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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Mayor Uzpen's Goals for the Year Ahead <br />Growth, thoughtful development and <br />responsible fiscal management are on Gem <br />Lake Mayor Bob Uzpen's priority list for 2014. <br /> <br />"As the real estate market continues to recover, <br />areas of Gem Lake may redeveloped and it will <br />be important to maintain our vision about where <br />we want our city to go with this," said Uzpen. <br />"We have done a lot of pre-planning so that, as <br />much as possible, development is done in a <br />thoughtful way, that preserves the character of <br />Gem Lake." <br /> <br />Bob feel that one way of accomplishing this may <br />be to start creating a list of acceptable re- <br />development options for each area in the city <br />where it is possible. Another key idea is to be <br />very proactive about working with property <br />owners who are seeking guidance on <br />development. <br /> <br />Infrastructure issues are on the priority list for <br />the year ahead. For instance, a major goal is to <br />accomplish the re-lining of sewer pipes in the <br />Hoffman's Corner area. Another project will be <br />to work with the City of White Bear to see if <br />Gem Lake can bring city water to the Hoffman's <br />Corner business district. <br /> <br />Fiscal responsibility will be the cornerstone of <br />Gem Lake operations in 2014. Uzpen plans to <br />monitor expenses closely throughout the year to <br />seek out additional ways to meet and beat the <br />budget. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />One of the subjects discussed by Ramsey <br />County Commissioner Blake Huffman during his <br />recent visit to Gem Lake was the county's bid for <br />the Vadnais Heights Sports Center. The center <br />is located on County Road E, near the <br />intersection of Highway 61 and was built several <br />years ago for a price tag of $26 Million. <br /> <br />Due to various financial challenges, the center is <br />up for sale. The asking price is $13 Million. The <br />center is loaded with features such as several <br />ice rinks, athletic facilities and potential meeting <br />space. <br /> <br />Huffman visited Gem Lake on September 10 <br />and discussed Ramsey County's recent offer for <br />the facility, which he said was based on a careful <br />analysis of the revenue and operating expenses <br />associated with the first few years of the center's <br />actual operation. <br /> <br />The county placed a bid of $10.5M, which is the <br />lowest of three bids, but the only one that is <br />cash, without the need for financing and the <br />delays that could involve. <br /> <br />The other two bidders are Gem Lake Lodge, <br />which is an organization affiliated with the White <br />Bear Lake Hockey Association, and an <br />organization named Northern Educate, which <br />already leases some space at the Vadnais <br />Sports Center. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Vadnais Sports Center <br />Has Several Bidders