1997 April Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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QUICK TAKES UPDATES CNV CURRENT CITY ISSUES } New Fire Hall The Fire Hall Development Committee is looking at ways to The Planning Commission is completing its review of the pl improve the existing Fire Hall to meet the Department's needs. and will provide its recommendations to the Council this sprin . With the assistance of the architectural firm of Trossen-Wright, A copy of the proposed plan is available for public review at the the Committee reviewed the following two options: City Hall. 1 s Renovate the existing building and add 10,280 square feet 014 of new construction. This is meant to house the Fire Department and City Hall. The estimated cost for this � e r option is $1,116,623. Street improvements would cost another$255,000. Renovate the existing building and add on 5,048 square feet of new construction. This would serve the Fire Department only. The City Hall would move elsewhere. Construction costs for this option were estimated at $652,859, with street improvements costing another $255,000. In addition to the potential cost,the Committee is considering vehicle access, safety, and other functional issues. - In order to increase public participation in the decision-making process, the City Council has scheduled a public workshop for Saturday,May 31, 1997 to discuss this issue. The meeting will ' be held from 9 AM to noon at the Hugo Elementary School. Visual concepts for Hugo's downtown Residents are encouraged to.attend. Clearwater Creek Improvements _ Based on the Clearwater Creek Comprehensive Stormwater —romp HoSE Management Plan jointly prepared b the cities of Lino Lakes -rf. _j and Hugo, the City has directed the firm of WSB and u7EF —j N Associates to prepare more detailed plans for the Creek's I � improvement. The intent of this project is to improve the > N c rrY I stormwater management of the area, enhance wildlife habitat, t.N ,4 I and potentially provide for increased public recreational oppor- f,v�S1ati H EXA H,,Ict tiXiSTiN� ' C tunities. Z c The area surrounding Clearwater Creek is rapidly urbanizing. �! rn The City is working with adjacent communities, the Rice Creek Watershed District, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to develop plans and resources to protect this valu- UPPER 146TH STREET able environmental and open space. Hugo's goals for this Possible layout for fire hall (option #JJ effort are: Downtown Plan •Expand the floodplain A recommended plan for redevelopment of the commercial area -Reduce erosion along Forest Boulevard(Hwy 61)near Frenchman Road was -Expand and improve functions and values of wetland areas recently presented to the City Council and Planning - Reduce velocity of water flow in channel Commission. The plan was the result of over a year of study - Reduce peak rates of water discharge downstream and discussion with residents and business owners. The plan -Re-establish areas of natural prairie envisions both aesthetic and traffic-carrying improvements to -Widen and deepen creek channel toimprove fishery and Forest Boulevard, rebuilding and expanding businesses in the navigational potential area, and opening up the view to Egg Lake. •Improve stormwater treatment capability of the area Increase/restore biodiversity within corridor Design ideas include developing a pedestrian-friendly area,use 0 of joint parking lots by businesses, and creating a unified theme Recreational use of the corridor is being considered in the for building construction based on the lines of the Feed Mill., Master Parks,Recreation and Open Space Plan. WSB will be providing the Council with their recommendations for stormwa- ter and environmental improvements mid-summer of this year. Quick Takes continued next page. . .