Pending Rosemount Port Authority Land (TIF Fund) Acquisition $890,840 X CMAQ Funding Park and Ride Construction $917,000 X Total: $1,807,840 jj j/ Itemize all other funding sources. Itemize project expenses. Be as detailed as possible. Are any zoning amendments or variances needed? No What is the status? N/A Is a comprehensive plan amendment required? No What is the status? N/A Is an environmental review required? Yes What is the status? Project Memorandum or Environmental Assessment required due to Federal funding requirements. Not initiated as yet. Will a market or feasibility study be performed? Yes What is the status? Ridership figures were calculated as a part of the CMAQ application. The CMAQ application is for 2013 funding. The final award will be determined in early 2010; however, it appears based upon the project scoring that the Rosemount Park and Ride will be funded. The City has already discussed with MVTA and the Metropolitan Council advancing the project to construction 2010 and being reimbursed for the project when federal funds become available. Therefore the project timeline continues to illustrate a 2013 construction date, although it would be shifted forward upon awarding of project funding. Attach a project timeline with all actions, phases and anticipated dates. Indicate the number of housing units planned in the project. Attach separate sheet if necessary. 4 Total of of Owner of Rental Proposed Rents/ Sales Units Units Units Prices Itemize all other funding sources. Itemize project expenses. Be as detailed as possible. Are any zoning amendments or variances needed? No What is the status? N/A Is a comprehensive plan amendment required? No What is the status? N/A Is an environmental review required? Yes What is the status? Project Memorandum or Environmental Assessment required due to Federal funding requirements. Not initiated as yet. Will a market or feasibility study be performed? Yes What is the status? Ridership figures were calculated as a part of the CMAQ application. The CMAQ application is for 2013 funding. The final award will be determined in early 2010; however, it appears based upon the project scoring that the Rosemount Park and Ride will be funded. The City has already discussed with MVTA and the Metropolitan Council advancing the project to construction 2010 and being reimbursed for the project when federal funds become available. Therefore the project timeline continues to illustrate a 2013 construction date, although it would be shifted forward upon awarding of project funding. Attach a project timeline with all actions, phases and anticipated dates. Indicate the number of housing units planned in the project. Attach separate sheet if necessary. 4 Single Family N/A Townhouse N/A Apartments /Condominiums N/A Duplexes N/A Other: N/A Will any existing affordable housing be demolished? No If yes, please explain. Will there be any mechanisms to ensure long -term affordability? Yes If yes, please describe. This park and ride site will help to ensure that the affordable housing provided at the Rosemount Plaza and Waterford Commons is successful long term. The residents in those affordable units will be provided with greater transit options and therefore gain access to employment opportunities that would not be provided without car ownership. What are the current property taxes for the project site? None Pay Year What will the estimated property tax be after redevelopment? None Pay Year How was this figure determined? The park and ride site will remain in public ownership and therefore not pay taxes. Who determined it? City staff Project the number of new jobs created after redevelopment. Total new jobs 4 bus drivers? FTEs. Number of new jobs with wages greater than $15.00 per hour 4 Project the number of jobs retained after redevelopment. Total retained jobs N/A FTEs. Number of retained jobs with wages greater than $15.00 per hour N/A Has the project site been found or suspected to be contaminated? No Does your project include the clean up of contaminated soils, hazardous waste or materials? The demolition of all homes includes some hazardous waste disposal. $5,000 has been budgeted in addition to the demolition cost to provide for the proper hazardous waste disposal during the demolition. Attach detailed information on the type of clean up, what measures have been taken to address the contamination, consultant reports, and/or Response Action Plan. Describe other positive environmental impacts the project will have. The redevelopment of the site into a park and ride transit station will provide residents express bus service to Downtown Minneapolis and reduce the number of individual cars on the road making the same trip. This reduction in single occupancy vehicles will have a positive impact on the environment by reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from these vehicles and delaying the need for construction of additional road lanes. The City envisions adding some environmental treatment into the site development, such as porous pavement, to increase site benefits. 