Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas
www.dakotacountytribune.com
July 7, 2016 • Volume 131 • Number 19
Leprechaun Days parade is July 30
NEWS New coffee shop opens
Event moves back to second weekend after two-year scheduling change
Owner of BlueNose Coffee values fresh servings of java; hopes to give customers the perfect cup. Page 2A
OPINION Failure at the Legislature There is plenty of blame to go around for a 2016 legislative impasse that left many issues unresolved. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Rosemount Leprechaun Days 2016, which is slated July 22-31, marks the return of the Grand Day Parade to its traditional slot on the second weekend of the 10-day festival. For two years, the Grand Day Parade was moved to the first weekend in an effort to help the all-volunteer committee better plan for the parade and its other major event – the Midsummer Faire carnival, live music and fireworks show on the second weekend. The parade will join
again with the Midsummer Faire weekend at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 30, after it was determined that fewer people attended the parade in the previous two years. “We want as many people as possible to enjoy our events,” committee president Steve Ball said. “We listened to the feedback we were getting from participants and spectators and decided to switch it back.” The parade will be highlighted this year by the award-winning Rosemount High School The Rosemount Leprechaun Days Grand Day Parade will be highlighted by a performarching band, which mance from the award-winning Rosemount High School marching band. The band will be raising funds for its trip to the 2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at a food See PARADE, 5A booth at the high school before and after the parade. (Photo by Tad Johnson)
Highway 3 closed for northbound traffic in Farmington through weekend Businesses will remain accessible
Oldies but goodies
by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Eagan Market Fest is set to host its Classic Car Show & Oldies Music Night on Wednesday, July 13, at the city’s Central Park. Page 17A
SPORTS
Gopher Classic starts Friday Largest American Legion baseball tournament in North America comes to south metro. Page 10A
PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District. Page 12A
Beating the heat
Several children took advantage of the cooling waters of the Rosemount Splash Pad in Central Park on a recent evening. The splash pad, which is open for its second year, has been attracting crowds in recent days as warm weather has returned to the area. (Photo by Tad Johnson)
Northbound traffic on Highway 3 will be completely closed starting at 10 p.m. Friday between Highway 50 and Willow Street this weekend in Farmington, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It will reopen at 5 a.m. Monday. Suggested detours during the closures include Highway 50, Pilot Knob Road and 195th Street. “I encourage people to check out the MnDOT website,” City Engineer Kevin Schorzman said. “That’s where you’re going to find the most updated information.” MnDOT had planned to close the stretch two weeks ago but delayed the closing a few days prior. The Highway 3 project will have alternating lane closures between Highway 50 in Farmington and 179th Street in Empire Township now through October. The road is scheduled to be closed again start- Email Andy Rogers at ing at 10 p.m. Wednesday, andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com.
Grant will help preserve Vermillion River Plan to save trail, riverbank
“There’s no additional out of pocket expense for this,” Schorzman said. The city will help with the final design, bidding process, contractor selection and oversee the construction.
by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A Public Notices . . . . . . 12A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 13A Announcements . . . . 16A
News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-392-6862 Delivery 763-712-3544
July 20, through 5 a.m. Monday, July 25, between County Road 46 and Claremont Drive and between Willow and Ash streets. “It’s a little longer (than the one this weekend), so it’s going to be a little more impactful,” Schorzman said. “But it eliminates two other weekend closures because of that.” During the closures, nearby residents and businesses may hear noise during construction, including during the night. The project includes the removal of pavement, installing new pipe and repaving Highway 3. Schorzman said while the overall project won’t likely be done before the Dakota County Fair, there shouldn’t be any major closures during the week. The city gave MnDOT a list of busy weekends. “The public is aware that this is not a city project and we don’t have any control over it,” Council Member Terry Donnelly said during a meeting last month. “We just advise.” All businesses and residences will remain accessible throughout the duration of the project.
Farmington city staff members who serve on the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization are partnering to save trails in Rambling River Park and help preserve the Vermillion River’s habitat. The city and the watershed group were awarded a $255,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources to work on stabilizing a portion of the Vermillion River. Part of a trail along the Vermillion River starting from Schmitz-Maki Arena to Elm Street is in danger of getting washed away because the river bank has eroded. “There’s a few areas where the river is getting really close to the trail. So over time that’s going to eat into the trail,” City Engineer Kevin Schorzman said. “This project will actually stabilize the (riverbank) so we don’t have to worry about the trail falling
Little Piggy expansion
Erosion along the Vermillion River has come close to destroying the trails in Rambling River Park. A grant from the Department of Natural Resources aims to correct the erosion. (Photo submitted) into the river. It’s also going to improve the habitat for the fish.” The project also hopes to improve the river’s water quality. The city will provide about $20,000 worth of staff time and in-kind services in matching funds.
Little Piggy Catering is planning a major expansion in Farmington. The catering company is planning to construct a 18,102-square-foot commercial building on its current property along Highway 3 south of Happy Harry’s Furniture. The Farmington City Council approved the project’s plans during Monday’s meeting. The plan for the new building will include office space, a food preparation area and a banquet facility. The company caters weddings, graduation and corporate events throughout Minnesota. The existing building will remain until the See RIVER, 5A
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