Local News
Assessment for guard site in question
Land is already prepared for commercial development
MANKATO — The National Guard is eyeing a piece of choice real estate to place a $17.5 million field maintenance shop.
Problem is, the parcel has been prepared for commercial development to the tune of $213,000 — money that developers traditionally pay back to local governments through what’s called a special assessment.
What’s not clear is whether or not the city of Mankato and Blue Earth County, which co-own the site, will get their site work money back. Officials discussed the assessment during a Thursday morning meeting.
The maintenance shop is slated to be built immediately south of the existing armory.
City Manager Pat Hentges suggested the city and county hold off for now on sending a deed for the site to the National Guard and negotiate on the assessment issue at a later date.
Col. Eric Ahlness with the Minnesota National Guard said the guard traditionally asks the Legislature for an appropriation to pay for assessments.
Hentges said the city could pay the assessment out of a development fund if the guard doesn’t pay it.
Almost all of the funding for the building itself will come through the military construction bill, which is now stalled in Congress. At this point, the building is not funded, but that could change this year or in subsequent bills, Ahlness said.
The 61,500-square-foot facility will bring 25 or so jobs to Mankato, and will be responsible for repairing military vehicles, weapons and perhaps electronics and small arms, Ahlness said.
He said the construction of the local facility is an element of the military’s transformation into a more modern and agile force by pushing more capabilities down to lower levels.
The Mankato facility would do maintenance for the Mankato-based 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry and the New Ulm-based 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery. It would also consolidate repair work now performed at several bases in southern Minnesota.
- Local News
-
-
MS Walk ambassador is in control
Her story is one of success, but it hasn't been easy for Marge Berg.
-
Mankato Area School Board sets cut paramaters
A tentative budget reduction amount of just less than $1 million was set by the Mankato School Board.
-
Another teen charged in bank drop robbery
A restaurant manager robbed while making an early morning bank drop Jan. 30 was the victim of an ambush, according to charges filed against a third teen.
-
Point out the potholes on interactive map
The Free Press offers you an opportunity to contribute to improving your streets.
- Passing bucks leads to charges
-
BackPack program to feed hungry kids
In Mankato, kids who need something a little extra will get it, discreetly.
-
Health bill grievances heard in Walz office
A group of citizens with grievances regarding the health care reform bill aired them in Rep. Tim Walz's Mankato office.
-
SMIF preparing another round of BookStart grants
Through a partnership with Capstone Publishers, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation has provided more than 30,000 books to educational agencies throughout the region.
-
East students find new way to connect with community
Five Mankato East students are creating a non-profit organization to create positive impressions.
- Today's services (3/12/2010)
- More Local News Headlines
-
