Said Harry, "It's going to involve a sleeves up joint effort, not just 'Come in and take care of it.'"
Said Tom, "We would also like to take on the next project for you, or at least have first opportunity on that since we'd be taking this first risk for you.  We would look at the Sidco property next, probably for townhomes."

The Sidco Site
By the evening of August 23^rd, the team presented a colored sketch of four two-story townhomes for the Sidco site, also overlooking Stieger Lake, with style similar to the 46-unit condominium complex.  The townhomes would have steep roofs with masonry on the lower level and tall chimneys.  Parking would be on the bottom level with access from the lake side.
Stated Mayor Mary about the current occupants of that site, "At this point the city does not own Sidco, but Sid knows the city is ready to develop and that he needs a place to relocate."
Sidco is a 4x4 auto, truck, and tire place with lots of engine activity.

The Bridge
Along with the first project of 46-condominiums comes the redesign and building of the little bridge on Rose Street which is located between the "crown jewel" and Sidco.
On August 23^rd, the team presented a simple sketch and design for the bridge, with "a swag shape and gracefulness and good lighting on the four corners."  The bridge has been in need of repair and re-placement for some time and some grant money may be available to assist with costs.  Any final bridge design will entail working with professional engineers.

Main Street
In response to an enlarged vision for the entire downtown Victoria, Mr. Gerrish presented a "two-elevator" project that he defined as "populist" because it would be "for people." 
He suggested an intensive walk-through retail area with over 1,300 lineal feet of storefront at ground level and 17 living units above the retail space.  He suggested a new 10,000 square foot City Hall with corporate offices on the top level that could be a source of rental income. 

Not Acceptable
Another group making a presentation back on August 3^rd looked at Main Street Victoria and envisioned row houses on the Leuthner Well site and apartments on the Stieger Lake Lane site.  They said that a seniors' project would have absolutely no value to Main Street.  This team said that people from rental and row houses go out and spend more in the evenings to support Main Street.
This proposal suggested a transient population whose average stay, they said, would be from one to one and a half years. 
Stated Mayor Mary, "This is very different from what we've looked at in our study groups.  We have spent three years listening and working with the public.  Yours is an extremely different concept, one that I am not willing to jump into.  We've spent years arriving at this point today.  We don't want to waste anybody's time.  You'd have to spend time with us and listen and hear us."
Said Councilmember Richard Tieden about this second vision for downtown Victoria, "You're talking about people who would probably need their own police force.  I see a real conflict.  Our vision is more to take care of our city and bring in support services for those that live within the city.  We're not looking to become an Eden Prairie or Chanhassen.  We don't want to be just another suburban ring."
Councilmember Jerry Bohn said Victoria's vision did not include high density residential housing.
This development team was not selected by Victoria councilmembers.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
"THIS IS NOT A GOOD THING FOR US"
Council opened a public hearing August 9^th regarding street and storm-sewer improvements for Parkview Estates and ended up tabling that hearing to August 23^rd because of a precedent that might have been set had councilmembers given approval of the developer's proposal.
On August 23^rd, it became more apparent that the Council could not, indeed, approve the developer's proposal and no action was, therefore, taken.  There was, however, a lot of verbiage leading to the nonaction.
The developer is Bud Hiivala, Victoria resident and member of the Victoria Planning Commission.  He has received final approval for 26 single family homes on 15 acres at the intersection of Park Drive and State Highway #5.  The conflict arose when it seemed the City of Victoria was going to finance the project for him.
In July, Council had approved the final plat and rezoning of the new subdivision.  As owner and developer Bud Hiivala is advertising and selling the lots on his own.  On August 3^rd Mayor Mary Meuwissen made the motion to approve city financing of Mr. Hiivala's development. 
Objected Councilmember Jim Paulsen, "You mean the city is extending credit?  There is some risk here for the city!  If the lots don't sell, the city doesn't collect ... We're talking about extending credit to someone who has never done a development before ... We'd be close to $500,000 worth of improvements against that property."
Continued Jim, "Rather than taking council's time tonight, I'd like to not fool around with this and try to understand all the repercussions.  I don't fully under-stand this.  I'd like to stop and think about this."
Mayor Mary said that in 1997 it was important for the city to get sewer through Mr. Hiivala's property to complete the city's sewer link.  She said that project accelerated development of his property.  "We needed him," she said.
"We didn't have to go through his property," countered Councilmember Jerry Bohn.  "We were going by his property ... Why are we doing this here and we don't do this for others?"
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