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Blaine’s City Council unanimously approved a series of parking abatement assistance agreements for the 105th Avenue redevelopment district at its April 6 meeting, advancing the contract framework for the broader project. City Manager Erik Thorvig said the agreements cover the east and west parking ramps, the stadium and retail development, including Scheels, and set terms for construction, disbursement of bond proceeds and repayment sources. He said the east ramp would include about 800 stalls and the west ramp about 600. The retail agreement also requires the user to place $10 million in escrow before construction begins and maintain that amount throughout the project to help guarantee completion. ...

The Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority is offering forgivable microloans of up to $10,000 for local businesses affected by federal immigration enforcement, according to the city’s website. The loans may cover up to four months of a commercial lease or mortgage. The loans carry no interest and run for eight months. Loan forgiveness is contingent on the business continuing to operate without interruption in the same commercial space for the full eight months. ...

The Blaine City Council on April 6 unanimously approved a housing program, a senior housing revenue note and revenue bonds to help Catholic Eldercare acquire Crest View Senior Community. The request included not only city-issued conduit financing for the purchase, but also assignment of an existing tax increment financing note tied to the property, a point that drew questions from the council. Council Member Chris Massoglia asked whether the council had any interest in not extending the TIF note, which would return that money to the city’s tax base. ...

A $200,000 state-funded effort to remove buckthorn and other invasive woody plants is underway at Innsbruck Nature Center in Fridley, building on volunteer work that began several years ago and launching a multiyear restoration of the 22-acre site. City Parks and Recreation Director Mike Maher said during an April 8 guided tour that the larger project grew out of concerns first raised about three years ago by Julie Wellman and Maija and Frank Sedzielarz, who noticed heavy buckthorn growth in the park. ...

The Blaine City Council unanimously approved a cooperative construction agreement with MnDOT for improvements to Trunk Highway 65 at its April 6 meeting. Director of Engineering Daniel Schluender said that the project would reconstruct a portion of Trunk Highway 65 through the heart of Blaine from 93rd Avenue to 121st Ave. The project will also add a frontage road to the west side of Ulysses St, which will be constructed from 99th to 109th Ave. ...

The Blaine City Council rejected a proposed Pulte Homes development near the Lakes neighborhood April 6, with a majority of members saying the project did not fit the city’s long-term vision for the area even as two council members argued that vision no longer matches market realities. The comprehensive plan amendment failed on a 5-2 vote. Council Members Chris Ford and Tom Newland voted in favor. Community Development Director Sheila Sellman said the developer sought to rezone property at 3700 and 3900 125th Avenue NE from farm residential to development flex. The amendment would have changed the site’s guided land use from planned industrial/commercial and low-density residential to low- to medium-density residential. ...

The Blaine City Council approved financing April 6 for a $15 million parking ramp tied to the 105th Avenue redevelopment project, despite objections from three council members who warned the cost could fall on taxpayers if other revenue sources do not materialize. The 4-3 vote advances a 600-stall ramp city officials said is necessary for the west side of the development. Mayor Tim Sanders and Council Members Jess Robertson, Chris Massoglia and Terra Fleming voted in favor of the property tax abatements. Council Members Tom Newland, Chris Ford and Leslie Larson voted against. On the same 4-3 vote, the Council also approved the sale of bonds for the abatements, subject to conditions tied to ramp construction. ...

Six weeks after hearing local bands wanted to raise money for a mutual aid fund supporting Columbia Heights residents affected by Operation Metro Surge, Rail Werks Brewing owner Denise Roberts helped organize a benefit concert at the brewery. The April 4 event, dubbed Heights Aid, featured performances by Purgatory Creek, Dean, Mick and Carla, TW and the Dustbowl Daisies, and Plumstar. Proceeds were set to benefit the GoFundMe campaign “Support Local Columbia Heights Families.” ...

On April 4, the East Bethel Fire Department was dispatched at about 11:25 a.m. to the 19900 block of Austin Street Northeast for a reported structure fire, according to an April 5 press release. Initial crews found a large pole barn with heavy smoke and fire showing on all sides, the release said. Firefighters made entry before shifting to a defensive attack. The building and its contents were a total loss, though no civilians were injured, according to the department. Two firefighters requested evaluation by Allina Ambulance. One was taken to a hospital in stable condition, while the other was treated at the scene and released. ...

Allina Health announced on April 2 that it and the Doctors Council SEIU, that represents clinicians for the hospital in primary and urgent care, had reached a tentative agreement that was subject to ratification by union membership. “The tentative agreement reflects the priorities of both parties and supports Allina Health’s ability to continue caring for our communities well into the future,” Allina wrote in a press relase. “This important step forward allows us to focus on caring for patients and supporting the teams who provide that care every day.” ...