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2001 Comprehensive Plan Amended February 26, 2002 Metropolitan Area are the primary sources of entertainment for Ramsey residents. For everyday shopping needs, residents must travel to Elk River, Andover or Coon Rapids, a commute that is over five miles for most residents and usually involves traveling on a congested arterial roadway. The only grocery store in Ramsey is located in northern Ramsey along Highway 47 while other commercial areas focus on special services like used car lots or recreational vehicle sales. The Town Center is meant to identify a place in the community where a variety of social activities may occur more convenient to Ramsey residents. Its location should take advantage of being central to the Ramsey population base, connected through a strong pedestrian trail or sidewalk system, easily accessible by the automobile and visible to the shopper's eye. The Town Center is intended to receive a mix of land uses including: · Civic places where people can gather or events can be held (a park, community center, library or history museum). · Commercial/retail where people can take care of casual everyday shopping or sit down at a local restaurant (grocery, hardware, restaurant, or hair salon). · Professional Offices/places to work or take care of everyday business (real estate, banking, accounting, legal services and local post office). · High-density residential/places to live including senior housing (owner and renter occupied). The Town Center mixed use area is currently being studied through a community-wide dialogue. In November 2000, Metropolitan Council awarded the City of Ramsey a grant to plan the Town Center as a mixed- use transit orientated development. In October and November 2001, the City hosted community meetings where citizens designed how the Town Center area should look. From this input, City consultants are preparing a master plan for the Town Center area. By mixing high density residential with civic, commercial and office uses, a vibrant Town Center can be created where life goes on all day and into the evening. Housing is located within walking distance to jobs and shopping. Sidewalks and trails link neighborhoods to the Town Center and link civic facilities with commercial and housing facilities creating a pedestrian oriented environment within the Town Center. Civic places are well lit and aesthetically pleasing, inviting the public into a defined public space. Buildings are well designed and areas of landscaping reflect the identity of strong natural features in the Ramsey Community. These characteristics create the Town Center of Ramsey's future. An important decision will need to be made in the future about whether to construct a new bridge over the Mississippi River and what alignment it should follow. This potential connection will have a significant impact Ramsey Comprehensive Plan Amended February 26, 2002 Page V-29