Agenda - Council Work Session - 11/24/2009

Home

LOCATION EVALUATIONS . PACT Charter School, . NAU Office Building . Anoka Co. Medical Examiner's offices . Ramsey Professional Center Office Building . Municipal Center and Parking Ramp . Neighborhood retail area with Coburn's grocery, Caribou Coffee, Subway, and several other smaller retailers . Townhomes and single-family homes . Park/Open space Crestview Senior Communities originally planned to build a continuum of care campus in the Town Center on a site located immediately north of Highway 10 in between the Municipal Cen- ter and the Anoka County building. Although the Crestview project is no longer being consid- ered on the site, the site would be an appropriate location for future senior housing in that it is situated near to public transit, neighborhood retail, medical office and other conveniences. It would also be a good location for commercial development. Allina recently expressed interest in developing a 23,000 square foot clinic on property now owned by the City of Ramsey in the Town Center. The new clinic would replace an older Allina clinic on the City's east side. The Ramsey Town Center site plan dated 2004 shows medium-density housing located at the north end of the area adjacent to Bunker Lake Boulevard and commercial uses located adjacent to Highway 10. High-density housing and mixed-use buildings are located in the middle of the area adjacent to green open space and as buffers between the commercial office and retail space and the medium-density residential. The overall site plan is appropriate for the larger area and contemplates a long-term vision for the Downtown. New development has occurred at both the south and north ends of the area with very little development in the middle. The current development pattern separates medium- density residences from the commercial core and has resulted in a significant physical separation between these two components. As development proceeds, the physical separation will decline. In order to renew momentum in this area and create immediate synergy, it is advantageous to en- courage higher-density housing nearer the commercial components to achieve greater pedestrian- orientation and an incentive for households to utilize public transit. The Northstar Commuter Rail line begins service on November 16, 2009 with service from Big Lake to Downtown Minneapolis. At the onset of service, there will be no stop at Ramsey Town Center. Future expansion of service on the Northstar line is contemplated for St. Cloud, Ramsey and Coon Rapids (Foley Station). No specific timelinehas been identified for service to these areas. The Anoka County Regional Rail Authority will be investigating the potential to increase the number of station stops. Residents of Ramsey may use either the Elk River station or the Anoka Station. The initial development boost planned for Ramsey Town Center from the Commuter Rail delayed. Bus transit service from the Ramsey Park and Ride is available and enhance MAXFIELD RESEARCH INC.