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612-3386838 HOISINGTON KOEGLER 823 P13 JUL 01 '98 12:44 e WOR~DRAFT Page 12 of 14 TOWN CENTER Today there is no definitive area referred to as a focal point for the Ramsey conununity or are their shopping areas that conveniently serve the conununity. The downtown's of neighboring communities such as Elk River and Anoka and the many features of the Twin Cities 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. The Town Center designates a place in the community where a variety of social activities may occur more convenient to Ramsey residents. Its location takes advantage of being central to the Ramsey population base. Over 4,000 existing households are within a three mile radius to the proposed Town Center location. The remaining developable land within the future urban services area is within a two mile radius to the Town Center site. Good accessibility and visibility from Ramsey Boulevard, Annstrong Boulevard, IndtL~try Avenue and Highway 10 makes the site a prime location for a town center convenient to all Ramsey residents, employees and business owners. The Town Center is intended to include a mix of land uses: . 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, hair saloon). . Professional Offices/places to work (real estate, banking, accounting, legal services or local post office). . High density residentiaVplaces to live (owner and renter occupied). By mixing residential with commercial and office uses, the local labor pool can be enforced and housing can be located within walking distance to jobs and shopping to create a more pedestrian oriented environment and thus lessen the impact on the local and regional street network. Town Center also includes a potential Commuter Rail Station as part of the Northstar Corrido~. This station would include such elements as: . A park and ride lot to handle an initial capacity of 200 to 300 vehicles and provide opportunities for multiple transit modes. The parking lot could be shared between Town Center services and could be decked to minimize hard surface coverage. . Shelter areas to protect riders from the natural elements. . Bicycle storage bins for those who chose not to drive. . A boarding platform for riders to get on an off the trains. A commuter rail station in this location would be spaced approximately 3-5 miles from stations to the north and south. It will take advantage of good accessibility from the north arterials of Ramsey and Armstrong Boulevards and from Industry A venue and Highway 10. The development of a town center should be transit oriented to support the station. Development 3 The Northstar Conidor is a 60-mile long transportation corridor that runs between St. Cloud and Minneapolis along Highway 10 and includes the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line. Hoisingum Koegler Group, Inc. . Ram."ey Comprehensive Pfan,