HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 12-15 Two referendums slated in February REVIEW Two referendums
slated in February
0„ . 1°14
by Dennis Doeden Public works garage
Residents will be asked to approve
Maplewood residents will go to the polls funding of a new structure to house the
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 1977 to vote on two city's public works department,including
separate referendum issues — one for a maintenance —streets, sewer and park•
park bond and the other for a public works equipment. The new garage would be a
garage. dispensing point for recreational
City officials are busy preparing for the equipment. In addition, the Maplewood
issues, planning community in- Engineering Department would move to
formational meetings and a campaign to the new structure, thus freeing up some
push for a good voter turnout. space in the present city hall and delaying
The park improvement referendum the need for additional administrative
calls for $851,000 in tax funds while the office space for several years.The public
public works garage issue is projected at works garage, to be constructed east of
$900,000. If approved, the funds would White Bear Avenue and south of County
come from increased taxes to Maplewood Road B, is projected to take care of the
residents. city's public works space needs until the
Here is a breakdown on each of the year 2000. It has been designed so that
issues: additions may be constructed in the
future. A majority of the land on which 1
Park referendum the garage would be built has already 1
About $330,000 of the total figure of been purchased by the City of Maplewood.
$851,000 would be used to acquire land for It is the city's plan to landscape the
three new neighborhood parks and an property so that it fits in with the
addition to an existing park,according to surrounding residential area.
Community Services Director Eric
Blank. The remaining $520,000 would be The public works department is
used for development of existing parks, presently headquartered in a metal
including tennis courts, hockey rinks, building at Clarence and Frost that is
picnic shelters, trails and other im- partially heated and non-insulated with a
provements and additions. portion of the building having a dirt floor.
Voters will be asked to cast their vote In addition,several wooden buildings are
either for or against the issue, also used to store equipment. These are
"The need for this referendum has located on land which is partially owned
arisen because of the demand for use of by the city and partially leased for a cost
our parks and the tax freeze and budget of$3,500 per year.
cuts," Blank explained. "We hope
passage of this referendum will help to THE CITY HAS scheduled an open
pick up the slack caused by these house at the present public works site for
problems. The money will be used to Jan. 30, 1977 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in
develop neighborhood parks in order to allow residents to visit and see
Maplewood." the existing buildings.