3 - Downtown Master Pland & Park Plan Discussion

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II. Background Wes:makes The area of encompassing Downtown Pequot Lakes is not strictly defined by specific Weted:History¶ boundary lines, with businesses and urban-style residential areas concentrated in the The city of Pequot Ickes was first settled as a trading town along the area just to the east of Sibley Lake and then tapering out from the center.Participants in Leech Lake Trait,formerly a Native the planning process set the boundaries for downtown, designating County Road 112 as American and furtrader traveling route.The town grew by focusing on the eastern limit, Grove Street as the northern limit, Front Street as the western limit, logging with the construction of the and Lake Street as the southern limit. Note: These boundary lines are somewhat Northern Pacific Railroad which ran right through the present Downtown flexible as areas outside of the boundaries have been included in the plan.1 roughly where the Paul Bunyan Trail is currently located.The establishment of a large sawmill near This area was seen as being the heart, or downtown, of the City of Pequot Lakes with the Pequot train station along the businesses, shops, restaurants, and homes are concentrated in this area. Several railroad attracted settlers n the area P to work in the m�11.Residential and features that residents had identified as contributing to the City's identity and character tonrism development was set in are located in the downtown area.The iconic Bobber Water Tower,signaling visitors motion with the lake development g g to v and platting that occurred near most that they have arrived in Pequot Lakes, is visible from most points in the downtown train stations in the region during area. The Paul Bunyan Trail, adding to the recreational opportunities in the City, runs j that time period.¶ parallel to Highway 371, bisecting Downtown. The concentration of businesses and The city was first platted in March of restaurants provides_patrons with the ability to walk from store to store in the center of igoo by Walter and Flora Brown and P_- p_- tY- was caned Sibley.The post office had town. been established and operating in the City since 1896,having a station on the Northern Pacific Railroad. F'V finding Central Lakes Region Because of an already existing town — — named Sibley in southwest Pequot Lakes is located in the heart of the Central Lakes Region, which has been Minnesota,a postal official renamed identified as a core regional growth area.Population in Cass and Crow Wing Counties is the city to Pequot in 1902.Although to increase b over 6o percent b the year 20 0. In the last three ears numerous stories exist about the projected Y P Y Y 3 Y � origin of the Cit}�s name,the postal population in Pequot Lakes has increased by 5%, and population in the region as a official supposedly named the City whole as experienced similar growth rates. The Brainerd Micro olitan Statistical Area after a former ern of Algonquin xP g P Indians in eastern Connecticut.7 (defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as including both Cass and Crow Wing Counties), 9 was ranked as the fourth fastest growing mi olitan area in the Midwest, and ranked A passenger stage line traveling from g g cro p Brainerd and Leech Lake passed 28th in the nation. A micropolitan statistical area is a population cluster with at least through the city three times a week, lo,000 people that is located outside of metropolitan areas. likely carrying settlers and route.In 896, P P P the Pequot area on its route.In 1896, School District 41 formed and the Coming with the increase in population is the growth in year-round demand for goods Pequot Post Office was established where in the original train station.¶ and services. While the Central Lakes Region largely relies on tourism as a foundation v for commerce there will be an increasing demand for basic goods and services In the 192ve the Leech Lake Tian � g g was improved into State Highway 371, associated with the increase in the year-round residential population. Much of the acting as a transportation conduit connecting Pequot to Brainerd and population growth in the region is fueled by retirees converting their once seasonal the Twin Cities.Along with the cabins to year-round homes. Both Crow Wing and Cass Counties have greater ensuing development of resorts and of their populations over the age of than the nation does as a whole.This lake homes came the further proportions P P g 55 development of Downtown and its older population will produce a heightened demand for professional services, such as businesses.The railroad era ended as more specialized health care services. In addition to these services,the expanding year- rhea of transportation.tiontAu Automobile mode of transportation.Automobile round residential population will demand more convenience services. Rather than transportation along State Highway settling ith driving to the Brainerd-Baxter complex or to nearby cities 371 spurred major growth in resort g g er comme P Y c to and lake home development in obtain those goods and services, residents will require more businesses to be closer to Pequot and the surrounding area home. from 1924 to 1970.Nearly go percent of the total seasonal and permanent lake homes,including resorts,in the City were built during that time Cities throughout the Region have experienced these development and population period.To emphasize the importance trends, as is evidenced in the continuing commercial growth northward along State of the lakes and resort businesses,the Highway 1 out of Baxter and the expansion of small businesses in other regional city of Pequot changed its name to g Y 37 xP g Pequot Ickes in 1940.1 Pequot Lakes Downtown Plan—Updated December 2007 4