Near East Side Task Force and Planning

processMay 10, 2011

• Planning Commission resolution (Nov. 2010): Focus on commercial-industrial property, development, and the employment base

• Direction from Council Ward office: Focus the charge on specific, implementable, economic development action steps– A strategy document that includes a block-by-

block assessment of key business needs as well as a block-by-block assessment of real estate development opportunities (including vacant building rehabilitation/re-occupancy and possible new development projects)

Task Force Charge

Task Force Outcomes List Any revisions to the list?

• April 19 discussion / sent out via email: What is one specific idea you’d like to see implemented, short or long term? – Short term (might be 2-3 years)– Long term (4+ years)

Priority data to use for success in completing our Task Force charge

Priority data for the Task Force

a. Business inventory – current businesses – number; types of business; # employees; location (April 19)

b. Building inventory – occupancy/vacancy; condition/code compliance; historic buildings; location (Commercial building subcommittee, May through September)

c. Land use inventory – current land use; current zoning; vacant parcels; publicly-owned parcels; existing neighborhood plans (today)

d. Recent physical investments – building permits by area businesses – renovations/demolitions; façade improvements; location

e. Transportation inventory – current/planned street improvements; planned transit improvements; planned new sidewalk and bikeway investments (June)

f. Neighborhood demographics - recent Census/American Community Survey data; Economic Census data on purchasing power data, etc. (June)

g. Financing inventory – Business/economic development funding sources/progs/svcs; e.g., City funds (STAR, CIB, PED citywide funds); Port Authority funds (Industrial Rev. Bonds, NMTCs); CDC funds (ESNDC, HSP, Nexus); State funds; (DEED, Met Council); Foundations (McNeely; Pohlad Family, Mcknight) (June or Fall 2011)

h. Resident survey – do you shop in the neighborhood? What products/services are missing? (Buy Local campaign is conducting this for the East Side)

Study area current land use

Study area current land use

Existing plans – recommendationsSouthwest portion of study area – Mounds Blvd to Arcade

Existing plans – recommendationsMiddle portion of study area – Arcade to Earl

Existing plans – recommendationsEast portion of study area – Earl to Johnson Parkway

Existing plans – open space concepts…

Public plaza / mercado on Metro Liquor block“Innovation Way” at Mendota – Beacon Bluff

Close streets at:– Hope between Margaret and 7th St– Margaret between 7th and Arcade

N

N

Publicly-owned “opportunity” sites

• Hospital Linen site on E 7th St.• 3M/Beacon Bluff campus• Globe site• Various vacant small commercial parcels

on 7th (south side of 7th between Mendota & Forest; Old Viaduct Inn site; Old Spanky’s site)

• Various vacant small residential parcels along 7th St

• Etc.

McNeely Foundation Goal Area:Family and Neighborhood Stability: Housing; Job Training; Training Leaders; Engaging Citizens; Fostering a Sense of Neighborhood

Proposal ideas:1) Building on/expanding the flowerpot project along E. 7th St (D.

4/DBABA/Community Design Center); 2) Conducting a series of "paint the crosswalk"/pavement

activities for streets that intersect with 7th St in the zone between Metro State and Forest St to increase pedestrian safety (i.e. not across 7th Street but parallel to it where streets intersect with 7th St); and

3) Assistance to develop a design scheme based on the Task Force's initial branding/marketing concepts

• Possible applicant – Dayton’s Bluff Community Council with DBABA

• “Family and Neighborhood Stability” grant deadline is June 1st

Community Building Subcommittee reportMcNeely Foundation Giving Program proposal

• Idea: East 7th Street (Arcade to Earl): This enhancement application would provide key streetscape improvements, including lighting and trees, and also traffic calming/pedestrian enhancements along the Beacon Bluff campus – in accordance with District 4 Plan Summary and Beacon Bluff

Community Advisory Committee Development Concepts• 2011 Regional Solicitation of federal transportation

project funding (Enhancements): Due July 18th to Met Council

• 2011 LCDA pre-application: Arcade to Earl improvements with Beacon Bluff Innovation Way public plaza proposal. Due May 20th to Met Council– Placemaking, traffic calming, pedestrian features (lighting,

seating, sidewalks, etc.), equipment for hardscape within open space areas (with the exception of landscaping/trees)

Update on E. 7th St infrastructure investmentA few possibilities for funding…

• “East 7th Street Strategic Action Plan” • “Calle 7 Committee”

• Upcoming Task Force and other meetings…– May 26: Community chat / focus group with Spanish-speaking

business owners – June 14: Branding/marketing exercise and transportation/mobility

discussion– July or August: Large community meeting - receive feedback on

initial strategy and branding ideas ? Possibly meet area businesses ?– September, October, November: Report back from the commercial

building subcommittee, synthesis of branding/marketing work, other community building activities

Task Force names and next steps in the process

• Members: Karin Du Paul, Alex Bajwa, Dan Bayers, Becca Hine, Luis Pereira, Andrew Weisbrod and Ellen Biales (when available)

• Meet Thursdays, twice a month, starting May 19• Vacancy or for sale?• Aesthetic improvements or renovations?• Parking available?• Current vs. new uses?• Recommendation to the City/HRA or to other

community partners?

Commercial building subcommittee

• Dayton’s Bluff Community Council, May 26th

Latino/Spanish-speaking business owners meetingDaniel Bonilla, Giovanna Salerno, Alex Bajwa, Luis Pereira

• New Main L213 classroom (second lower level)• 700 7th St E. , 5- 7 PM

June 14, Task Force meeting at Metro State University

• Project website: www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=4460&ART=8176&ADMIN=1

• Or… www.stpaul.gov/ped -> Planning -> Current Activities - > Near East Side Task Force and planning process

Questions / comments ?