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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />New Brighton has a number of qualities that make it a great community in which people want to live; <br />great schools, active neighborhoods, convenient location, a safe community, a community for all ages, <br />just to name a few., etc. However, New Brighton remains a “hidden gem” in the Twin Cities region. The <br />community would like to see New Brighton shine; creating a sense of place that celebrates the feeling of <br />community in the city. New Brighton needs to invest in endeavors such as creative placemaking, building <br />gateways and marking entrances into the community, highlighting historical sites, and hosting events <br />throughout the year that celebrate the community. <br /> <br />City Center. Not much evidence remains of the rich history that was New Brighton. Originally, however, <br />what is now the confluence of two major freeways was historic downtown New Brighton which served a <br />much larger geographic area than the City of New Brighton. Front Street was main street and the City has <br />been able to rebuild some of its original downtown character by creating a main street character along Old <br />Highway 8. A major element of the City’s vision is the expansion of the old downtown or what this plan <br />refers to as the “City Center”, to areas north of I-694 and to reestablish this area as a center for an area <br />much larger than the City of New Brighton. <br /> <br />Mainstreet. The City has already begun to develop a main street character along Old Highway 8 in the <br />vicinity of the City Center. Main street is an important part of the City’s vision and a concept that is <br />intended to be extended all the way from Highway 96 on the north to County Road E on the south. This <br />is a concept that is intended to create a pedestrian street environment that encourages people to walk and <br />interact as well as drive. It is a concept that makes buildings and people the focus of the district, not <br />automobiles; a concept that sets buildings nearer the street and parking at the rear or the side thereof. <br />This represents the reestablishment of the historical development patterns that represented the beginnings <br />of New Brighton and its downtown. <br /> <br />Gateways/Marking entries. While it is important to be a responsible and connected member of the larger <br />community, gateways are the places where those entering the City first recognize that they have arrived in <br />a new place, a unique place. It is the City’s intent to create a sense of arrival, a sense of place that is <br />uniquely New Brighton. <br /> <br />Heritage. The City has a strong desire to expose its historical roots and remember, but not relive, the <br />heritage of this great place. It is the City’s desire to create opportunities for people to remember the <br />City’s rich heritage, in particular that associated with the original stockyards and downtown. <br /> <br /> <br />Create and maintain streets that are safe, comfortable and attractive to all <br />users <br /> <br />Streets are the connective tissue of New Brighton, and as such should be attractively designed to <br />contribute to the positive image of the city. It is the city’s intent to have streets that move vehicles slowly <br />but efficiently through New Brighton, while providing safe and comfortable adjacent routes for <br />pedestrians and bicyclists. <br /> <br /> <br />Formatted: No underline