Photo by Deb Barnes
On the CSAH 14 construction project in Centerville, Anoka County recently put up one kind of barrier on Main Street. Downtown Centerville businesses complained that the large sign, located in the middle of the roadway, turned away potential customers. The county then replaced the larger barricades with the smaller roadside signs pictured here.
But there are other barriers to attracting and keeping businesses in town.
In this issue of The Citizen, we see that government fees may be a barrier (see "Hugo To Conduct Review of Sewer, Water Hookup Charges," Page A7), and that less-than-desirable market conditions have the potential to cripple downtown redevelopment proposals (see "Council Speculates Market May Impact Redevelopment," Page A9).
Of course, the need for a business to generate a profit is perhaps the biggest obstacle of all (see "84 Lumber Boards Up The Business," below).
Will The Third Time Be A Charm?
Lino Voters To Consider Street Reconstruction Project . Again
LINO LAKES - West Shadow Lake Drive is not improving with age.
Like Shadow Court and Sandpiper Drive, its pavement has deteriorated, and voters city-wide will be asked to approve a referendum for the reconstruction of those streets at the city's municipal election on Tuesday, Nov. 6. (The wording of the ballot question is shown in the box on Page A6.) This year will mark the third time that the project has gone to a referendum vote: the referendum failed in 2003 and in 2005.
84 Lumber Boards Up The Business
Materials Supplier Shuts Down Hugo Warehouse
HUGO - 84 Lumber has closed up shop at its two Minnesota locations as of two weeks ago. Its supply centers in Hugo's Bald Eagle Industrial Park and in Lakeville, Minn. are no longer operating. The Hugo facility was operated primarily as a wholesale or a direct-to-builder materials supplier, with some retail sales.
The largest privately held building materials supplier to professional contractors in the country, 84 Lumber purchased the vacant Minnesota Union Builders Property in Hugo in a speedily orchestrated bid in May 2005. A grand opening was held in April 2006.
... MoreHugo Community Food Shelf Seeks New Home
Soccer Field Project To Displace Hosanna Lutheran
HUGO - The Hugo Community Food Shelf is only open a few hours a week, but its impact is felt year 'round. That's why the news that it will have to move has really hit home for its volunteers and clients.
As a service of Hosanna Harbors, the non-pro t run by Hosanna Lutheran Church, the food shelf currently operates out of a trailer located on land the city of Hugo owns at 7032 - 137th Street. But in response to a need for more soccer fields, within the community as identified in a 2004 feasibility study, the city plans to move forward with plans for a construction project in 2008, to be located east of the Public Works Building. The old gun club building located on that site has been leased to Hosanna for years.
... MoreResidents Speak Up At Town Hall Meeting
HUGO - Well over 50 people from Centerville, Forest Lake, Hugo, Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake and beyond attended a recent Town Meeting held by area legislative representatives on October 23 at Hugo City Hall.
Representatives Matt Dean (R-Dellwood), Bob Dettmer (R-Forest Lake) and Carol McFarlane (R-White Bear Lake) scheduled the evening session, and invited Minnesota House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) to join the panel.
... More