Laserfiche WebLink
replied some of the parks have streetlights, and some do not. Often those types of items are <br />dependent on how well a district does. He advised there are some healthy districts now with the <br />ability to fund some finishing touches. <br /> <br />Member Elvig commented one of the thingSthat attracted a lot of the tenants to Enterprise Park <br />in Anoka is that it was done to a top-notch scale. It has more of a corporate look than the look of <br />an industrial park. <br /> <br />Member LeToumeau inquired if the EDA could do something similar to Pulte's display on the <br />corner of CR 116 and 56. It consists of a parcel of greenspace with fences and shrubbery that <br />welcomes you into the area and is reasonably done. Associate Planner Wald replied the amount <br />of space would need to be considered. The EDA might want to consider a smaller sign with <br />landscaping around it. <br /> <br />Economic Development/TIF Specialist Sullivan indicated the City fully owns a couple of key <br />parcels right now, and it would be an ideal time to set aside easements or put up signs. There is <br />also a sale coming up on Zero Zone, possibly on Tuesday. <br /> <br />Me~nber Kiefer stated it would be a good idea to set the area aside for the signage. He suggested <br />the EDA consider something like the beautification committee Coon Rapids had year ago. <br /> <br />Economic Development/TIF Specialist Sullivan advised the funds are available in the TIF <br />districts at this time. The question that brought the discussion back to this meeting was whether <br />this group thought funds would be better spent on other amenities or on the signs. Last month he <br />did not get the impression the EDA wanted to move forward on the signs; if that has changed he <br />needs to know. He explained the districts are TIF Districts No. 2 and 6, and both of these are <br />healthy districts with hundreds of thousands of dollars carried over in the budget each year. <br /> <br />Member Elvig stated marketing is important. There is a cost for it, and it is something the City <br />does not do a lot of. He is not necessarily advocating the signs, but the City should reinvest into <br />these areas. The EDA may want to determine a percentage of the budget to allocate to this each <br />year. He asked for input from Consultant Mulrooney on utilization in business parks. <br />Consultant Mulrooney advised the reasons for not utilizing a business park should also be <br />considered. One company that chose not to use one of Ramsey's business parks made that <br />decision because they would be overlooking a bunch of junk. He explained it is important to <br />understand how others view Ramsey. He hears a lot from people outside of this immediate area <br />on how they view the area, and part of what he hears is they have trouble determining where <br />Ramsey is and where Anoka ends. When hepoints it out on the map they are familiar with the <br />car lots and things on Highway 10. The concept of having monument signs that are consistent <br />from park to park and setting an image for Ramsey is an important element of finishing off the <br />industrial parks so people know they are in Ramsey. He stated the EDA should be very proud, as <br />there are a lot of cities that have not come close to accomplishing what Ramsey has on industrial <br />development and revitalization efforts. If they look at what the St. Paul Port Authority has done, <br />every one of their industrial parks has a sign outside. It sets a tone that the businesses located in <br />the park are proud to be there and part of a distinguished community. <br /> <br />Economic Development Authority/December 8, 2004 <br /> Page 5 of 10 <br /> <br /> <br />