fbpx
Sunday, November 10, 2024
HomeBusinessTwo Harbors Council; Updates On Housing, Waterfront Development And RAMS

Two Harbors Council; Updates On Housing, Waterfront Development And RAMS

The Two Harbors City Council received updates on a number of important efforts currently underway to bring needed improvements to the city.

Paul Peltier, of the Range Association of Municipalities And Schools (RAMS), made a brief presentation at Monday night’s meeting to update the Council on work the organiza­tion engages in to support rural cities in the Iron Range. Read­ers may remember that RAMS has been working since 1939 to advocate for the communi­ties and schools in this region. They carry out this work by co­ordinating with local commu­nity leaders across the region to discuss community needs and to collectively work with legislative officials in St. Paul to secure funding and other resources for the area. RAMS is, in effect, one of our voices in the State capital that helps North Shore communities compete for State and Federal funding for needed infrastruc­ture projects and other local improvements. Some of the current priorities for RAMS are economic development, housing and the expansion of broadband to underserved ar­eas in our part of the state.

Executive Director of the Lake County Housing and Re­development Authority, Mat­thew Johnson, was on hand at Monday’s meeting to update the Council on current work underway to address a number of housing needs in the area. The LCHRA has been working with local contractors to de­velop a design for single fam­ily homes that could be used throughout the county. The design plans are, at this point, concept designs, but would allow for various iterations of affordable, market rate hous­ing that could accommodate three to five bedroom homes. Johnson emphasized that the LCHRA will be working with local contractors and material providers so that the benefits of development stay local. John­son spoke about the down­town development project that is beginning to take shape for 2nd Avenue. He stated that the Council will be in charge of what the project will eventu­ally become and the LCHRA will help facilitate the Coun­cil’s vision. Additionally, there are two development projects that LCHRA is working on to develop tax forfeited land within the city. One project is in the Segog area and could en­compass land that can be used for development of workforce housing and also offers the possibility for some commer­cial development. This would be a phased project that would be developed over a number of years with collaboration be­tween the LCHRA and the City. The LCHRA has also acquired some tax forfeited land on 17th Avenue and can be used for a couple of single family homes. LCHRA will work to sell that property so that it can be devel­oped according to the Coun­cil’s specifications.

Jolene Brink, who, along with other community mem­bers, has been working with the Citizens Institute On Rural Design (CIRD) was joined by Dan Yudchitz, of Leo A Daly Architects. They presented an update on design ideas for the planned development of Van Hoven Park. There have been hundreds of hours of work put into development of the Park by local volunteers and there are some really exciting ideas that, when implemented, will make the waterfront a show­piece for the City. Eventually, the space will include the Vet­erans Memorial, space for the Edna G, and enhancements to the area between Waterfront Street and Lighthouse Point Road. Area residents were sur­veyed about what they would like to see developed in the area and their ideas include a versatile building that could be used for weddings, craft fairs and other community events, enhanced trail access that is ADA accessible, restrooms and shade structures, a fishing pier, structures along Agate Bay with a elevated viewing area so that visitors can view the waterfront and the shipping activity, and updated signage so that visitors can learn about the historic nature of the area. The eventual development of the park will be phased over a number of years and can be broken down into “bite sized” pieces as grant funding be­comes available. What was presented at Monday night’s Council meeting are concept design ideas that will be de­veloped further as the CIRD group continues to develop their plans.

The next Two Harbors Coun­cil meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 9th at 5:30 PM.

Rick Evans
Rick Evans
My wife, Marsha Kinzer (a proud DEHS Greyhound, class of ‘77) introduced me to the North Shore on vacation in 2012. It became our regular escape when the stress of our careers in education became overwhelming, and it didn’t take me long to fall in love with the breathtaking scenery, the nice people, and “salad” containing Jell-o and marshmallows. So you can either blame or thank my loving wife for my being here, because when we needed to choose a retirement hometown, Marsha advocated hard for her beloved Duluth, and here we are, six months later. Yes, this will be my first northern Minnesota winter. Yes, I welcome thoughts and prayers. Government, public policy, and social justice weighed heavily in the curriculums I taught at the high school level over a thirty-eight year career. In addition, we were a laboratory school focused on critical thinking in conjunction with technical and scientific writing. So when I found myself adrift on the great ocean of retirement and spied a raft, I jumped at the chance to take up what I’d left behind…minus the bad teachers’ lounge coffee. My position at the NSJ allows me to combine my passions for government and writing, and it’s helping me to feel less out of touch in new surroundings. When I’m not being “Cubby” (Marsha’s favorite new nickname for this green reporter) I enjoy pointing at eagles and saying, “Look, honey. There’s an eagle.” I’ve had an active side hustle as a professional musician for almost as many years as Charlie Parr. As a guitarist/singer/songwriter, I graced the stages of clubs and festivals around southern Wisconsin, including an appearance on A Prairie Home Companion. Should I even mention A Prairie Home Companion, or am I the only one here old enough to remember what that is? Look! An eagle!
RELATED ARTICLES
- Advertisment -

Most Popular