3 - Downtown Master Pland & Park Plan Discussion

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Challenges to Success Parking Like many downtowns, Downtown Pequot has historically experienced a parking problem. As development continues downtown, the arkm roblem will Increase. _ Deleted:in P P li p- - g p-obl -- - yarking demand is directly linked to _business demand Aso often times the peak parking Deleted:likely continue demand is during the summer months. The problem this presents is that building to Deleted:The p accommodate the peak demand means that there will be many unused parking places Deleted,tt,e during non..;peak times, Parking issues are further exacerbated by different types of Deleted:on businesses, businesses in downtown. Service businesses desire close and easy parking,while this is still important to the destination businesses, their customers tend to shop at many of Deleted: the downtown shops and are prepared to walk further distances. Deleted- °r seasons Highway Alignment Debate As part of the TH 3771 Study Group process the City hired Donjekl to perform an economic analysis on the impacts of the alternate alignment. In the dozens of reports and studies that were examined by Jon Commers of Donjek, the leading indicator of success for communities that were part of a bypass project was the ability to unite business owners around a strategy for growth. This Downtown Plan represents the framework of such a strategy, A strong and predictable plan for improving and enhancing the downtown will draw investment to the area. No one will argue that running a business is not difficult. It is inevitable that some Pequot Lakes businesses (actually in any commumW will fail or relocate no matter where the highway is located. With the creation of a strong consensus for developing the downtown commercial district, the natural business climate can be energized for growth around the implementation of that vision. The public debate over the highway alignment has been difficult for the City. While the data2 and statistics3 do not support the conclusion that the downtown will collapse when the alternate route is constructed, many business owners vocally state that this will be the case While a legitimate part of an open debate,there is a fear that local realtors and business owners will work to (unintentional) create a self-fulfilling prophecy: predict the doom of the downtown and then do nothing to prevent it from happening since, in the eyes of those making the prediction,it is inevitable. Recent pronouncements by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce stating that Highway 371 should be routed through town so as not to damage business opportunities have not been hglpful4 In addition to the City's Economic Development Committee the 1 www.donjek.com,principle contact was Jon Commers 2 See the T.H.371 Study Group Report,October 2007 3 See Region Five Conimunty Survey results.December 2007 Formatted:Font:Georgia,10 pt Formatted:Justified,Indent:Left: 4 The Chamber's pronouncement opposing the Alternate Route contained eight supporting points 0.25" Their-first point,that the construction of a bypass route is uncertain and projected for 2ou-2o16,is -_- - Formatted:Font:(Default)Georgia, another self-fulfilling p6j&6. Mn/DOT has informed the City that the start of the project continues 10 pt Pequot Lakes Downtown Plan—Updated December 2007 7 4