5 Describe how the project incorporates smart growth concepts, including proximity to public transit, pedestrian friendly design, maximizing green space, mixed land uses, and community building elements. The redevelopment of this site into a park and ride transit station provides improved will public transit to Downtown Rosemount. The elements funded through this grant request will increase the pedestrian- friendly design of the park and ride facility and complement the recent mixed use redevelopment projects completed in Downtown. Awarding this grant to the City of Rosemount will allow the City to fulfill and incorporate the smart growth concepts described in the Framework 6 DOWNTOWN ROSEMOUNT PARK AND RIDE 100 JFeet 200 ROSEMOLIN 1 SPIRIT Of PRIDE AND PROGRESS 46TH STIW, 1OWER 147TH S INSTRUCTIONS: Return the completed application to Kevin Roggenbuck, Transportation Coordinator, Transportation Advisory Board, 390 North Robert St., St. Paul, Minnesota 55101. (651) 602 -1728. Form 1 needs to be filled out electronically. Please go to Metropolitan Council's website for instructions. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM or postmarked on June 15, 2009. *Be sure to complete and attach the Project Information form. (Form 2) Office Use Only I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. APPLICANT: Minnesota Valley Transit Authority 2. JURISDICTIONAL AGENCY (IF DIFFERENT): same 3. MAILING ADDRESS: 100 East Highway 13 CITY: Burnsville STATE: MN ZIP CODE: 55337 4. COUNTY: Dakota 5. CONTACT PERSON: Beverley Miller TITLE: Executive Director PHONE NO. (952)882 -7500 6. CONTACT E -MAIL ADDRESS: bmiller @mvta.com II. PROJECT INFORMATION 7. PROJECT NAME: Rosemount Depot, Fleet, and Service Improvements 8. BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION (Include location, road name, type of improvement, etc... A more complete description must be submitted separately as described in Specific Requirement #3 on P.5): Construct passenger facility, purchase buses, and provide startup funding for expanded services for the City of Rosemount. 9. INDICATE PROJECT OR PROGRAM CONSTRUCTION LETTING, COMPLETION, OR FULLY OPERATIONAL DATES.: Construction letting 3/1/14; Bus procurement award 9/1/13. Operational 12/1/14 I III. PROJECT FUNDING 10. Are you applying for funds from another source(s) to implement this If yes, please identify the source(s): Regional Transit Capital, for 20% No project? Yes I local match 10. FEDERAL AMOUNT: 2,386,077 15. REQUESTED PROGRAM YEAR: 2014 0 2013 11. MATCH AMOUNT: 596,519 16. SIGNATURE 12. PROJECT TOTAL: 2,982,596 13. MATCH OF PROJECT TOTAL: 20% 17. TITLE: Executive Director 14. SOURCE OF MATCH FUNDS: Metropolitan Council Federal CMAQ Funding Application Transit Expansion Project Description: The Rosemount Depot, Fleet, and Service Improvements Project is a three -part project to improve transit alternatives and increase transit usage in the City of Rosemount and nearby areas. Overall elements of the project include construction of a transit center /park ride, acquisition of transit vehicles, and three -year service startup operating support. This project is to develop in tandem with the redevelopment of the surrounding areas of downtown Rosemount. The Rosemount revitalization project contains a number of non- transportation components and is the result of several years of study. While a transit facility has been envisioned as part of the project since the beginning, the location of the facility has changed several times in response to other factors. The essential need has always remained, however: a neighborhood -scale transit center including a modest sized parking facility, which will support both express and local service elements that will increase the attractiveness of the historic rural city of Rosemount while accommodating the dramatic growth in residential development surrounding the downtown. Specific elements of the project include: Construction of a neighborhood -scale transit center in the downtown Rosemount redevelopment district, located on 145 Street between Burnley Avenue and the CP Rail tracks. This transit center would include 105 parking stalls for park ride and a passenger facility both for express bus and local circulator waiting. Purchase of 4 additional 40 -foot transit buses to support expanded express bus service. Startup operating funding for the additional express service for three years. An operating plan that integrates existing circulator service and new express service to provide a better quality of service than either type of service can provide independently. Use of existing and