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612-3386838 HOISINGTON KOEGLER 823 P14 JUL 01 '98 12:44 WORKING DRAFT Page 13 of 14 should be intense. Commercial and residential buildings should be linked by a pedestrian way so people can park at the station and stroll through the shops. It should be directly connected to areas of major employment (Ramsey Business Park, ABC Energy Park and future places to work) and Anoka Hennepin Technical College. This could be done through a ~huttle bus service. It also should make connections to the new hotel project and the Mississippi Wellot Regional Park. e e An important decision will be made in the future whether to construct a new bridge over the Mississippi River. This potential connection will have a significant impact on the future of the Town Center site. If the bridge corridor gets constructed, Ramsey must be able to influence the design of the roadways so that the Town Center area can survive and benefit. However. should the bridge crossing not be constructed. the Town Center must be designed to function on surrounding land use patterns. Careful design and planning for the Town Center site can offer a wonderful image to Ramsey that will serve residents. workers and travelers using Highway 10. The Town Center's location along the BNSF Railroad Tracks is highly visible from Highway 10 and demands high quality design. General Goals for the Town Center The following are the goals of the City relative to the Town Center: . To provide an area that more conveniently serves the commercial, retail and entertainment needs of Ramsey residents. . To create a vibrant. self-sustaining Town Center that serves as a community focal point or a central gathering place for Ramsey residents. . To create land use that allows for transit supportive development and is less reliant on the automobile. . To provide housing opportunities that are within walking distance to places to work and shop. . To ensure development respects the natural and built environment. Town Center Policies It is the policy of the City to: 1. Require buildings to be uniquely designed (not big box or grey box) with high quality building materials. 2. Encourage buildings to be closer to sidewalks and clustered so as to create a more walkable town center. 3. Require alternative forms of parking such as deck parking, on street diagonal parking. shared parking or underground parking. 4. Develop a central theme that reveals Ramsey's identity and enhances its image and require developments to incorporate elements of this theme into individual projects. S. Promote and encourage the use of alternative modes of transit such as biking, walking. busing or commuter rail. Hoisingron Koegler Group. Inc. Ramsey CompreheflSive Plan