Shakopee

Economic Revival and Planning for Future Development

The core of most cities lies in its downtown district: a reflection of history, commerce, pride, prosperity, and community investment. For decades, the City of Shakopee struggled to garner attention to its historic downtown district, despite drawing millions of visitors every year to its iconic attractions such as Valleyfair, Minnesota’s largest outdoor amusement park; Canterbury Park, one of two horseracing tracks in the state; the Renaissance Festival; and much more.

In order to revive its downtown, Shakopee realized it had to make a number of changes and figure out how to attract investment into the area. 

<div class='lb-heading'>Commercial and Residential Mixed Use</div><div class='lb-text'>Downtown Shakopee is primarily commercial, but it is planning for high-density residential development to be incorporated in its efforts in revitalizing the area. Efforts have included apartment complexes above local businesses as seen in the image above, and the City hopes to expand residential units that as it prepares for change.</div> <div class='lb-heading'>Local Businesses</div><div class='lb-text'>The local business scene of Downtown Shakopee has been more vibrant than ever, with a mix of older businesses, such as Bill’s Toggery for Men that has been around since the 30s, to new ones like Munkabeans Coffeehouse. From restaurants, apparel, and other local businesses and services, there is a little bit of everything for everyone. </div> <div class='lb-heading'>Redevelopment and New Businesses</div><div class='lb-text'>The city and new businesses remodeled vacant buildings to be more aesthetically inviting, as well contribute to the overall character and economic well-being of downtown.</div> <div class='lb-heading'>Changing Ordinances for New Development</div><div class='lb-text'>O’Brien’s Public House is another great example of a vacant building turned restaurant. City Staff had to review and modify its existing City ordinances to allow outdoor patio dining. This began a string of ordinance reviews that would eventually enable the City to update other aspects of the Downtown that were long outdated. </div> <div class='lb-heading'>Buying Lots</div><div class='lb-text'>The building of City Hall is one lot the city owns. When City Staff relocates to their new City Hall building in 2017, they hope to transform this lot as well as the parking lot behind into a future residential unit. When a developer is interested in developing in downtown Shakopee, the City will have lots ready for development.</div> <div class='lb-heading'>Valleyfair</div><div class='lb-text'>Valleyfair is Minnesota's largest outdoor amusement park and is only a five-minute drive from Downtown Shakopee. It brings millions of visitors every year, so as downtown continues to become more vibrant – the City would hopes these visitors come to the downtown.</div> <div class='lb-heading'>Canterbury Park</div><div class='lb-text'>Canterbury Park is a popular destination for horse races, concerts, running events—and much more. Like Valleyfair, Canterbury is only minutes away from Downtown Shakopee.</div> <div class='lb-heading'>Other Big Businesses</div><div class='lb-text'>Shakopee is also proud to have various larger businesses invest in it. Amazon, Shutterfly, and MyPillow are three major businesses that provide thousands of jobs, and contribute to the economic viability and development of Shakopee. </div> <div class='lb-heading'>Holmes Street Tunnel Mural</div><div class='lb-text'>The Holmes Street Tunnel Mural is the first mural initiative and project launched by Main Street Shakopee as a community-wide effort to revitalize downtown. The tunnel is a bike-and-pedestrian friendly path that lies in Downtown Shakopee, along the Minnesota River. </div> <div class='lb-heading'>Huber Park</div><div class='lb-text'>Huber Park was built in 2007 and lies along First Ave, the main street that leads right into Downtown Shakopee. The park serves as a gathering space for families, concerts, and other community events in downtown.</div> <div class='lb-heading'>Open Streets Shakopee</div><div class='lb-text'>Open Streets Shakopee was the first event of its kind, with local businesses, families, and the community coming together for a day of fun. The event was a success, as kids were learning about downtown and how much fun it could be.</div>
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In 2014, the City adopted a County Road 101 Marketing Plan to help the district get back on track. Through partnerships, studies, and programs, the city went from 40% vacancy to nearly zero, adding 27 new businesses in its downtown since 2014. Downtown Shakopee now offers more variety in services and businesses from local coffee shops and biker-chick stores, to much larger businesses like Amazon, Shutterfly and MyPillow settling minutes away from the downtown area. Despite downtown being primarily a commercial district, the City’s Comprehensive Plan also plans to bring in more residential development to enhance the activity of Downtown.
 
It is vital to have people who truly care about Downtown Shakopee to invest in its revival. The City saw all these opportunities and realized the underutilized potential to transform downtown into a destination—one that will open doors to more employment, economic vitality, and residents.

What may help other communities?

 

Area Studies and Identifying Needs

Shakopee began digging into its past work and found studies on downtown that dated back to 1974. Despite all those years of studies, there was never any follow up or investment committed to downtown. In 2013, the City proposed to evaluate its current land use and future market potential for the CR 101 corridor to identify issues, existing assets, and strategize ideas that could improve the economic climate. One result was the County Road 101 Marketing Plan. The plan contains a detailed study on existing conditions, visions, goals, and implementation actions for land use around transportation, infrastructure, leveraging the riverfront, marketing, and residential development.   

Resources and Programs 

Shakopee took advantage of all possible resources available including the county’s First Stop Shop program, which provides businesses with building and site selection services, comprehensive data collection, and business assistance with permitting and development processes for all Scott County communities.
 
Another key program was Main Street Shakopee, a collaborative community-wide effort to revitalize, build, and sustain their historic downtown and Highway 101 business district. The Main Street Shakopee Design Team preserves local heritage, history, and culture through revitalization of public spaces. Other efforts of the program included fundraising for physical improvements in Downtown.
 
The City also used a Façade Program that allows businesses to apply for a forgivable loan for exterior building improvements. This helped push for historic renovation on some downtown buildings. Shakopee has various programs and resources to support economic development for both existing and new businesses. 

Partnerships and Collaboration

Led by Mainstreet Shakopee, members of a local church and many community residents volunteered their time to help create a mural for the Holmes St. Bike Tunnel.  Home Depot donated paint to the City while local church members volunteered to help prime the tunnel.
 
Through nonprofit organizations such as the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) and other key stakeholders, Shakopee could access funding, support, assistance, resources, and programs for its downtown community. When it came to local businesses and the community, it was essential to listen to one another. These connections, networks, and collaborative efforts were key in ensuring that the stakeholders remained up to date and the City stayed on track with its plan to revive Downtown.   

Little Steps Make Big Changes

For Downtown Shakopee, it was the little steps that counted. Making small changes such as updating street signs and adding bike racks to modifying ordinances that would allow outdoor dining, all made a difference in the development, character, and feel of its downtown. Recently in June 2016, Downtown Shakopee held its first “Open Streets” event, where local businesses, families, and the community came together for a day-long street festival, by closing off vehicle traffic. To further encourage growth and development, the City also bought used car lots throughout its downtown to work directly with developers interested in investing in the area.
 
As times are changing, the City found it important to have a “reality check.” Downtown Shakopee is an example of a community in change, and it is aware of the reality of needing to modify its expectations to meet the needs, demands, and changing trends of not just its residents, but the region and the world changing around them. Shakopee’s Comprehensive Plan serves as a road map to help further guide and implement development in Downtown as they continue to grow, transform, and prosper. 

Awards and Recognitions

Contact the City of Shakopee


Michael Kerski – Director of Planning and Development, (952) 233-9346; [email protected]

 

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