VIRGINIA—The Virginia City Council took a small step Tuesday toward developing the Eastern Recreation Area (ERA) project on the east edge of the Queen City.
On a 5-2 vote the council directed city staff to seek funding and find partners to keep the project moving forward.
The initial phase of funding would be $62,700 for landowner engagement and approval, preliminary design, and preliminary cost estimating.
Asked if those funds are available anywhere in the budget, Finance Director Sherry Erickson said, “At this time no.’’
With that in mind, the council decided to seek funds outside of the the city’s own budget to keep the project alive. That could be grant writing, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation and more.
Initial plans for the recreation area include non-motorized trail development, trailhead construction, and complimentary amenities. The trail would be used by walkers, runners, traditional and e-bike cyclists, and possibly Nordic skiing or fat-tire biking in the winter.
The trailhead for both a single-track and loop trail is intended to be at the eastern end of Chestnut Street. This area could be developed into a full-fledged trail hub serving the new trails and the Mesabi Trail, snowmobile trail, and ATV trail which pass nearby.
Other potential attractions were also assessed by Barr Engineering of Hibbing.
However, given the potential for medium-term mine development on the east side of the pit complex, the potential for pit-spanning developments (e.g., trams, ziplines) is limited until future mining activities are idled.
Amenities that could be supported by the land area near the trailhead, topography, and likely landowner approvals include:
• A “sky walk’’ at the end of Chestnut Street. This skywalk could be constructed as an extension of the street alignment, cantilevered over the slope and above the snowmobile trail to afford beautiful views of the pit complex. Given the recent loss of the Mineview in the Sky and the need for repairs at the Oldtown-Finntown mine overlook, the city may consider this sky walk as a potential mine view replacement.
• A bicycle skills course or nature play area.
• A red rock, outdoor amphitheater, similar to what was proposed in the 2001 Laurentian Vision Partnership Charrette developed for the city of Virginia.
• A climbing park consisting of a summer bouldering feature and potential ice climbing runs in winter. Ice climbing would require purposeful design, annual maintenance (watering), risk management planning, insurance, and signage.
Barr also assessed the concept-level costs for the proposal.
“The costs to construct the recreation area range from $1.495 million to $5.980 million, which a median estimate of $2.990 million.’’ These costs do not include land acquisition.
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Regarding the $62,700 cost of moving the project forward, Council Steven B. Johnson said he could not support that “in any way.’’ He said the city already has a budget challenge, and the council is even talking about budget items down to $500. Councilor Gary Friedlieb also voted against the motion to use city staff.
Also, there wasn’t any talk about long-term maintenance and upkeep for the ERA project, according to Johnson. If the citizens want the project, he said, it will be up to them to raise funds, just like the restoration of the Olcott Park fountain.
Mayor Larry Cuffe Jr. believes the concept is worth pursuing, but all details involved have to be figured out. That includes the residents of Franklin, which consolidated with Virginia in the 1990s, and how they would be affected.
“I wouldn’t support any funding at this point in time,’’ Cuffe said.
Councilor Maija Biondich also said figuring out the city’s budget is the first priority.
Councilor Liz Motley stated she has been in a few meetings with Barr Engineering’s Pete Kero and supports moving the project forward 150%. She was able to see some of the possibilities that just “blows my mind’’ on what could happen.
Motley said the project would be outstanding for the downtown business district, all ages, and even handicapped citizens.
“The potential is something else.’’
Councilor Julianne Paulsen, who made the motion to direct city staff, told Franklin residents in attendance that stakeholders and landowners would be involved and not left out.
Kero said that would “absolutely’’ be the case.
Speaking on the possibilities, Paulsen said she really wanted a zipline before, but would settle for a gondola now. “I think it’s going to be a wonderful thing as we go forward.’’
Overall, Cuffe said it would probably be a long-term process that has to be done incrementally.
One Franklin resident said the residents are not against the project, but the location is a concern. “It’s going to be right across the street from us. We don’t appreciate that. We have a nice peaceful area there. That’s what we like.’’
Friedlieb added the project has great potential. “I’m glad you aren’t against it.’’
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