• strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_argument::init() should be compatible with views_handler::init(&$view, $options) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_argument.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_validate() should be compatible with views_handler::options_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_submit() should be compatible with views_handler::options_submit($form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_node_status::operator_form() should be compatible with views_handler_filter::operator_form(&$form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/modules/node/views_handler_filter_node_status.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.

Looking ahead – Our view: City wise plan for East 11th Street Extension

Residents who enjoy well-planned investment in municipal infrastructure have reason to be impressed with the Glencoe City Council’s interest in the extension of East 11th Street toward Diamond Avenue.
Last week, the city council approved an application to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for a $1 million grant that would fund much of the extension of East 11th Street toward Diamond Avenue across agricultural land currently in Helen Township. The city eyes the street extension as a step toward expansion of Glencoe’s commercial-industrial tax base.
The plan, if successful, is to extend East 11th Street across an under-utilized parking lot, a benefit to a company where employees aren’t using as much parking space as they once did. The city’s plan will benefit development expected in the near future – the Kwik Trip and proposed AmericInn – and development expected years down the road. The extension of East 11th Street is included in Glencoe’s transportation plan.
Assuming the city is able to work out a mutually-beneficial deal with the owner of the ag. land, the proposal is a win-win for local taxpayers and local government. Commercial-industrial land is the golden goose, paying among the highest tax rates while requiring minimal services from local units of government. The Highway 212 corridor is an ideal place to develop and expand an industrial park.
Hopefully, when the time comes, the city and developer will be able to craft a development plan where development pays for itself. Ideally, commercial-industrial development does not require incentives like tax-increment financing or tax abatement from local government. Sadly, that type of development plan is easier said than done. Local elected officials may one day decide how much of an investment they are willing to support in exchange for commercial-industrial development.
We applaud the city trying to access the MnDOT grant. The grant does not require matching money from the city. A successful grant will have the city on the hook for a relatively small sum, a fraction of what would be required if the grant carried the typically required match. If successful, the expansion of a business park in Glencoe will bring more jobs, hopefully paying a livable wage, to the area.
It’s a good plan. The city will learn later this spring whether its application to MnDOT is successful. Hopefully, Glencoe’s application will be viewed favorably.
-jm