01-10-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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least property acquisition. But some Vadnais Heights City Council members feel the city may be negatively impacted by the bridge's design. “Vadnais Heights is not a winner in this project,” said Councilman Greg Urban. Vadnais Heights, on the east side of the bridge, would likely lose two businesses due to acquisition — the Vadnais Inn and Mobil gas station. Shoreview, on the other hand, will gain access to a new development area on the west side of the bridge due to the design, Urban said. Little Canada would break even, he noted. Engum said businesses have reacted positively to the new bridge when the county spoke with them. The owner of the Vadnais Inn has accepted an offer from the county but the deal has not closed, Engum said. The restaurant business is operated by a renter, who appeared at the public hearing but said she did not want to comment on what she thought about potentially going out of business. She said she would write the city a letter. The council plans to discuss the proposed design at a workshop Jan. 16. The council has until March to decide on the bridge, but the county has requested cities decide in January so construction can begin in 2018. Shoreview held a public hearing on the bridge Jan. 2, after press time. Little Canada plans to hold a public hearing Jan. 10. Engum said both communities appear supportive of the bridge project. If municipal consent is not granted by Vadnais Heights, the county would appeal to the state to continue with the project, Engum said. “If we don't get consent, the county is committed to moving forward on the project based on how long we have been trying to get this project to come together and the fact that it is funded at this point,” Engum said. Page 3 of 52018 may bring new Rice Street bridge | News | presspubs.com 1/5/2018http://www.presspubs.com/vadnais/news/article_08315d44-f0b4-11e7-b0eb-7b7d75f5f5b4....