Loading...
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.