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08-17-1977 Public HearingPUBLIC HEARING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1977 7:30 P.M. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AUDITORIUM Mayor D. J. Black called the Public Hearing to order at 7:34 P.M. and read Pub- lication No. 1970 entitled Public Hearing Notice for Downtown Study. The following Council members were present: Aldermen R. Peterson, Westlund, and Haag in addition to Mayor Black. Absent was Alderman B. Peterson. Mayor Black explained the hiring of planning consultants and the work that has been done with citizen involvement. He further pointed out that the purpose of the hearing was for input, advice, and questions from citizens. Chairman Skip Quade introduced Clarence Simonowicz, principal planner. Mr. Simon- owicz, consultant from C.R.S. and Associates, then gave a detailed report on studies conducted and explained the changes proposed in Main Street parking and turn lanes, beautifications of park and river areas, and basic financing plan using tax incre- ment financing, funds, grants and assessments for off-street parking. Dennis Hukriede of the Downtown Study Committee expressed his viewpoints and indi- cated that there has been a vote of support from various civic groups in the com- munity. Bob Stearns, also of the Committee, stated his views and encouraged the develop- ment as a means of meeting the needs of our growing community. Robert Otte Reported that the Chamber of Commerce had 325 E. Pishney Lane 110 signatures in favor of the concept and eight more with some reservations or questions. Harold LeSuer Asked how much it had cost the City of Hutch - 117 Sixth Ave. N.E. inson to do the study to date and remarked that this money would be wasted if the plan does not go through. D. J. Black Mayor Black replied that the City entered into a contract with C.R.S. approximately one year ago, and he wasn't sure of the exact cost since it was a package study. He re- marked that the money would not be wasted as results from the study would be useful in other aspects of planning for the city. Name Indistinct Commented that if the traffic is re-routed around the Mall, it will go around the shop- ping area and nothing will be achieved. Also, the parking meters should be removed if busi- ness is desired for downtown. Public Hearing August 17, 1977 D. J. Black Mayor Black responded that the idea is to bring traffic on Main Street into the busi- ness area. By providing limited time park- ing, there will be a turn -over of traffic in the business area and no one will abuse the privilege of free parking. The money from the parking meters makes payment on the revenue bonds sold to build the off- street parking lots. Lady - Name Indistinct Inquired about a planned starting date on the project. D. J. Black He replied there was no planned starting date, but a developer should be selected within the next six months. Freda Lindenberg Asked if it would be possible for the town 635 Milwaukee Ave. S.W. residents to vote on downtown development plan. D. J. Black The law does not call for this project to be an Item for a referendum. This is the type of issue for which the City Council was elected to make a decision on. If it were to be re- ferred back to the public, the City Council would be remiss of their duties and could be accused of misusing funds. Lady - Name Indistinct Inquired about the proposed swimming pool. D. J. Black The swimming pool is considered as part of a concept and does not have to be approved with the rest of the plan. The location is not definite. An indoor pool could be used for several purposes, i.e., physical educa- tion for the school system, recreation, etc. Lady - Name Indistinct Inquired about revenues. D. J. Black Mayor Black responded that up to the present, parking meters have provided sufficient rev- enues for off-street parking lots. Nan - Name Indistinct Inquired about off-street parking for develop- ment plan. -2- -. U Public Hearing August 17, 1977 John Korngiebel Read a letter which opposed certain parts of Sioux Hills the proposal and suggested different direc- tions the design could take in other areas. D. J. Black Mayor Black commented that this is only a concept at this point and more study and de- cisions will be made at a later time as to proper location, etc. He mentioned that City Hall and the Old Armory are past remodeling stage due to the cost involved and new laws passed for handicapped must be considered. Also, the Fire Department and Police Depart- ment space needs must be acted upon in the near future. Joseph Wesley Raised a question on the purchase of land in 560 Larson Street S.W. Plan No. 1 and development of the Shopping Center. Can the concept support both shopping areas? Commented on traffic problems. Won- dered if the downtown development would not distract from the over-all look of the down- town. Also, wondered if any other plans of financing have been looked into. Clarence Simonowicz Replied that he could not give a definite answer to questions on downtown as there are many factors to be considered. The Hutchinson retail center is drawing people from a 25 -mile area. Commented that there are other methods of fi- nancing parking other than assessment and they are being studied. Further commented on the change in traffic pat- terns and remarked that the present streets need to be improved to handle the traffic. Man - Name Indistinct Asked how the City will acquire private property needed for the development of the plan. D. J. Black Mayor Black replied that the City would nego- tiate with the property owner if the property was needed immediately. A fair market price plus relocation costs would be paid. Property needed for a longer range plan for parking lots and other uses would be acquired when they come on the market, with the owner being notified of the City's desire to have first option to buy. -3- Public Hearing August 17, 1977 Man - Name Indistinct D. J. Black Lady - Name Indistinct D. J. Black Milton Lueneburg 550 Third Avenue S.W. Lady - Name Indistinct D. J. Black Lady - Name Indistinct Ted Simons 570 Glen S.W. Mayor Black further commented that as far as he could remember, "condemnation" had never been used as a method of purchase by the City. He hopes this policy will continue. The City Council has not discussed this matter yet. Inquired about property between Hassan and Jefferson Streets behind the library. Mayor Black responded that on the concept this area is shown for library expansion, fire hall, police station, and City Hall. If these fa- cilities are built at this location, it would be on a phased basis, building by building over 15 to 20 years. Raised a question concerning the First Avenue mall and the covered alleys. Mayor Black answered that they would probably be built with public money but the individual property owners would be responsible for tie- ing their buildings to the covered area. If the present buildings do not extend to the alley, there would be construction expense. Commented on trip to Duluth and Superior and contrast between the two cities. Duluth has made an effort to rebuild the downtown, while Superior has done nothing. Asked if it was necessary to go through with the entire concept. Felt more parking was a major priority. Mayor Black explained that the plan was di- vided into phases, and it will take 10 to 20 years to complete the whole plan. Some phases need to be done within the next one to five years. One thing is dependent upon another for the next step. There is some money avail- able for funding through grants. Commented on the long-range plan covering several years. Comments indistinct. -4- AO Public Hearing August 17, 1977 Alan - Name Indistinct Commented that from previous experience in other cities, he has observed that new busi- nesses draw new customers for all stores, even when a major street is closed to cars. Chairman Skip Quade Commented on Alexandria's downtown and a Sioux Hills mall that was built on the edge of town. Two main stores in the downtown area moved out to the shopping center, leaving the down- town_ empty with only smaller businesses. Hutchinson has a strong retail center at the present time, but it needs some posi- tive steps in the downtown area to keep it that way. There are many business possi- bilities here. Lady - Name Indistinct Asked how much money is spent per year on parking lot notes. D. J. Black Mayor Black responded that $8,000 to $10,000 per year is paid on notes plus service and maintenance costs giving a total of $15-20,000 per year necessary to pay on the parking lot revenue. In closing, Mayor Black pointed out that changes might come out of the next Legis- lature regarding tax increment financing. There are other means, but he feels tax increment is the most clear-cut method. The City Council is at the crossroads and must reach a decision to do nothing or move ahead. Discussion of the Development Plan will be held at the next Council meeting on August 23, 1977, and a final decision will be reached at a special meet- ing scheduled for Thursday, September 1, 1977 at 8:00 A.M. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. -5-