Progress - Faribault EDA

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CITY OF FARIBAULT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Progress
Volume 2, No. 2
Summer 2006
Faribault, Minnesota
City Reviews Parking, Pedestrian Options
F
aribault has adequate downtown parking, but parking along
Central Avenue is nearing its peak
around the noon hour, according to a study done by Bonestroo
Rosene Anderlik & Associates.
While no immediate measures are
recommended in the study, a longer-term approach to identifying
parking lot or ramp opportunities
is discussed.
The pedestrian portion of
the study has provided the City
with streetscape options for
downtown, including pocket
images illustrate the effects of proposed streetscape improvements
parks, decorative lighting, side- These
in Downtown.
walk and paving options, plantings, way-finding signage, and Paradise Center. This summer the some of the streetscape improvemural options for the back of the City plans to begin incorporating ments in downtown.
Construction
Under Way on
New Boston’s
Restaurant
rant anticipates opening in late
October.
The 6,000-square-foot restaurant located on 1st avenue NE
near the viaduct will feature a
sports bar with big screen televisions, a main restaurant seating
area, as well as an outdoor dining
he anticipated arrival of a national patio. The outdoor patio seating
restaurant chain has been realized area will be equipped with natuwith the kickoff of construction ral gas heaters to allow for use on
activities for the new Boston’s in cool evenings.
While Boston’s is known for
downtown Faribault. The restau-
T
its gourmet pizzas, it also offers
pasta, salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and entrees such as baby
back ribs, Italiano pork chops,
and seafood selections of salmon
and grouper. Boston’s and Boston
Pizza have more than 250 restaurants across the United States,
Canada and Mexico, with over
100 more in development.
For more information on
Boston’s, visit www.bostongourmet.com.
The mission of the Faribault Community Development Department is to encourage and support efforts to improve our quality of life
in the areas of housing, economic development, transportation, redevelopment and historic preservation.
Updates
Progress > Faribault Community Development > Summer 2006 > page 2
AFTER TWO YEARS OF STUDY
Downtown Sign Ordinance Goes Into Effect
T
he City Council has adopted the Heritage Preservation
Commission’s proposal for new sign regulations. The
new ordinance went into effect in July and will regulate the size, location, design characteristics and lighting of signs in the City’s Downtown Sign District.
The City Council action comes at the end of nearly
two years of study, public discussion, input from
downtown businesses, property owners and the City’s
Planning Commission.
The Heritage Preservation Commission studied
ordinances from historic cities in Minnesota and from
across the United States to determine optimal standards for use in downtown Faribault. The proposed
ordinance was presented to the Downtown Action
Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and all
downtown property owners were invited to review
and comment on the regulations before they were
finalized.
You can view the new regulations on the City’s
website www.Faribault.org. Click on the link to new
ordinances that were passed this year on the City’s
home page and see Ordinance # 2006-12.
INTERIORS, EXTERIORS RECEIVE FACE-LIFTS
Central Avenue Façade Restorations Take Shape
N
umerous Central Avenue façade resthe rear parking lot onto Central
toration projects can be seen downAvenue. Climate-controlled storage
town, with the Woolworth and Ochs
rooms have been constructed in the
building located on the 400 block
basement of the building, and are
being examples. These projects are
available for rent. The Ochs building
restorations not only to the storealso includes lease space for other
fronts, but also the interiors and rear
retail/office businesses.
of the buildings.
The Woolworth building now
The Woolworth and Ochs building
The Faribault State Bank has
waits its turn for a face-lift of both
taken on the Woolworth and Ochs restoration proj- the exterior and interior spaces. The second floor of
ects to provide space for additional bank expansion. In the Woolworth building with its turn-of-the-century
conjunction with the restoration project, an elevator office spaces, some with small fireplaces, and the sechas been installed to serve both buildings. An internal ond-floor patio area has the potential to be a great
walkway has been included to bring pedestrians from restaurant location.
PLANNING FOR FUTURE NEEDS
Study Examines the Potential for City Growth
A
t the current growth rate, the City could grow by
14,000 acres in the next 20 years, according to a City
urban growth study. The study was done to determine
the most cost-effective and efficient means of serving
growth within 2 miles of current boundaries.
The study focused on planning for water and sanitary sewer systems and transportation systems and will
provide important guidance to address service demand
as the City continues to grow. The report provides
infrastructure layout and cost estimates for construction of the main trunk lines to serve growth areas.
The study area included 40,454 acres of undeveloped land surrounding the City. The study will be
used to establish charges when development occurs in
the growth areas, to assure costs are spread out fairly
over the benefiting area to cover the costs of the trunk
lines. It was recommended that the plan be updated
every 5-10 years.
Economic Development Partners
Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce,
Kymn Anderson, President
507-334-4381, kymn@faribaultmn.com
Faribault Industrial Corporation,
Gary Kindseth, Executive Director,
gary@gkindseth.com
Good News
Progress > Faribault Community Development > Summer 2006 > page 3
Snapshots of Growth
Highway 60 Business Center
ALDI’s Distribution Center
Coldwell Banker Building
Crossroads Professional Building
Faribo Insurance Building
Floor to Ceiling and Fairbault Animal Center Building
FYI
Progress > Faribault Community Development > Summer 2006 > page 4
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS
Shoreland Management Zoning Ordinance
T
he City of Faribault invites you to learn about the
pending Shoreland Management Zoning Ordinance.
Our growing and developing community is rich in
natural and aquatic resources which make the community attractive to live, work, conduct business, and
play.
The City has been working with the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources on language for
statutorily required shoreland zoning regulations
which strike a balance between preservation of
resources and growth and development needs.
A draft ordinance has been developed and will be
the topic of discussion at an open house meeting to
be held on Thursday, July 27, 2006. The open house
will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Faribault
City Hall City Council Chambers, located at 208 First
Avenue NW.
There will be a brief formal presentation on the hour at
4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., with time for individual review
and discussion of the ordinance and associated maps after
each presentation.
Representatives of City Staff and the Department of
Natural Resources will participate in the presentation and
will be available for discussion and questions.
Your input is important to us and your attendance is
encouraged. Bring a fellow resident, business owner, or
property owner.
Copies of the proposed ordinance will be available at
City Hall by July 17, and can be obtained by stopping by
the Planning and Zoning Office at City Hall, by calling
(507) 333-0387, or by visiting the Planning and Zoning
page of the City’s web site at www.faribault.org.
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CITY OF FARIBAULT
PRSRT STD
Permit No. 15
City of
Faribault, MN
55021
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Progress
This newsletter is published biannually and is mailed, one copy
per residence, to all residential and postal customers in the City
of Faribault.
John Carlander, President
Jay Valentyn, Vice President
Timothy Madigan, Secretary
Kay Duchene
Tony Langerud
John Jasinski
Steve Underdahl
Steve White
Peter Waldock,
Director of Community Development
Stan Gustafson,
Economic Development Coordinator
Erik Forgaard, Business Developer
WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU
If you have any comments, give us a call at (507) 333-0342.
POSTAL PATRON
FARIBAULT
MINNESOTA 55021