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Summary Letter,Augurt 16,2007,Page 3 of 6 existing alignment is estimated to lead to total tax base roughly$2.5 million higher than the bypass in 2021 —is one significant finding of the analysis. Financial costs are also associated with the expansion of the current alignment and the construction of an alternative alignment. Projections from the City Engineer indicate that the costs of expanding the existing alignment would be higher than the costs of building an alternative alignment. If all the improvements cited by the City Engineer as "required,""recommended,"and"optional,"are included,the difference in cost to the City is nearly$3 million. Conversely,the costs estimated by MnDOT for land takings would be higher for an alternative alignment scenario. The product of the tax base calculations,with and without consideration of public infrastructure improvements and land takings, is shown in an attached table titled"City Tax Revenue Impact: Comparison of Three.Levels of Improvements." For each level of improvements,the net benefit to the City is greater using the assumptions for an alternative alignment than it is using assumptions for expanding the current alignment of Highway 371. Measures for Mitigating Negative Impact for Business In the August 7 presentation,I offered five prongs for action on this front. First,the City has in recent years discussed a number of physical changes that could serve well to enhance the aesthetic and sense of place in downtown: Additional trees, benches, kiosks to guide visitors, decorative lighting, increasing parking capacity and conversion of Highway 371 to a parkway with a median marked by trees and landscaping. I offer as additions to this list the prospect of literal arches welcoming visitors to Pequot Lakes (from the east on County Road 11 and from the north and south along Highway 371)and a devotion of some space adjacent to the Paul Bunyan Trail to a children's play area. Adding to the City's existing public art(the Post Office mural and renowned bobber water tower)could further enhance the physical environment for residents and visitors. Second,the potential for additional events in Pequot Lakes is significant. The demographics of visitors and seasonal landowners(many of whom will likely become full-time residents in the years to come)present a powerful opportunity to establish annual events to draw attention to the City's downtown commercial district. Examples include performances under the Minnesota Orchestra's"Symphony for the Cities"series, a street-painting festival, or another event that is geared toward a particular market. Pequot Lakes can retain Bobber Days and Bean Hole Days, and reach out to an identified niche in a very successful way. Boosters in New York Mills,with 1,180 residents,have cultivated lots of attention from their arts focus and the"Great American Think-Off'held annually. Business wide initiatives and connectivity represent the third part of an approach. Again, the City has in previous planning identified an interest in a circulator to facilitate biking visitors on the Bunyan Trail,the development of a commuter shed to inform a parking