HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 05-05 Bruton voices concern about shopping center THE REVIEW THE REVIEW Wed.,May 5,1976
Proposed in Woodbury
, _
Bruton voices concern
about shopping g ce e in center
by Scott Carlson
Plans to construct a regional shopping AND AT HIS URGING the Maplewood development"because we do not have the
council passed a resolution voicing capabilities to upgrade streets."Two,re-
center in Woodbury,with Dayton's as one concerns about what it considers the evaluate current city assessments policy
of the tenants and developers,will cause a "premature development." so that property owners would nearly pay
host of problems for Maplewood, the The proposed center, according to 100 percent of all costs. Three, seek
city's mayor,Roberton Bruton,said last reports in the St.Paul news papers,would financial backing outside of the city to
Thursday night. be located on a 106-acre site bordered by finance the improvements.
Lower Afton road and Interstate 494.
Construction,if approved,would begin in THE MAYOR SAID THAT it was
1977 with completion in either 1978 or contradictory that the Metropolitan
early 1979. Council approved the city's com-
Developers of the regional center would prehensive guide plan, which calls for
be the Robert Muir Co.,Inc.of Hollywood, slow development of the southern leg,
Calif.and Dayton Hudson Properties.The while the Metropolitan Council now in-
site is east of Maplewood and the St.Paul dicates the whole area may be built up
Battle Creek area. within five years.
According to the news reports, the With such intense development
developers have dropped their plans to pressures at both ends at the city there is
construct a regional shopping center in no way that all the improvements can be
Lake Elmo because of expected problems financed under current policy, Bruton
in getting utilities. There are also indicated.
questions of adequate population growth He added,"The sewer pressures are
since the Metropolitan Council's guide something we can't afford."
plan calls for Lake Elmo to remain "If they steamroller this(the shopping
largely rural through the year 1990. center)through,fine,"Bruton said."But
I say recognize the consequences of it."
BUT WHILE THE WOODBURY SITE Councilman Donald Wiegert agreed
seems more attractive to the developers that the city should voice its concerns.
because of unanticipated utility and The council,in its resolution,noted that
population problems,Mayor Bruton feels if additional sewer and drainage demands
the development of the shopping center are put on Battle Creek because of the
would be "premature" and cause a shopping center that the Washington-
hardship on Maplewood. Ramsey Watershed District is not even
"There may be too many shopping prepared to deal with them at this time.
centers,' Bruton said. "I think it's In addition upgrading of Highway 120
premature." has not been staged,the council noted.
He added, "I think it will create The city's resolution has been sent to
additional pressures on Maplewood." the Metropolitan Council, the city of
Bruton noted that"Maplewood does not Woodbury,the Minnesota State Highway
have very good streets down there." Department, St. Paul, Dayton-Hudson
Three alternatives are available to the Properties, the Washington-Ramsey
city, he suggested. One, slow down Watershed District and Ramsey County.