planned transit infrastructure on the Cedar Avenue corridor. The project will promote ridership of the Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Project Objectives The fundamental objective of this project is to mitigate congestion and improve air quality in the region by increasing the viability of transit alternatives to single- occupant vehicle travel. This will be accomplished by increasing the availability and convenience of transit service between Rosemount and both neighboring Apple Valley and downtown Minneapolis. Travel between Rosemount and downtown Minneapolis is currently unattractive by transit due to the level of service and inadequate amenities at the temporary park- and -ride lot at the Rosemount Community Center or the alternative of traveling by local bus, making a transfer in Apple Valley to continue north on Cedar Avenue or a significant drive to existing park rides in Apple Valley or Eagan. In addition, several of the park rides are at or above capacity (Apple Valley, Blackhawk, Palomino Hills), making the transit option for Rosemount residents even less attractive because of the uncertain availability of parking. This project will address these concerns by providing an additional park ride facility as well as walk ride transit service to the densest part of Rosemount, an area with a walkable street grid. The project will also support the ongoing redevelopment of downtown Rosemount. The particular property proposed for this application has been identified in the city's Development Framework for medium density housing; however, housing development is hindered because a portion of the property fronts on an active freight railroad. The transit facility is planned to occupy the frontage along the railroad, providing some buffer for the remaining residential units from the noise and vibration of the rail operations. 2 145TH AVE. BUMP -OUTS FOR TRAFFIC CALMING SHL.ETER AND BUS STOP DROP -OFF AREAS BUS PARKING (3.40' BUSSES) COLORED CONCRETE /PAVERS PLAZA AREA DROP -OFF AREAS 962 0 20 963 965 LOW POINT WITH CATCH BASINS CHAIN LINK FENCE ALONG PROPERTY LINE 966 i c 40 80 FT NORTH MVTA ROSEMOUNT PARK AND RIDE CONCEPT PLAN URS May 14, 2009 Development Framework July 2004 for Downtown Rosemount Prepared for: City of Rosemount, Minnesota Rosemount Port Authority Prepared by: Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. Contents Credits Introduction Purpose 1 Vision Principles 6 Redevelopment Framework 9 Implementation 39 Community Context 51 Downtown Redevelopment Committee Michael Baxter (chair) Richard Daniels Rita Dupre Leslie Defries Maureen Geraghty Bouchard Laurie Humphrey Ed McMenomy Jason Messner Mary Riley Kim Shoe Corrigan JayTentinger Chuck Terry Mark Toombs City Staff Kim Lindquist Community Development Director Rick Pearson City Planner Jason Lindahl Assistant City Planner Jamie Verbrugge City Administrator Consultant a© Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. 123 North Third Street, Suite 100 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Development Framework Contents and Credits Downtown Rosemount page i List of Figures Figure Contents Page 1 Downtown Study Area 2 2 Concept Plan for Downtown Rosemount 10 3 Mixed Use Block Concept Sketch 11 4 Building /streetscape Relationship Character Sketch 15 5 Framework for Public Investments 16 6 Site Overview St. Joseph's Church 18 7 Development Concept St. Joseph's Church 19 8 Site Overview Core Block West 21 9 Development Concept Core Block West 23 10 Site Overview Core Block East 25 11 Development Concept Core Block East 26 12 Site Overview Crossroads North 28 13 Development Concept Crossroads North 29 14 Site Overview Crossroads South 30 15 Development Concept Crossroads South 31 16 Site Overview Legion Block 32 17 Development Concept Legion Block 33 18 Site Overview Genz -Ryan 34 19 Development Concept Genz -Ryan 35 20 Concept Sketch Commercial Condo Redevelopment 36 21 Site Overview Fluegel's 37 22 Development Concept Fluegel's 38 23 Downtown Brockway TIF District 46 24 Land Use (2003) 52 25 Zoning (2003) 53 26 Residence of Property Owner (2003) 54 27 Estimated Market Value (2003) 55 28 Downtown Committee Site Assessment 58 Development Frameirork Contents and Credits Donntonn Rosemount page ii Introduction This document represents the Development Framework "Framework for the revitalization of Downtown Rosemount. The purpose of this Framework is to create and maintain Downtown in a manner consistent with the community vision. The Framework identifies and guides actions needed to achieve the vision. The Framework consists of four sections: 1. Vision and Principles describes Rosemount's vision and guiding principles for the revi- talization of Downtown. The vision and principles set forth community aspirations for the future of Downtown. 