Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Martenson Real Estate Group
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED CIRCLE PINES, MN
Exceeding Expectations since 1996
Centennial Lakes Area Realtors (612) 308-3395 Connect Troy@MartREgroup.com with us on MartREgroup.com
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016 VOL. 34 NO. 34 www.presspubs.com $1.00
NORTH METRO TV: hopes to expand its drone services PAGE 3
Prairie Fire Children's Theatre visits Centennial
Residents share their concerns about proposed development BY SHANNON GRANHOLM STAFF WRITER
comprehensive job to put them to a point where they become more safe, efficient and also building solutions that will hopefully carry these buildings for the next 25 years,” Dietz said. “It is going to offer really unique experiences for our students moving forward.” Construction at Centennial Elementary includes resurfacing the gym floor, replacing the carpet in the halls and media center, replacing ceiling tile, upgrading the boilers/controls and classroom heating and air conditioning systems, upgrading the plumbing in the bathrooms, exterior maintenance, replacing interior and exterior doors, re-cabling the building, reconfiguring the bus and drop-off traffic, upgrading the master clock and intercom system, adding cameras and automated door access, adding a
LINO LAKES — It was a full house at City Hall as residents gathered to share their opinions and concerns on a proposed residential development with the Planning and Zoning Board at its meeting Wednesday, June 8. Around 22 individuals spoke, some of them more than once, during the public hearing held for the St. Clair Estates preliminary plat and variance. St. Clair Estates is a proposed 35-lot single-family residential subdivision located north of Birch Street/ CSAH 34 and east of Hokah Drive. The development is around 30 acres and is bordered by the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve on the north, Rice Lake Elementary School and wetlands on the east, single-family homes and Birch Street on the south, and Spirit Hills and Shenandoah Third Addition residential subdivisions on the west. The developer is Jimmy Jensen from Arden Hills. Before the public hearing opened, Board Chair Paul Tralle addressed the audience and explained, “Traffic is the number one complaint that we get on every single development.” Some of the main concerns included the proposed development not having access to Birch Street, a lengthy, 1,200-foot cul-de-sac, increased traffic on residential roads, safety of kids and the lack of a proposed park in the development. Hokah Drive resident Eva Hochhaltei said, “My concern is I have an 8-year-old that rides his bike to school. I was wondering while all of this (construction) is going on, if these kids could be bused instead of trying to weave in and out of traffic. There is no room on Hokah Drive right now if there are cars parked and kids are going down the middle of Hokah Drive. It is not safe.” Tralle told Hochhaltei she would have to ask the school district, as the city doesn't have any control over the buses. Hokah Drive resident Bonnie Ollila: “My concern was to have an alternative out for the heavy equipment coming out of the development that is just temporary. I am very concerned with that type of large equipment coming in and out. The kids are going to go in the street as much as we try to keep them out. It only takes one accident and it can be life-changing for our neighborhood. I hope you really do what you can to minimize accidents for our children,” she said. Members of the board explained that Anoka County would not allow an additional access point on Birch Street and would also not permit a temporary roadway to access Birch Street during
SEE CENTENNIAL CONSTRUCTION, PAGE 2
SEE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, PAGE 3
SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Here are 10 of the over 40 cast members who participated in the Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre production of “Beauty and the Beast” on Friday, June 10. Students ages 7-16 spent one week preparing for the production and performed two performances for the public. See story and more photos on page 10.
Centennial School District construction in full swing BY SHANNON GRANHOLM STAFF WRITER
The Centennial School District is back at it again this summer with a major construction project that will affect a number of buildings. The construction was made possible through a capital levy approved by voters in 2014. Maintenance upgrades and enhancements to learning spaces have already been completed at Centennial Middle School, Blue Heron Elementary, Rice Lake Elementary and Golden Lake Elementary. “It is a really exciting time for our district. Centennial has always been a wonderful and outstanding district, but to be able to be so grateful to get the support of our community of these initiatives and to deliver on these promises to say we are going to change our future for the next 25 to 30 years by
addressing our facility needs, it's a really powerful moment,” said Superintendent Brian Dietz. “Our kids are really excited. Last year, to see the students come in day one (to Golden Lake Elementary) and see that pride beaming from their faces … We are going to be able to do that in all of our buildings again this summer.” The various construction projects are the result of a concerted effort to bring the buildings up to today's standards in terms of efficiency, security and appropriate learning spaces. Now that school is out for the summer, construction is in full swing. This summer, projects will be completed at Centennial High School (west building), Centennial Elementary and Centerville Elementary. “We are addressing our three oldest buildings in the district and really going through and doing a
g ancin w n i F “0% e on Ne bl Availa ipment” Equ
In your neighborhood for 70 years
A/C TUNEUP ONLY $89.00
Does not include refrigerant. Present coupon to service technician. EXP. 6-30-16
NEWS 651-407-1230 quadnews@presspubs.com
ADVERTISING 651-407-1200 marketing@presspubs.com
CIRCULATION 651-407-1234 ppcirc@presspubs.com
CLASSIFIED 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com
PRODUCTION 651-407-1239 ppcomp@presspubs.com