If you're looking for a way to become more involved in your city government, volunteer opportunities on advisory boards and commissions are now available. These commissions provide citizens the ability to work with city councils on important matters facing communities. Areas of focus may include: planning, environment, transit, housing, economic development, parks and recreation, and human rights. Deadlines to apply are approaching, so please visit your city's Web site (see right column) or call your city hall for more information.

Golden Valley:

• The city is negotiating with the city of St. Louis Park to create a joint powers board to govern the West End Redevelopment project with Duke Realty. More information... 

Hopkins:

• Construction on Cargill's first building at Hwy. 169 and Excelsior Blvd. is three months ahead of schedule for the anticipated April/May completion date. Upon final completion, more than 2,500 employees will work in three buildings.
• The cities of Hopkins and Minnetonka and TwinWest continue to work with Hennepin County commissioners to secure funding for redevelopment of Shady Oak Road. We believe if it is completed as a road reconstruction without a redevelopment component, the reconstruction will result in a series of isolated, independently owned parcels, along the west side of the roadway, of very marginal commercial or other value. 

Minnetonka:

• Opus is planning to develop a 260,000 sq. ft. office building on a 14-acre site on the southeast corner of I-394 and Hopkins Crossroad. It is working on the deal with Syngenta, an international agribusiness company, which plans on relocating offices currently sited in Golden Valley.
• The city of Minnetonka is seeking business input into its comprehensive plan update. Area business leaders are encouraged to attend an open house on Thursday, November 8, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Minnetonka Community Center (14600 Minnetonka Blvd.).

St. Louis Park:

• The city of St. Louis Park is considering adoption of a Reinvestment Assistance Program Policy. The policy would establish criteria relating to the use of Reinvestment Assistance grants or loans from the EDA's Development Fund for private redevelopment projects as gap financing for projects not large enough to justify creation of a tax increment financing (TIF) district. Representatives from the local business community, the TwinWest Chamber and the city met to review the policy and make suggestions to city staff prior to council approval.