5. - 8. ICESR 04-01-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ITEM 7.7. 0 Grou p seeks to force a vote , .. . ,, . . • -on ice arena MONDAY,MARCH 24,1997 . for Mahtomedi SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS JIM BROEDE STAFF WRITER Nobody knows for sure whether most When RINC unveiled, in 1994,a plan to people in Mahtomedi really want a new build the arena in the city's Southwest ice arena. Park, it got an icy reception from some But Julie Olson intends to find out, by neighbors. They said the 250-foot-long forcing a referendum on city financial building would be an eyesore and gener- participation in a $2.5 million arena pro- ate high amounts of traffic on residential ject. streets. "We have a petition drive going," 01- Mayor Henry DeWuske is encouraging son said Thursday, "and need the signa- another site for the arena, a half-mile ` tures of 348 Mahtomedi residents to from the park, on the Century Communi- ty College campus, near Interstate 694 ready collected 809 signatures, and ex- and Century Avenue. pect more to come." Citizens organised as Recreational Ice "We have talked to college the officials and Neighborhood, Center — also known about it," DeWuske said, "and y would • as RINC — are trying to get the arena welcome the arena with no strings at- built. They have raised $475,000 from tached. But to clear the way for such a private donations and a state "Mighty project on a community college campus, Ducks" grant. it requires special state legislation,which - RINC recently asked the City Council the city is seeking." to float a bond issue up to $1.4 million to - help pay for the arena. DeWuske also envisions saving money. The group's spokesman, Paul Rogo- "I call the college campus the 'goose- -- sheske, said the city's share might yet be that-laid-the-golden egg site,'" he said, :- reduced by several hundred thousand dol- "because it already has ample parking . lars by other fund-raising efforts now lots, outdoor lighting and public utilities. -: under way. That might add up to a $350,000 cost "We expect a large portion of the city's savings over the Southwest Park site." :- debt to be repaid with revenue generated Also, a college campus location might : from the arena," he added. "The city defuse some arena opposition. -- would have to make up the shortfalls, : - and we don't expect that to be more than "Those folks near Southwest Park are -s_ $60,000 a year." opposed to an arena just because it would -.. • Olson, meanwhile, said signers of the be too close for comfort," DeWuske said. ,. - petitions include people both for and "The college campus, however, is a corn- . . against the arena. fortable distance.from their homes." . "But they all have a desire to give the • -- voters the final say," she said. "Some - feel the arena was being rammed down -- their throats, without due process, be cause the `Mighty Ducks' legislation al lows arenas to be built without referen- dum. Without our petition, the City Council could have said 'OK' to the arena and billed us (taxpayers) for any short- 40 fall." r