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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Notes 11-09-2011HEDRA AGENDA NOTES FOR NOVEMBER 9, 2011 MINUTES Please see attached HEDRA Meeting minutes from theOctober 13, 2011 regular meeting for your review and approval. BILLS OctoberBills Alarm Express$7,695.20*Hard Wire Alarm Installation Himle Horner$3,348.75Marketing Services -September John Hinzman$208.68Mileage & Travel Reimbursement Menards$119.50Hudson Building –Air Compressor *Reimbursable Expense Please see attached general ledger detail for further information. BUSINESS A.Hastings Marketing Plan –Himle Horner Himle Horner will be in attendance to present the Hastings Marketing Plan. Staff has reviewed the plan with the original direction from the Request for Proposals as follows: 1.Determine the best opportunities for the City of Hastings’ marketing efforts. HHI responded by providing the following ideas for opportunities; Need to make Hastings known for its business-friendly focus Need to ensure economic development/business audiences know what HEDRA is and how it can help Increase the level of camaraderie and collaboration in the business community Enhance the position of Hastings among its peers 2.Develop marketing means, including key messages and measurements for success. HHI suggested these as ideas for Key messages, as well as a number of other ideas; Incorporate consistent messages into all marketing. As indicated in the marketing research, the people and businesses in Hastings already know about many of Hastings’ positive attributes –including its prime location. However, it is not easy for many to articulate these attributes effectively and consistently. There are additional important messages (provided in the draft Key Messages section below) that also will be valuable to communicate to specific audiences. HEDRA Meeting Packet - November 9, 2011Page 2 of 142 Key messages might include: “Hastings is a great community for businesses and residents and is a “small town” in the best sense.” “ Hastings is the right place for long-term business success and has great opportunities for business of all types.” “ Hastings is a sizeable community in a notable “gateway” corridor – “bridging” southwest Minnesota/Western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities.” “HEDRA is a high-value resource for both new and established businesses and offers a number of resources for businesses looking to locate in Hastings.” 3.Create implementation strategies that promote and strengthen existing businesses. HHI recommended that HEDRA; Enhance presence of business-specific information and processes. Dedicated resources for businesses should clarify the process in Hastings of establishing a business and opportunities for becoming engaged, as well as outcomes related to businesses who navigated those processes with the help of HEDRA. Prioritize and target business markets. Even with limited audiences,it can be challenging to effectively engage these audiences at the level needed to achieve the desired outcomes. Prioritization and targeting is a critical first step. Without focus, a lot of resources may be expended with little long-term return. Overall, this is a strategic business decision for HEDRA and the community as a whole. Define and promote HEDRA as a business resource. While HEDRA may be well understood within City Hall, the name and its function are less familiar to external business and related audiences. As a result, there needs to be basic education about the organization and the outcomes it delivers. Having a simple way to describe HEDRA for target audiences will advance education. Business audiences need to know how HEDRA can provide value in establishing or growing their businesses. Communications and marketing to Hastings residents should focus considerably less on HEDRA as an organization, and instead focus on the outcomes and benefits of local investment in economic development and businesses—to increase the sense of momentum, vitality and economic growth. HEDRA Meeting Packet - November 9, 2011Page 3 of 142 REPORTS A.Hudson Building Reuse Study Presentation – Stark & Claybaugh Will Stark of Stark Preservation Planning will present a draft report on the H.D. Hudson Building Reuse Study. The report was commissioned by MN DOT to study potential effects to the building from the TH 61 Bridge Project. The report is an important initial step to evaluate development scenarios on the Hudson site. Decisions on the demolition versus preservation of the site have yet to be made. Other development scenarios may also be evaluated in the future. The project team completed an extensive investigation of the Hudson Building to evaluate its potential for its adaptive use. The investigation entailed a documentation of the history of the property, a thorough inspection of the exterior and interior specifications and conditions (a detailed Historic Structures Report was completed as a separate project and provided to the City); evaluation of the electrical and mechanical systems; personal interviews with over 20 local and regional business people, building owners, community leaders, politicians, real estate professionals, and potential users; and a public meeting where reuse concepts were solicited. Based on the historical and design characteristics of the building and the identified needs of the community, the Reuse Team developed three scenarios for reuse of the building. Additionally, three site plan schematics were developed exploring ways to configure necessary parking, public spaces and new development. Cost estimates for the building and site scenarios were developed, and used to complete a financial analysis for the feasibility of reuse scenarios including three anchors: large inn, small inn, and restaurant/banquet center. The report was fully paid for by MN DOT. Further investigation of the proposed development scenarios will need to be completed to better determine financial impact. ACTION: Formal action is not required Please see the attached Reuse Study for further information. B.Status Report: Hudson Property A Status Report detailing existing Hudson activities and future actions has been included for review and discussion. ACTION: Formal action is not required Please see the attached Status Report for further information. HEDRA Meeting Packet - November 9, 2011Page 4 of 142 C.Red Rock Parking Lot Concept Plan The Engineering Department continues to revise the Red Rock Commuter Parking nd Lot planned for Block 16 (south side of 2 Street, west of the Depot). The plans are consistent with the $600,000 grant received from MN DOT and Metropolitan Council to provide a commuter parking lot. Construction of the parking lot is planned for Fall 2012. ACTION: Formal action is not required Please see the attached Red Rock Parking Lot Concept Plan for further information. ATTACHMENTS HEDRA Minutes –September 13, 2011 – Regular Meeting General Ledger Detail –October, 2011 Hastings Marketing Plan Hudson Reuse Study Hudson Status Report Red Rock Parking Lot Concept Plan HEDRA Meeting Packet - November 9, 2011Page 5 of 142