Public Services Director Steve Gatlin has moved into the city manager position in Coon Rapids, a month after Matt Fulton's resignation.
Gatlin, 62, came to the city as public works director in 1998. Since 2005, he's served as public services director, with responsibility for community development, engineering and public works.
In an interview Friday, Gatlin said he's committed to preserving and improving neighborhoods and to encouraging redevelopment along Coon Rapids Boulevard.
In the coming months, he said, the north metro city of 63,000 likely will be considering Phase 2 development around the Coon Rapids Ice Arena, some iteration of the long-held community center concept. The city also will be completing its master plan for parks and recreation.
Gatlin said the city is strengthened by the stability of its longtime residents, and the surprising small-town feel for such a large city. A strong infrastructure, he said, also has the city primed for redevelopment.
