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Edward Hanson <br />15688 Fairoaks Ave N <br />Hugo, MN 55038 <br />612-799-4259 <br />Edward.hanson.310@gmail.com <br /> <br />May 9th, 2024 <br /> <br />Mr. Bryan Bear <br />City Of Hugo <br />14669 Fitzgerald Ave. N. <br />Hugo, MN 55038 <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Bear, <br /> <br /> I am writing to you in support of Liberty Classical Academy’s Phase 2 expansion plan at the former <br />Withrow Elementary School site in Hugo, MN. I have lived in Hugo for the past six years and I have <br />watched Hugo grow and change at an exponential pace. The growth in such a short period has been <br />remarkable to witness. As the city of Hugo continues to grow, I believe it is of the utmost importance to <br />provide residents with educational choices for their children. Allowing Liberty Classical Academy to <br />execute its phase 2 expansion plan, would afford residents an additional educational option. <br /> <br />I understand that some of my Hugo neighbors are opposed to the plan because of increased vehicle <br />traffic. Hugo is not the sparsely populated town it once was. With growth and progress comes traffic. <br />According to MNDoT, Manning Tr N at the intersection of 122nd St N, had an average of 6,800 vehicles <br />per day in 2018. I think it's fair to estimate it is well over 7,000/day in 2024. In 2018, 122nd St N at Keller <br />Ave N had an average of 2,550 vehicles/day, probably close to 3,000 in 2024. Keller Ave N, north of 122nd <br />St N, had an average of 652 vehicles/day in 2022. Keystone Ave N, south of 122nd Ave N, averaged 1,223 <br />vehicles/day in 2022. A neighboring business to Liberty Classical Academy is a 500-person event center <br />at the Withrow Ballroom. Another neighboring business is Sal’s Angus Grill. Drive by on any given <br />evening and you will see a parking lot full of cars. All this to say, adding a small high school will not add <br />significantly to the traffic on an already very busy road. <br /> <br />I also understand some of my neighbors are concerned about property values. Liberty Classical Academy <br />is one of the top-performing schools in the nation. Ask any realtor how great schools affect property <br />value, and you will see this argument is silly. If anything, having Liberty Classical Academy in Hugo will <br />attract more residents, driving up property value. Having Liberty in our community will grow the tax base <br />and tax revenue, to the benefit of all. <br /> <br />I ask that you consider my comments in the approval process of Liberty Classical Academy’s Phase 2 <br />Expansion Plan and I am asking that you approve the plan without restriction. <br /> <br />Thank You, <br />Edward Hanon