Work began recently on new facilities in Mendota Heights for Southview Design, a landscape firm that has outgrown its current building in Inver Grove Heights.

The new building, at 2383 Pilot Knob Road, will sit on a 3-acre campus to accommodate Southview's fleet of vehicles, trailers, trucks and other equipment.

The building will have 9,000 square feet of office space, plus an 8,000-square-foot warehouse and greenhouse, and is expected to be completed in December. Most of the landscaping will be completed this year.

The new facility also will have an eco-friendly solution for water management, including two large rain gardens to manage drainage and contain stormwater onsite.

Founded in 1978, Southview has completed over 7,000 residential and commercial landscaping projects. It recently was named one of America's fastest-growing landscape firms by Landscape Management magazine.

Chamber head resigns

The Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce has begun the search for a new president to replace Todd Bornhauser, who resigned June 12.

Bornhauser had been president since 2000. His last official day on the job will be July 31.

In a statement, Bornhauser said had enjoyed his years at the chamber but thought it was time to have a new president with "new excitement, new ideas and new energy to take the organization to the next level."

During Bornhauser's tenure, chamber membership has doubled to 400. The organization also started its Landscape & Home Expo, Foundation Bowling Tournament, and Lakeville YEA! (Young Entrepreneurs Academy).

Pain treatment clinic opens

A unique wellness center focused on pain management and treatment for addiction recently opened in Burnsville.

The Valley Pain Relief and Wellness Center is a joint practice of two doctors, Svetlana Zaydman and Ashwin George. The new clinic is at 2428 E. 117th St.

The center offers treatment to help patients manage a variety of painful conditions, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraines, shingles and cancer-related pain. The facility also offers treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.

Building permits lower than previous year

Construction in Lakeville — commercial as well as residential — has eased off slightly from last year's frenetic pace.

The city has issued building permits valued at $52.2 million through the end of May. This compares with $55.9 million for the same period in 2013.

The value of commercial and industrial permits for the five-month period totaled $3.6 million, vs. $5.6 million a year ago. Lakeville also has issued permits for 128 single-family homes through the end of May valued at $43.9 million compared with 140 single-family permits valued at $42.2 million last year.

Eagan also reported lower residential building activity for the first five months of this year. The city issued 41 single-family and townhouse permits for the period, compared with 63 a year ago.

The value of commercial and industrial building permits in Eagan increased, totaling $42.8 million, compared with $39.4 million through the end of May in 2013.

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Susan Feyder • 952-746-3282