09 02 05 03 0410 WELCOME TO ALL
Rapids, and Fridley communities • Rethink vehicular andmulti-modal, pedestriancomplete patterns to create denser parcilization • Create • Re-assess true need for parking, with •anIntegrate increasestreets in ride-shares and natural and resilient land • Connect what is not connected UNITE THE DISTRIC • Create safe crossings; prioritize accessibility and pedestrians • Create a viable, long-term neighborhood and destination • Develop places and activities that create an inclusive, welcoming future of mobility create a more fine-grained envir • High performance infrastructure •environment Integrate stormwater management • Create a cohesive district forstations all people, including ages, genders, ethnic and • Make it unique - target investments that elevate experiences • Integrate electric vehicle charging throughout site • Untangle what is tangled - create • Create more equitable mobility options • Connect adjacent neighborhood religious backgrounds a variety of parks, a • Include locations for access/drop-offs •forProvide rideshares • Integrate transit center-plazas, & re-env • Make it transparent turn the c • Create an inviting, vibrant place with a sense of welcome • Be innovative & forward-thinking • Create a sense of arrival / gateways accommodate patterns W interchanging 20 21
BlaineBiz.com
BizConnect 08
PRINCIPLES
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MOVE IN CREEK CELEBRATE SPRINGBROOK
PRINCIPLES
• Make it feel safe for all
• Create a diversity of residential opportunities - i.e. senior, multi-
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Improve water quality
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Increase biofiltration capacity on sitewith / mitigate floodingedges issues • Integrate the neighborhood - transition the edges adjacent to
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single-family residential Daylight & celebrate the creek as an amenity Welcome Restore
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generational, multi-family, market-rate, and affordable options
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theinto Hub Integration of nature the urban fabric
What’s Inside
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Gray to
• Meet the housing demand for rental and ownership and create an to All Green environment that is enticing to live, work, and play
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Barriers to Assets
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Complete the Streets
Principles | Northtown Redevelopment Master Plan
Principles | Northtown Redevelopment Master Pl
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Strengthen the Mix
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Celebrate Springbrook Creek
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2021 Year in Review................................................3
Move In
Principles | Northtown Redevelopment Master Plan
Principles | Northtown Redevelopment Master Plan
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Mobility Forward
Unite the District
Principles | Northtown Redevelopment Master Pla
Northtown Area Planning and Redevelopment Update
Principles | Northtown Redevelopment Master Plan
Development Spotlight: Blaine 35......................................................................4
Principles | Northtown Redevelopment Ma
The City continues to collaborate closely with Damon Farber to create a master plan for the area including and surrounding Northtown Mall. The project gained momentum in September with a community engagement opportunity at WorldFest. During September and October, the team met with property owners and key stakeholders in the Northtown area to get their input. The community was invited to provide feedback through an online sruvey. The survey received over 3,200 responses before closing on November 10. The project team engaged in a three-day intensive design session with key stakeholders and city staff to use design concepts to create ideas that will foster redevelopment and investment while addressing some of the challenges present in the area. Damon Farber and city staff presented survey results and their designs to the Blaine City Council at a workshop in mid-November. This presentation included an overview of the 10 guiding principles for the study as shown in the image above.
Anoka County Statewide Health Improvement Partnership Program................4
The City is still seeking community input. Interested community members are invited to a an open house at the Mary Ann Young Center on Thursday, December 9 from 6-8PM. At the open hosue some of the design concepts created will be presented to the public for discussion and idea sharing with the project team. A second community meeting will be held in February. In addition, community members have the opportunity to go online at BlaineMN.gov/NorthtownStudy and leave feedback an the interactive map. For more information on the study, visit BlaineMN.gov/NorthtownStudy.
City of Blaine 10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine MN 55449
POSTMASTER: TIME SENSITIVE MAIL
DATED MATERIAL PREPARED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
ECRWSS
POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID TWIN CITIES, MN Permit No. 32324
105th Avenue Redevelopment Study The Blaine City Council has identified an area near 105th Avenue, Nassau Street, and Radisson Road for future redevelopment. Initial discussion from the City Council has identified this area as a potential entertainment hub to capitalize on the activity at the National Sports Center and serve the entire Blaine community. The Blaine Economic Development Authority has been active in acquiring older, blighted property in an effort to revitalize the tax base and appearance in this highly visible and active area. The City is embarking on a visioning study to identify future land uses in this area to guide redevelopment. The study will take place this winter with the final product being an illustrative master plan that can be used to market the area for future development. For more information about the study, visit BlaineMN.gov/ 105thAvenueRedevelopment.
