EDC 03-16-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

NOTES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AGENDA March 16, 2010 • Page 2 IV. Northwest Quadrant Report Federal Funding Requests (cont.) In addition, the City has previously submitted funding requests under the transportation reauthorization process (referred to as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users or SAFETEA- Lo. Federal transportation is authorized every 5 years and the current SAFETEA-LU program expired at the end of FY2009. The program was extended on at least two occasions, but most recently expired on February 28th. There does appear to be some progress in crafting a new bill, which could include requests like New Brighton. The City was successful in having two projects (Old Highway 8 bridge and pedestrian bridge) included in a previous version of the bill. We'll continue to follow the legislative process and provide updates as more information becomes available. ii. Northwest Quadrant Rebranding Process At the last EDC meeting, three potential concept names for the Northwest • Quadrant were presented for consideration. The concepts included: 1) Newgate: Open Space, Convenient Place; 2) Infinity on Old Eight: Endless Possibilities, Available Immediately; and 3) Larkspur Crossing: Where the Future Can Grow Today. Each of the concepts was intended to build around the notion of success and opportunity, although each name has a slightly different market appeal. An informal straw poll of EDC members, indicated stronger support for Larkspur Crossing, although not everyone agreed on the name. Since that time, at least one EDC member has asked about the opportunity for public input and the possibility of scrapping the names and starting over. Since the City Council authorized the rebranding process last year, we have not had an opportunity to sit down and review concept names. Before proceeding further staff would like to discuss the names with Council and get direction on the next steps. At this point, staff plans to meet with Council in early April to review the rebranding process. iii. Presentation by Ehlers Associates on Northwest Quadrant Financial Model (8:00 a.m.) As you might recall, last year the City hired the Minneapolis-based firm of Colliers International to conduct a market and redevelopment analysis of the Northwest Quadrant. The purpose of the study was to assess the future • redevelopment potential of the project and to make a series of recommendations on how the City might proceed. The authors also had some suggestions on the desired mix of land uses and density levels.