Monday Morning Memo

June 29, 2015

Lofts Moving Forward

The City of St. Cloud Heritage Preservation Commission approved the Downtown loft condominium alteration permit last week and we couldn't be more excited.

People are surprised to learn that this type of housing generates the most calls to our office. Expanding the number of residents will only strengthen Downtown as the vital regional center and making it a more desirable place to live, work and play. New housing not only adds to the residential property tax base, but can also contribute to the commercial property tax base by attracting new businesses.

Rod Lindquist is the spokesman and developer for the project representing a South Dakota-based groups, Makenda LLC.
Makenda is working with architects, Murray Mack and Tim Gellet with HMA Architects.
Noel Johnson, agent with Premier Real Estate Services is the contact to purchase or for more information. (320) 259-4554

The one and two bedroom units will range in price from $180,000 - $300,000. The plan is to start construction in September of this year and would be completed in 2016.

URBAN LAND INSTITUTE VIEWS ON HOUSING

In This Issue

Downtown Loft Condominiums

Thank You Green Mill

Parking Ramp on City Council Agenda Tonight

New Urbanism

Events & News

August 14th Art Crawl - Street Closing

Brand It Blue

The Move to Downtowns

Photo / Video Contest

Coffee & Careers Summer Series

Thank You Green Mill

DTC members and Downtown supporters are very
much enjoying getting into different businesses

for networking and a chance to learn more

about the Downtown neighborhood and the DTC.

Next Meet-n-Greet hosted by Lillian's on August 13th, 4:30 - 6:30.

City Council Agenda - Parking Ramp

The City Council members will be asked later today to approve Donlar Construction as the Construction Manager At-Risk Provider for the River's Edge Convention Center Ramp Project. In June, they adopted a resolution establishing an Alternate Delivery Method for the construction of the Ramp.

The Construction Manager (CM) at Risk will be responsible to assist with design services, bidding and will manage the project and project budget at a guaranteed price to be established after bid opening. The CM will also be responsible for subcontractor agreements including risk and liability, materials ordering, qualit6y of work and work performance. In summary, aft erh project is bid, the CM@Risk will have responsibilities and perform much like a general contractor. LEARN MORE

What is New Urbanism?

Creating Livable Sustainable Communities includes the following principles and is most appealing to millennials:

1. Walkability - most things within a 10-minute walk of home and work; pedestrian friendly
2. Connectivity - interconnected street grid network; high quality pedestrian network and public realm for pleasurable walking
3. Mixed-Use & Diversity - mix of shops, offices, apartments within neighborhoods, within blocks, within buildings; diversity of people (ages, income levels, cultures and races)
4. Mixed Housing - range of types, sizes and prices in closer proximity
5. Quality Architecture & Urban Design - emphasis on beauty, aesthetics, human comfort, sense of place.
6. Traditional Neighborhood Structure - public space at center; discernable center and edge; open space designed as civic art
7. Increased Diversity - mix of uses closer together for ease of walking to be more efficient
8. Green Transportation - design that encourages a greater use of bicycles, rollerblades, walking, etc.
9. Sustainability - more local production; energy efficiencies; more walking, less driving; minimal environmental impact
10. Quality of Life - Taken together these add up to a high quality of life well worth living, and create places that enrich, uplift and inspire the human spirit.

Featured Events & News

Now open for lunch where you'll find fast, fresh, healthy, whole foods. Quarks sauces and marinades are made from scratch: Toasted Sesame, Spicy Peanut, Ginger Curry, Ginger Lemongrass, Creamy Cucumber, Sweet Chili, Tamari and Siracha, and 5 marinades! (Had the opportunity to try Quarks American Bento last Friday as part of their staff training. Yummy!)

