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Hutchinson
Community Dev. Comm.
Economic Dev. Authority
111 Hassan ST SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Phone: 320-234-4223
Fax: 320-234-4240 |
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| Downtown Hutchinson is an
essential part of our city's economy. In recognition of this, the Hutchinson EDA along with the City Council
and the Hutchinson Downtown Association (the HDA) has
put a lot of emphasis on revitalizing and enhancing the
downtown. Since 2003, there has been over $12 million in new
public & private investment in downtown Hutchinson - and more
is on the way! Downtown
Projects
State Theater
On September 7, 2005 a cherished piece of
Hutchinson's past came back to life - the historic State
Theater! The Hutchinson EDA played a key role in this project
from the very beginning. Working closely with the new owners,
the EDA pulled together a financial package exceeding $1.5
million to make the restoration of the building possible.
Included in the funding package was a loan from the EDA's
downtown loan fund and a redevelopment TIF District. You can see
the results every night in downtown Hutchinson!
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Join the HDA
Today!
The Hutchinson
Downtown Association (HDA) is an organization of
business owners, managers & individuals who are
focused on maintaining and enhancing the vitality o
downtown Hutchinson. To that end, the HDA promotes
and assists with a number of downtown projects and
events - these include the "Revitalization Master
Plan for Downtown," restoring the historic popcorn
wagon, and such events as the Picnic in the Park,
Main Street Christmas and the Farmer's Market. |
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Jorgensen Hotel
After being vacant for many years,
Hutchinson's historic Jorgensen Hotel has been renovated and is
once again a center of activity in downtown. The first floor of
the building is now the home of the Hutchinson Chamber of
Commerce, Convention and Visitor's Bureau and also houses an
attorney's office and a chiropractor. The second and third
floors of the building will be renovated in future phases of the
project.The Hutchinson EDA provided a
low-interest loan to help with the renovation of the building as
well as grants for the new signs & awnings. |
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Click on pictures for larger
view |
| Liquor Hutch Expansion
Hutchinson's liquor enterprise is an important
source of revenue for the city - helping to keep property taxes
down. By 2004 the business had grown to a point where the
existing facility was no longer adequate in terms of size and
layout - an expansion was needed.
After considerable research and debate, it was
decided to expand the existing facility on Washington Avenue.
Because of the project's importance to the downtown, the
Hutchinson EDA provided staff assistance for every phase of the
project - from site selection & hiring of the architect to
selecting the contractor & project coordination. |
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Downtown Streetscape
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Along with the Hutchinson
Downtown Association, the EDA spearheaded the development,
adoption and implementation of the downtown streetscape
initiative. A key element of the Downtown Revitalization Master
Plan, the streetscape provided an opportunity to link an urgent
necessity (existing streetlights & wiring was worn out) with a
desire to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the downtown. The
result is a considerably brighter, safer and more appealing Main
Street. |
| Cornerstone Commons
The EDA is excited to announce that the
Cornerstone Commons retail and professional office center is now
completed. Quizno's Subs, Snap Fitness, Dunn Bro's Coffee and a
United State Marine Corps recruitment office have already
located here. Office space is available for businesses to expand or
to relocate to Downtown Hutchinson. |
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| Southwest Minnesota Foundation
The Southwest Minnesota Foundation has honored
our community by choosing Hutchinson as the location for its new
permanent headquarters. Currently under construction on the
corner of Hwy 15 & 7, the new 10,000 square foot facility will
serve as the nerve center of the Foundation's community
development activities for all of southwestern Minnesota. The
new facility should be completed by mid-2006. |
Back to Top
| Summary of Downtown Investment 2003-2005
In 2002 the Hutchinson EDA provided $168,000 to
fund the creation of the "Downtown Revitalization Master Plan" -
which was designed to map out the future of our community's
downtown. Since that plan was completed, more than $12 million
of new investment has taken place in downtown Hutchinson.
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Downtown
Investment |
| EDA Loan & Grant
Programs |
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| Jorgensen
Hotel |
private |
$1,000,000 |
| State
Theater |
private |
$1,800,000 |
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Cornerstone Commons |
private |
$2,125,000 |
| Liquor
Hutch expansion |
city |
$1,800,000 |
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Streetscape |
city |
$1,670,000 |
| Southwest
Foundation |
private |
$3,000,000 |
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Total |
$12,371,686
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Downtown Financial AssistanceTo
promote the continued vitality of downtown, the city's EDA has
created several incentive programs designed to encourage
continued investment in the downtown area. These include a
Sign and
Awning Grant Program, the
Storefront Revitalization Matching Grant Program
and a
Commercial Rehabilitation Loan Program, which provides low
interest loans to property owners to assist them in renovating
their buildings.
For detailed information on each program,
simply click on its title.
Back to Top
Future Directions
Streetscape
Completion
In May of 2006, the block of
Washington Avenue just west of Main Street will be improved
significantly with the addition of new sidewalks, streetlights
and landscaping. In addition a cement pedestrian crossing will
be built into Washington Avenue between the two alleys - this
will help link the public parking lot opposite the Hutchinson
Leader building with the rest of downtown.
Then, in 2008, the two blocks of
Washington Avenue between Main Street and Adams Street will be
completely reconstructed. As part of that project new
streetlights, sidewalks and landscaping will be added. Finally,
a roundabout will be constructed on the east end of Washington
Avenue at the intersection with Adams Street to improve traffic
flow & safety as well as mark the eastern boundary of downtown.
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| Creating a "Sense of Place"
One essential element in downtown revitalization
is giving Main Street a "Sense of Place." Dr. Kent Robertson,
the late
community development expert from St. Cloud State University,
identified seven key elements that are essential in giving a
downtown a "sense of place." These are:
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Distinctiveness from other commercial
settings
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Multifunctional
--Multiple destinations in one compact place (govt. /
services / parks / housing / dining, etc.)
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Pedestrian Friendly
--Compactness, safety & design are key elements
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Unique Heritage
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Human activity - people are present!
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People are encouraged to linger
--Area is safe / exciting / attractive / things to see & do
/ places to sit!
- Community ownership
All of the projects underway or being planned
are intended to help create this downtown "sense of place." In
doing so a healthy, dynamic, vibrant downtown Hutchinson will be
ensured for many years to come. |
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Back to Top
Revitalization Master Plan for Downtown
Hutchinson
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| In the early 2002, the
Hutchinson EDA commissioned the Hoisington-Koegler Group to
identify and develop a long-range plan for downtown Hutchinson.
The goal of the plan is to maintain the small town charm of the
downtown while at the same time providing a shopping and
business environment that is appealing to a diverse group of
people. A number of specific initiative
were identified by the plan; some of the highlights are:
| Functional Initiatives |
Bluff Street entry into
downtown
Franklin Street stop signs
Public Realm Initiatives
Bluff Street Streetscape
Main Street & Washington Avenue Streetscape
Market Pavilion
"Gateway" portion of the Crow River Commons
Public Sector Initiatives
New Liquor Store
New Post Office
Community Performing Arts Center
Franklin & Hassan Street "relievers"
Alley improvements
Private Sector Initiatives
State Theater
Hutchinson Hotel
Riverfront Housing
First Avenue Housing
South Franklin Street Housing
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A number of these projects have been
completed or are currently underway, and several are in the
planning stages.
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