CSAH 8 Commissioners' Award Finalized
Decision Reached On LaValle Property
Last year, Washington County completed the largest roadway project ever undertaken within the city's borders. However, it wasn't until March 29, 2007 that the acquisition costs for property owned by Marvin and Judith LaValle were determined by the three commissioners appointed to that task by District Court Judge Thomas G. Armstrong last year. The judge's order in the matter was filed April 10.
County State Aid Highway 8 was completely reconstructed from I-35E east to T. H. 61 in downtown Hugo. Much of the county's new four-lane roadway was constructed on a new alignment, which connects in a "T" intersection - and a new signal - several blocks south of where it used to come into town.
... MoreLino Curbs ATV Use
Complaints from residents, enforcement diffculties and a recent change in state statutes have led to unanimous council approval of the first reading of a new ordinance governing the use of All-Terrain Vehicles and snowmobiles within the city of Lino Lakes.
The ordinance would replace existing Chapter 807 of the city code, which regulates such vehicles.
The new ordinance would prohibit the use of ATVs within city limits, except on private property and on frozen water bodies.
... MoreCenterville Lands Over $700,000 In Grants
Money Will Help Finance Downtown
Over the next year, Centerville will embark on a major downtown redevelopment project that Mayor Mary Capra said will be "the biggest change to the community in the past 150 years."
Redevelopment on such a massive scale is certainly not cheap, but the city recently won a major battle in the proverbial war to finance the downtown project by securing two large redevelopment grants; one through the state of Minnesota and the other through Anoka County.
Photo courtesy of Ron Lenz
... MoreHugo Council Continues TIF Hearing
TIF Proponents, Opponents Given Time To Weigh In
Whether downtown Hugo should be redeveloped using Tax Increment Financing is the burning issue in town right now, and if anyone had any doubts, all they had to do was show up at the standing-room-only public hearing that took place as part of the regularly-scheduled Hugo City Council meeting on April 2.
The hearing featured a back-and-forth between council members, city staff and about twenty individuals, the majority of whom expressed reservations about the proposed downtown TIF project.
One of the recurring concerns expressed by residents who spoke against the use of TIF as a development tool was the fear that the city would use TIF as a means by which to commence eminent domain proceedings within the downtown project area, the idea being that largescale redevelopment is impossible unless the city owns more downtown property than it already does.
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