In most situations, it’s difficult to make everyone happy. You know this, and we know this.
At the last public meeting in Grand Marais, we came to talk about the construction staging for the 2020-21 project through town. As anyone in attendance, and anyone who has read the numerous letters to the editor and opinion pieces in the newspaper since, knows the majority of the meeting was instead about the removal of the elm trees.
While this has been the most vocal time for those opposing the removal of the trees, this is certainly not the first meeting MnDOT has hosted regarding this project. Yes, it’s been stated in the past, but allow us to give you a brief background again.
Several years ago, MnDOT determined a need for repaving Highway 61 through Grand Marais. We told the city and county this project would be happening, and the city decided to coordinate projects and include city utility improvements that were needed. It also sparked an interest for the Active Living group in town to see what changes could be made in Grand Marais to encourage more mobility. On top of that, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was made aware of the project and decided to take care of the contaminated soil and water that needs to be removed within the project boundaries.
Each entity got to work on its portion of the project. A steering committee was formed to determine what the community wanted. MnDOT did not choose any of these steering committee participants. They were volunteers who felt a vested interest in their community. Steering committee members represented the City of Grand Marais, Cook County Chamber of Commerce, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic/Statewide Health Improvement Partnership, Active Living Steering Committee/Senior Citizen, Visit Cook County and Cook County/Grand Marais EDA.
The Grand Marais project was in the planning and design stages for several years leading up to the letting date in June of this year. In 2016, we received state and federal funding for the project, and in 2017-2018, we worked on a design. On March 28, 2018, the City of Grand Marais signed municipal consent, giving MnDOT the authority to proceed with the agreed upon project scope and design.
Over the last two and a half years, there have been four public meetings, asking for input – Feb. 2, 2017, Feb. 14, 2018, Feb. 27, 2018, and Nov. 7, 2018 – and finally on Aug. 8, 2019, a meeting to inform the public of construction staging. Several other steering committee meetings were held at City Hall throughout the project development.
The project was then let in June of this year, with KGM Contractors being awarded the job.
We hear and understand your frustrations. These frustrations – and feedback we receive on other projects – are not taken lightly and ignored. These are our communities, too. We live in the communities throughout our district. We do business in these communities. We relax and vacation in these communities. We support the economy in these communities. We want every community in our district to thrive.
This is not our first time working on a project that doesn’t please everyone, and in all reality, it won’t be the last. You have been heard. So have the people who got involved early on with the steering committee and your elected officials who gave MnDOT consent to proceed with the project.
Grand Marais will always be a quaint, beloved city on the shores of Lake Superior. Tourists from all over the country will come visit and support your economy – as will those of us living in your back yard.
Duane R. Hill, P.E.
MnDOT District 1 Engineer
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