At the Tuesday, August 13 meeting of the Cook County-Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA), the EDA board heard an update on a number of commercial rehabilitation projects.
Nancy Grabko and Steve Grabko of Community Fundraising Solutions (CFS), the EDA housing program administrators, gave the report, starting with Steve Grabko’s description of the work to be done at the GunFlint Tavern on Wisconsin Street in Grand Marais. Grabko said that project, which consists of tuck point repairs to the brick on the old bank building and installation of new energy-conserving windows will get under way on October 20, as the busy tourist season slows.
Steve Grabko said owners Jeff and Susan Gecas are also adding a brew pub to the building while the rehab work is taking place. Grabko said the tavern owner anticipates an addition of four to six new jobs with the brew pub.
Another commercial rehab project, at Beth’s Fudge on Broadway Avenue in Grand Marais, is nearly ready for work to begin. Steve Grabko said he believes the work—installation of all new commercial glass, new high-efficiency heating and a building addition—should begin in mid-October.
Steve Grabko said a third commercial rehab project, at Java Moose, is still in the preliminary stages. He said he does not expect the agreements for the work to be completed until mid-November.
EDA Board Member Scott Harrison asked how the Java Moose project is being funded. Nancy Grabko replied that the funding has not yet been finalized, but there is about $18,000 available from Cook County’s revolving loan fund, which hopefully could be accessed. Grabko said the business owners are coming up with a large part of the funding.
Kudos on completed project
Nancy Grabko shared an e-mailed letter from the owners of the Mangy Moose Motel on Highway 61 in Grand Marais, thanking Nancy and Steve Grabko of CFS for their hard work on the commercial rehab of their motel and the beauty salon housed in one of its units.
In the letter, Mangy Moose owners Dave Rak and Don Bertolini said they had already heard from a long-time North Shore visitor who said the improvements bringing one motel room into compliance with the American Disability Act mean that she can continue to visit Grand Marais with her family. “The changes to the bathroom that included an ADA-approved roll-in shower, sink and toilet were only possible because of the EDA grant we received,” the motel owners wrote.
They also noted that the operators of the beauty salon, Northern Hi-Lights, have much more comfortable working space as the result of the installation of energy-efficient windows. But more importantly, because of the EDA grant, Mangy Moose was able to change “an old, rickety entrance made of wood” to one with a concrete ramp and a sturdy handrail. “In one day alone, the salon had three elderly women with walkers and two with canes who commented on how much they liked the new ramp and how much safer it was than what used to be there.”
The owners were very happy overall, writing, “As with any type of construction project, we had highs and lows which we had to weather through. But the end result of increased energy efficiency and accessibility were well worth the effort. We would like to thank the committee who chose our project in the first place, as well as the EDA staff we worked with to bring our construction project to a satisfying conclusion.”
EDA board member Heidi Doo- Kirk asked if a survey is given to property owners after projects are completed. Mark Sandbo agreed that would be a good idea. “It would be nice to have a comment card to hear, ‘This was great’ or ‘That didn’t work so well.’”
Nancy Grabko said, “We can work on that.”
No single-wide mobile home rehabs allowed
Steve Grabko told the EDA board that the Minn. Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) would no longer allow its housing dollars to be used for rehabs of single-wide mobile homes, even if the home is attached to a foundation. Grabko said the EDA housing policies and procedures have to be changed to reflect that restriction. Board Member Abby Toftey asked if there were any such projects on the EDA housing list. Steve Grabko said a couple of trailer houses had been looked at, but it had already been determined that it would be too costly considering the worth of the home. He said other housing entities in the state have set up separate funds to assist such homeowners, something the EDA could do if it wanted.
EDA assisting Superior Ziplines
Nancy Grabko shared an application for use of funds from the program established for the EDA by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) in July 2013, at the urging of EDA board member Hal Greenwood. The fund, called the EDA/Iron Range Resources Immediate Needs Fund, was initiated with IRRRB funds of $26,000.
Grabko shared an application for $9,000 from Superior Ziplines, LLC, currently under development by Matt Geretschlaeger of Grand Marais.
Harrison asked what the funds were to be used for. Grabko said for site preparation and clearing, which must be done by December 2013 under the terms of other grants. She said she would not release the funds unless an invoice is submitted. A unanimous motion was passed authorizing the grant funding for the zipline project, however Harrison added, “This is complicated. Mark me nervous.”
Public meeting planned
Nancy Grabko said CFS is coordinating a public meeting for Monday, September 23 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Lutsen Resort to share information with community stakeholders about housing program opportunities and existing resources. She will be one of the workshop presenters, along with Scott Zahorik of AEOA, Steve Nelson of NE Minn. HOME Consortium, and Virginia Danfelt of the Cook County Local Energy Project. Interested stakeholders are asked to contact Nancy Grabko at dngrabko@means.net.
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