DOES EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT
THE MIGHTY DUCKS ICE ARENA PROGRAM?
According to information from the Internet ...
In 1995 the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission began an innovative program that provided grants of up to $250,000 for communities seeking to con-struct new sheets of ice or $50,000 for renovation projects on existing ice facili-ties.  These grants were matched by local private or public funds.
This program was initiated because of a serious shortage of ice time all over the state.  Significant growth was taking place in all ice sports, but especially in the de-veloping area of girls ice hockey.  Addi-tionally, the more traditional sports of figure skating and boys hockey showed healthy growth as well.
The result was that athletes of all ages and genders did not have as much ice time as desired.  Some young athletes were relegated to practicing in the wee morning and late evening ice times.  The answer, clearly, was to facilitate the construction of additional ice facilities.
Representative Bob Milbert, chair of the statewide Mighty Ducks task force and chief author of the Mighty Ducks leg-islation, said, "The Mighty Ducks legisla-tion provided the answer to the ice time shortage and provided a solution for the needs of girls' hockey."
Since the original round of grants in December, 1995, the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission has awarded a total of $18,405,000 in grants toward the con-struction or renovation of Minnesota ice arenas.  These grants have facilitated the construction of 61 new sheets of ice across the state.

PROPOSAL FOR DOWNTOWN VICTORIA
TWO-STORY RETAIL AND OFFICE BUILDING
Victoria developer Terry Hartman brought conceptual drawings and plans for an office and retail complex in down-town Victoria to the February 14th city council meeting.  A downtown redevelop-ment proposal has not been before Vic-toria councilmembers and staff for over ten years.  At that time the theme of a Bavarian Village captured attention but was never brought to fruition.
"I'm excited to bring to you an op-portunity for development," said Terry.  "It's exciting for us.  We know the area well.  It looks like this is the time to do it."
In presenting colored sketches, layout, and location, he acknowledged the work of the mayor and councilmembers these past seven years in acquiring proper-ty, writing ordinances, and planning for the future.  The office and retail building is proposed to be located on Main Street property purchased by the City of Victoria with development in mind.
"People don't see the planning you've done," said Terry.  "Putting a building on it is putting the icing on it.
He also admitted that Hartman Con-struction, more recently known as Hart-man Communities, has focused mainly on residential development.  "We're a little bit out of our comfort zone with this," Said Terry.  "We normally work with resi-dential, so we picked people who knew what they were doing to work with us.  KKE has been involved in several proj-ects."
KKE, acronym for Korsunsky Krank Erickson Architects, Inc., is officed in Minneapolis.  Among several noteworthy projects, the company worked on the Mall of America, said Terry.
The two-story building is projected to contain 7,000 square feet per floor on a parcel directly north of C.H. Carpenter Lumber.  Many residents would know it as the former site of Tuffy's Tavern and the Victoria Liquor Shop.  Those build-ings were razed shortly after the city pur-chased them
The city has also purchased other downtown property in these recent years, including the Victoria Auto Body Shop across from Schmitty's Tavern, Jerry Noreen house next to the Victoria House, and the three homes on Stieger Lake Lane.
The proposed building for Main Street would consist of retail on the first level, with office space above it.  The building would face onto both Victoria Drive and a new east-west street that is shown in the city's Comprehensive Plan and would need to be constructed.
Stated Mayor Mary, "The petitioner is asking that the city would enter into an exclusive agreement with them.  He is asking for nine months."  Such an agree-ment would allow Hartman Communities to give time, effort, and expense to the plan, to afford them some protection in the process.  The city has agreed to not sell that property to anyone else for nine months.  Said Terry, "We don't want to be aced out at the last minute."
City Planner Mark Kaltsas pointed out that the City of Victoria gave three such months to Cabin Fever and Stieger Lake Stores as that retail center devel-oped.  He said that nine months would offer Hartman's "a little time to market the properties."
About the new east-west street, Mayor Mary said, "In all options for downtown development, this street makes the most sense.  It would eventually extend east to Quamoclit, but it's only planned to the alley for now."  That alley runs between the Victoria House restau-rant and Old Creamery building.
"I'm very impressed," said Council-member Richard Tieden.  "You've done a nice job.  It's very attractive."
Said Terry Hartman, "We're asking the community to come forward if they have any ideas for shops and services."
The motion to grant exclusive re-development rights to Hartman Commu-nities for nine months passed 4-0.  Stated Mayor Mary, "Thank you.  This is exci-ing for Victoria.  This will certainly help the downtown ... It seems like it's market driven now ... It's very much in keeping with design standards."
Said Terry Hartman, "Thank you for your consideration of this.  It's through your efforts of buying property and plan-ning that make this possible."
It must be emphasized that the sketches for this proposed downtown building are very preliminary in nature and do not necessarily represent the final building or site plans.  Should Hartman Communities not be successful in gaining all applicable approvals and negotiating an acceptable development agreement with the City of Victoria, the redevel-opment rights shall become null and void.  The city will be trying to recoup its costs in these negotiations.

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