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Mr. Elvig stated Mr. Isaacson of MnDOT indicated the Highway 10 corridor doesn't necessarily <br />have to start in Anoka or Coon Rapids. He noted there is a lot of traffic on Armstrong Boulevard <br />and Highway 10. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec asked if there had been a discussion about funding. <br /> <br />Mr. Elvig stated he did not hear anything about funding. He stated he would suggest putting in <br />the bridge and improving the roads to eliminate the bottleneck. Mr. Elvig stated the people <br />involved with the Task Force are A1 Pearson, Alena Hunter, Chris Riley, Bonnie Thompson, Don <br />Kveton, and Eric Watson. In addition, John Feges, the developer, stops in from time to time. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated this Task Force has generated a lot of interest and enthusiasm. <br /> <br />Councihnember Hendriksen thanked Mr. Elvig for this report. He stated one of his concerns is <br />that the Town Center Study done by Calthorpe Associates took a global look at the world <br />through a keyhole. He asked if the Task Force is looking at it in more ora global way. <br /> <br />Mr. Elvig stated Calthorpe Associates may be looking at it in the confines of a mixed use in the <br />Comprehensive Plan and elements of that will be positive no matter where the Town Center is <br />located. He stated the issues related to distances and balance will still be pertinent. Mr. Elvig <br />stated the Task Force is looking more globally in addressing the proposed epicenter and options <br />elsewhere, uses, and if those uses can stretch out to other areas. He stated they are still <br />addressing the locations but need more information to make a recommendation. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated he assumed Armstrong Boulevard would not be moving but <br />the MnDOT maps show it intersects with Highway 10 at a right angle. He stated that ail plays <br />into how the bridge comes across and where it might be located. <br /> <br />Mr. Elvig stated how it transitions and flows into or out of commercial areas and impact to <br />residential areas are also considerations. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen commented on a commercial area that has been limping along due <br />to limited access as opposed to the Mall of America which was successful because it had all the <br />roads it needed. He stated it appears that planning is of the essence and asked if Len Levine <br />would be of assistance. He also asked if there is a way to move this ahead because of the City's <br />immediate need. <br /> <br />Mr. Elvig stated that enthusiasm, internal marketing, and external marketing are important to <br />move it up as well as getting real proposals on the table. However, first they need to study the <br />costs and business side of the development. He stated they know the area needs housing so the <br />residential portion will take off. Mr. Elvig stated they are not yet smart enough to make that <br />recommendation until more studies are available so there will be a time when they will come <br />back and ask for help. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated he always thought the area along Highway 10 would be the <br />business part that saves us all from taxes in the future. He stated he understands the businesses <br />would favor having lots of houses around them but, hopefully, there will be projections on what <br /> <br />City Council/July 9, 2002 <br />Page 16 of 24 <br /> <br /> <br />