Minutes of the Old Ski Hill Consensus Committee 8/28/2000
In attendance: Vicki Wenz, Annie Debevec, Kevin Bader, Cathi Williams, Bill Hansen.
Meeting convened at 7:10 PM at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts conference room..
Consensus was reached on approval of the 8/14 minutes.
Consensus was requested on Proposal #1.
Proposal #1:
On top of the hill, Nicholas or Dye (sic?) designed, championship golf course w/paved cart paths also used for hiking and skiing. The course would be a model for sustainable golf course design, with ponds, low use of pesticides and herbicides, natural landscaping and hazards, etc. Includes a wildlife education component. Suggested name is "Boreal National."
On the hill, a ski/snowboard area and/or a nordic ski area. A funicular (inclined elevator) on the current power line site. Lighting for night skiing/boarding.
Bottom of hill, nordic center combined with a summer time educational facility.
Consensus was requested on Proposal #2.
Proposal #2:
Guiding principles are
- to increase visibility of Grand Marais
- prov ide a legacy for future generations
- provide ongoing employment
- provide skills that partner with the needs of the business community
- support youth through access to recreation and higher education
- funded by state, federal and foundation grants
- physically alter the porperty in a manner acceptable to area
residents
The county and city property should be combined under a new entitiy, a combination of the EDA (Economic Development Authority), BDA (Business Development Area), and other economic development efforts, called the Port Authority Council, comprised of citizens, but not city and county elected officials. Its purpose is to promote economic opportunity and growth through controlled development and urban renewal primarily through funding from outside sources.
Ski Hill Property First Phase: Vocational/Technical School with class rooms and dormitories. Possible fields of study to include: Hotel/motel management, culinary arts, conservation and agriculture (resulting in expansion of interpretive nature trails with hadicapped access and preservation of ecologically sensitive areas), an organic/sustainable working farm providing produce to the farmer's market, cosmetology (with on sit eservices available), alternative medicine and healing, retail sales management, construction, surveying, design, trades, computer technology, mechanical, alternative energy, and more.
Apprentice programs required within the county, partnering with local schools, businesses, and contractors. Scholarships for local youth.
Facility used in summer months for conventions, youth hostel, elder hostel, sport camps, art camps, etc. Cafeteria can remain open for catering and food service.
Additional Development of property: Annexation of Creechville, extension of city sewer/water, urban renewal project, amphitheatre for performing arts and concerts, miniature golf, hockey arena/ckate board park/fitness center, construction of low impact housing using student skills, specialty shops (antiques, handicrafts, etc.), specialty food manufacturing and marketing, kite flying facility.
Keep property in public ownership.
Consensus was requested on Proposal #3.
Proposal #3:
On top of the hill: Observatory/Plantetarium/Northern Lights Center. An interpretive facility including a Fen Walk (board walk), trails with views of Lake Superior, Boreal Bird Center, expansion of North House. All would be handicapped accessible.
At the bottom fo the hill: Development encouraged (housing or other) between the new Gunflint Trail and Creechville. Annex Creechville and connect to city water and sewer. Plan for runoff control.
On the hill: Nordic ski trails (perhaps groomed for classical only, some not groomed at all) used for hiking in the summer months.
Consensus was requested on Proposal #4.
Proposal #4: Do nothing.
Consensus was reached that a summary of the four proposals be sent out on Boreal News with a reference to the Old Ski Hill Committee website.
Next meeting September 11th at 7 PM at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts Conference room.
Respectfully,
Bill Hansen