Granite Company Downtown Development Survey
Comments:
Most
of the other destination projects that I Have visited do fine when the
economy is good but don't have lasting results especially when it is
focused on shopping and eating.
The
Granite Co was given the land and has made billions of dollars and now
wants tax money for them to leave.
Traffic
of Streets & Walkways. Keeping the total community in mind.
Tourism is a must; lakes and river are an extra plus.
Use the TIF Program. Just don't
committ too much so that it becomes a burden for the city and that the
School District lose out on to much.
Complete
transparency and accountability regarding financial impact to other
businesses in the area. Be ever vigilant as to the decision being made
From what I've heard, this
project will move current local business to the forefront leaving a
stagnant downtown. Is that wise? What forms of business are you
trying to attract that would be new? Since Hwy 23 expansion, our
business is off 50%. What are plans to assure you won't further
destroy current business that already exist. (The State told me when
Hwy 23 was being done that a project like this can only help--well,4
yrs later, it has only hurt!)
Overall, we think the development is an excellent idea.
Consistent appearance should be kept in mind.
If
planned correctly, Cold Spring could certainly become a charming
destination community--the makings are already in place for this to
happen. However, good planning will be the key.
My
1st suggestion is to continue to look at what your community already
has to offer and work from there. Add the tourism in as an added
benefit, not the major purpose. In the immediate communities
surrounding "St Cloud" there is no "funky, cool" place for an afternoon
outing or fun shopping--other than the work being done in the downtown
area of St Cloud. You have a gold mine because you have a "real"
Downtown and can benefit and play off the lakes and surrounding
environment. Of course the community will need to expand in lodging
and most definetely dining--I would recommend looking into the "urban"
living as well, placing some loft style opportunities in the
development which draw the young sophisticated professional and retired
people. The biggest advantage you have is the river and every other
community around here has totally missed that opportunity in their
development plans--trails and water usage are a plus--as well as
funding resources.
Another feature Cold
Spring has that I would strongly urge consideration is utilizing the
strong cultural influence you have and invite that portion of the
population to participate any way you can. Cold Spring already is a
good place to live, with the schools, churches and community in place
-- the foundation is already there--just move carefully into the
future.
The loss of
existing business wanting to move into the new location and having the
old part of town abandoned.
Keep Main Street flowing from the new edition all the way down to the older areas, via improvements, etc.
We
have to be careful to protect our present businesses--most do not need
competition and barely survive as is. Downtown can't become the "old"
downtown--we can't expect current businesses to move to the new area
without another use for the old buildings. We should look to gain new
businesses--clothing, etc.-- that do not compete, but add to our
community.
Cold Sring
has developed positively as the market has encouraged/supported without
TIF for 10 + years. Is there a shortage of Housing? Office? Rental? In
Cold Spring & surrounding area? I think not. Taxpayers will lower
the cost of doing business for this project. You already acknowledge
the problems that will create for existing and future project. That
will not happen because of the taxpayer funding.
Traffic
flow patterns--street enhancements to benefit new or existing, and the
city routing. Improve and enhance gateways. (Question #3) Any city
involvement must not be at the expense and detriment to existing
businesses.
granite company owns it, they fix it. TIF is a giant handout to the Granite Co,
Pay
attention to the consumer base that will support the proposed
development. If the project is larger than the base can support it will
fail and we'll be on the hook for the cost.
Let free enterprise work.
utilize the water front for all to use
Usually, only a disaster would provide this once in a life time opportunity.
Think about a delightful resort area... like Carmel, CA
DONT Cost us as residents one cent for your profits
keep the community members & businesses informed
Be
PROGRESSive! Let's not be old fashioned, conservative to the point
where we try to overprotect the town to keep it as it is. It will die
if we do not seize this opportunity and run with it. It's not ethical
to blackmail the community into "SHOPPING LOCALLY" and then not offer
the best quality and competitive prices to be motivate anyone to do so.
We must move forward in today's market or we will hurt everyone.
New businesses recruited for the plot of land should not have competing interests with existing businesses
as proposed, TIF will force school assessments to lag growth associated with the development
Encourage
and facilitate citizen participation in planning. The development needs
to first meet the needs of the local residents and then draw in others.
Local deep pockets may try to influence final outcome.
use local developmemt/construction companies
Having
this magnitude of a project go ahead with cooperation between the
developer and the city for a cohesive design and "feel" can't be passed
up.
Be brave and make big changes. Nothing ever got done without change.
Traffic
try and utilize local talent/companies/personnel
Do
something extraordinary with this opportunity. People in this country
have expendable dollars and will be enticed to spend them here if we do
this right. We are in the heart of a very accessible from the Twin
Cities lakes area With the price of gas, we can draw people here
instead of going further north.
Public areas (walking paths & picnic areas) should be along the river
there is "no critical expansion need" associated with this project
Communicate, communicate, communicate!
TIF only successful if fully embraced by community.
incoporate the park on east side of river
Our city politicians must think about the future of our community more than the current situation.
Keep Cold Spring Granite as a strong partner with the city, rather than just a source of good jobs.
Polution
Do
it with CLASS! Bring the BIG spenders in. Welcome BIG ideas. Don't be
so afraid of BIG dollars and people who are willing to come here and
invest in the community or spend big money here. In the end all
property owners, business owners, the school even, will benefit.
In
the middle of the development there should be a public park with a band
shell for arts entertainment (Art in the Park presentations)
Put the "I" in team!
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