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H. Background Deleted:makes The area of encompassing Downtown Pequot Lakes is not strictly defined by specific I Deleted:Historyl boundary lines, with businesses and urban-style residential areas concentrated in the 11 The City of Pequot lakes 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 11 Leech lake Trail,formerly a Native the planning process set the boundaries for downtown, designating County Road 112 as ! American and far-trader traveling P g P � g tY I route.The town grew by focusing on the eastern limit, Grove Street as the northern limit, Front Street as the western limit, 11 logging with the construction ofthe and Lake Street as the southern limit. Note- These boundary ines are somewhat Northern Pacific Railroad which ran rY It right through the present Downtown flexible as areas outside of the boundaries have been included in the plan.) 11 roughly where the Paul Bunyan Trail is currently located.The 11 establishment of a large sawmill near This area was seen as being the heart, or downtown, of the City of Pequot Lakes with I1 the Pequot train station along the businesses, shops, restaurants, and homes are concentrated in this area. Several 1 railroad attracted settlers n the area P I to work in the mill.Residential and features that residents had identified as contributing to the City's identity and character I1 tourism development was set in are located in the downtown area.The iconic Bobber Water Tower,signaling to visitors motion with the lake development !! and platting that occurred near most that they have arrived in Pequot Lakes, is visible from most points in the downtown 1 I train stations in the region during area. The Paul Bunyan Trail, adding to the recreational opportunities in the City, runs I that time period.l ! t parallel to Highway 371, bisecting Downtown. The concentration of businesses and 1 I The City was first platted in March of restaurants rov des atrons with the abili to walk from store to store in the center of igoo by Walter and Flora Brown and P - - - - - - - - - - — — — — — — — — — — — — — - - - J! was called Sibley.Thepostoffice had town. I been established and operating in the City since 1896,having a station on the Northern Pacific Railroad. XxRan_di_ng_Central_Lakes R_egion_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ J Because of an already existing town Pequot Lakes is located in the heart of the Central Lakes Region� Minnesota,which has been Manna Minnesota,a in southwest 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 stones name,about the projected Y P Y Y 3 Y r origin of the City�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 tube of Algonquin xP �T P Indians in eastern Connecticut.l (defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as including both Cass and Crow Wing Counties), I was ranked as the fourth fastest growing mico olitan area in the Midwest, and ranked A passenger stage line traveling from g g r 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, 10,000 people that is located outside of metropolitan areas. likely carrying Settlers and founts to 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.l and services. While the Central Lakes Region largely relies on tourism as a foundation 9 for commerce ther will be an increasing demand for basic goods and services In the the Leech Lake Trail � e, was impproverove d into State Highway 371, associated with the increase in the year-round residential population. Much of the acting as a transportation conduit o ulation growth in the region is fueled b retirees converting their once seasonal the Twin connecting Pequot to Brainerd and P P �' � Y g the Twin Cities.Along with the cabins to year-round homes. Both Crow Wing and Cass Counties have greater ensuing development of resorts and proportions of their populations over the age of 55 than the nation does as a whole.This lake horns came the further development of Downtown and its older population will produce a heightened demand for professional services, such as businesses.The railroad era ended as the mores specialized health care services. In addition to these services, the expanding ear- mode automobile became the primary P xP g Y 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 commercial complex or to nearby cities to 3'71 spurred major growth in resort g g P Y 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 90 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 371 out of Baxter and the expansion of small businesses in other regional equot Iak s in changed'�l'an'e to 1 Pequot Lakes Downtown Plan—Updated December Zoo 4