Agenda - Council Work Session - 09/15/2009

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. . . LAN . D F 0 R M MEMORANDUM 105 South Fifth Avenue Suite 513 Minneapolis, MN 55401 . . . . Tel: 612-252-9070 Fax: 612-252-9077 www.landform.net From Site to Finish p.~I.~..............._.........................~,-g.9.1?.QQ.~........................................................................................................................................................................_....................._........._....................._......................................................................................................................................".......................... ..IQ..........................................~~~~!.i.!),9..g_<?!!l.!!l.!!!~~......................................................................._...................._...................._..................................................................................................._.................................................................................................. f..~9.~.......................................P~I.r~.!!....'=~??!..'!..............................................................................._..._..._............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ .~.~................................._.............~.!:!DJ..rn~.rx...Qf....Lr:!!~r.Y.!~~...E.~~Q.!?.~g.~........._................................................................................................................................._......_..........................................................................................................................._.. The following is a brief summary of the feedback received from one-on-one interviews with selected existing residents in the Town Center project. A basic overview of the project history was given, and a rough concept plan was shared to facilitate the discussion. Coborn's Grocery Mitch Utecht, Store Manager Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Mitch's input was fairly limited as he was not at Coborn's when the project developed. He did provide some insight as to what he would be looking for as the project moves forward: ~ The project needs trips. They had decent daytime business when construction was occurring, but that has since diminished. They are a nighttime business and need to expand that window. He would like to see more office uses to fill this void. ~ Access to the store today is impaired. It is a major issue now, and they are very concerned if the access is affected by reconstruction of Armstrong. He is very interested in how this will evolve in terms of a Sunwood realignment or reconfiguration and how that would affect his access. ~ Mitch feels the interchange improvements at Armstrong are critical. ~ Mitch is very concerned about a "super" retailer and their grocery component. He feels Coborn's was instrumental in anchoring the existing retail development and would like to see some recognition of that commitment in protecting their grocery services. ~ They feel they have a good relationship with the city and would like that to continue. ~ There is some concern with the rail station inviting crime. Mitch's background includes time in VA/DC area where he was familiar with retail on rail stations and has experienced problems. He would like the concern addressed as the station moves forward. ~ Mitch is generally in favor of the amenities in the project but notes that the retailers may not see a bump from that activity. He is familiar with the amphitheatre project in Elk River and feels the retailers have not benefitted from that project. ~ Economy is a concern of his as it relates to the success of this project. Landforms., SenslbfyGreen'M and Site to FlnlshSM are service marks of Landform Engineering Company.