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� <br />MNDOT — HIGHWAY 371 MEETING <br />CHAMBER AND CITY <br />MAY 30, 2013 <br />COLE MEMORIAL BUILDING — 5:30 P.M. <br />The first portion of this meeting focused on business owner concerns. The second portion <br />of the meeting focused on property owners' concerns, specifically those whose property <br />will be affected by the highway route. <br />MnDOT Representatives Present: Jim Hallgren, Project Manager and Brett Stark and <br />Shane Jacobs, Right-of-Way and Real Estate Representatives from MnDOT. <br />Start construction late 2017. Environmental document has been completed and <br />Municipal consent has been given from Pequot Lakes and Nisswa. Funding is <br />available in 2018. Right-of-way acquisition will begin in 2015. The right-of-way <br />process takes two years to complete. <br />• Brett Stark and Shane Jacobs stated that there are 80-90 parcels that will require <br />some type of right-of-way acquisition. There are some funds to begin acquiring <br />property in 2014 (for those properties that will be totally displaced). Property <br />owners facing displacement may call MnDOT if they have questions. Strip <br />acquisitions will begin in 2015. <br />` • There has been a request by Crow Wing County for a grade separated interchange <br />at County Road I 1. MnDOT is open to the idea, and will be working out the <br />details with CWC. <br />Landscaping for the Highway 371 project will be an important aspect of the <br />project. Landscaping can include anything from trees, plants, aesthetics (bridge <br />design — on the Paul Bunyan Trail Bridge) light poles, city entrance signs, etc. <br />The landscaping should begin after the project is completed so that we can get a <br />better visual as to what is needed. The business owners present were very <br />interested in landscaping and presenting a good visual as people enter the City of <br />Pequot Lakes. Funding for landscaping is included in the project costs. MnDOT <br />will need a commitment from the City to help maintain the landscaping once it is <br />planted. <br />• Turnback of Highway 371 was discussed. MnDOT will turn back the highway to <br />Crow Wing County. They are currently having conversations with the County <br />regarding improvements that the County may want on the highway. The County <br />has contacted the City of Pequot Lakes indicating the County's intention to <br />eventually turn back the highway to the City. Discussion was held regarding the <br />extra cost to the City to accept the highway. <br />� <br />