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The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents November 2016 State of the City meeting offers news and insight about City projects by Tina Kulzer Sixty-seven guests attended the an- nual “State of the City” community meeting at Flaherty’s Arden Bowl on Thursday, September 29. This year’s meeting was a departure from the tradi- tional overview of City issues presented by City Council members and instead featured presentations by community businesses and partner organizations. Bob Lux from Alatus spoke first and ex- plained the role of the master developer in the Rice Creek Commons project, reviewed the history of and timeline for the redevel- opment, and explained the goals for the working relationship they now have with the City. He explained that the current focus of that relationship is to find a “middle ground” between the Master Plan devel- oped by the Joint Development Authority (JDA) and City and the market realities that drive the work done by developers like Alatus. Lux fielded questions from the audi- ence related to traffic increases, mass transit accessibility, and planned housing mix. One of the City’s largest business residents, Land O’Lakes, had the second presentation slot. Mayor Grant presented information about the Fortune 200 company that calls Arden Hills home, detailing the construc- tion plans that will consolidate its Shor- eview campus into the Arden Hills head- quarters, as well as the tax abatement that secured their future in the City. Sheila Kauppi, North Area Manager for MnDOT, concluded the meeting with status updates on the many road construc- tion projects coming to a close in our area, as well as a summary of what Arden Hills residents can expect in the coming years. Kauppi disclosed that approximately $70 million in state road construction funding was spent in Arden Hills from 2013-2015. As one of the busiest road con- struction seasons in recent memory winds down, area residents will have improved road conditions to enjoy as a result. Kauppi reported that the outlook for the 2017 construction season in our area will not be as busy, with eastbound lane closures on I-694 (the next phase of the “Corridors of Commerce” on I-694) being the main proj- ect that will affect residents. There were several audience questions and comments for Kauppi, who addressed them all. Local election results outlined Residents and community leaders had the chance to talk together during the State of the City meeting on September 29. Arden Hills voters elected three City Council Members during the general election on November 8. They are incumbents Brenda Holden and Dave McClung who will fill four-year terms and Steve Scott who will fill a two-year term (completing the unexpired term of the late Bob Woodburn). They will begin their duties in January. Notes on a second meeting The Arden Hills City Council scheduled an additional open house to provide information and gather input on TCAAP development plans on Wednesday, November 16, at 4:30 p.m. in the Marsden Room of the Ramsey County Public Works Facility, 1425 Paul Kirkwold Drive, Arden Hills.