2. The Redevelopment Framework contains the guide for public and private investment in Downtown. The Redevelopment Framework describes the type and character of development desired for this area. 3. The Implementation section presents proposed public actions and investments needed to realize the desired changes in Downtown. Implementation of this Framework will be an evolutionary process which will occur over time and not overnight. The City hopes that public involvement, as exemplified by this Framework, will attract new private investment to Rosemount. 4. Community Context summarizes the background information and public input used to shape this Framework. Downtown Area The area described as "Downtown" Rosemount lies along Highway 3 (South Robert Trail) between 143rd Street and County Road 42. The illustration on the following page (Figure 1) shows the Downtown Study Area in context of the broader community setting. Rationale for Redevelopment Downtown Without City Involvement To evaluate the need for redevelopment, consider what the future of Downtown would be without an active City role in redevelopment. That future Downtown is likely to look and function in a manner very similar to the Downtown of 2004. Existing buildings remain in place. Enhancements to the exterior of the buildings will be driven solely by the needs and ability to pay of individual businesses. New construction may occur on vacant land owned by the Port Authority and St. Joseph's Church. Any commercial market demand for new businesses will be consumed only by new develop- ment along County Road 42.The lower cost of developing on open land along County Road 42, combined with the physical environment of Downtown, means new development is not likely to seek locations in Downtown. Redevelopment is more expensive than a comparable develop- Development Framework Introduction Purpose Downtown n Rosemount Page 1 Introduction Purpose Development Framework Page 2 Downtown Rosemount Figure 1 Downtown Study Area ment on vacant land like that on County Road 42. Redevelopment creates additional costs (for the demolition of buildings, clearance of the site, and the relocation of existing uses) that are not present on vacant land. Redevelopment must also consider potential additional costs to clean up contamination of a site or structure. It may require the time consuming assembly of smaller parcels into a viable devel- opment site. None of these factors are present on vacant commercial sites found along County Road 42 or elsewhere in the community. Failure to establish and undertake a redevelopment plan requires citizens to accept the potential for blight to affect properties in Downtown. In this context, blight means the physical deterio- ration of a building resulting from the lack of reinvestment in a business due to low operating revenues. At some point, the deterioration also discourages maintenance and improvement of adjacent properties. In these circumstances, reinvestment cannot be recaptured by increased sale value or additional operating income. When this happens, blighted conditions spread. Building a Better Business Environment Successful redevelopment makes Downtown a better business environment. Retail businesses cannot exist without customers. Attracting more people to Downtown increases the potential customer base for every Downtown business. Redevelopment will attract more people into Downtown due to the following: Making Downtown a more attractive and interesting place will tap the target market that includes vehicles passing through Downtown on Highway 3, the growing residen- tial population near Downtown, and people looking for a more interesting shopping and entertainment experience. The setting must be both attractive and functional. While appearances may produce the initial visit, function is the key to a lasting customer relationship. Downtown must provide a combination of convenience, service, and amenities that makes shopping in Downtown a better experience than competing options. Redevelopment seeks to establish a broader base of supporting businesses. The goal of redevelopment goes beyond having people visit Downtown. The goal is to convert the visit into a regular pattern of shopping. This goal depends on providing goods and ser- vices desired by the community. Some current businesses are destinations. As the num- ber of destination businesses increases, all businesses benefit from the ability to attract new customers. New housing in Downtown puts potential customers at a business's front door. Not all sites in Downtown are suited for commercial development. Encouraging residential development on these sites expands the resident population of Downtown. These resi- dents will spend time in Downtown and provide the opportunity for a business to convert them into customers. The addition of more residents into Downtown also Development Framework