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H. Background <br /> The area of encompassing Downtown Pequot Lakes is not strictly defined by specific <br /> boundary lines, with businesses and urban-style residential areas concentrated in the <br /> area just to the east of Sibley Lake and then tapering out from the center. Participants in <br /> the planning process set the boundaries for downtown, designating County Road 112 as <br /> the eastern limit, Grove Street as the northern limit, Front Street as the western limit, <br /> and Lake Street as the southern limit. (Note: These boundary lines are somewhat <br /> flexible as areas outside of the boundaries have been included in the plan.) <br /> This area was seen as being the heart, or downtown, of the City of Pequot Lakes with <br /> businesses, shops, restaurants, and homes are concentrated in this area. Several <br /> features that residents had identified as contributing to the City's identity and character <br /> are located in the downtown area. The iconic Bobber Water Tower, signaling to visitors <br /> that they have arrived in Pequot Lakes, is visible from most points in the downtown <br /> area. The Paul Bunyan Trail, adding to the recreational opportunities in the City, runs <br /> parallel to Highway 371, bisecting Downtown. The concentration of businesses and <br /> restaurants provides patrons with the ability to walk from store to store in the center of <br /> town. <br /> Expanding Central Lakes Region <br /> Pequot Lakes is located in the heart of the Central Lakes Region, which has been <br /> identified as a core regional growth area. Population in Cass and Crow Wing Counties is <br /> projected to increase by over 6o percent by the year 2030. In the last three years, <br /> population in Pequot Lakes has increased by 5%, and population in the region as a <br /> whole as experienced similar growth rates. The Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area <br /> (defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as including both Cass and Crow Wing Counties), <br /> was ranked as the fourth fastest growing micropolitan area in the Midwest, and ranked <br /> 28th in the nation. A micropolitan statistical area is a population cluster with at least <br /> 10,000 people that is located outside of metropolitan areas. <br /> Coming with the increase in population is the growth in year-round demand for goods <br /> and services. While the Central Lakes Region largely relies on tourism as a foundation <br /> for commerce, there will be an increasing demand for basic goods and services <br /> associated with the increase in the year-round residential population. Much of the <br /> population growth in the region is fueled by retirees converting their once seasonal <br /> cabins to year-round homes. Both Crow Wing and Cass Counties have greater <br /> proportions of their populations over the age of 55 than the nation does as a whole.This <br /> older population will produce a heightened demand for professional services, such as <br /> more specialized health care services. In addition to these services,the expanding year- <br /> round residential population will demand more convenience services. Rather than <br /> settling with driving to the Brainerd-Baxter commercial complex or to nearby cities to <br /> obtain those goods and services, residents will require more businesses to be closer to <br /> home. <br /> Cities throughout the Region have experienced these development and population <br /> trends, as is evidenced in the continuing commercial growth northward along State <br /> Highway 371 out of Baxter and the expansion of small businesses in other regional <br /> Pequot Lakes Downtown Plan—Updated February 2oo8 4 <br />