Loading...
Memo- Strategic Plan for Community Development . I City Manager's Department r Memorandum To: Mayor Charles Redepenning Council Members Fran Hesch, Karen Jensen, Diane Johnson, Gene Maxwell City Manager Steve Mielke From: Jim Parsons cc: n.a. Date: Nov. 5, 1998 Subject: Strategic Plan for Community Development e In June, the City Council discussed the Hopkins Strategic Plan for Economic Development, and made a number of suggested changes. Since then, staff has discussed the plan and also made suggestions. Attached is a revised summary of the plan, with these suggestions highlighted (boldface for Council, italics for staff)_ Although time has passed since the June discussion, it may be worthwhile at this time for the Council to revisit the plan summary and to direct staff regarding a revision and up-date to the Strategic Plan. A draft revision would then be brought back to the Council for approval at a subsequent meeting. ## e - ---- - HOPKINS STRATEGIC PLAN FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Status code: Comp.=Completed Prog.=Progressing to completion . Ltd.=Limited activity Cont.=Continuous activity EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE, 1995-1997 Overall, the City of Hopkins' performance in the last three years, when compared with its strategic plan for economic development, has been very successful. STRATEGIC ISSUESI ACTION STEPS COMMENTS STATUS GOALS L Business Retentionl 1_ Encourage full-service business sector Cant Recruitment 2_ Work with large employers to expand Prog_ A. F oster stability/growth 3. Inventory contaminated sites Ltd. of existing businesses 4. Maintain loan/grant programs for business ConI. 5_ Promote training opportunities Staff support of welfare-to-work_ Cant 6. Work with banks, DIED, SBA Cant 7. Landscape commercial/industrial areas Cant 8_ PUblicize update to the strategic plan Update will be sent to media. Prog_ 9. Access and signs during construction ConI. B. Induce targeted business 1_ Assess the markel's perception of Need up-dated market analysis ConI. to locate in Hopkins Hopkins; determine types of businesses needed; determine sites for same_ 2_ Expand the leasing guide city-wide_ ConI. 3_ Provide incentives to create skilled jobs. Ltd_ 4_ Up-date city council and staff on broad ConI. economic trends and opportunities e 5_ Recruit businesses that have a relation- ConI. ship to existing businesses 6_ Support arts-related busi nesses_ Cont. 7. Foster communication between City, HBCA newsle<<er, staff liaison with Cant. HBCA, owners/managers of C/I properties HBCA and CII owners and managers_ B. Examine commercial area at Hwy. 7 Cant. and Hopkins Crossroad. C. Redevelop property along 1. Explore redevelopment of Super Explore development types_ ConI. Excelsior Blvd. Valu north annex. 2. Work with County on improvement plan_ Cant. Consider light rail transit 3_ Communicate with businesses, property Newsle<<ers, press releases, and Prog. owners, and residents about the project meetings are happening_ 4_ Provide access and signage for shops ConI. affected by construction_ 5. Assess relocation of convenience - store/gas station for East End. 6. Examine redevelopment of East End . commercial area north of Excelsior Blvd. 7. Examine existing commerciaf/industrial - development, address SUbstandard sites. 8_ Work with Super Valu, other developers to re-develop sites near Super Valu_ e Page 1 ----- - STRATEGIC ISSUESI ACTION STEPS COMMENTS STATUS GOALS _I. Business Retentionl 1 _ Work with area banks to recommend Ltd_ Recruitment incentives for redevelopment financing D. Developfimplemenl new 2_ Work with banks to establish incentives Transit development incentive, SBA Cant financing programs for with existing City programs for redevelop- Low-Doc program, state financing redevelopmenUrehabilitation ment and rehabilitation programs publicized by staff. 