If things aren't standing still, they're moving.  And if a thing's moving, there's a pretty good chance it's alive.  There are many moving things in Victoria which are projected to become fully alive and active in 2005!  Since their origins were in 2004, this seems a good way to wrap up the old and ring in the new.
Some projects were not chosen to be part of this three-page feature story.  For example, the Clocktower Building was featured several times in 2003 when groundbreaking occurred and in Janu-ary of 2004 when its first offices opened on Main Street Victoria.  It was the first new building to be constructed on Main Street Vic-toria in at least 40 years, and it's now fully occupied!  A brand new java and wine shop is, according to Hartman Realty, coming alive in 2005 at the Clocktower.
Groundbreaking for the Kid Talk building occurred in Novem-ber of 2004, but as walls have begun to rise out of the steep former Braunworth Hardware/Sidco 4x4 site, it's still difficult to get a good photographic perspective.  Estimated construction cost of Kid Talk is $1.2 million.  For inquiries about retail and office space, call Tom and Candy Almquist at 952-443-3627.  The speech therapy/office and retail building, same contractor and designer as the Clocktower, is projected to be alive and open for business in the spring of 2005!
Groundbreaking for the MABSSCO building occurred in July of 2004.  This new STEP group home on County Road #11, across from Lake Auburn, is tucked into the hillside, unimposing and seems smaller than an average home.  Estimated construction cost is under $1 million.  The home is projected to be alive for troubled youngsters in 2005. 
All of the estimated construction costs of the projects in this feature story came from the Building and Inspection Department at the City of Victoria Offices.  None of the stated construction costs include the value of the land or the amount that was paid for the land.  It doesn't include site development, soft costs such as archi-tectural fees, engineering fees, landscape design, financial consul-tants, utility improvements, parking lot construction and landscap-ing, and interior furniture and furnishings.
Things are not standing still in Victoria.  We're a city alive and growing in many ways.  But even with dozens of new homes and families moving into new and beautiful Victoria neighbor-hoods each year, the landscape still speaks to the tranquility and harmony desired by the human spirit. 

The Victoria Gazette, which celebrated its 25-year anniversary in June of 2004, remains dedicated to informing, educating, and entertaining the people of Victoria as well as the thousands of readers and subscribers outside of Victoria.  The Gazette continues to invite, welcome, and attract news and notes from Victoria residents, organizations, clubs, churches, and government bodies.  The Gazette continues to enjoy local personalities and giving witness to an encompassing array of successful and hardworking Victoria area businesses.  Wide circulation and below market advertising rates help all interested parties to be included in the noble task of communication.
The Victoria Gazette was the first newspaper in Carver County to publish a website in 1999, a website that continues to bear the owner's personal design and maintenance and is, without fail, updated on a timely basis with Victoria news, photographs, headlines, letters, calendar of events, and other good things.  The popular website continues to maintain and archive past editions of the newspaper.  Businesses that advertise in the paper edition receive free online publicity every single day of every single month through special and attractive online pages in The Key and The Grapevine.  The Victoria Gazette seeks to stay above the fray with its fun and reflective essays from local writers and humorists, who can touch a serious bone without breaking it.  The talent in this community is astounding and generous to the Gazette.  The Gazette is not tied to city government staff nor city councilmembers nor anyone else with a punch in position or penny to pass.  The Gazette is only tied to search and statement of truth, as it tries to uphold human dignity and respect in a world gone mad.  The Victoria Gazette is humbled as it continues to receive an abundance of letters and correspondence each month.  This 25-year communication of the people, by the people, and for the people speaks to my heart and, I think also, to the heart of the Victoria community, which remains good. 
The Victoria Gazette is projected to be alive and working for the people of Victoria in 2005!   
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