Meet your Cook County Neighbor: Gary Latz
Jul 14, 2025 08:46AM ● By Editor
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - July 12, 2025
How did you land in Cook County? What journey led you here?
Like so many others, we had a connection here. My brother and sister-in-law Jeff & Anna Latz have lived in Lutsen since the 1970s. Over the years we visited many times – spring, summer, fall and winter. Enjoyed all the amenities of the Cook County like the lakes, Boundary Waters, Superior Hiking Trail, maple syruping, shopping. Over the years we met many people who already lived here, and actually had friends in place when we decided to make the move. Now, we are the ones who are hosting outsiders, who are falling in love with our little corner of the world.
You are a very busy man these days working as the Project Manager for The Heights. Tell us a bit more about this and when you anticipate the completion of the project.
The Heights, Bluffs is a 3 story, 36 unit multifamily apartment building that is truly a community initiative. We have about 50 people – mostly local, or with strong local attachments - who invested in the project. Our goal is to help address the housing shortage. Our target renter will be in the workforce housing price range. A secondary target renter will be seniors who sell their current single-family homes and move to a lower maintenance life style.
Studios, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom units will be available. Many community amenities promise to make The Heights a desired place to live.
The project is underway and we should be ready for move-in by end of year.
To learn more, follow this link for weekly updates.
A proposed Phase 2 will be called The Heights, Woods providing even more housing units for the community.
What is a surprising fact about you that many may not know?
The Latz family invented an award-winning children’s board game called ‘Survival or Extinction – The Dinosaur Game’. Most people don’t know that the original idea and much of the start-up work happened right here in Cook County. We have sold over 80,000 copies worldwide.
What is the best advice that you were given that has stayed with you throughout your life?
When you make a mistake, accept responsibility. People usually allow you get on with fixing what you did.
Do you have a favorite spot in Cook County where you enjoy going to when you want some R & R?Sorry, I think of three things. In the woods behind our house, in the winter, near sunset. The mood is extraordinarily serene. I call that my happy spot. Next, I love to walk along Lake Superior, on the new hike/bike path from Grand Marais to Cutface. And finally, hiking the Superior Hiking Trail – any time, anywhere.
Every season in Cook County brings its own form of beauty. What is your favorite season and why?
Fall. Great time to be out hiking. Also, we have planted over 600 trees since moving here and like to give them a little TLC to thrive. It’s easier to do once the lush summer vegetation dies back and the bugs are gone. It still takes a lot of time.
