Woodbury

City moves to fill up space at Bielenberg

Woodbury is taking steps to find occupants for thousands of square feet of unexpectedly empty space at its mammoth Bielenberg Sports Center.

The city is asking for proposals for as much as 7,253 square feet that was supposed to be used by the Minnesota United pro soccer team. It has hired a broker to scout prospects and negotiate an agreement.

Woodbury has also announced a "mutual dismissal of litigation" with Gartner Restaurant Holdings, which was supposed to open a restaurant in unfinished space and also concessions at Bielenberg. The city will later seek a new tenant for food operations.

Parks chief Bob Klatt said that there is "a lot of interest in both spaces," adding, in a written announcement: "We needed time to move past various barriers. We are excited to move forward and find the right partners for these spaces."

The Bielenberg expansion, including a 90,000-square-foot indoor fieldhouse, opened last year and was intended to feature a number of unusual add-ons, which for a variety of reasons didn't develop as planned or as quickly as hoped.

David Peterson

HENNEPIN COUNTY

Volunteers sought to help keep roads pristine

Hennepin County is looking for Adopt-a-Highway volunteers. Volunteers pledge to pick up litter along a 2-mile stretch of a county road at least twice a year. More than 5 tons of litter is collected annually. Signs at each end of the road segments recognize those who have adopted that stretch.

"With more than 500 miles of roads to maintain, the Adopt-a-Highway program is critical to keep Hennepin County roads free of litter," Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison said in a news release. "We have county employees, local companies, clubs, organizations and families who deserve our sincerest appreciation for picking up litter along these roads each year."

The county supplies materials for volunteers and picks up the bags of trash when notified by the group that it has completed its road segment.

Interested? For a list of available road segments, e-mail transportation@hennepin.us or call 612-596-0300. More information is available at www.hennepin.us.

PAMELA MILLER

MAPLE GROVE

City Council posts opening

Maple Grove is accepting applications until June 5 to fill the vacant City Council seat held by Leann Sargent until she recently stepped down.

Sargent, who has been on the five-member council since 1991, announced her retirement, effective April 30, citing health reasons. She was sentenced last year to a gross misdemeanor for exploiting her dying father, cheating him out of $100,000, but the state Court of Appeals later ruled that the sentence was too lenient. She will be resentenced June 2, likely to a felony, which disqualifies her for public office.

The open position will finish Sargent's term, which ends Dec. 31, 2016, and pays $13,000 a year. The City Council will interview applicants and appoint a new council member. To apply, go to maplegrovemn.gov.

KELLY SMITH

Dakota County

County seeks input on greenway plan

Dakota County is updating its master plan for the River to River Regional Greenway, which will span nearly 8 miles in northern Dakota County. The trail runs from the Mississippi River in Lilydale to the Mississippi River in South St. Paul.

It connects community destinations, including parks, schools, Went­worth Library, Thompson Oaks Golf Course and Dodge Nature Center. The county is completing the final section of the trail in West St. Paul, from Garlough Elementary School to Hwy. 110.

The trail, previously dubbed the North Urban Regional Trail, was planned two decades ago. The updated master plan calls for added lighting and trailheads, an underpass at Dodd Road and trail expansions in certain areas.

The county estimates the recommended changes to the trail will total $8.8 million.

To review and comment on the master plan visit www.co.dakota.mn.us and search for "River to River Regional Greenway."

Jessie Van Berkel