Central Minnesota's 2015 St. Cloud Times Readers' Survey "BEST OF". Congrats to the following DTC Members:

Bar Finalist: Cowboy Jack's

Happy Hour Winner: Cowboy Jack's

Margarita Winner: Mexican Village

Mexican Winner: Mexican Village

Pizza Winner: House of Pizza

Restaurant Finalist: White Horse

Wine Winner: Veranda Lounge

Wings Finalist: Cowboy Jack's

Catering Winner: Custom Catering by Shortstop

Accountant Winner: Schlenner Wenner

Accountant Finalist: Clifton Larson Allen

Bank Finalist: Bremer Bank

Florist Winner: St. Cloud Floral

Funeral Home Finalist: Daniel Funeral Homes

Law firm Finalists: Rinke Noonan; Gray Plant Mooty

Family entertainment Winner: Paramount

Entertainment Finalist: Pioneer Place on 5th

Live Theatre Winner: Paramount

Live Theatre Finalist: Pioneer Place on 5th

Annual Event Winner: Summertime by George

High School Winner: Cathedral

Made in CM Finalist: Beaver Island Brewery

Antique Store Finalist: Bumbledee's

Jewelry Store Winner: D.J. Bitzan's

Barden Park Summer Events -- FREE @ 7:30 pm

Rootbeer floats are served at the concerts.

July 8 - Jazz.combo

July 16 - St. Cloud Municipal Band

July 23 - Meier Grove Band Concert

July 30 - St. Cloud Municipal Band

Aug 4 - Neighborhood Night Out

Aug 6 - Rock City Jazz Band

- David Seutter will evaluate antiques

brought in by audience during the

concert. Bring antiques and collectibles.

Aug 13 - St. Cloud Municipal Band

Welcome Dr. Ashish K. Vaidya, Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs. Vaidya was special

advisor to the president for regional economic

development at California State University, L.A.

LEARN MORE

The Greater St. Cloud Development Corp. (GSDC) in collaboration with the Rotary Club of St. Cloud has produced a 2nd limited edition CD featuring bands performing at 2015 Summertime by George! events. The production of the CD is sponsored by Coborn's, Inc. and Pan-O-Gold Baking.

August 14th Downtown Art Crawl

Art and community are expected to unite during the Art Crawl on Friday, August 14th. There will be performance art, music, live painting and dance. The Art Crawl planning group has some BIG plans including closing off West St. Germain Street between 10th Avenue up to 5th Avenue to allow room for all of the activities. The Street would likely be closed from approximately noon - 9pm.

So many enjoy the Art Crawls, especially the extended August Art Crawl, and so many businesses in Downtown participate. If you have a huge concern about the street closing, please contact our office at 257-8600.

As the saying goes, without art the earth is just eh.

Brand It Blue -- You Can Help!

More Companies Moving Downtown

A national report by Smart Growth America with help from real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield surveyed almost 500 companies that moved to or expanded in downtown areas.

A core finding is companies chose downtown space because they help attract younger workers who want the chance to walk to nearby amenities and areas with a sense of place, rather than business park or mall. READ MORE

Contest Submission due by July 10

The City of St. Cloud is accepting entries for the St. Cloud GREATER Photo/Video Contest. The contest allows people to submit any photo or video combination from 9 categories, which includes business, community life, diversity, Downtown, events, neighborhoods, rivers/water, sports and transportation.

Up to 10 entries and submissions can be entered online. All entries must be submitted by July 10.

4-Part Summer Series for Job Seekers

St. Cloud's Downtown

Working on behalf of our members for the betterment of Downtown, the heart of the region.

RENEW or BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

"Downtown is our face
to the world."

Our Members

Check out our web site for the full list of our members and partners.

Our Members

Our Board

Check out our web site for the full list of our Board of Directors.

Our Board

Officers:

Tami DeLand, Chair

Kate Hanson, Vice Chair

Jeff Peterson, Treasurer

Sonja Gidlow, Secretary

Penny White, At-Large

Our Committees

Get involved in shaping the future of Downtown.

Membership Development
Vibrancy
Marketing
Business Retention/
Recruitment
Get Pumped Up DT
Parking
Winter Parade
Downtown Visioning

Members - Share Your News

DTC members should remember that this newsletter is a FREE way to share your news, announcements, events, etc. Simply send an email to Pegg by the end of week.

How Do Great Downtowns
Become Great?

Great downtowns don't happen by pure happenstance; it is a long, deliberate process. In every "successful" and vibrant downtown, getting people to live there is of crucial importance. READ MORE

And why investing in Downtown is so important -- it's all about ROI. LEARN MORE

River's Edge Convention Center

Click to view the

River's Edge Convention Center calendar of events for

June 2015