Category A: Public Infrastructure

Riverfront Park, located in the industrial area in Old Town, will be used for cultural and recreation purposes. The park is a linkage component of the Riverway plan; connecting the City Center back to the banks of the Minnesota River. Park amenities will include: trail head to the Sakatah trail system, a beautiful non-motorized trail that is popular with pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians, festival space that would include an amphitheater with seating for over 1,000 people, boat landing for boating, canoeing, kayaking, or fishing on the Minnesota River, Riverfront Pavilion (1,250 square feet) complete with public restroom, lobby, and sheltered picnic area ?? designed to echo Mankato??s historic past, blending with historic buildings in the surrounding Old Town Area. Educational kiosks will be located around the park, highlighting the local ecology, geology, and native plants of the Minnesota River Valley and the artesian well on the site. Gateway and streetscaping enhancements would lead visitors into the park via Rock Street.

Projected Project Cost: $2,000,000
Funding Source: Sales Tax, Donations, Charter Bonds and In-Kind

The River Plaza and promenade would be the center hub of the Riverway. The Plaza would be an attraction within the Downtown Core, create a river overlook, and increase parking. Stairs would descend from the plaza to the trail. Waving concrete forms step down to meet the Minnesota River banks and solid forms emerge from the rocky banks. Smaller steps would provide easier access to the waters edge. The River Plaza would be coupled with a public/private redevelopment project.

Projected Project Cost: $4,000,000
Funding Source: Sales Tax and Donation

The Riverway is a connectivity plan reconnecting the City Center to the River from Land of Memories to Kiwanis Park. Implementation of the plan will link bicycle and pedestrian trails through the City Center to reconnect the River and area parks, create River access points, strategic placement of boulders to create natural pools and riffles, and potential for Pedestrian Bridge locations. The Riverway Connectivity Plan acknowledges that due to the safety and livability needs of the City Center, the flood wall will remain as a necessity of the area; however, through linkages the river can be reconnected.

Projected Project Cost: $2,000,000
Funding Source: Charter Bonds

Broad and 4th Streets One-Way to Two-Way conversion Pedestrian neckdowns and cross street stop signs at key intersections Van Brunt and Pleasant Streets Traffic Calming measures to be determined after further data collection and analysis of the area is completed Madison Avenue Minimize left turning movements to 2-3 vehicles per cycle at 4th Street Eliminate signalization at Broad Street Signalize 2nd Street Madison/Riverfront geometric and signal improvements

Second Street Creation of a through street to provide additional traffic capacity for the Downtown and Riverfront and reestablish the grid Create gateway at Second Street/Veterans Memorial Bridge--both sides Riverfront Four-lane design with parking on East Side Streetscaping on sidewalks, median enhancements, Old Town and Riverfront Park Gateways Pedestrian neckdowns at strategic intersections for safety

Projected Project Cost: $3,000,000
Funding Source: Sales Tax and General Obligation Bonds (not including Lincoln Park and Gateways/Streetscaping)

To support our current and future land uses, improvements and mitigation to the railroad will need to be made; with or without potential DM&E use of the in city route. Initial project would include: Whistle Free Corridor-Sibley Park Neighborhood (to eliminate at grade crossing-may be linked with Mound Avenue Union Pacific Underpass project), Mound Avenue Railroad Bridge Replacement (Provide width, legal clearance and distance to enhance safety at Mound Avenue), and Railroad Whistle Free (Owatonna and Hubbell).

Projected Project Cost: $4,420,000
Funding Source: Federal Funding with Local Match

Category B: Image and Setting

There will be an effort to build a culture of preservation by bringing citizens and city resources together through encouraging rehabilitation, new development, and adaptive reuse. The first step to building a culture will be to capitalize on successful restoration projects (i.e. South Front Street, North Riverfront Drive store front rehabilitations) and redevelopment projects. The next step will be creating a preservation tool box to include facade easements, preservation easements, and continuation of storefront and residential rehabilitation programs. This tool box will eventually be expanded to include design guidelines, historic preservation commission and ordinance to guide City Center preservation efforts. Redevelopment activities will be blended by expanding the boundaries of the Urban Design Standards to cover City Center. These efforts will result with modern structures that are assimilated into the environment. To aid in effectuation of the Urban Design Standards, an Urban Design committee will be charged with review of City Center development projects. This committee may be used as a starting point for a Historic Preservation Commission. To administer these efforts a dedicated staff position will need to be created.

