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The City of Oakdale has hired Carl Bolander and Sons Co. to tear down the ill-fated Oakdale Mall.

The City Council awarded a contract to the St. Paul contractor at its May 24 meeting, selecting it over four other firms that had submitted bids. The city will pay Bolander and Sons $174,000 to demolish the complex at 10th Street and Hadley Avenue N. The four rejected bids all were higher. The next lowest bid came in at $198,750 and the highest at $295,940, said Community Development Director Bob Streetar.

A ceremony on June 15 will mark the beginning of the demolition process and the start of the new Tartan Crossing.

Wellington Management said it plans to build a 154,000-square-foot building on the site, offering a mixture of retail and office space, along with multi-family and senior housing. Construction likely will begin in late 2011 or early 2012.

WHITE BEAR LAKE

Chamber offers two chances to networkThe White Bear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a "PerkUp!" networking session for business owners from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Tuesday at the White Bear Area YMCA, 2100 Orchard Lane. Those attending are encouraged to bring marketing materials and business cards to pass out to chamber members as they talk over coffee.

The chamber also will hold a LunchBreak Networking event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Roman Anthony's, 1350 E. Hwy. 96. Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards and brochures to promote their business. For more information, call 651-429-8593 or send an e-mail to info@whitebearchamber.com.

COTTAGE GROVE

Golf tournament for scholarships"Get Into the Swing for Scholarships" is the theme of the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce's golf tournament to raise money for student scholarships. Proceeds will provide $500 scholarships to four area high school graduates.

Tee times will begin at noon June 14 at the River Oaks Golf Course. The four-member team scramble format is open to chamber and non-chamber members. The cost is $100 for individual golfers and $400 for a team of four. Registration is due Wednesday. For more information, call 651-458-8334.

WOODBURY

Chamber plans open houseCurrent and prospective Woodbury Chamber of Commerce members are invited to an informational session to learn about benefits and services available to members.

The meeting will be held from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Thursday at the Spire Credit Union Building, 6949 Valley Creek Rd., Suite 115. For details call 651-578-0722.

TIM HARLOW

Have business news for this column? E-mail it to harlow@startribune.com.