The meeting prominently featured the Economic Development Authority’s (EDA) efforts to mitigate the impact of the Washington Street construction project on local businesses. A proposal was introduced to support businesses during the disruption, emphasizing the need for improved communication and community awareness. This initiative included the potential hiring of a business liaison to serve as a point of contact between business owners and project managers. The liaison’s role would focus on ensuring that businesses remain informed about construction schedules and changes in access, while also helping them enhance their social media presence to maintain customer engagement during the reconstruction.

A notable feature of the proposal was a facade grant program aimed at encouraging businesses to invest in their storefronts. The EDA considered participating in this initiative, viewing it as beneficial for current businesses and future development prospects. However, discussions revealed concerns regarding the financial commitments required to support this plan, with uncertainties about the EDA’s contribution and budgetary constraints. While the Minnesota Department of Transportation earmarked funds for signage, specifics on amounts and allocations remained unclear.

In parallel discussions, the council addressed the current state of signage in the downtown area, responding to complaints about the aesthetics of vinyl and hand-painted signs. The existing zoning codes regulate size and location but lack specific design standards, leading to issues with temporary signs that detract from the area’s visual appeal. Participants considered potential revisions to the zoning code to enforce stricter design standards and suggested a matching grant to incentivize business owners to upgrade their signage. This initiative aimed to balance aesthetic enhancements with the financial challenges faced by local businesses.

Acknowledging the complexities of enforcing aesthetic standards, the council proposed reaching out to other cities with successful signage protocols to gather insights. The shared goal was to enhance the downtown’s visual appeal, recognizing that immediate financial constraints and differing opinions on aesthetics could complicate efforts to establish uniform standards. The council discussed allowing temporary signage during a business’s initial launch, with the understanding that more permanent solutions would be pursued as businesses matured.

The council also explored the potential for streetscape improvements, with a focus on securing funding for decorative lighting and pedestrian-friendly enhancements along the Washington Street Corridor. The EDA had submitted a pre-application for funding through the Small Cities Development Program, which received council support and was deemed competitive. A public hearing was scheduled to gather community input on the grant application, with the goal of maximizing the impact of funding by coupling interconnected projects, such as the city’s reconstruction efforts.

In addition to aesthetic improvements, the meeting addressed the need for more commercial child care facilities in Brainerd. Participants noted significant waiting lists for child care slots, highlighting the demand for additional capacity. A proposal was made to eliminate certain permit fees for child care centers to alleviate financial burdens, similar to actions taken in the River to Rails District.

The conversation also touched on potential housing developments, with a developer expressing interest in areas near Trailside and Right Street. The council recognized the importance of workforce housing in attracting workers and discussed organizing a round table for developers to explore available properties and development opportunities. The idea of creating an interactive map for property owners to list available properties without realtor involvement was proposed to facilitate infill development.