Projected Project Cost: $80,000 annually
Funding Source: General Obligation

In an effort to integrate public art into the setting of the City Center, a Percent for the Arts program will be further explored. The construction budgets of newly constructed or reconstructed buildings would dedicate 1% of the total building cost to the integration of art directly into the building project. The art would be integrated into a location that is accessible to the public (i.e. lobby/foyer).

Projected Project Cost: $50,000 annually
Funding Source: General Obligation

Current streetscaping efforts would be used as a base to imprint the City Center. Efforts to be expanded upon include developing the landscaping of the public right-ofway with new street plantings, medians, and street furnishing resulting in an improved image of the City Center. The first step of this process is to identify street corridors with similar characteristics; such as street width, boulevards, existing streetscape elements, human scale, and land use. Existing streetscaping elements will be the base that will be built upon. The creation of a Special Service District may be necessary for ongoing maintenance of streetscape elements.

Alleyway enhancements will be completed to compliment adjacent streetscape corridors in commercial and residential areas. Aesthetics, accessibility, and safety will be the common thread through the City Center that will differ based upon adjacent land use and use of the corridor. This will be accomplished by such improvements as landscaping, lighting, and signage. The Intergovernmental Center/Mankato Place Alley is a unique urban environment that will be enhanced as "Entertainment Alley" through structural, facade, and lighting improvement. Alleyways, such as in Old Town and South Front Street, will possess different elements such as landscaping and lighting. Businesses will be encouraged to create rear store front facades and consolidate to maximize parking.

Projected Project Cost: $2,600,000
Funding Source: Parking Fund, General Obligation, Special Assessments and Donations

The initial concept of the Total Street Circuit focuses on connecting the Downtown, MSU, and River Hills for the purposes of City Center planning. In order to effectively implement this vision, the entire Community??s transit use patterns (including North Mankato as they are a user of the system) should be further examined to create a community ??circuit??. This Circuit will accommodate pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, and bus transportation modes. The signature component of the Circuit will be the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The BRT is a form of public transportation that uses public roads, right-of-way, and transit advantages to provide dependable, rapid bus service.

Projected Project Cost: $80,000 for feasibility study ?? implementation cost are unknown
Funding Source: General Obligation

Reforestation will be encouraged within the City Center in the residential and commercial areas through the use of boulevard and public land plantings. This reforestation could occur in a concentrated or linear design patterns in accordance to the area.

Projected Project Cost: $50,000 annually
Funding Source: General Obligation

Category C: Organization and Finance

The City Center Association will become Mankato??s Downtown Association. The organization would be a subset of the Chamber (similar to the CVB) with a board of directors. The City would need to dedicate seed money to aid in establishing the organization that would assist in funding a key staff position to build the association. Initial objectives of the Association would include building support of businesses, private interests, community organizations, and the public sector through marketing and coordination of events in the City Center. It is envisioned that the organization will manage the City Center Special Service District once established.

Projected Project Cost: $50,000 the first two years - then cost substantially minimized when BID is established
Funding Source: General Obligation with Private Match

The Neighborhood Association Program (NAP) is an effort to improve the livability and quality of life in Mankato neighborhoods through promotion and facilitation of citizen communication. It is envisioned that the program will build a sense of community, open communication, maintain and enhance the beauty of the neighborhoods, and establish good working relationships with city government. Organizing neighborhoods will foster communication and interaction between neighbors and help to boost neighborhood pride and integrity. This new sense of community will promote citizen involvement through activities and efforts that will help improve livability and quality of life in City Center neighborhoods. The City??s role in this effort will be to provide staff liaison to assist in working with neighborhoods, communication tools (i.e. mailings and web site access), and provide annual mini-grants to aid in identification and beautification projects. Neighborhood Associations will be required to hold a minimum of three (3) meetings per year, host a National Night Out Party and establish bylaws, board representation, and neighborhood annual goals.

Projected Project Cost: $20,000 annually
Funding Source: General Obligation

Special Service District, also known as a Business Improvement District (BID), provide a stable, multi-year source of funding. BIDs require significant, demonstrated property-owner support when being organized which means that property owners are likely to maintain interest and involvement long term. BIDs provide a more equitable funding approach as all property owners in the district benefit and all pay the assessment. A bid is a funding mechanism, not a specific set of programs, although many bids do focus on ??clean and safe?? programs. The City Center Association would be responsible for the administration and oversight of the BID.

