The City submitted an application to DEED for the Redevelopment Grant program at the end of January and they are currently being reviewed. the City provided additional information on our project this week. The City’s application seeks funding for streets and utilities to serve the commercial development portion of the South Shore redevelopment area. We have requested $936,500 in our application. The State expects to announce awards for this grant round in mid-March.
Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grant Application
The HRDC completed an application to the Economic Development Assistance Program on behalf of the City for Bemidji South Shore Infrastructure. Our consultant WSN was instrumental in providing project information for the application, as well as the City Engineer, Manager. We scrambled to complete information for the application March 6 in order to assure preliminary review and comment by March 16. If we receive a favorable review, HRDC will submit a full application. We have requested $1 million in our application.
Improving Our Residential Areas
Several City departments: Community Development, Building, Engineering, Legal and Police; and the Joint Planning staff met last week to discuss the perceived decline in the quality and appearance of some residential areas in our community. Everyone shared their answer to the questions, “What do we see in our community that is contributing to neighborhood decline or improvement?” and “What regulatory authority do we have to address decline and how can we reward improvement?” We plan to identify current problems, inventory existing ordinances and brainstorm strategies to improve the quality of our neighborhoods.
Parking in front yards.
RDG Plan Downtown Plan
Four DDA members and I have been “combing through” the final draft of the Central City Plan for errors and omissions. We expect to complete the review in the next two weeks and provide feedback to RDG before final printing and distribution of the document. From the document:
Minnesota Avenue looking north.
Minnesota Ave with bike lanes striped on each side and curb extensions for easier pedestrian crossing.
Carnegie Reuse Study
The Reuse Committee has received the final draft copy of the Carnegie Library Reuse Study following changes requested by the Minnesota Historical Society (MNS). The committee will make comments before the final document is printed and submitted to the City and MHS. Committee comments are due to our consultant, WSN, by March 19.
Rako Street Update
Demolition and cleanup of the City-owned former MN DOT yard on Rako Street that was started last fall will continue this spring. The fence is under contract to be removed and will be completed as soon as the ground thaws. One building that is to be demolished remains and the contractor has until June 1st to remove it. The City will reclaim the bituminous on the site and stockpile it for future use. Any miscellaneous structures left on the site will be removed by City staff this summer, with completion expected by July 1st.
The City has indicated they will sell the site to the Headwaters Housing Development Corporation for a low to moderate single family housing development. HHDC has received a letter from Minnesota Housing indicating that their request for acquisition funding has been awarded. They have not yet received any loan documents for execution by their board, but they do expect to receive that soon and will likely be prepared to discuss the purchase of the Rako Street property in the next 2 to 3 months. They anticipate development to begin next year if the project proceeds.
Heritage Preservation Commission
The HPC met on Monday, March 9 for their regular meeting. The Commission is exploring ways to be more effective and discussed the potential of working with the Joint Planning Board.
Census 2010
Kay Murphy, Brett Case and I met Wednesday (March 11) with Cynthia Madigan, US Census Bureau Partnership Specialist for our region. She shared information about the upcoming Census, the importance of having a complete count and how the City can assist in promoting awareness of the Census count. Funding for City projects can be dependent on our population, so having a complete count is essential. Another important reason for having a comprehensive count is to maintain Minnesota’s eight Congressional Districts. Locally, the Census Bureau will be hiring about 50 people for a Bemidji Census office.
Active Living
The Active Living steering committee met to review the draft Community Inventory and Assessment completed by HRDC staff members Matthew Dyrdahl and Millisa Smith. The assessment is part of an overall planning project that will lead to strategies for improving the active living opportunities in our community.
Calling all Non-Profits
A Non-Profit Survival Summit workshop is scheduled for Friday, March 20, 8:30-4:00 at the First Lutheran Church. The day-long workshop will investigate opportunities for partnerships among local non-profits. More information is available from United Way, 218-444-8929.
There are a lot of things happening in Bemidji.
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