Near East Side Task Force and Planning process September 13, 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

Members: Alex Bajwa, Dan Bayers, Ellen Biales, Karin DuPaul, Becca Hine, Penny Simison, Matt Wolff, and Luis Pereira Meeting dates: May 19, June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, Aug 11, Aug 25, Sept 1, Sept 8 Vacancy or for sale? Aesthetic improvements or renovations needed? Context? Current vs. new uses (reuse or redevelopment)? Parking available? Recommendation to the City/HRA or to other community partners? Commercial Building Subcommittee

Outline of report –Summary & Background –Six action-oriented goals Strategic actions to help achieve these goals; together constitute a real estate strategy or vision for the corridor Strategic actions also organized as implementation partnerships –Recommendations are the strategic actions Maps: 1) Summary of recommendations/strategic actions; 2) Proposed rezonings Who will carry out the work? (implementation partners) –List of implementers with roles/services identified Funds to implement? Not yet fleshed out Discuss today; larger community discussion on October 5 –Others to invite? Real estate brokers, block clubs, small business owners, etc.

Commercial Building Subcommittee Strategic action categories (organized as implementation partnerships) 1.Reuse vacant/under-utilized spaces 2.Appearance enhancement recommendations (façade improvement candidates; aesthetic/site improvement candidates; housing rehabilitation outreach candidates) 3.Redevelopment opportunities (commercial-industrial business; mixed use; housing/live-work/small service-oriented commercial uses) 4.Zoning actions (Keep zoning in place to position for reinvestment; Rezone to better reflect current uses; Rezone to position for redevelopment) 5. Outreach opportunities to build community and capitalize on shared resources (Business member outreach and recruitment; Clarify/formalize/capitalize on shared usage (e.g. parking, private open space))

Commercial Building Subcommittee Strategic action categories –Definitions, Timeframe, Costs, Steps involved in implementing –Photo examples of strategic actions –Photo examples of properties in the Near East Side study area that were identified for strategic actions

Draft recommendations Summarized, by property

Draft recommendations – building reuse opportunities Proposed recommendations

Draft recommendations – appearance enhancement Proposed recommendations

Draft recommendations – redevelopment opportunities Proposed recommendations

Draft recommendations - rezonings Proposed rezonings in color

Draft recommendations - rezonings Proposed rezonings, with existing zoning

Questions What do we think about the recommendations? –Like vs. dislike, and why? Are there recommendations that should be changed? If so, why? Do you know something about a site/building/business (that maybe the subcommittee didn’t know) that should inform the Task Force’s final recommendation? Ideas to get additional input from the community? (Oct. 5 th, etc.) How do these recommendations relate to the eventual Near East Side Task Force strategy / action plan document?

Branding/marketing application Proposal to University of MN Carlson school MBA student program; competitive January – March 2012 period Potential applicant: Dayton’s Bluff Community Council; Near East Side Task Force as key input to the effort

Project website: Or… -> Planning -> Current Activities - > Near East Side Task Force and planning processwww.stpaul.gov/ped Questions / comments?