Agenda Packets - 2007/12/03 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Community Summary The City of Mounds View offers its 12,900 residents a quiet hometown atmosphere within a short distance of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Located in the northwest corner of Ramsey County this fully developed community is primarily residential. Seventy percent of all households are owner occupied giving the City a mix of housing choices. City neighborhoods are defined by a mixed green canopy of mature trees, a reflection of Mounds View’s designation as a “Tree City U.S.A” for the past 23 years. With easy access to I-35W and US 10, the City is ideally situated for economic development. Medtronic, a major manufacturer of medical devices, recently located its cardiac rhythm disease management headquarters in Mounds View. Major employers located in Mounds View include Medtronic; SYSCO, a food product and dry goods distributor, Multi-Tech Systems, a computer peripherals manufacturer; and Liberty enterprises, a check printing firm. Other prominent businesses include the Mermaid Entertainment Center and AmericInn Hotel, Colonial Craft, Midwest Medical Services and Blooming Prairie Natural Foods. Recent commercial developments include the 15-screen Wynnsong Cinema complex, Walgreen’s, and the Minnesota Institute of Public Health. While nearly fully developed, significant redevelopment is anticipated within the County Road 10 (formerly US Highway 10) corridor. History Mounds View was first established as a township in May, 1858, on the day Minnesota became a state. Early residents were loggers, mill hands, trappers, and farmers. The township took its name of two large hills of sand and gravel, high enough to be seen from Anoka County. Today, the mounds that gave the town its name are gone due to natural erosion and thousands of loads of sand and gravel that were removed to support the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plan in neighboring Arden Hills during World War II. The township’s population remained stable until the late 1930s when developers realized the area’s potential for suburban housing. By the late 1950s the township began to change as large portions of land were annexed to surrounding communities. Over 6,000 acres alone were released to form the Village of Arden Hills. In 1958, Mounds View Township became a village, and later under state legislation, became the City of Mounds View in 1973. Plans to celebrate the City’s 50th anniversary in 2008 are underway. Schools Independent School District No. 621 encompasses the Cities of Mounds View, Shoreview, Arden Hills, New Brighton, and portions of Vadnais Heights, Roseville, and North Oaks. Over 9,600 students are enrolled in the district, which has two high schools, three middle schools, and six elementary schools. The School District has won numerous state and national awards for both academic and teacher quality. Most recently, Irondale High School was recognized as one of Minnesota’s top 20 science, technology, engineering, and math schools. Mounds View is also served by a number of area parochial schools. Post-secondary education is available at over 18 colleges and universities and 50 technical and business schools located within a 15- mile radius.