Elk River expects growth, quality of life improvements
February 21, 2018
Development, redevelopment
In 2017, Elk River began to see the impacts of an improving economy with our largest number of housing starts since 2009 and the addition of new restaurants. In 2018, we expect continued single-family residential development near Twin Lakes Elementary and renewed interest elsewhere in the community. The city has been assembling parcels for redevelopment, including new commercial and retail projects along Highway 10, one of which will lead to a dedicated southbound right turn lane from Proctor to Highway 10. The planning division will begin an initiative to simplify the city code to make development easier for small business and improve clarity for residents.
Recreation, leisure
After years of planning and studies, numerous quality of life initiatives will take shape in 2018. With the ice arena design nearly complete, construction will begin in June to replace the two ice sheets, add modern team and community rooms, and convert the existing Olympic Rink building into a year-round turf facility. Additional projects include:
- Working with the YMCA to discuss the feasibility of adding senior programming space to the YMCA.
- A full season of golf activities at Pinewood Golf Course.
- Completion of the Hillside City Park’s trail improvements, which included removal of hundreds of dead and diseased trees.
- W.H. Houlton Conservation Area and Woodland Trails Regional Park will receive restoration work and park improvements funded with grants from outside agencies.
- Completion of the Lake Orono improvement plan, which may lead to lake dredging in 2019 or 2020.
- The council will also review a long-term park improvement master plan to include long-term funding to replace aging and deteriorating facilities.