ROAD WORK BEGINS ON PHASE ONE OF CONSTRUCTION: ALL THE PERMITS ARE IN SO HERE COMES THE HARBOR !
The first equipment got moved in Tuesday night, and signs went up Wednesday
morning. And while “Road Construction Ahead” might indicate inconvenience for
local drivers, in this case it means the Tower Harbor Project is finally
underway.
Luckily for local drivers, the first portion of phase one won’t include any
travel detours. Clearing and grubbing on the half mile stretch of new road,
which will connect Highway 169 to Highway 135, is the first order of business.
This stretch of road will wind through land behind the city’s business park, a
swatch of rolling, lightly-forested land scattered with large boulders.
“You’ve had five years to write this story,” joked Tower City Clerk Tim
Kotzian, who was clearly excited that the project, which was funded five years
ago, is finally underway. “Everything is proceeding as planned.”
Once the new road section is ready for traffic (paved, striped, and signed),
it will be used as a detour so the Highway 169 bridge can be removed and work on
the new bridge can begin, hopefully by later this summer. At that point, traffic
will be detoured off of Highway 169, just west of the East Two River bridge onto
the new section of Highway 135, making for a couple of extra curves to get back
onto Highway 169 and Tower’s Main Street.
City officials are hoping the concrete work for the new bridge can be
completed by late fall, because the DNR will not permit the work to be done in
the spring. Once the new bridge is in place and the new highway approach is
finished, phase one of the project will be considered complete.
Phase two, removing the old section of Hwy l35, the dredging and construction
of the harbor itself, and clearing out the mouth of the East Two River will
start in 2011.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
TOWER MASTER PLAN HIGHLIGHTS:
2.3 Acre new harbor
Dredge river channel with new jetty
Public docking for approx. 100 boats
90 new residences (ownership and rental)
50,000 square feet of new commercial space
50-room water park hotel
2.3 acre public green space
Refurbished riverfront park with performance pavilion
New highway 169 bridge
1,500 linear feet of waterfront promenade
2,500 linear feet of new trail
7,500 linear feet of new reconstructed public streets
45,000 square feet of new Main Street commercial space
50 new residences located above Main Street commercial space
IF YOU MISSED THE TOWER MN HISTORIC HARBOR RENAISSANCE GROUNBREAKING IN AUG OF 2007 HERE'S A VIDEO REVIEW OF THE EVENT. THE VIDEO INCLUDES US SENATOR JAMES OBERSTAR, TOWER MAYOR STEPHEN ABRAHAMSON, AND RIVER FRONTAGE.
This video is a 10 min. edited version to view the full video
The newly adopted Master Plan and Design Guide outlines design guidelines to aid City officials in approving new development. The design guidelines help shape the physical form of development on the Harbor and guide the quality, character and compatibility of the new development. The standards help ensure new and existing facilities work togther to create an attractive, high-quality, environment. The guidelines focus on
* Building context and character * Building placement * Fasade articulation to add visual interest * Building massing to ensure appropriate scale and proportion * Building height to support adequate density and intensity * Doors, windows, entries, outdoor storage, awnings, balconies building materials * Architectural detailing * Parking lot designs * Landscaping, walks and trails * Lighting
AREA AND ESTIMATED PROJECT INFO.
Lake Vermilion is 40,600 acres with 1,200 miles of shoreland and 365 islands
Lake Vermilion is one of the premier lakes in Minnesota, and one of the largest in the state
The number of people visiting Lake Vermilion is increasing rapidly, and the trend is expected to continue
Lake Vermilion Management Plan recommends growth be concentrated in and around Tower
Demand for services by residents and visitors is increasing with regional growth
East Two River from the lake to the City of Tower improved a number of times between 1896 and 1939
Value of the proposed improvements to rehabilitate the harbor at Tower is expected to exceed $32 million
Federal, state, and local agencies contributing approximately $6 million funds to the development (August 2007)
Redevelopment includes new owner and rental residences, businesses, restaurants, docking facilities, and green space
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PROJECT PARTNERS
The vision for the development began approximately several years ago. As the project has progressed and gained momentum, many other partners have joined the City of Tower in fulfilling their vision and have played a significant role in the planning and funding, they include:
Tom Heinowski Jon Nevala Richard Hanson William Hiltunen
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH)
is a multidisciplined firm of engineers, architects, planners and scientists known for our strong, comprehensive technical capabilities and superior client service. We have been a trusted resource for more than 80 years to local governments, state and regional agencies, federal, industrial and private clients. We build lasting relationships with clients and provide innovative solutions and service excellence.
SEH is providing the following services, in partnership with other agencies, to develop the Historic Harbor Renaissance:
Completed the Master Plan and Design Guide
Developing a proposal to solicit potential project developers with anticipated developer selection in summer 2008
Conducting an environmental assessment: -- SEH, Mn/DOT, DNR
Conducting design and engineering work associated with the new Hwy 169 bridge and Hwy 135 re-route SEH, Mn/DOT, DNR
Developing a zoning overlay for the harbor district
Preparing a Jetty and breakwater study to determine best design for reducing inflow of sediment into mouth of East Two River: SEH, DNR
Conducting preliminary dredge planning
TOWER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (T.E.D.A.) MEMBERS
Stephen Abrahamson
Brenda Broten
Dave Sorenson
Gretchen Niemiste
Steve Peterson
Richard Hanson
Muriel Scott
RIVERFRONT TASKFORCE COMMITTEE
Diane Meehan Committe Chair
Steve Abrahamson Committee Vice Chair
Tim Kotzian
Barb Burgess
Andy Datko
Christina Hujanen
Dan Broten
Marshal Helmberger
Tom Heinowski
Wade Erickson
CLICK ON THE SMALL PICTURES BELOW FOR A LARGER VIEW
Tower Mn Your gateway to Beautiful Lake Vermilion via East Two Rivers giving Tower Mn the only direct access from the lake to downtown restraunts, fishing supplies, retail shopping and more.
