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2001 Comprehensive Plan Amended February 26, 2002 The Town Center area will be focused around the potential commuter rail station that is part of the Northstar Commuter Rail Corridor. The Town Center area is envisioned to initially be roughly 100 acres in size and will radiate outward from the location of the rail station in increments of a ¼ mile, a distance that typically can be covered on foot in about five minutes (see illustration at right). The development of the Town Center area is anticipated to develop over several years and will eventually encompass an area shown on the future land use map (Figure V-2). The Town Center Mixed Use area is a multi-year phased project where undeveloped land will be held until development opportunities are ripe. Mixed-Use enhances the functionality of a transit hub at this location because it creates efficiencies by being able to send and receive people who might work or live in the area. Because a large portion of the area is undeveloped, it has the opportunity to be organized in a pedestrian friendly environment that supports mass transit. A commuter rail station in this location would be spaced approximately 3-5 miles from stations to the north near downtown Elk River and south in Anoka near 7th Avenue. It will take advantage of good accessibility from the north via Armstrong Boulevard and from the east and west via Industry Avenue and Highway 10, all arterial roadways. Mixed use development would be transit oriented to support the station. Development should be intense with multi-story buildings rather than one level building. Commercial and residential buildings should be linked by a pedestrian-way so people can park at the station and stroll through commercial shops. It should be directly connected to areas of major employment (Ramsey Business Park, AEC Energy Park, Anoka Enterprise Park and future places to work) and Anoka Hennepin Technical College. This could be done through a shuttle bus service, which would serve not only places to work but also residential neighborhoods. It also should make connections to the new hotel project south of Highway 10 near Sunfish Lake Boulevard and the Mississippi West Regional Park. Ramsey does not have much choice for local shopping, eating out or doing business within its own community. Ramsey has no identifiable downtown for its citizens. The downtowns of neighboring communities such as Elk River and Anoka and the many features of the Twin Cities Ramsey Comprehensive Plan Amended February 26, 2002 Page V-28