Metro briefs: Excelsior to get first independent senior living facility

Construction will begin on the Waters of Excelsior by the end of the year, with the building expected to open in early 2018. It will replace a closed restaurant and a 1960s-era apartment building near Hwy. 7 and Water Street.

It will be the first four-story building in Excelsior, where officials and residents had debated whether it would be out of scale for the Lake Minnetonka town.

The project had failed to get supermajority votes from the City Council and Planning Commission. But last week, the Waters Senior Living Management LLC, the Minnetonka-based developer, argued that the supermajority requirement was superseded by state law, and the general plan passed on a 3-2 vote.

The facility, with up to 110 apartments, will offer both memory care and independent living housing. The development will straddle the Excelsior-Shorewood border, so Excelsior will annex 1.3 acres of Shorewood and the cities will split the property taxes.

KELLY SMITH

Washington County's new public works complex, which replaced a 1960s-era building, has opened for business.

Engineers, surveyors, land managers and parks supervisors returned to work last week at what's known as the North Shop at 11660 Myeron Road, Stillwater Township.

The complex is the primary maintenance site for more than 300 miles of county highways, 100 traffic signals and 600 vehicles in the county fleet.

The opening comes at a time when the county is doing 25 road projects, the most in its history. The work will expand and improve county roads built long ago, said Don Theisen, who oversees the public works division.

A public open house at the complex, including tours, will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 20.

Kevin Giles

Melissa Manderschied has been named Bloomington's new city attorney, replacing Sandra Johnson, who retired in June after more than 25 years in the city attorney's office and seven as its chief.

"Melissa is recognized as a rising star in municipal law and we are excited to have her join the city of Bloomington," City Manager Jamie Verbrugge said. "In addition to her solid experience representing cities, Melissa's background working for the Metropolitan Council and as a community organizer brings a well-rounded perspective that will add value to our leadership team."

Manderschied has been with the Kennedy & Graven law firm for nearly 10 years. She holds a law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law, a master's degree in planning from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor's degree in international relations from Centre College in Kentucky. She also was a Humphrey policy fellow at the University of Minnesota.

JOHN REINAN

New Brighton city officials will cut the ribbon Tuesday on a newly completed renovation of City Hall that provides office space for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and the Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute.

New offices and a conference room were added in the building's lower level, where both law enforcement organizations moved June 1. Tenant leases will be used to pay for the work.

The ribbon cutting ceremony, which is open to the public, will begin at 5 p.m.

City Hall is at 803 Old Hwy. 8 NW., New Brighton.