HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes 03.02.2009MINUTES
URBAN RENEWAL COMMITTEE
MARCH 2, 2009
THE OWL CAFE - E. 203 MAIN STREET
Members present: Shirley McDermott, Dirk Frickel, Bill Kampfer, Dean Rankin
Others present: Steve Zeier, James Caniglia Steve Solberg
Urban Renewal project ideas:
Grain elevators, Dean used to own & says structurally very sound, current owners
Diane Frazier & Don Harman
Try to balance projects between north and south Laurel.
Is the infra-structure in good shape?
Sidewalks are to go in this spring.
James says the state will street and sidewalks west of I". along with sewer and
water.
Critical to Urban Renewal
1. Visual
2. Pleasant
3. Try to establish a loan fund
4. What kinds of business would be good to consider to be brought to
Laurel?
a. Clothing stores
b. Movie theater
c. Auction house
How do we affect Zoning to help business trying to come in.
April, try to bring in property owners to get them involved
Started walking tour at 12:15, see attached
1., -
Urban Renewal Agency
TIF district walking tour:
Properties:
Trackside Quilting
Palace Bar And Lanes
Laurel Outlook
Thomae Lumber
Mels Auto Clinic(nextdoor?)
Alpha Omega Construction
Old Ford Building
Beartooth Veterinary
Modern Auto
TLC Floor Covering
613Y2EMain
Railside Diner Russel Motel
Cenex Co-op Smart LLC(batteries, locksmith?)
Wheelers (Dentist) Dick Potter
Zach Alred(Marshal apts) "16" FirstAve(next to Price)
105 WMain(Old Laurel Hardware)
Laurel Liquor store Ben Franklin
Northern Rockies Glass Genes Pharmacy
The Elite The Cheerio
Old Ben Franklin Laurel Liquor Store
Cosner (CPA) The Laurel Creamery
Hair On Main Old Dollar Store
Ken Miller
Important Notes:
* Mabels and the Kwik Way are not in the TIF district
* Storefronts (Laurel Outlook, Mauer Chiropractic need to offer
more visually)
* Sidewalks between Washington and Main street are
terrible... State Highway dollars? Tripping hazards
*Ben Franklin building, and Old Dollar store both great
prospects for a Movie Theater
*Old Laurel Hardware Building is a great prospect for a clothing
store
* Laurel trading Post and King Koin building, obviously terrible
shape, and need to be renovated and or torn down.
* Street posts at four-way, and all over downtown need to be more
visibly attractive
*The city needs to be more forceful about maintaining residential
areas. Between Pennsylvania and Idaho are in terrible shape.
That area of town, inside the TIF district needs to be maintained.
It seriously looks like a tornado came through and tore the part
of town apart.
* There are abandoned buildings all over the residential area(the
large white building "Laurel Haus" at E lst and Penn) looks
condemned.
*The "Pet Cemetary between Wyoming and Penn (greatplace for
a community Garden)
* The Grain Elevator has a ton of potential as a potential
business offering a fantastic view, great parking, etc...
* Federal Dollars for asbestos buildings?
-Where do we go from here?
How do we start building infrastructure?
-Get a list ofproperty owners
Divide the property owners up between Agency members.
-Go door to door to property owners and get opinions of where
they think the city needs to improve. (blight, maintenance of
residential areas to improve property value.)
Rate on a I-14 scale the condition of each property, in terms of
visually, financial renovation severity, etc...
-Think of ways to utilize the "town square" (Rock the Block)
-Where are our garbage cans????????????????/
Railroad side of the street landscaping.