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I9t <br /> <br /> Mr. Watts, referring to the Economic Development Policy Team Work Plan, <br />asked for Council's concurrence to move ahead with an RFP to develop conceptual <br />economic development plans for the following corridors: West Main Street, Preston <br />Avenue, Cherry Avenue, River Road, and High Street. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty suggested that the Team discuss integrating businesses on River <br />Road with the river. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watts recommended that the parking study report be completed and <br />additional parking be added to the Water Street lot. <br /> <br /> MrL Watts said his office's business visitation program is concentrating efforts <br />along the designated economic development corridors with existing businesses. <br />Professional marketing information isbeing developed to attract businesses and staff is <br />looking at the City's website as this has been proven to be an effective toot in attracting <br />businesses. Mr. Watts said_transportation has a dramatic impact on economic <br />development. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watts reviewed the West Main Street development program including: <br />master plan for Union Station; West Main Street design concept; development incentives; <br />implementation of parking study recommendations; and technology development loan <br />pool. Mr. Watts said he wants to develop a package to help major technology firms <br />reamin downtown. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watts reviewed ideas for downtown development, including the Wachovia <br />property, Paramount Theater and National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC)buitding. <br />Mr. Watts said it is incredibly important to downtown to backfill that building with high <br />level jobs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watts reviewed the decision areas: developmen~ of a loan/grant program for <br />technology business (to be brought back to Council for approval at a later date); begin the <br />RFP process to took at economic development corridors (in conjunction with the <br />Comprehensive Plan); and begin looking at marketing identified City properties. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if we should be developing other more high profile properties that <br />we would either want to help develop or buy and develop. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watts said he has tried to facilitate development of those properties and as <br />development of those properties become viable he would bring them to Council. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty said she is very interested in belting more information about the <br />City Yard property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano s~d he would favor studying and marketing the undeveloped <br />properties mentioned by Mr. Watts. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said the Lewis and Clark Committee would like to resurrect the <br />river committee to explore river development and the possibility of locating a Lewis and <br />Clark Museum there. Ms. Richards said she would encourage that work be done together <br />on the economic development corridors, transportation and parking. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he does not find the City Yard property to be that cmcial, but feels it <br />would be worth doing a feasibility study. Mr. Cox said he does not think the City owns <br />the strategic properties to be developed in the City. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati' said he is edgy about developing the fakgrounds property until he <br />thinks more about it. <br /> <br />MsJ Daugherty agreed with Mr. Caravati. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said some mechanism needs to be found to determine what the <br />comrmmity wants before we go out and market things. <br /> <br /> <br />