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share many of the needs as the more destination or tourist based retailers, their customers expect a higher level of convenience in their shopping experience Challenges to Success Parking Like many downtowns, Downtown Pequot has historically experienced a parking problem. As development continues downtown, the parking problem will increase. Parking demand is directly linked to business demand so often times the peak parking demand is during the summer months. The problem this presents is that building to accommodate the peak demand means that there will be many unused parking places during non-peak times. Parking issues are further exacerbated by different types of 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 the downtown shops and are prepared to walk further distances. Highway Alignment Debate As part of the TH 371 Study Group process, the City hired Donjek, 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 community) 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(unintentionally)create a self-fulfilling prophecy: predict the doom of the downtown and then do nothing to prevent it from happening since, in Debi:Remit pronouncements by the eyes of those making the prediction,it is inevitable. the Brainerd Lakes chamber of Commerce stating that Highway 371 should be routed through town so as Tn an a e and time when planners, developers rs and shoppers across the coup re not to damage business opportunities t----- -------------- ------'----- --------p --------------- -- have not beenhelpful4. In addition to reawakening to the benefits of a pedestrian-oriented destination downtown, Pequot the City's Economic Development Lakes is the only community on the Highway 371 corridor that can easily create this `, Committee,the community would bent from a strong,informed and supportive Chamber of Commerce promoting an expansive vision of 1 www.donjek.com principle contact was Jon Commecs Downtown Pequot Ickes and not a vision narrowly defined by the Z See the T.H.371 Study Crroup Report,October 2007 3 See Region Five Community Survey results,December 2007 � ►m8 Away oorridor.l WOW:and the region Pequot Lakes Downtown Plan—Updated February 2008 7