.org
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BlaineBiz.com - BizConnect
2022
Community Development 10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine MN 55449 763-784-6700 Erik Thorvig Community Development Director 763-785-6147 EThorvig@BlaineMN.gov Shelia Sellman City Planner 763-785-6198 SSellman@BlaineMN.gov Ruth Tucker Economic Development Specialist 763-717-2778 RTucker@BlaineMN.gov Michelle Wolfe City Manager 763-785-6120 MWolfe@BlaineMN.gov
Stay Connected Receive Emergency Communications BlaineMN.gov/CivicReady
NotifyMe®
Connect with your community and sign up for topics that interest you BlaineMN.gov/NotifyMe
Social Media Facebook.com/ BlaineBizMN
Business Sponsorship and Participation Opportunities January 27 Blaine Business Council
September 10 WorldFest*
7:30am, TPC Twin Cities
Tom Ryan Park BlaineMN.gov/WorldFest
April 9 Breakfast with the Bunny*
September 24 Prince & Princess Party*
Blaine City Hall
Tom Ryan Park
April 14 Spring Cookie Decorating*
September 26 Blaine Business Appreciation Golf Event
Blaine City Hall
TPC Twin Cities BlaineBiz.com
April 28 Blaine Business Council
October (TBD) Manufacturer’s Appreciation Luncheon*
7:30am, TPC Twin Cities
April 11 - May 16 Earth Day*
October 21 Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt & Family Dance*
Blaine Parks BlaineMN.gov/EarthDay
Tom Ryan Park
May 20 Super Hero Party*
October 27 Blaine Business Council
Blaine City Hall
June 14-mid August Performance in the Park* Tom Ryan Park BlaineMN.gov/PerformanceinthePark
7:30am, TPC Twin Cities
All Year Opportunities
July 7 Blaine Business Council
Impressions of Blaine Photo Contest* BlaineMN.gov/ImpressionsofBlaine
7:30am, TPC Twin Cities
Coffee with a Cop*
July 18-24 3M Open
Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Sponsorship*
TPC Twin Cities
August 9 & 10 Safety Camp* SBM Fire Station #3 BlaineMN.gov/SafetyCamp
August 18 Bark in the Park*
BlaineMN.gov/CoffeewithaCop BlaineMN.gov/WetlandSanctuary
*Opportunities for business sponsorship. For more information, please contact Ruth Tucker at RTucker@blainemn.gov or call 763-717-2778. A full listing of sponsorship opportunities can be found at BlaineMN.gov/RecPartners.
Aquatore Park BlaineMN.gov/BarkinthePark
Twitter.com/ BlaineBizMN YouTube.com/ CityofBlaine
City of Blaine Welcomes New City Planner Is buying property
mid-November, the City of Blaine welcomed a new city the rightInmove planner. Sheila Sellman comes to the City of Blaine from for your business?
the City of Isanti where she worked as the Community Director. She also previously worked in Rogers, Open toDevelopment Business can help! Columbia Heights, Elk River, Our free, confidential advisors can assist you in and Eagan. evaluating a purchase ownership Sheila price, will comparing collaborate with homeowners, businesses, vs. leasing costs, and connecting you to financing developers, and city officials to assist in new development and resources. Open to Business can also often provide ensure developments are compliant with city ordinances and gap financing to keep equity requirements manthe City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, Sheila will ageable. Whether you are negotiating a purchase, www.opentobusinessmn.org be working with city leaders to update and adapt plans and Open to Business can help! BizConnect is office published OR call the Anoka County at 763-438-7315 twice refinancing a contract for deed, or just exploring for development and land use around the City. Our free, confidential you inand your options,strategies Open to Business can help. annually by theadvisors City can of assist Blaine
Is buying property the right move for yourForbusiness? more information:
moreprice, information: evaluating For a purchase comparing ownership
distributed to all residents and OpentoBusinessMN.org vs. leasing costs, and connecting you to financing OR call the Anoka County office businesses. Past copies areoften available resources. Open to Business can also provide at 763-438-7315 gap financing to keep equity requirements at BlaineMN.gov/Newsletter. manageable. Whether you are negotiating a purchase, refinancing a contract for deed, or just exploring your options, Open to Business can help.
For questions regarding planning and zoning regulations within the city, contact the city’s planning department at 763-785-6180.
