2000 December Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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SITE IS SES' FOR NEW CITY HALL Site, architectural agreement approved for new City Hall A final decision has been made by the Hugo City "There was always a sentimental attachment to the idea of a Council concerning the site for Hugo's new City downtown location," explains Haas, "but we were con- Hall. The Council originally voted 3-2 at its cerned about having to purchase homes where people cur- September meeting to enter into negotia- rently live." Haas goes on to say that there were two very tions to purchase the 5-acre Berntsen prop- good reasons to choose this site. "We need, as a City, to take erty, located on Fenway Boulevard, kitty cor- an active role in the redevelopment of the historic down- ner from the existing Fire Hall. However, town of Hugo. Putting a City Hall there would accelerate Oaccording to Ward 3 Council Member such redevelopment and re-energize this area." Haas also Chuck Haas, it turned out that a good por notes that the 147th St. & Hwy 61 road crossing is proba- tion of this land was unsuitable for building. bly considered the most dangerous intersection in Hugo. "By putting the City Hall there,we At the October 30 Council meet- can improve that intersection and ing, Haas led an effort to locate the "We need, as a City, to make it safer." new City Hall at a site directly east of the current City Hall, across take an active role in the With regard to the cost of the new Fitzgerald Avenue. This will redevelopment of the his- City Hall, Haas explains that, require purchasing at least 3 exist- toric downtown of Hugo. given the positive financial outlook ing homes and relocating their res- for Hugo, the City will not have to idents. After reviewing the issue, Putting a City Hall there raise taxes to pay for it. Over the the Council determined that this would accelerate such last five years, City revenues have was a better site, and voted 4-1 to redevelopment and re- doubled, but expenditures have purchase this land. �� A only increased by approximately energize this area. 50%. A similar increase in rev- At its November 6 meeting, the enues has been forecast for the next Council approved an architectural five years, allowing Hugo to spend agreement with the engineering and architectural firm of $1/2 million to $3/4 million per year for the next five years Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates to design the on capital improvement programs without raising taxes. As new City Hall. Haas puts it, "the growth that is causing the need for this new City Hall is also going to pay for it." SANTA'S COMING TO HUGO ON A FIRETRUCK SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2000 Is Again this year,the Hugo Fire Department and the Hugo Fireflies Drop off sites this year are: Hometown Auto, Paul's Cafe, Firstar have arranged to have Santa come for our annual "Toys for Tots" Bank, Hugo Chiropractic Clinic and Nadeau's Market. drive. Here is Santa's schedule: The Fire Department and the Fireflies would Saturday, December 16 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm like to extend a very special "THANK YOU" Santa will be going through the neighborhoods in Hugo, on a to these businesses for their support of the "Toys firetruck, collecting toys and/or cash donations for Tots"program. The "Toys for Tots"drive will run from November 24, 2000 to Sunday; December 17 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm December 18,2000. Pictures with Santa at the Fire Hall. Polaroid pictures will be available with all profits being donated to the Toys for Tots drive.