Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Crosslake Square to Expand
By RENEE RICHARDSONSenior Reporter
CROSSLAKE - In the future, a resident of a townhome in Crosslake may be able to listen to music in the park, shop for groceries or browse a retail shop - all within a short walking distance from home.A development plan provides a look at a city area with mixed uses - office, service, retail, dining and housing. All in an area that retains mature trees, green space and public gathering spots.The conceptual plan was unveiled last week during a ribbon cutting for the expansion of Crosslake Town Square. The addition will serve as a connection to the Town Square by providing a link on Crosslake's well-traveled main route on Highway 66. A new sign for the mixed-use development was created along the highway.
An architectural drawing from Kuepers Inc. shows the conceptual plan for additions to the Crosslake Town Square. The addition of property along County Highway 66 in the upper left is expected to connect the Town Square to the well-traveled highway and link to neighboring businesses. The concept for future development along the curving County Highway 3 - at the bottom of the drawing - calls for housing just a short distance from the Town Square, allowing residents to walk to stores, parks and restaurants.
The expansion was made possible with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church's building plans to vacate the existing church and nearly 10 acres on Highway 66. Because of space restrictions, the church announced it was building on Highway 37. The Crosslake Town Square already occupied about 19 acres.Crosslake Town Square property owner Jim Anderson of Anderson Brothers, said the church's move provided an opportunity. And while the recession will drive the pace of development, the acquistion will allow additional types of construction to combine office, service and residential along the existing retail and green space that is in the Town Square."We're really conceptual at this time," Anderson said. "I want people to bring in ideas as well so that we can have a community effort so we can bring in retail and services that people want to see."Chris Raimann, architect with Kuepers Inc., created the architectural conceptual drawing for the project's unveiling. Raimann said a goal of the land acquisition is to draw people from Highway 66 to the nearby Town Square. Raimann outlined details at The Hearth Room in the Town Square. He said another project goal is to connect with the surrounding community and other businesses in the area. When the Crosslake Town Square was conceived, the idea was to create a downtown for a city that stretched along the highway.
The idea behind the Crosslake Town Square was to create a downtown city square with retail in a pedestrian-friendly environment. The development was created on 19 acres off County Highways 66 and 3. Construction began on the streets in the fall of 2000. Now the square includes a ring of businesses and a center park with music on Saturday nights.
The Town Square features a center gazebo and park setting. Summer Saturday night music has been a strong attraction. Anderson said businesses around the park are thriving. A water feature and bridge sit across a street from the park square with additional retail parcels available for building. A restaurant pad is open next to the nearby Whitefish Lodge & Suites.A residential component is on the conceptual plan along County Highway 3 as it curves around the Town Square development.Raimann said imagine living in a nearby townhouse and walking a half block for coffee, stopping to listen to music in the park or walking to the nearby Reed's Market or Ace Hardware stores or other shops. Along the way there will be areas to sit along tree-lined streets. Shoppers or walkers would be able to park in one location and shop in several stores or just enjoy the park, Raimann said. One suggestion has been to save a piece of the church and incorporate it into the design, perhaps a park area.Raimann said Anderson talks about investing in infrastructure for the future."That's not just bricks and stones and mortar, that's also investing in future jobs," Raimann said. "I think the charm of Crosslake is it's feeling. It feels small town and we want to preserve that character."Additional retail shops, lodging, the Crosswoods Golf Course and restaurants would all be within walking distance. Anderson said he envisions townhome residents being able to use a golf cart to travel from residences to nearby shopping utilizing the paved pedestrian paths.
The new Crosslake Town Square sign with stone work, water and music incorporates the work of Crosslake metal artist Jeff Kreitz. The two metal pinecone sculptures on the sign each have 70 pounds of brass. Kreitz used heat to give the stainless steel lettering a blue hue. People who are looking for a break can sit on the edge of the water fountain and listen to music coming from the sign.
Bruce Larson is a partner in the buildings constructed on the site, of which a majority have been sold. The balance are leased.Anderson said there are certain criteria that go into making a successful downtown. It needs to be distinctive, traditional, pedestrian friendly, have multiple uses with retail and service, and have community support so people utilize it. The support comes by involving people and through communication, Anderson said."It's a good community," Anderson said of Crosslake, where he now makes his home.There isn't a designated timeline for the development."This gives us an ability to expand and grow," said Terry Curtis, Anderson Brothers director of business development/government and public affairs. Curtis said the Town Square addition allows flexibility, which is key in changing market conditions. Opportunities exist for professional offices above retail or studio living above store fronts. "Now's the time to plan, now's the time to acquire properties and build that infrastructure and as the economy changes and as well as consumerism changes we'll start to see those needs for stores or retail, professional offices/services. There is really a lot of opportunity in here."
Monday, July 20, 2009
Firm plans to add jobs in Pequot, MN
By RENEE RICHARDSONSenior Reporter
By 2010, a business that recently opened in Pequot Lakes hopes to employ 200 people.With about 25 people hired currently, True Protection Security expects to reach 100 employees by the end of 2009. True Protection Security is an independent authorized ADT Security Systems dealer. The business opened in Pequot Lakes a few weeks ago.Matt Reckinger-Rowe, True Protection Security vice president, said the company, which is headquartered in Indianapolis, has been in business 15 years. So why open an office here? Reckinger-Rowe, who makes his home in Crosslake, said he was working as vice president of marketing in the corporate office after being with the business for nine years and was putting in 16-hour days. A decision to have more time to spend with family led to his giving notice for a sales position and his wife's roots in Minnesota helped lead him here. But Reckinger-Rowe said the company president then suggested opening an office here.When looking for a site, Reckinger-Rowe leased space from Close-Converse in the Hunt Technologies Call Center building on County Highway 11 across from Landis+Gyr near Pequot Lakes. The space, location and walking trail in the back were deal makers.Since then, the business has been working closely with the WorkForce Center in Brainerd to find employees. Reckinger-Rowe said they are willing to train and coach people and the key ingredient they are looking for in an employee is attitude - which he described as a desire to succeed or try something new.Wages have a base pay of $25,000 but Reckinger-Rowe said with bonuses and monthly incentives entry-level workers typically earn $45,000 to $50,000 in the first year. Employees learn the system by starting in marketing through cold calls to prospective clients, talking to small business owners across the United States offering the ADT Security System. After 30 days, if goals are met, workers will move into other program areas. Next month, Reckinger-Rowe said the office in Pequot Lakes will be taking care of marketing for the United Kingdom, is handling 300 outside sales representatives throughout the U.S. and the small businesses in the nation.Reckinger-Rowe said the business strives to create a good atmosphere for the staff who work in a casual dress environment. Because the work can be stressful, an emphasis is placed on creating an enjoyable work space, Reckinger-Rowe said. If all the week's work is done by Thursday, he said employees have taken Friday off with pay. If people enjoy coming to work, Reckinger-Rowe said that is reflected in productivity. To date, workers have ranged in age from 20-somethings to people in their early 50s.Interested employees may contact the WorkForce Center or stop in for an application or call the office manager at True Protection Security at (218) 206-8559."It's going to be constant hiring between now and the end of November," Reckinger-Rowe said.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Wolf joins Close-Converse
Wolf recently joined Close-Converse, commercial properties, Brainerd, as the listing coordinator.Wolf has several years of experience in communication and news media, as well as a degree in journalism and electronic media production from Ashland University in Ohio.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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