03-30-1987 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY OFFICES 1335 Brown Road South Crystal Bay, MN 55323 Attn: Mark Bernhardson City Administrator Dear Sir: JJA�I 'NQ _4%7 I am writing to express my support foT -KX.y in it's study of redevelopment poss',ilities for Navarre. Although not a resident of Orono, I pass through Navarre several times a day and regularly patronize it's businesses. T'm sure that everyone involved in looking into rebuilding Navarre is well aware of the town's strategic location as the"hub of Lake Minnetonka" and it's potential for attracting stable, healthy businesses to serve a wade area if properly redeveloped and marketed. I believe that what Navarre needs to lose it's shabby "highway town" image is sweeping and a%compromising reconstruction. The planned imptuvements to County Road 15, stable economic forecasts and the town's current: deteriorated condition make this an opportune time to act on major redevelopment. I want to emphasize that a new facade and a coat of paint on existing structures would be a waste of money and a lost oppor- tunity. It seems to me that Navarre cries out for dramatic change to restore some pride In the town and to attract responsible businesspeople. As I see it, the fundamental problem with *visiting struc- tures in Navarre is that they sit practically right on the road. A lot of potential customers drive by everyday because they don't see a wide open area to park the car. Driving around back to park never even cotes to mind -- people are spoiled by shopping malls. Beyond the parking inconvenience, the building's close proximity to City Rd 15 makes it difficult for people to see busi- nesses In Navarre before they've passed by. By that time it's too late -- they'll pick it up at Ridgedale tommorrow. This "no -see -no -stop" problem has also resulted in a ragtag assortment of signs, st�me i,f which art d.wnribht shoddy. My puial sm that :r's tiine t„ tat the bull by the hcrns if Or,, na in s••ri .as "host No r,r i e' ` ' , t mere. ` think that r.rr•pletly re- ttftiI"g 9..v nrr• : y... r �ii ..It.t , in, rr sntnt f7i the fotute End I el t I. 1•.