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Home My WebLink About2026-10-22 ESMC Presentation•Z�' i- •-ram R Helping small Minnesota communities develop resilient infrastructure while strengthening their social, environmental, and economic fabric,:;$ �;-�' • �'�, � � :.1� '"'�. 'ram' �nn,,,,r—"'� "'J� ESMC Community Futures: Centerville Updates & Next Steps City of Centerville - October 22, 2026 EMPOWERING SMALL MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES UMN Team Ursula Lang, Senior Research Fellow - Minnesota Design Center, UMN College of Design Matt Tierney, Senior Research Fellow - Center for Sustainable Building Research, UMN College of Design Nura Agami, Research assistant Mike Greco (now retired), Resilient Communities Project, UMN Center for Urban and RegionalAfFairs CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION STUDIES MINNESOTA DESIGN CENTER I MDC Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs ESMC: Community Futures Approach Aims of the program: • Invest in better infrastructure projects, and better coordinated projects • Help identify and prioritize a set of actionable, fundable projects communities can carry forward Our approach: • Asset -based - focus on community assets (sometimes unrecognized) • Design Thinking - non -linear, iterative and responsive to constraints and possibilities • Build community capacities and partnerships - within and beyond community Strategic partnership and collaboration (approx. 9-18 mos): • Understand community assets, challenges and opportunities • Develop a community -scale strategy & design possibilities • Identify a set of actionable projects to be carried forward by the community Process: Centerville Community Futures Structure ESMC-Centerville Working Group - led by UMN Team, collaborate closely with City Administrator/staff • Focus on. Getting things done for the project (research, forward momentum, follow through) Advisory Committee - led by ESMC Working Group, community members, and partners • Focus on. Perspectives from the community about assets and priorities, outreach and engagement, opportunities for collaboration, community capacity, and implementation Community Engagement - Ongoing throughout the process, variety of activities and formats • Focus on. Perspectives from the community, priorities, outreach and open communication ESMC Process: Centerville Community Futures Timeline (updates in red) Phase 1: Discovery (July -Sept 2025) SUMMER -FALL 2025 Research and learn about community assets, challenges, and opportunities Community Engagement & Advisory Committee Phase 2: Strategy & Design (Sept -Dec 2025) FALL 2025; SPRING/SUMMER 2026 Develop a community strategy with priority areas, share early design ideas, and identify resources/partners Phase 3: Projects to Carry Forward (Spring 2026) FALL 2026 Identify specific projects, potential funding strategies, collaborations, and partnerships >> Identified need for a formal Downtown Vision Plan to ensure coordination with Comp Plan >> Downtown Vision Plan Bolton and Menh, Jan -April 2026 approved Aug 2026; (ESMC paused) >> Design strategies development (ESMC/CSBR), May -Sept 2026 Community Priorities • Strong desire for safety and improved pedestrian and bicycle experience Downtown area & Centerville Elementary School Main Street Centerville Lake • Strong sense of community Attachment to this place & people History & the future • Natural assets are a key reason people live here Quiet green spaces, tree canopy, Centerville Lake, parks, trails, dark skies, wildlife • Strong community interest in supporting more local businesses Cafes and dining, shopping and developing a sense of local charm for residents and visitors Centerville's Assets & Opportunities Peltier D From ESMC perspective... Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Deep sense of community, place, and history Church of St. Genevieve (old & new) Centerville Elementary School Network of existing parks ...and city -owned parcels Varied, successful businesses ACTIVATE PARKS & GREEN 2 INFRASTRUCTURE Enhance WOW local parknetwork along Centenifte Raad ea rnrurecr Ith regional natural risers e amenuies (beft park., 9—spaces, war erway.) 5 ppo I cW Wing Mwater quality improvements d ecolDgical reowenion Ex g tlItyp rk near Daum C ntervlle -amon P rk Hdd Sp 'cgs Park C erst Park Thad,aide Park Develop and coordinale interpretive signage, wayfinding, and ple—e ang elements, t0 conoect park users to surrounding natural andcuhual environment OENGAGE CENTERVILLE LAKE: / SHORELINE EXPERIENCES & WATER. QUALITY :::0 Connect with the unique natural asset &Centerville Lake end strengthen Monnwater management for beffern waterquality zz city—ned parcels can support access for trail users, O non-motanzed paddlers fishers, birders Down town development effortsLare opportunities toanh \ Centerville ensudng \\ safenacestrssto Lakenake st) safe pedestdanlhicycle routes (oastlwesQ O Build an past investmerds to improve water \\\\ quality (such as stormwater management, park improvements 8 alum treatments) and educate the public about impacts to water q ual ity through interyretiva signage 14 THREE INTERLOCKING DESIGN STRATEGIES OA NEW CENTER Levee 'Gente"rie"t e"'mec" foreanent Bawnrown centernne ro rtre mtemeenon orcenaervine Road and Sorel Street CRyawned parcels sre a unique opportunity to drive this reorientation Partner with Anoka County on safety improvements al intersection of Main SI 8 Centerville Road to support: pedestrian safety, connections to school, Iderthy and pl k g C b 1add acognze Cenie ill local hi story Ih the centerwth interpretive sgrage8 t g,;w '. �j'a,"ffi" '�4qf�}�. ir ' �•'. enhanced wayfind'ng elements Centervll(e /. Lake f a �a L i`. 'mot+, aE z f . a -• IR.