new brighton

Golf course still in red, but city's subsidies ease

Transfers of funds from city coffers to cover losses at the municipal golf course in New Brighton continue, but the amounts are dropping, city documents show.

A memo prepared for City Council members explains that transfers from the city's Community Reinvestment Fund to offset deficits at the Brightwood Hills course ran as high as nearly $130,000 in 2013.

The figure dropped to $65,000 in 2014 and then to $60,000 in 2015. Officials hope the fund transfer for 2016 is around $57,000.

Golf courses in the area have reported better results lately, with more favorable weather to play and fewer competitors on the course as the sport in recent years has shed players.

David Peterson

Lake Elmo

Work to begin on Old Village main road

A major road project in downtown Lake Elmo will begin this month, making significant detours necessary around the Washington County city.

The County Board approved a $6.1 million contract with A-1 Excavating, Inc., to continue work on County Road 17 and the Lake Elmo Village project. The board also approved contracts for $578,200 with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc., for construction engineering, and for $92,000 with the same firm for additional design engineering.

"This is like Afton. This is a historic project for Lake Elmo," said County Commissioner Gary Kriesel, referring to the nearby St. Croix River city with a similarly quaint downtown and deteriorating main thoroughfare.

The work is being done in conjunction with the installation of sanitary sewer in Lake Elmo's Old Village. The project will result in new pavement, street striping and crosswalks, along with sidewalks more accessible to people with disabilities, and improve landscaping, lighting, and aesthetics. It also should reduce chronic flooding, said Assistant County Engineer Cory Slagle.

Kevin Giles

Grade school to dedicate playground benches

Dedication of Lake Elmo Elementary's newest playground features will take place at 6:30 p.m. May 23 on the playground, 11030 Stillwater Blvd. N., Lake Elmo.

A "Buddy Bench" and "Peace Bench" were decorated by Lake Elmo Elementary first-grade students, with a little help from their third-grade friends, under the guidance of the school's Artist in Residence, Karron Nottingham.

The Buddy Bench promotes inclusiveness on the school playground; any student who is feeling alone or left out can sit there, alerting other students on the playground who can invite that student to join their play. The Peace Bench offers a quiet place for students to sit and reflect while still enjoying the outdoors.

Kevin Giles

Roseville

Volunteers needed to plant edible fruit trees

Roseville is looking for help in planting an edible orchard whose fruit will help feed the needy.

Volunteers on Saturday will help plant 60 trees and shrubs — including apple, plum, cherry, pear and apricot trees — at the Muriel Sahlin Arboretum.

City officials say they are partnering with The Food Group, a nonprofit organization that provides healthy foods and other resources to more than 200 hunger relief agencies in Minnesota. The group's Fruits of the City program helps communities grow and harvest local fruit for those in need.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through the Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities, provided a $40,500 grant for fruit-bearing trees and shrubs at the arboretum.

The event will be held 10 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, at 2525 N. Dale St. To volunteer, contact Kelly O'Brien at 651-792-7028 or kelly.obrien@cityofroseville.com.

David Peterson

FRIDLEY

Several home improvement loans offered

The city of Fridley is offering several types of low-interest home improvement loans for single-family, multifamily and even mobile homes.

The city is offering loans from $1,000 to $50,000 at a 4.5 percent interest rate for single family home improvements. There are no income requirements. The city offers a similar loan for exterior improvements for multifamily housing.

A mobile home improvement loan is available with a $10,000 cap.

The city also is offering an emergency deferred loan of up to $10,000 at zero percent interest for qualified residents.

Interested Fridley homeowners are eligible for a free consultation with a remodeling adviser.

Call 612-335-5884 to schedule an appointment.

More information about the loan programs can be found at fridleymn.gov/1125/Home-Improvement-Loans.

SHANNON PRATHER