Winter 2021
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Year in Review Business Visits
279
Single Family/ Residential Permits Additional Multi-Family Projects z Lexington Meadows Apartments 109th Avenue and Lexington Avenue z Arris II Apartments 94th Avenue/Ulysses Street z Risor of Blaine Apartments Jefferson Street and 125th Avenue z Applewood Point Apartments 117th and Radisson Road z Glenfield Park Estates Apartments 85th Avenue and Highway 10
The vitality of a local economy depends upon a healthy, growing business community. In recognition of this fact, the City of Blaine offers a business visit program. The primary purpose of the program is to establish a connection between city government and private businesses and industries in the community. By visiting with companies through this program, the City can become aware of expansion needs and anticipated business growth, address any needs or concerns you may have, and offer city assistance and support where possible. Business visits are scheduled at a time that is convenient for the business owner. Visits are meant to be both productive and helpful to the growth and longevity of businesses here in Blaine. Generally, one or two members of city staff attend. Members of the Blaine City Council also are invited to attend.
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New Commercial/ Industrial Developments z Blaine 35 35W Service Road and County Road J z Sanctuary Business Center Xylite Street off Radisson Road z Naples Street Business Center 10580 Naples Street z Lexington Meadows Medical Offices 109th Avenue and Lexington Avenue z Sure Cast 10620 Nassau Street
If you would like to participate, please contact Ruth Tucker at RTucker@BlaineMN.gov or by phone at 763-717-2778. You may also request a business visit online at BlaineMN.gov/RequestaVisit.
Grand Openings Groundbreakings 1st
Quarter
3rd
McHale Animal Hospital Lucy’s Burgers
Blaine 35 Treats Cereal Bar and Boba Cars R Us LLC GS Labs LLC Renovation Church Freshly Leaf Oliver’s Food Hall at Northtown Starbucks at 109th and Lexington Auto Plus Sure Cast Troo Kidz Stone Pho Trap House Chicken Order Out Thai 2 Dope Chicks OMEGA Sushi Mizra’s Grill Bao Bao Tea Flynn’s Eats Lucky Wok
Happy Holidays
2nd
Quarter
Quarter
3 Sanctuary Business Center Crisp and Green Chain of Lakes Church Pizza Karma New Days Tobacco Ice Cream World Blue Collar Barbeque Pet Suites
4th
Quarter
from the
Blaine Community Development Department
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BlaineBiz.com - BizConnect
Register Your Business The City of Blaine uses the CivicReady emergency notification to push urgent messages out to the community. In 2020, the City added a business specific listing in CivicReady. Business will now be able to sign up to receive emergency notifications that are for the business community. Register your business online at
BlaineMN.gov/ListYourBusiness.
Development Spotlight: Blaine 35
Registered businesses will automatically be added to the CivicReady Emergency Business Notification System. For more information about CivicReady, visit
BlaineMN.gov/CivicReady.
Earlier this year, Artis REIT and RJ Ryan Construction broke ground on the first of three industrial buildings at the corner of the 35W Service Road and County Road J. This comes as industrial property is in high demand with only a 3.8 percent vacancy rate in the Twin Cities metro as of June 2021. The Blaine 35 project will consist of three light industrial buildings totaling over 300,000 square feet of space and is an estimated $35 million investment into the Blaine economy. The three buildings will have a mix of high quality materials with windows and modern canopies to provide visual interest on the buildings. The first building, which is currently under construction, will be 118,500 square feet with 32-foot clearance. The progress of this building can be viewed on through a live cam at Blaine35.com. The second and third buildings, are planned for 2022. They will be 98,900 square feet and 100,000 square feet respectively and have a 28-foot clearance. This property is now leasing through CBRE. With visibility from and access to I-35W the City anticipates the Blaine 35 project will be an attractive property for businesses wanting to come to Blaine. Chandler Industries, currently located in Minneapolis, has signed an agreement to lease the entire 100,000 square foot building constructed as part of Phase II. Chandler Industries is a precision manufacturer specializing in the aerospace, defense, energy, and medical fields.
Anoka County Statewide Health Improvement Partnership Program and Grants Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services is working with local business and non-profits to create and implement worksite wellness strategies to further help companies retain and recruit talent. The Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) program works with businesses to make the healthier choice the easiest choice for employees no matter the topic. Their projects are designed to fit into almost any setting: work, school, or play. Some of SHIP’s main priorities in Anoka County revolve around physical, nutritional, and mental health in the workplace. Mini grants may be available to help businesses implement SHIP programs. To add another tool in your arsenal to help your business retain and recruit talent through employee health and wellness or for more information, reach out to Cole Hanson, Anoka County’s Worksite Wellness Specialist at 612-759-7563 or Cole.Hanson@co.anoka.mn.us or visit BlaineMN.gov/AnokaCountyShip.
BizConnect Online BlaineMN.gov/NotifyMe
Blaine BizConnect online is a monthly newsletter delivered right to your inbox that will keep you up to date on development happenings in the City of Blaine. From commercial to industrial to residential, Blaine is one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota and always has new and exciting projects on the horizon. Sign up online at BlaineBiz.com/NotifyMe, choose BlaineBiz Update.