By Tim Douglass

tdouglass@pctribune.com

Temporary fencing will go up next week along the west side Franklin Street and the north side 2nd Avenue surrounding the Fremad redevelopment project with demolition of the Fremad and adjacent buildings to begin in August after Waterama.  

The fencing will be placed now along the sidewalks “just for safety reasons” until demolition is scheduled.  When demolition begins, the alleys between the Fremad building and Eagle Bank and Tom’s Market will also be fenced, according to Jason Murray, executive director of Pope County HRA/EDA.  The HRA/EDA sought and received a Tax Increment Financing District from the City of Glenwood to help with the redevelopment that starts by demolishing the Fremad, the former Law building and a building owned by Tom Buysse and then preparing the property in downtown Glenwood for development. 

The Glenwood City Commission approved the placement of the fencing at its regular meeting last Wednesday.

Murray was asked how long the demolition would take once it begins.  “The building will go down quickly, its the removal of debris that will take some time,” he said.  “In my mind I’m thinking 30 to 45 days, but a timeline has not yet been set,” he added.

In another action the city okayed leaving the proposed TIF District as is to accommodate two phases  of  development for a housing project being done in Glenwood by GTH Partners, LLC.  The project will add 10 housing units in the first phase and another 10 units in the second phase.  Murry told commissioners that the length of the TIF would be the same, adding that it is in the best interest of the developer to build the units quickly. 

“The TIF is for 18 years or $860,000, whatever comes first, so it is in the best interest to build,” Murray explained.

In other business, the  commission:

• Approved a permit for “Riding for a Cause” hospice ride to close the street adjacent to the bandshell at City Park from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. for the event on June 17.

• Approved  a $1,000 donation to the Minnewaska Lake Association to help in their fundraising efforts to fight aquatic invasive species and to help walleye stocking.  The donation comes just before the MLA’s annual banquet on June 24, the association’s main fundraiser for the efforts it does throughout the year.

• Approved a event permit allowing Midwest Shrine Association kparade ink Glenwood on August. 26.  The parade, which will feature “Shriner” units from all over the aread, will last about four hours and travel the same route as the Waterama parade, it was stated.

•Approved a temporary license for the American Legion Post 187 to conduct a beer garden during Waterama on July 27i-30.

•Appointed Tim McKim to the Glenwood HRA board.

•Approved setting Junetenth (June 19) as an official holiday for city workers.  The Minnessota Legislature recently recognized Juneteenth as an official state holiday.