3_ Monitor state legislation on changes to Staff monitors TIF and other legislation, Cant economic development tools; encourage and advocates for TIF, transit incentive, new state programs that benefit local NSP incentives. economic development initiatives E. Retain business and attract 1_ Attract specialty retaiVdestination uses, Focus on east end of Mainstreet; Prog_ new businesses eg _ arts, entertainment, recreation expand on Glenrose project. on Mainstreet; monitor and family-oriented uses_ business climate downtown. 2. Offer financial incentives to retain/attract Prog_ businesses_ 3_ Promole Mainslreet via special events_ Cant 4_ Maintain leasing guide; inventory and work Cant. to fill vacant buildings. 5. Encourage adoption of uniform hours, Cant. consistent management to improve service_ 6_ Continue police monitoring esp_ in Cant. entertainment areas_ II. County Road Improvements e A. Improve traffic on Excelsior 1_ Work wilh County on improvement plan_ Work with County continues; Phase I Prog_ Blvd_ and its link to Consider light rail transit of construction is underway_ Mainstreet 2_ Set a uniform design theme on streets Ltd. connecting Excelsior Blvd_ and Mainstreet. 3_ Complete a foot and bike trail system along This is part of Excelsior Blvd_ project. Prog_ Excelsior Blvd. 4. Create safe pedestrian crossing of Overpass? Prog_ Excelsior Blvd. near 169. Ltd_ B. Enhance Shady Oak Road, 1_ Work with County, Minnetonka, businesses_ Ltd_ Excelsior to Mainstreet. 2_ Enhance pedestrian access_ Ltd_ C. Enhance appearances via 1_ Improve landscaping along Excelsior Blvd__ Will be done with Excelsior Blvd_ project Prog. landscaping, screening, 2_ Maintain/enhance entrance signage_ Cant tree planting, signage_ 3_ Improve landscaping along Shady Oak Road_ Ltd. III. Mainstreet: Public Infrastructure A. Maintain improvements to 1. Operatefimprove parking system downtown_ Cant Mainstreet; connect it to 2. Improve bicycle parking facilities/racks. Cant. Excelsior Blvd_ 3. Enhance connections to Excelsior at 5lh, Prog_ 8th, and 11th Avenues_ 4. Improve lighting in alleys, parking lots, Cant. 5_ Evaluate need for more parking spaces_ Ltd_ 6. Seek funding for parking system main. Cant tenance_ e 7. Enhance pedestrian safety on 11th Ave_ south of Mainstreet Ltd_ via possible traffic calming. Page 2 - - STRA TEGIC ISSUESI ACTION STEPS COMMENTS STATUS GOALS .IV. City-wide Image A. Maintain a positive perception 1 _ Retain and enhance arts, entertainment, Prog_ of the city of Hopkins_ recreation, and family-oriented uses_ 2. Improve appearance of en!ries to city. Excelsior Blvd_ project underway_ Prog. 3. Maintain/improve all public infrastructure. Numerous projects_ Cant. 4_ Support civic groups, Staff and Council liaisons; financial Cant. community service organizations_ support. 5_ Examine impact on city's image when Cant. changing services, ego clean-up program_ 6. Implement 1993 fooUbike trails plan. Working with Hennepin Parks_ Prog_ 7_ Enforce commercial maintenance codes_ Cant. B_ Maintain buffer between new commercial Excelsior Blvd. phase II planned. Prog_ a nd residential properties_ Super Valu plan_ 9_ Improve Hopkins' special events/festivals_ Cant. 10. Continue landscaping awards, rehab On-going. Cant. awards for single-family properties_ 11_ Inform public of retail and recreational Cant. services_ 12. Use volunteers to improve city's appearance, Prog. eg_ Adopt-a-Park, garden clubs, etc_ 13. Enhance Hopkins' image as bike-, Enhance facilities, incl. signage. Prog. pedestrian-, and transit-friendly. Park-and-Ride planned_ 14. Emphasize customer service, feed- Cant. back including Razzle. 15. Minimize customers' negative Cant. . experiences, ego towing vehicles. 