Introduction Purpose Downtown Rosemount Page 3 Introduction Purpose Development Framework Page 4 Downtown Rosemount serves to showcase the area as a vibrant, active place where people want to be. Public facilities attract people into Downtown. An important new facility is the sched- uled public library. The library provides a new reason for residents to come into Down- town. Increasing the prominence of Central Park accomplishes the same result. Bring- ing people into Downtown creates the potential for businesses to capture new custom- ers. The displacement of existing businesses is not an objective of the Development Framework. In reality, some businesses may not be able to remain Downtown. Still, removal of a business's existing building does not inevitably mean that the business must leave Downtown. Careful implementation of the Framework will provide new locations for those businesses that are willing to move and capable of relocating to a new site. As in many business decisions, economics will be a primary factor in redevelopment decisions. Lower rents have attracted some businesses to Downtown. The same low rents are part of the economic barrier to revitalization by existing property owners. Making redevelopment sustain- able requires increasing the revenue capacity of a Downtown property. Existing businesses will be able to generate additional revenue in a more successful Downtown business environment, allowing them to maintain a presence in the area. The activity described in this Framework will take place at various times. Revitalization of Downtown cannot take place immediately and all at once. It is an evolutionary process of projects growing from the success of other projects. Some of the features contemplated in this Framework may be many years away, even though they require the groundwork to begin sooner. Other features must take place more quickly to spur the success of revitalization. Those fea- tures are indicated here by a specific timeframe, in many cases "one -to -five years" because of the available funding mechanisms. Community Objectives In evaluating the role of the City in influencing the future of Downtown, it is important to recognize that building a better business environment is not the only objective for Downtown. There are community objectives that influence the planning process. Downtown is not just another business district. There is no other place in Rosemount like Downtown. It helps define and provide identity to the community. Its character is unlike other commercial areas in Rosemount or within surrounding communities. Ironically, new suburbs across the region are trying to create downtown areas where none currently exist. Maintaining and enhancing the character of Downtown helps set Rosemount apart from other Metro area suburbs. Downtown is part of Rosemount's heritage. While few historically significant buildings remain, the historic pattern of development remains intact. Downtown connects Rosemount to its roots as a small town. This neighborhood was the focal point of the community. It was a thriving business district with a car dealer, grocery store and lumberyard. Downtown retains qualities and characteristics of the old Rosemount. These elements may be lost without a concerted effort to retain them. Committee Findings The Downtown Redevelopment Committee reached a consensus on a series of goals for revi- talization of Downtown. Downtown must be a gathering place, featuring services and retailing that will attract families for repeated visits. A revitalized Downtown should have design standards that are consistent enough to maintain a sense of continuity but flexible enough to provide variety. Pedestrian improvements, especially in ways to cross Highway 3, must create a strong element of "walkability" for Downtown. Revitalization should offer businesses the option of owning their own buildings or leas- ing affordable space. Extra effort should be made to keep existing businesses in Downtown or elsewhere in Rosemount. Several existing buildings should be maintained if at all possible, including the former St. Joseph's church, Fluegel's, the Geraghty building, and Ace Hardware. Opportunities should be created for building ownership both for existing Downtown businesses and for the kind of startups that entrepreneurs have historically created Downtown. Revitalization must include ways to moderate the higher rents that the process may cause. The best site for a library is the location of the former St. Joseph's church. Other Downtown possibilities would reduce the tax base and take up space that could be used by commercial activities. A revitalized Downtown should reflect its history to honor the community's heritage and to distinguish it from suburbs with artificial downtowns. Development Framework Introduction Purpose Downtown Rosemount Page 5