The Senate Capital Investment Committee tour visited Fillmore County on Wednesday, October 6. Chatfield EDA made their pitch for Phase II plans for the Chatfield Center for the Arts and Preston promoted a Preston to Carimona segment of the bike trail along with an ask for additional funding for the future veterans home.
Center for the Arts
Michael Martin made it clear that delaying additional funding for the arts center will only lead to a greater ask down the road. The ask is $9.7 million; it was $7 million in 2015 and is expected to be $10 million two years into the future. If the funding asked for is awarded the total renovation project including Phase I work will have cost over $14 million.
The most visible part of the improvement plan for the arts center is the entry to be constructed between the 1936 building (Potter Auditorium) and the 1916 building. It will connect the two buildings effectively. The exterior walls of each building will be the interior walls of the entrance area. More restrooms and a lobby/concession area to reduce congestion during pre-event and post-vent activities is planned. Improvements are needed to better regulate heating and cooling, including the installation of new/efficient windows.
When the 1916 building was built it was designed without insulation, heat rose and melted snow off the pitch and gravel roof. Coal was cheap. The duct work for air conditioning is already in the building.
Senator Senjem praised Chatfield saying “when you invest in Chatfield you invest in a great community.” He added when Joel Young has his finger on it , it is good. Senator Carla Nelson commented “Chatfield is a get ‘er done community.”
Mayor Russ Smith insisted art inspires people and the arts center needs some work to help it last another 100 years.
Senator Nelson and Senator Jeremy Miller authored the bill for Phase I construction. Miller had a conflict and was not with the tour. Nelson said she was committed to the rest of the project, adding that she loved the building, which has great character. She also noted the arts center is not just for Chatfield, as it has a regional draw. The stage provides a great opportunity for kids to perform and is a great resource for the region.
Blufflands State Trail addition
The Senate committee gathered first at the Lanesboro Dam. Renovation of the dam was funded in the 2017 bonding bill. Senjem referred to it as a wonderful historic site. It was built in 1868 and is one of only six with this particular kind of construction. It needs to be fixed and the project is in the design phase at this point.
Because the committee was in Lanesboro they then gathered at the Lanesboro trailhead to hear the presentation promoting the Preston to Carimona segment of the Blufflands State Trail.
Preston City Administrator Joe Hoffman said it has been an active project as a mile or so has been built including two bridges, which represents a $1 million investment. The DNR already owns the land from Preston to Carimona where the trail will be built. The legislature has authorized it as a state trail and it is a DNR tier one destination trail as it will help tie the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trails to Forestville State Park and Historic Forestville. The segment includes 10 miles and 12 bridges, which will make it expensive to construct. The final leg to Forestville State Park will be on 2.7 miles of quiet country roads from the Carimona Trailhead.
Gabby Kinneberg, Preston Tourism Director, noted there are nine towns along the Blufflands Trail and it is one of the most heavily traveled in the state trail systems. There are 86,000 users of the Preston trail each year. Most users visit both Preston and Lanesboro.
The project is shovel ready. Hoffman referred to a statement by former parks and trails supervisor Craig Blommer, “This trail will be the most scenic part of the Blufflands trail system.” Due to the many bridges the cost of the rest of this segment is estimated to cost at least $5.3 million. Hoffman said this estimate will be updated in the next month or so.
Preston has invested over $200,000 on the “in-town” trail, which connects the Forestville Trail and the Harmony-Preston Valley Trail. Hoffman added we appreciate your past support.
Lanesboro Mayor Jason Resseman explained the trail is used in all seasons. It is groomed in the winter for cross country skiing/non-machine users. Communities are tied together with the bike trail so it benefits the region as a whole. Hoffman noted that the trails are used to provide access to fishing easements. Resseman commented that it also adds to our quality of life as it is a way to enjoy nature with the family.
Veterans home supplemental request
Preston and the other two proposed sites for veterans homes in the state are waiting until early 2020 for the federal funding announcements. Hoffman said they are optimistic about all three of the Minnesota proposed projects. Construction could begin in the summer of 2020. The home could open in early 2022.
Hoffman explained the city originally wanted a 72 bed facility, but the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs had a higher standard, which meant higher construction costs. The current budget of $32.3 million will allow for a 54 bed facility.
Also, amenities, including dedicated access drive, entrance canopy, screened porches, upgraded interior finishes, transfer garage, steel roof and other exterior amenities, have been cut to keep the project on budget. Hoffman asked for an additional $4 million to fund these amenities, so the experience will be the same at all three homes.
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