Projected Project Cost: $500,000
Funding Source: Special Levy from properties within the district boundaries

The Store Front Rehabilitation and City Center Renaissance Revolving Loan Programs are economic development tools for the City Center that acknowledge the higher cost of redevelopment in an urban area. The Store Front program has been funded by the Small Cities Development and Economic Development Funds. The City Center Renaissance Revolving Loan Program has been funded by Economic Development funds. Both programs have seen initial successes in their infancy; however to have an impact, long term funding sources are necessary.

Projected Project Cost: $400,000
Funding Source: Loan Program Using Recaptured Funds

Current dedication of the half cent sales tax will fund projects through 2015. Approximately $5,200,000 of collected sales tax revenues can be directed to downtown improvements, not including the Civic Center. Seeking long term dedication of this financing tool will be essential to fund major public improvements (i.e. Riverway, Rail Corridor, Civic Center, etc.). Legislation will be pursued to allow the City to use Sales Tax as a permanent funding tool. The caveat of the legislation would include a local referendum supporting the usage of the sales tax. This funding streaming would result in a minimum of $20,000,000 (not including appreciation or interest) for the years 2015 through 2025.

Projected Project Cost: $5,200,000
Funding Source: Sales Tax

Category D: Growth and Redevelopment Partnership Initiatives

Arts and Cultural activities will be positioned in the City Center to aid in the urban revitalization effort through the formation of a district. A Culture and Art District is a well-recognized, labeled mixed use area of a city in which a high concentration of cultural facilities serve as the anchor of attraction. No two cultural districts are exactly alike; each reflects its city??s unique environment, history of land use, urban growth and cultural development. The impact of cultural districts is measurable: the arts attract residents and tourists who also support adjacent businesses such as restaurants, lodging, retail and parking. The presence of the arts also enhances property values, the profitability of surrounding businesses and the region??s tax base. Potential properties to be included in this district are the Cray Mansion, Carnegie Art Center, Hubbard House, Emy Frentz Arts Guild (formerly 1st Church of Christ), and the Summit Center.

Projected Project Cost: $150,000
Funding Source: redirected from community grant program to the Cultural and Art District

Our future is built on our past, which reinforces a commitment to preserve and enhance our existing neighborhoods within the City Center. Rehabilitation of keystone properties will be encouraged in Washington Park, Lincoln Park, and Sibley Park. Residential rehabilitation programs and past downzoning efforts will promote ownership, livability, safety and preservation of property. Conversion of Broad and 4th Streets and examination of similar traffic calming tactics on Pleasant and Van Brunt will be done to create livable streets. To ensure that citizens live in healthy and safe neighborhoods, code enforcement practices will be coordinated to ensure that nuisances are properly recorded and corrected. The City will continue to target its small cities block grants to fund restoration and maintenance of residential property and promote housing ownership. Tree plantings will be encouraged and intensified (where feasible) on residential roads to create canopies.

Projected Project Cost: $20,000 annually
Funding Source: General Obligation

Current Storefront rehabilitation projects consisting of facade restoration and maintenance in Old Town are glimpse of the renaissance. Riverfront Park will be an

Projected Project Cost: $ 1,000,000
Funding Source: G eneral Obligation and Special Assessments

The Sibley Parkway is a cornerstone redevelopment project of an approximately 64 acre parcel located on the river. The redevelopment will draw upon the lower west side??s character, traditional neighborhood design, opportunity to create a village center and linkage to the Riverway. The City has received a $900,000 grant for Sibley Parkway road construction and a second grant proposal is currently under review. Redevelopment agreements will be negotiated with a developer to ensure that planned development occurs following urban design standards and enhancing the essence of the river. Commercial rehabilitation of properties on Riverfront Drive will be encouraged with the Store Front Rehabilitation Program.

Projected Project Cost: $2,617,300 dedicated to road construction
Funding Source: Tax Increment Financing, State Grant, Special Assessment and Sale of Property

The intent for this area is to redevelop an underutilized industrialized area. The vision of the Patterson area is to create a mixture of commercial, industrial, and city services by improving access and site consolidation. Transportation connective nodes of Popular Street, Riverfront Drive, and Sibley Park will be capitalized upon. The City has received a grant from the state in the amount of $715,000 to assist in completing road realignments in this area. Compatibility of the South Front Redevelopment District (i.e. Cub Foods) will be necessary as this area moves forward.

Projected Project Cost: $1,696,300 dedicated to road construction
Funding Source: Tax Increment Financing, State Grant, Special Assessment and General Obligation