5.23.2007 The Eveleth Scene

Horizons Study Circles Gather For A Wrap Up Session
by Rose Judnick - News Service

Members of several Horizons Study Circles gathered for a wrap up session at the City Hall on Thursday to prioritize issues deemed most important, nad determine the next steps to be taken. A total of 140 people turned out at a number of study groups each week during the past few weeks to bring their ideas on revitalization.

Commissioner [Keith] Nelson thanked the facilitators for the special invitation, and briefed those present on issues relating to work he has been a part of regarding revitalization issues. He expressed excitement at the variety of age groups taking interest in the Horizons project - from the youth present, to the mix in between, and noted a wonderful outreach that will be good for North East Minnesota.

Eveleth City Council member Liz Kuoppala reported on a couple of groups she has been involved with, and noted her excitement in working with students in particular, and their concern about racism. Kuoppala also expressed appreciation for their abundance of suggestions for revitalization.

Suggestions from the student groups Kuoppala worked with included city-wide work projects such as mowing, shoveling, painting for lower income adults, as well as a number of additional projects to assist in the beautification of the city.

A city roller rink had been another suggestion by the youth groups, as was a water park noted to be a good way to attract tourists. Reviving the days of the drive-in-theater was another idea brought forth, as was a Quad Cities Multi Purpose facility that could include indoor golf, and a climbing wall among other interesting activities for area youth.

Developing a teen center that would be designed by teens to be what they would want, and not what adults think they would want, included one of many suggestions made by a representative for youth in the area. An auto class where high school students would be able to work on repairs necessary for those in the community who are unable to afford such expenses was another suggestion made to assist with poverty issues by both groups.

A suggestion to revive the pond hockey events of days past was brought up by a member of Kuoppala's Thursday group. Stronger support for independent business owners in the city by lenders and the public was also noted as an important need, as was the need to bring more businesses into the Progress Park area.

Representatives from the remaining groups each had their time to present solutions their groups had concluded would help revitalize the area. The issue of racism was mentioned by a number of the various group's representatives, as was the need to involve youth in special projects such as having speaker panels where parents would be invited to work on developing healthy relationships. Organizing the area's native population to put on pow wows was a suggestions brought forth, as such events have drawn crowds when put in other areas.

Public transportation was noted as being of great importance, particularly in rural areas with a high number of older residents. Current public transportation was noted as being available, but an increase of hours was noted to be of great need.

Longer hours and additional days for the local food shelves was also noted to be of importance, as was a free clinic for those without health insurance. The problem with those unable to obtain medical assistance or other services available because of being slightly above the threshold was a concern of those present, and stressed as an important reason such a clinic would be needed.

A number of speakers reported that their groups had agreed the area already had a lot of good things to offer, but still has much that needs to be improved as well.

More jobs, more downtown specialty shops, and a need to imporve the downtown areas by cleaning up empty storefronts in order to attract customers was noted to be of great importance. A number of the evening's speakers also reported a need for the city to use area youth and local organizations for such projects, as well as for completion of the much needed yard maintenance for the area's older population.

Revitalizing downtown buildings to attract more businesses such as dentists, veterinarians, and a number of other service-related businesses was suggested by several of the groups representatives.

Bringing back activities to the city's parks was another suggestion that could possibly revitalize the area, such as the All Slav Picnic that brought so many families to the Veteran's Park for so many years.

A suggestion for temporary homelessness brought forth a suggestion to organize foster families who could provide a guest room to take in someone in that situation for a month or two.

A focus on the creation of new jobs that would bring former residents back to their home area was noted by Amy Hendrickson as a representative from her Horizons group. She noted that of all of her former classmates and friends, she is the only one remaining in the area. Hendrickson said many would like to return, but there needs to be more of an incentive for them to do so.

She also noted her group's concerns for the young, single, parents without strong family connections - and the need to provide additional support for those residents, as well as the young couples who struggle to raise families while holding down low paying jobs.

A need for neighbors to get to know one another as they had in years gone by was noted by attendees. Encouraging neighbor's nights out as has been done in a number of cities across the country to bring residents together was suggested as a way to bring about safe neighborhoods.

In addition to the need to focus on the creation of new jobs, she noted a need for places for tourists to find recreation. The creation of a business that would rent bicycles for the Mesabi Trail bike trips was one suggestion, as was use of the area's hilly landscapes for rock-climbing events. Summer enrichment programs were also a suggestion as a way to revitalize the areas, as were art classes, sailing, and kayaking on local lakes.

Members of the various groups then selected issues that were most important to them, and will continue to work together to bring about the changes and improvements necessary to revitalize the area through training sessions to be held in mid June. from 5.23.2007 Eveleth Scene

[Many thanks to Rose for capturing the evening's events and to all the participants!]