Tag Archive
Pressure Congress to pass federal jobs bill
While the latest Presidential Jobs Bill is going nowhere, if it were passed, it could have provided 18,000 jobs in Minnesota. According to the White House estimates, the bill would have had enough funds to provide: •7,900 jobs in highway construction at a cost of $608 million. •6,900 in jobs for teachers and first responders at a cost of $504 million. •3,600 jobs for rebuilding schools at a cost of $274 million. Republicans in the Congress from Minnesota all voted no on this job bills, because they have vowed to make President Barack Obama a one-term president.
New turnlane set for SW 12th St. at SW 3rd Ave.
Walmart to cover costs Jennifer Mevissen Staff Writer Big rigs, as well as other motorists in Forest Lake, will soon be able to make a free-right turn off southbound SW 12th Street onto westbound SW 3rd Avenue. According to City Engineer Paul Hornby, the lane improvements to accommodate additional truck traffic at the intersection was a requirement under the development agreement for expansion of the Forest Lake Walmart to a SuperCenter. Hornby said that Walmart set aside $300,000 to cover the costs of construction, including acquisition of the right-of-way which has been done
Impacts of state government shutdown felt in FL
Jennifer Mevissen Clint Riese Staff Writers Almost two weeks into the state government shutdown and the impacts in Forest Lake are widespread from land to water. District Manager Greg Gerlach said he’s seeing a decrease in sales at two Holiday Station Stores along Broadway Avenue because of the construction project were, but the state shutdown is making it that much worse. “We’re definitely losing money,” he said. Gerlach noted Holiday’s cut is 5.5 cents per lottery ticket sold
Support FL businesses with Go Local Discount Card—and it’s free!
Holiday District Manager Greg Gerlach looks at a free Go Local Discount Card at the store, 1208 W. Broadway Ave. Both the gas station locations on either side of the freeway in Forest Lake have seen the impact of road construction due to the corridor improvement project. (Photo by Jennifer Mevissen) Jennifer Mevissen Staff Writer Eighteen Forest Lake businesses are hoping the public takes them up on values offered with a free Go Local Discount Card.
Broadway Avenue open house draws public interest
Bridge removal will begin next month Jennifer Larson Staff Writer Forest Lake area residents and business owners interested in the continuing construction project that is transforming Broadway Avenue, and creating routes over I-35, were invited to an open house April 19 in preparation for the work to be underway in 2011. A meeting room in the Washington County North Service Center was lined with display boards, noting the “mega project” encompasses a rebuilt Broadway Ave. from 19th Street to Centennial Drive, as well as a new bridge over the interstate, and a new ring-road system that will include Everton Avenue, CR-83 and SW 12th Street. Construction in 2011 will also include the completion of the Hardwood Creek Pedestrian Bridge over Broadway Ave. Around 40 individuals came to the open house which Cory Slagle, county engineering and construction manager, said that is not unusal. As the project starts to near, attendance to those meetings typically decreases
County awards bids for Broadway project
Construction is slated to begin in May With the coming of spring comes the continuation of the Broadway Avenue “mega project” being undertaken in Forest Lake. The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a bid award for the next phase of the construction project at its meeting on Tuesday, April 26 in Stillwater. Redstone Construction will do the next phase of the project, which will include grading, aggregate base, concrete and bituminous paving, concrete curb and gutter, water main, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, signing, lane striping, lighting, and traffic signals. The next phase will focus on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 (Broadway Avenue) from Highway 61 in downtown Forest Lake to Interstate 35
Scandia continues study of code governing cell towers
Planning commission has suggestions for code Mary Bailey Scandia Reporter Last month the Scandia Planning Commission endorsed the construction of a new cell tower based on current city code. This month the commission began reviewing that code to see if it reflects their goals. At the March 1 meeting the commission also welcomed new member Jan Hogle and chose officers for 2011. Christine Maefsky will serve as chair and Tom Krinke as vice chair
Roundabout leaves Forest Lake businesses stranded
FOREST LAKE — The city’s normally busy signature downtown intersection at Broadway Avenue and Lake Street was traffic-free this week, not counting the construction equipment beginning work on the much-debated roundabout.
Airport on shaky ground
FOREST LAKE — Construction of a new arrival and departure building and a relocated and upgraded fueling system at Forest Lake Airport were almost grounded by the City Council on Monday, June 14.