16_ Send Hopkins Highlights to all residents Cant. 6 times per year_ 17. Maintain affordable housing at current Per Livable Communities plan_ Cant. level (# of units). B. Develop/implement a public 1. Work with groups to develop public Prog. relations strategy_ relations strategy: City, HBCA, Twin West, Cant. HAAA, school district, AMA, Jaycees, etc_ 2_ Emphasize positive aspects & opportunities Cant. in Hopkins_ 3_ Gauge outsiders' perception of Hopkins_ Ltd_ 4_ Gauge residents' perception of Hopkins_ Ltd_ 5_ Get the good word out via media, ads, direct mail, etc_ Cant. V. Neighborhoods A. Strong and well-maintained 1_ Review zoning standards to Foster rehab Was addressed by Z & P; needs Prog_ neighborhoods foster a of non-conforming structures/uses, further examination. positive economic develop- eg., porches, additions. ment climate_ 2_ Meet special housing needs and maintain Cant. owner-occupied housing_ 3_ Proaclively improve buffers between Buffer planned on Excelsior Blvd_ Cant. incompatible uses_ 4_ Improve public infrastructure; preserve Cant. . green space. Page 3 STRA TEGIC ISSUES/ ACTION STEPS COMMENTS STATUS GOALS .V. Neighborhoods (cont.) 5. Improve, enforce and educate on housing Cant. maintenance codes_ 6. Monitor Truth-in-Housing ordinance ror effectiveness_ Ltd. 7_ Expand housing programs_ 8_ Continue police support for neighborhood Cant. watch groups and neighborhood officer program _ Cant. 9_ Work with ApI. Mgrs. Assoc. to improve image of multi-ramily housing_ Cant. 10. Address blighted residences. Research funding sources. Ltd_ B. Foster communication and 1. Maintain neighborhood outreach and Comp_ cooperation among City, advisory board. Maintain a relationship neighborhoods, schools, with HBCA. and businesses. 2_ Examine impacts on neighborhoods of Cont. any changes in City services_ 3_ Send new resident packets via schools, Police, fire reps at neighborhood events_ realtors, apartment managers_ Cont. 4_ Foster communication among City, HBCA, schools, and business people_ Cont. 5. Promote and organize neighborhood associations. Cant. 6_ Support alternative neighborhood Cont. organizing approaches in north Hopkins_ VI. Youth/Family e A. Foster awareness of impar- 1. Create a youth advisory committee to advise Ltd_ tance of youth to the the City Council. community. 2_ Encourage hiring of youth ror jobs. Cont. 3_ Examine impact on youth or changes in Tobacco, liquor ordinances, compli- Cont. City services. ance checks. 4_ Communicate/cooperate with school Prog. district to achieve goals, e.g. youth entrepreneurs_ 5. Encourage businesses to mentor youth. Prog_ 6. Add youth to boards and commissions. Cant. 7. Examine recreational alternatives, cant. eg., skate park, and programs to meet needs or youth and ramilies_ 8. Work with and support youth-owned ConI. businesses through Hopkins schools 9_ Continue Recreation scholarship fund_ Helps low-income youth/families_ Cant B. Support ramilies_ 1. Promote volunteerism. Cant 2. Promote family involvement in Cont. community activities. 3. Improve intergenerational exchange ConI. through programming. ego, arts, safety. neighborhoods_ 4. Make programs more inclusive. Ltd_ 5_ Support ramily resource center with ConI. . human and financial resources_ 6_ Examine support for minority families. Involve Human Rights Commission_ Ltd. (Boldface items were suggested by Council.) (Italicized items were suggested by staff) Page 4 END --..---..- .---.. . Hopkins Strategic Plan for Economic Development Nov. 1998 Major Proposed Changes Commercial/Industrial Redevelopment Areas . Highway 7 & Hopkins Crossroad . Super Valu north annex . Super Valu spin-off . East End north of Excelsior Boulevard . East end of Mainstreet (Glen Rose spin-off) . Shady Oak Road: Excelsior to Mainstreet . Substandard structures: scattered sites Infrastructure/Amenities . Excelsior Boulevard pedestrian overpass . . Bicycle, pedestrian, and transit system user-friendly enhancements . Bicycle parking racks . Recreational alternatives . Parking system downtown Residential Areas . Revise zoning standards in north Hopkins . Address blighted residences . Promote and support neighborhood associations Community . Public relations strategy . Youth on boards/commissions . Promote volunteerism . Promote family involvement . Improve intergenerational exchange . . Make programs more inclusive