Reviving downtown Prior Lake

Prior Lake's City Council approves tough new guidelines for the development of its historic downtown, emphasizing 19th-century-style buildings with high-quality materials -- nothing "shoddy."

"You see places like Stillwater, which have historic buildings," said Paul Snook, director of economic development, "but even newer buildings are kept in the traditional designs. That's what we're after."

City issues a request for proposals. Scott County's housing agency proposes a development at the corner of County Road 21 and Main Street with 54 senior apartments and 11,000 square feet of retail. City officials turn it back.

"The council felt they weren't proposing enough additional parking and hadn't found any retail users at that point," said Danette Walthers, director of community development and natural resources.

Other than the proposed diner, which could be located in a couple of spots, the city has had a few nibbles but nothing serious enough to talk about yet, Walthers said. The diner idea was on Monday's council agenda as a chance to get preliminary thoughts from council members and exposure to the wider community.