Construction on a new 3-mile segment of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail along the North Shore of Lake Superior is scheduled to begin in fall 2019. But before then, officials at the state DNR and the city of Grand Marais want people's input.

The new segment, from Fall River Road in Grand Marais down to Cutface Creek, is supposed to include observation areas and interpretive signs. Officials will hold an open house to answer questions and take comments from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on July 12 in the council chambers of the Grand Marais City Hall.

Once completed, the Gitchi-Gami State Trail will run for 86 miles from Two Harbors to Grand Marais.

Pam Louwagie

Greater Minnesota

State grants will help restore sites for redevelopment

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has awarded $6.28 million in grants to clean up 17 polluted sites approved for redevelopment, including these in greater Minnesota:

Mankato was awarded $115,217 to clean up just over a half-acre site used by a former dry cleaning business that has been polluted with petroleum and other chemicals. Redevelopment plans call for a mixed-use building with some commercial space and 13 apartments.

Virginia will get $13,590 to clean up land contaminated with petroleum and other pollutants to make way for 1,500 square feet of commercial space. A grocery store, appliance repair shop, thrift store, automotive supply company and printing company had occupied the site.

The Winona Port Authority got $322,671 to clean up just under 2 acres contaminated with tetrachloroethene, metals and other pollutants. Plans for the former industrial site include 60 units of rental housing, commercial space and a Montessori school.

Funding comes from DEED's Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grants Program. The grants amount to about three-fourths of the funding for reclaiming polluted sites and brownfields statewide. The Metropolitan Council, cities, counties, other local units of government, private landowners and developers contribute the balance.

The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) also approved loans totaling nearly $2.96 million for water infrastructure projects in Browerville and Winsted.

Dan Browning