Memo- Evaluation of Progress Under Strategic Plan for Economic DevelopmentMemorandum
To: Mayor and City Council
City M- - ager .teve Mielke
From: Jim P - • ns (,,...,.
Date: June 4, 19
Copy: n.a.
Subject: Evaluation of Progress under Strategic Plan for Economic Development
In July 1995, the City Council adopted the Hopkins Strategic Plan for Economic
Development. The plan states goals and action steps for a number of strategic issues.
Since that time many of the goals have been met and progress has been made toward
meeting others. It is desirable at this time for the City Council to evaluate the progress the
City has made toward meeting the goals in the strategic plan. The Council may wish to
adopt formally an up -date to the strategic plan as a result of this evaluation.
To re- familiarize Council members with the elements of the plan, I have - abbreviated all
the goals and action steps onto a 5 -page summary, attached. Staff members have
commented briefly on various items in the plan, and a status code has been assigned to
each item. This summary is intended to serve as the basis for a Council discussion of the
City's progress in meeting the goals of the strategic plan at the June work session.
Subsequent to the Council's discussion, staff proposes to survey a small number of
community representatives (including members of boards and commissions) regarding
their perceptions of the City's performance compared to the strategic plan.
Finally, the Council would be asked to consider the input from the community
representatives, further discuss the goals and action steps, and adopt a formal up -date to
the plan.
##
City Manager's Department
HOPKINS STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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. Many of the plan's goals have been met, and the
City has made significant progress towarding meeting its other goals as stated in the plan.
STRATEGIC ISSUES/
GOALS
Business Retention/
Recruitment
1 Foster stability /growth
of existing businesses
To foster the stability and growth of existing businesses, the City has maintained close ties with the HBCA and the TwinWest
Chamber. The City developed retail and entertainment businesses such as Hopkins Cinema 6, Big 10 restaurant, Hillary's Gifts,
Pekoe & Java, and Glenrose Floral. The City has improved parking downtown, increased police foot and bike patrols, and
protected the central business district through comp plan and zoning changes. The City's residential maintenance and re-
development efforts have improved the customer base for business. Industrial projects such as Diamond Labs were completed.
The City worked to retain businesses affected by the Co. Rd. 3 project. And, the City built the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
2 Induce targeted business
to locate in Hopkins
Sheet!
Status code: Comp. = Completed Prog.= Progressing to completion
Ltd.= Limited activity Cont.= Continuous activity
ACTION STEPS
1. Encourage full - service business sector
2. Assess market's perceptions of Hopkins
3. Work with large employers to expand
4. Inventory contaminated sites
5. Expand loan /grant programs for business
6. Develop Henn. Co. Public Works site
7. Promote training opportunities
8. Work with banks, DTED, SBA
9. Landscape commercial /industrial areas
10. Publicize goals of the strategic plan
11. Access and signs during construction
1. Assess the market's perception of
Hopkins; determine types of businesses
needed; determine sites for same.
2. Expand the leasing guide to city -wide
coverage
3. Provide incentives to create skilled/
technical jobs
4. Up -date city council and staff on broad
economic trends and opportunities
5. Recruit businesses that have a relation-
ship to existing businesses
6. Work with and support youth -owned
businesses through Hopkins schools
7. Work with and support arts - related
businesses
8. Foster communication between City,
HBCA, owners /managers of C/I properties
Page 1
COMMENTS STATUS
Retail encouraged downtown
Need up -dated market analysis
Good process with SuperValu.
Good working knowledge.
Program review led to cuts.
Excellent groundwork with SuperValu
Staff support of welfare -to -work effort.
Good contacts and prospects.
Cornerstone project completed.
Plan was distributed through media.
Good record; Excelsior Blvd. planned.
The Cinema 6 /Big 10 project, and the
Center for the Arts, resulted from
this process.
Staff maintains a file on available
properties.
Cinema 6 /Big 10 restaurant; Center
for the Arts; retail stores added.
Depot Coffee House
The City targeted retail, arts and entertainment, and restaurant businesses for its downtown redevelopment plan. These efforts
in 1995 -97 were highly successful. The City worked with business developments such as Walgreen's and White Castle.
Cont.
Ltd.
Prog.
Ltd.
Comp.
Prog.
Cont.
Cont.
Cont.
Comp.
Cont.
Cont.
Cont.
Ltd.
Cont.
Cont.
Cont.
HCA gallery, Chez Francoise, Hillary's. Cont.
HBCA newsletter, staff liaison with Cont.
HBCA and C/I owners and managers.
•
STRATEGIC ISSUES/
GOALS
3 Develop /implement new
financing programs for
redevelopment/rehabilitation
The City lobbied the watershed district on behalf of local businesses to lessen the burden of district regulations.
4 Develop /implement a public
relations strategy
Neighborhoods
1 Strong and well- maintained
neighborhoods foster a
positive economic develop-
ment climate.
Sheet/
ACTION STEPS COMMENTS STATUS
1• Work with bank consortium to recommend
incentives for redevelopment financing
2. Work with banks to establish incentives
with existing City programs for redevelop-
ment and rehabilitation
3. Monitor state legislation on changes to
economic development tools; encourage
new state programs that benefit local
economic development initiatives
1. Work with groups to develop public
relations strategy: City, HBCA, Twin West,
HAAA, School District, AMA, Jaycees, etc.
1. Reduce residential zoning density to
balance housing types in Hopkins.
2. Review zoning standards to foster rehab
of non - conforming structures /uses.
3. Meet special housing needs and maintain
owner - occupied housing.
4. Improve guidelines for buffers between
conflicting uses.
5. Improve public infrastructure; preserve
green space.
6. Improve, enforce and educate on housing
maintenance codes.
7. Monitor Truth -in- Housing ordinance for
effectiveness.
8. Work for Westbrooke special legislation
and acquisition /demolition/replacement
program. Expand housing programs.
9. Direct police to promote neighborhood
watch groups.
10. Work with Apt. Mgrs. Assoc. to improve
image of multi - family housing.
The HRA invests about $120,000 per year in housing rehabilitation. The City is
which will maintain neighborhood quality.
Page 2
Consortium dissolved.
Transit development incentive, SBA
Low -Doc program, state financing
programs publicized by staff.
Staff monitors TIF and other legislation,
and advocates for TIF, transit incentive,
NSP incentives, eg. Cornerstone and
ThermalTech. Lobbied watershed district.
Developed data base of communications
tools for use with variety of groups.
Completed by Z & P, Council.
Was addressed by Z & P.
Oaks of Mainstreet, Nine Mile Cove
townhouses. Village Apartments,
Raspberry Ridge affordable housing co -op. _
Up- grades to Dow Towers, 20th Ave. townhomes.
Provided buffer with ABM /Lettieri
project. Buffer planned on Co. Rd. 3
First St. North, Co. Rd. 3, other projects
Apt. managers do excellent job with
staff support. Home Remodeling Fair.
Meadow Creek and Phases 1 & 2
of Westbrooke projects completed.
Crime prevention specialist; neighborhood
officer program for apartments.
Crime -free housing awards; community
image awards for apartments.
up- grading its flood control infrastructure,
Ltd.
Cont.
Cont.
Prog.
Comp.
Comp.
Cont.
Cont.
Cont.
Cont.
Ltd.
Comp.
Cont.
Cont.
Sheet!
STRATEGIC ISSUES/ ACTION STEPS COMMENTS
GOALS
2 Foster communication and
cooperation among City,
neighborhoods, schools,
and businesses.
1. Maintain neighborhood outreach and
advisory board. Develop a relationship
with HBCA.
2. Examine impacts on neighborhoods of
any changes in City services.
3. Communicate /cooperate with school
district to achieve goals, e.g. youth
entrepreneurs.
4. Send new resident packets via schools,
realtors, apartment managers.
5. Foster communication among City, HBCA,
and businesspeople.
County Road 3 (Excelsior Boulevard)
1 Improve traffic on Co. Rd. 3 1. Work with County on improvement plan.
and its Zink to Mainstreet. Consider light rail transit.
2. Improve landscaping along Co. Rd. 3.
3. Set a uniform design theme on streets
connecting Co. Rd. 3 and Mainstreet.
4. Complete a foot and bike trail system along
Co. Rd. 3.
5. Rehabilitate the depot at Hwy. 169 & CR 3.
2 (Re- )develop property along 1. Redevelop R. L. Johnson site.
Co. Rd. 3, including a 2. Work with County on improvement plan.
business park. Consider light rail transit.
3. Work with County to redevelop the
Public Works site.
4. Improve landscaping and signage.
5. Communicate with businesses, property
owners, and residents about the project.
6. Provide access and signage for shops
affected by construction.
3 Enhance appearances via 1. Amend comprehensive plan, zoning code
landscaping, screening, to match strategic plan and Co. Rd. 3 plan.
tree planting. 2. Improve landscaping along Co. Rd. 3.
Page 3
Have Neighborhood Contact Committee.
Organized East End neighborhood.
Supported Park Ridge, others.
Examined leaf and yard waste pick -up,
flood response, and leaf pickup programs.
Police, fire reps at neighborhood events.
Hopkins Center for the Arts; Depot
Coffee House, outstanding youth awards.
Staff liaison to SCIP, Family Resource Ctr.
Monthly newsletter, mayor /manager
meetings, staff liaison, etc.
Successful City/School partnerships have been numerous: Center for the Arts, Caring Youth awards, We Love Our Kids,
4 R Youth, Depot Coffee House, Human Rights Commission /Alice Smith Elementary calendar project, SCIP Committee,
Hopkins Area Family Resource Center, police liaison officers in schools, Communications Coordinators collaboration, etc.
Work with County continues; Phase I
of construction is underway.
This is part of CR 3 project.
This is part of CR 3 project.
Phase I is done.
Successful project.
East End concept plan is done.
Work on Super Valu proposal continues.
Includes north annex site.
Newsletters, press releases, and
meetings have begun.
These plans are substantially
congruent now.
Will be done with CR 3 project.
The Co. Rd. 3 project will bring numerous enhancements, including cul -de -sacs on 18th and 19th Avenues, improvements to
11th Ave., elimination of curb cuts, and integration of future trail connections north and south. Staff will propose concepts for
a uniform design theme on streets connecting Mainstreet and Co. Rd. 3. Re- development efforts include the Benshoof project,
Hopkins Auto Body, and major alterations in the East End commercial area. A draft business park ordinance is prepared
for future adoption. Co. Rd. 3 has been re -named to Excelsior Boulevard and re- numbered to be consistent with neighboring
communities.
STATUS
Comp.
Cont.
Cont.
Cont.
Cont.
Prog.
Prog.
Ltd.
Prog.
Prog.
Comp.
Comp.
Prog.
Ltd.
Prog.
Ltd.
Comp.
Prog.
2 Maintain improvements to
Mainstreet; connect it to
Co. Rd. 3; monitor business
climate of downtown area.
City -wide Image
1 Maintain a positive perception
of the city of Hopkins.
2 Implement a public relations
strategy.
Sheetl
STRATEGIC ISSUES/ ACTION STEPS
GOALS
Mainstreet
1 Retain business and attract 1. Attract arts, entertainment, recreation,
new businesses. grocery, and family- oriented uses.
2. Offer financial incentives to retain /attract
businesses.
3. Improve existing commercial programs
and the leasing guide.
4. Promote Mainstreet via special events.
5. Maintain leasing guide; inventory vacant
buildings.
6. Encourage adoption of uniform hours,
consistent management to improve service.
1. Set uniform design for corners/corridors
between Mainstreet and Co. Rd. 3.
2. Monitor parking issues in downtown area.
1. Attract arts, entertainment, recreation,
grocery, and family- oriented uses.
2. Improve appearance of entries to city.
3. Maintain /improve all public infrastructure.
4. Support family resource center, civic
groups, community service organizations.
5. Examine impact on city's image when
changing services, eg. clean -up program.
6. Implement foot/bike trails plan.
7. Enforce commercial maintenance codes.
8. Maintain buffers between new commercial
and residential properties.
9. Improve Hopkins° special events /festivals.
10. Implement landscaping awards, rehab
awards for single - family properties.
11. Inform public of retail and recreational
services. Add info kiosk to trail head at
park- and -ride lot on Co. Rd. 3.
12. Use volunteers to improve city's appearance,
eg. Adopt -a -Park, garden clubs, etc.
1. Work with groups to develop strategy.
Page 4
COMMENTS STATUS
Hopkins cinema, Center for the Arts,
Hillary's Gifts, Glenrose Floral,
Pekoe & Java, Chez Francoise,
Tait's Grocery remodeling, etc.
Program reductions; sign program
now part of loan program.
Staff maintains file on available
programs and properties, realtor contact.
HBCA liaison; banners for events.
Working with HBCA.
Discussed with HBCA.
Staff will propose a concept design.
Numerous improvements made.
(See 1 -1 above.)
Co. Rd. 3 plans underway. Development
projects at entries complete or underway.
Numerous projects: water station,
1st St. North, 2nd Ave. South, etc.
Staff and Council liaisons; financial
support.
Leaf /brush /bulk waste pick -up
programs were examined.
Worked with Hennepin Parks to
implement regional system.
Time -of -sale inspection required.
ABM fence installed; Co. Rd. 3
Phase!! planned; Super Valu plan.
City -wide Open House.
Community Image awards are given
each year, incl. industrial, multi - family.
Community guide.
Depot, Activity Center; parks adopted.
Minnehaha Oaks; Sonoma Apts.; Half Moon.
Annual report good, wide distribution.
Hiring of Community Relations Coor-
dinator led to communications plan,
better coverage, better image. Eg.,
Midwest Spirit magazine (Ch. 5).
Prog.
Cont.
Cont.
Cont.
Prog.
Ltd.
Prog.
Cont.
Prog.
Prog.
Cont.
Cont.
Cont.
Prog.
Cont.
Prog.
Ltd.
Cont.
Cont.
Prog.
Prog.
-
Sheetl
Youth /Family
1 Foster awareness of impor- 1. Create a youth advisory committee to advise
tance of youth to the the City Council.
community. 2. Encourage hiring of youth for jobs.
3. Examine impact on youth of changes in
City services.
4. Communicate /cooperate with school
district to achieve goals, e.g. youth
entrepreneurs.
5. Encourage businesses to mentor youth.
Page 5
(end)
Chemical Health Comm. has youth.
Depot - seasonal employment.
Tobacco, liquor ordinances, compli-
ance checks.
Depot Coffee House.
See list above.
Ltd.
Cont.
Cont.
Prog.
Depot; support for TwinWest Business Prog.
Education Partnership.