Redevelopment Authority---September 2007

Evansville Redevelopment Authority
Board of Commissioners

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 7:30 pm
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin

MINUTES

I. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Chair Chris Eager. Present: Chris Eager, Betsy Ahner, Tony Wyse, John Decker, Barb Jacobson, Tom Calley, and Roger Roth. Also present: Executive Director Dan Wietecha, Mayor Sandy Decker, Mike Stumpf and Jude Gagliano of RA Smith, and members of the public.

II. Declare Quorum. There being a majority of the commissioners present at call to order, a quorum was declared by the chair.

III. Approve Agenda. Ahner made a motion, seconded by Decker, to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

IV. Approve Minutes of August 21, 2007 Meeting. Decker made a motion, seconded by Jacobson, to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

V. Old Business.

Main Street Construction. Wietecha gave an update on anticipated construction progress. The bricks should start on West Main this Wednesday; a brick laying ceremony has been scheduled for 10:00 on Thursday. Wednesday should also bring paving of the south half of East Main Street, with the north half to be poured on Thursday or Friday. Sidewalks on East Main are not expected until the week after next. Curb and gutter on the far end of East Main should be done this week.

Allen Creek Master Plan. Mike Stumpf presented the revised draft for the Allen Creek and North Union Street Redevelopment Master Plan. He noted there are three zones within the corridor: the southern end close to the downtown, an area more suitable for automobile-oriented business on the northern end, and a transition area in between. Although the relative importance for automobiles and pedestrians differs among the zones; all are intended to maintain a pedestrian friendly environment. Architectural design standards are meant to reflect traditional styles, have a pedestrian orientation, and include landscaping. Several physical improvements are recommended including constructing a new public street south from Main Street to Church Street and extending the entrance of Leonard/Leota Park east to the highway. Stumpf noted that a key question to the implementation strategies would be how vigorously the city wished to encourage redevelopment in the corridor.

The board discussed implementation of the master plan with Stumpf and the public. It was noted that by commercial standards, the traffic counts in the corridor are rather low and that the primary market area around Evansville has a fairly small population. Stumpf explained a chart in the report that indicates that personal services are more likely to locate in the corridor than retail shops. The board asked that a section be added to the master plan to address attracting new businesses that may be suitable for the corridor.

The board agreed that the purpose of the plan was not to force any individual business to redevelop nor to force anyone from their home. It was noted that it could take a long time before the corridor were to redevelop in a way that resembles the recommendations of the report. However, there are some key locations that may be ripe for redevelopment and these places need a plan.

A few specific points were mentioned. It is important to preserve the rail corridor through the area for freight and possibly commuter service. The possibility of a park-n-ride type facility may serve to anchor some development in the corridor. The development of the biodiesel and soybean crushing facilities will benefit a variety of commercial enterprises throughout the area. Although apartments above offices or stores may make sense in some areas of the corridor; they should not be permitted on the properties adjacent to Baker Manufacturing.

VI. New Business. None.

VII. Other Business. None.

VIII. Adjournment. Jacobson moved, seconded by Decker, to adjourn the meeting. Motion approved unanimously at 9:15 pm.