€ a. r- 'A f - p ,� Main StreetlC ty Roatl 14 14 sHoaa€�inE mxnEcnox - ,,,,jjjj,,,, ar—iiscnaamc€ comae eenteac h— ca rrea go 1 A New Center DESIGN STRATEGI • Focus on the public realm Coordinate decisions to support lively community spaces • Cohesive identity for wayfinding, street elements, and interpretive signage • Connect to natural and cultural assets Centerville Lake Existing parks network Centerville history KEY PARTNERSHIPS Anoka County - Highway Dept Anoka County - Regional Economic Development Metropolitan Council Anoka County Historical Society Church of St. Genevieve Local businesses (potential contributors and sponsors) FUNDING & NEXT STEPS ➢ Intersection redesign is an important, timely opportunity Close collaboration with Anoka County to support community priorities for Centerville o Minnesota Design Center is currently doing research on roundabouts for community needs - possible follow on work (post-ESMC) ➢ Develop a place -making strategy for the new center, a cohesive identity and wayfinding strategy 2 Activate Parks & Green Infrastructure DESIGN STRATEGI KEY PARTNERSHIPS • Build on local park network along Centerville Lake Existing parks are key assets & areas of community activity Build on LaMotte Park Study (2026) Anoka County Parks - Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) • Enhance existing trails Board of Water and Soil Consider tree planting for shade canopy, incorporate cohesive Resources (BWSR) - Anoka wayfinding and interpretive signage Conservation District • Spotlight on: Hidden Springs Park Build on park improvements Incorporate expanded stormwater management and pollinator habitat Support gathering and events Local businesses (potential contributors and sponsors) St Paul Water Authority Church of St. Genevieve FUNDING & NEXT STEPS ➢ Look to regional examples for partnership models eg, Blaine Wetland Sanctuary ➢ State of MN Legacy Funds Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment (State of MN 2008) Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund (1988) ➢ Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Program Community Tree Planting Grants ➢ Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Clean Water Partnership (loans) 3 Engaging Centerville Lake: Shoreline Experiences & Improving Water Quality DESIGN STRA) L KEY PARTNERSHIPS FUNDING & NEXT STEPS • Build on stormwater investments and alum treatments Work with partners to identify specific opportunities and coordinate efforts at the watershed scale • Improve public lake access points (non -motorized) Places to experience the beauty of Centerville Lake Safely connect to existing trails • Celebrate and interpret natural assets Work with partners to enhance place -making and develop additional interpretive signage Anoka County Parks - Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) MN Pollution Control Agency (M PCA) MN Dept of Natural Resources (MN DNR) Metropolitan Council Local businesses (potential contributors and sponsors) ➢ MN Pollution Control Agency Clean Water Partnership (loans) Local climate action (closed) Small community grants (variousl ➢ MN DNR - Various Various (aquatic invasive species; Emerald Ash Borer; recreation - trails, water infra) ➢ State of MN Legacy Funds Various ➢ Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Community Tree Planting State of Minnesota Legacy Funds - 1 of 2 ��I CLEAN WATER LAND & LEGACY AMENDMENT Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment (2008) In 2008, Minnesota's voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment (Legacy Amendment) to the Minnesota Constitution to: • protect drinking water sources • to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat • to preserve arts and cultural heritage • to support parks and trails • to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater Four funds Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund Clean Water Fund Outdoor Heritage Fund Parks & Trails Fund State of Minnesota Legacy Funds - 2 of 2 Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund (1988) In 1988, Minnesota's voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing the "- Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (Trust Fund). The purpose of the Trust Fund is to provide a long-term, consistent, and stable source of funding for E N V I R O N M E NT activities that protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources AND NATURAL RESOURCES for the benefit of current citizens and future generations. TRUST FUND The Legislative -Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) makes funding recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature for special environment and natural resource projects, primarily from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The LCCMR is made up of 17 members: 5 Senators, 5 Representatives, 5 citizens appointed by the governor, 1 citizen appointed by the Senate, and 1 citizen appointed by the House. LINK Centerville Community Futures: What's next? COMMUNITY CAPACITY & RELATIONSHIPS LEADERSHIP How do you as a community want to move forward? Where is the energy and capacity? Existing formal or informal structures? Working groups focused on a specific project? Untapped potentials? (The City of Centerville cannot lead or do all of this alone!) Who are your key partners? Have conversations early to understand how to work together with partners Learn from examples: How was the project funded? How did the partnership work? ESMC has identified some partners, and can collaborate with you to have some of these next conversations PRIORITIES - TIMING & FUNDING Are projects already planned, or opportunities on a timeline? Coordination is needed for short, medium, and long term City, County and regional efforts Learn about what is happening in your area & talk with potential funders early » ESMC & the City of Centerville can continue this collaboration through 2026 » Intersection improvements at Main St and Centerville Rd are an important and timely Empowering Centerville: Suggestions for next steps >> Intersection improvements: Work closely with Anoka County. Potential working group structure to include multiple partners; timely opportunity. >> Build and strengthen partnerships within and beyond Centerville. Funding possibilities emerge from conversations, collaborations and working together. >> Develop a placemaking/identity strategy to develop cohesive signage, street elements, and the public realm. This should complement ongoing efforts. DOWNTOWN CENTERVILLE Anoka County - Regional Economic Development Anoka County - Highway Department Metropolitan Council Local businesses Centerville Elementary School, Centennial School District 12 Church of St. Genevieve CENTERVILLE LAKE Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) Anoka Conservation District (BWSR) Anoka County Parks Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Local businesses Centerville Lake - shoreline residents & neighbors Church of St. Genevieve Metropolitan Council