2023.01.04 EDC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Corridor Initiative Strategic and Selection priorities (see guidelines). If you are proposing more than one type of activity, please clearly address each activity. Placemaking is an essential part of our community to create a vibrant and welcoming environment. New Brighton would like to create a sense of place, bring in tourism, and new businesses to the area by installing banners to highlight downtown New Brighton along old highway 8 NW. The banners will serve to enhance community identity and pride. The new banners would complement the city’s existing banners that are placed on streetlights and existing hardware to celebrate the various festivals and activities throughout the year. They will improve the sense of place along this major corridor in New Brighton. The banners will bring cohesion to the city and support our business districts, amenities, and landmarks, while improving our sense of place and help differentiate us from the surrounding communities. In doing so we hope this aids in business retention and can be more inclusive by selecting banners/ art work that reflects our Black, Latinx, Asian, and Indigenous citizens. Application Questions 5. Why were these activities selected? If available, summarize or attach any market data, research or stakeholder engagement that supports these types of activities. The City of New Brighton has an Economic Development Commission (EDC). This commission advices the City Council on matters concerning industrial and commercial development for the city. The Commission meets once a month and plays an important role in reviewing and making recommendations to the City Council on matters of public policy. For the past 18 months the majority of the EDC efforts have been focused on placemaking. The Commission considered an assortment of materials on public art and wayfinding, and provided recommendations to the City pursue moving forward. Over the next several meetings the council reviewed and learned about other cities successful programs. Part of the education process was learning about “We-Making”, how arts and culture unite people to work toward community well-being. In early 2022 the commission focused on what can the City can do to help our businesses take advantage of large events at Long Lake Park. It has been decided by the EDC the inclusion of banners would aid in the creation of a sense of place for the city. While public art in and of themselves do not drive revenues, they can and do make for a place where people and businesses want to be and therefore drive value indirectly. The commission would like to create a sense of place by installing banners along downtown New Brighton. The banners will serve to enhance community identity and pride. 6. Describe the corridor, including the number and types of businesses. What makes this area a commercial corridor, and why is it a priority? Old Highway 8 is a major corridor in New Brighton. It is home to 92 businesses, our City Hall, the City Community Center, the Public Safety office, and a regional park. It has almost double the amount of businesses along it then our next major corridor, Silver Lake Road. The businesses are a mix of retail, industrial, and service industries. The priority for Old Highway 8 NW is determined by our local business leaders through our Economic Development Commission and their recommendation to our City Council. It has been their focus to bring a project such as this to the citizens of New Brighton. 7. Is this project part of a larger commercial corridor revitalization strategy? Are there other public investments or actions currently underway or planned in this commercial corridor? Please describe overall any efforts to strengthen the economic and cultural viability of the commercial corridor and surrounding area. Old Highway 8 NW will be undergoing reconstruction starting this winter which will include major renovations and "road diet." It is being converted from a 4-lane to a 3-lane roadway, the pavement will be rehabilitated, and construction of a multi-use trail will occur to provide pedestrian and bike connectivity throughout the corridor. The proposed improvements are intended to update the corridor to reflect current traffic volumes and implement the recommendation of Ramsey County's 4-to-3 Lane Conversion Study. This grant to support the production of banners for the corridor will be the finishing touch on an already grand project! 8. How were businesses in the project area engaged in the development of this proposal? Include any letters of support. This project is the brainchild of our local businesses. Had it not been for our EDC commission, we would not be seeking this grant. For the better part of a year, the EDC has discussed ways to create a sense of place in New Brighton, and the potential for a public art project like this was something they had to pursue. 9. How will businesses be engaged in implementation of the project? Our Economic Development Commission, which is comprised of our local business leaders, will be involved in the process of banner design, selection, and creation. We will work them to ensure their vision is reflected in this project. 10. Describe how the proposed activities reflect the priorities of Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness and