When Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) planners arrived at the Hovland Town Hall for the Wednesday, October 28 meeting to discuss a proposal to build a wayside rest at the historic Hovland dock site on Chicago Bay Road, they were met with this sign on the town hall. Planners spent two hours with the public, explaining the different options for the area and taking questions and comments from citizens. At one point Andy Hubley of ARDC acknowledged the sign, noting that he was glad that he was at least not “burned in effigy.” More about the Hovland dock wayside rest plan can be found online at www.hovlanddock.org.
About 50 people gathered at the Hovland Town Hall on Wednesday, October 28 to learn more about a proposal to develop a Highway 61 wayside rest near the historic Chicago Bay dock. The meeting lasted over two hours and gave Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) planners plenty to ponder.
Hovland-area County Commissioner Frank Moe welcomed the crowd and said, “I’ve heard that no meeting in Hovland has ever been called that hasn’t been interesting.”
Andy Hubley of ARDC said the project is being spearheaded by the North Shore Scenic Drive Council (NSSDC), which has received federal funding for wayside rests. Hubley said that doesn’t mean the council wants to construct a large rest area in Hovland like the ones at Beaver Bay or Tettegouche State Park. Hubley said after the meeting the planners would consider comments, make changes based on those comments and would then make a recommendation to the NSSDC. “They will decide whether or not to pursue the project,” said Hubley.
Hubley introduced Carlos “C.J.” Fernandez, the landscape architect who has been working on the plans for improvements at the Hovland dock area. Fernandez reiterated that the decision to proceed would be made
by the NSSDC. He noted that it would take a long time for any project to be funded, and once funding is obtained, more public input is sought. Hubley added that because the county, not the NSSDC, owns the property, it would have the final say in any plan.
Fernandez shared pictures of two wayside rest areas that he had been involved with, the Father Baraga Cross park in Schroeder and the Tofte Town Park. He said there were similarities between those places—they too were stops on the steamship route along the North Shore. However, he said, nowhere else on the North Shore is there a dock of that era still above water. That is what makes the Hovland project so unique, said Fernandez.
He shared two potential design concepts and explained that he attempted to honor the history of the dock and the fishery that was once there, with limited parking, carry down access to the water, a shelter with a boat house design, paths and interpretive
The audience had many questions. Several people asked why alternate locations weren’t considered, such as Horseshoe Bay. Hubley said Horseshoe Bay was funded through boat registration fees and it would be difficult to obtain funding for anything that was not boat-related. He added that doesn’t mean it couldn’t become a wayside rest, but it would be “something to think about.”
When asked how many wayside rests were in residential areas like the Chicago Bay Road,
Robin Penner, Mary Jo Flack and several others expressed concern about increased traffic. ARDC believed this would be one of the least-used wayside rest areas.
Karen Cedarmoon questioned that belief, pointing out that at Judge Magney State Park, where she worked, there were 500 – 600 cars each day.
Mary Petz noted that if a large RV pulled into the proposed rest area it would have a hard time getting back out on the highway.
Another nearby property owner Clarence Kemp asked if there would be some sort of restriction on lighting. Hubley added, “We’ve heard that comment.”
Amy Nielson asked how much vegetation would be removed from the site and Fernandez said it would likely be a net loss as some of the existing gravel area would be landscaped and some new gravel would be put in place for walkways.
Getting to the lake for LaBoda and Assistant Chief Terry Spieker all expressed interest in installing a hydrant at the site. Commissioner Moe interjected that this is something the county would like to pursue no matter what happens at the dock site.
Who would be responsible for maintenance of the area was another question and Hubley said the county owns it so it could accept responsibility. Or, he said, a nonprofit could take on maintenance.
A few people asked what the NSSDC would work with the community on that.
Steve Jacobsen said he was looking forward to seeing the property next to his cleaned up. He acknowledged that “progress is hard,” but added, “Libraries, pools, parks and prisons all need to be located in someone’s community. I’m honored to have our community considered.”
Speaking for many in the room that want to see the Hovland dock preserved, Roger Linehan asked, “None of this addresses the dock itself?”
Fernandez said that is correct, but explained that he had solicited a bid to have the dock evaluated. He said ARDC has secured half of the funding necessary to get a dive team to survey the dock to see what needs to be done to secure it structurally.
What if the result of the evaluation is that the dock can’t be restored? Or that it will cost $2 billion to fix, asked a citizen.
Fernandez said as it is now, the dock may only remain above water for a year—or five years. Conducting the evaluation would at least let the community know what to expect, he said.
Gene Hagen spoke of the importance of the dock as a break wall for the houses in the bay.
Commissioner Moe said he clearly heard the concerns about traffic at the dock site. He shared an idea he had heard from a community member just before the meeting. Moe said the county is developing a comprehensive trails plan and included in discussions was a review of the old campsite near the Chicago Bay Marketplace as a potential hiking ARDC consider using that area for parking for those who want to visit the historic dock.
“I think there is a way to enhance this site enough to find a way to preserve the dock, but find space for parking at a wayside over there,” said Moe.
There was more discussion of the importance of the dock as the historic hub of the Hovland area. Fernandez said developing the wayside rest is just one strategy for preserving the dock. He said although it would be more difficult,
Anyone who would like to comment on the Hovland dock and a potential wayside rest—at the dock or the old campground ARDC, 221 W. 1st Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
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