Plans for vets parks Bob Hamann, member of the Veteran's Memorial Park committee, showed members of the Staples EDA a preliminary layout idea for their proposed All Veteran's Park along Highway 10. EDA members pictured, from left, include Al Kolling, Stan Carlson, Doyle Yoder and (on right) Mayor Chris Etzler. (Staples World photo by Tom Crawford) Members of the Staples Economic Development Authority (SEDA) heard a progress report Oct. 27 on the Staples All Veterans Memorial Park

Bob Hamann and Jim Christoffersen showed the EDA members an architect's sketch of a proposed layout of the park which will be located south of Highway 10 between 8th and 9th Street NE. Currently the large U.S. flag is in place at what will be the east end of the park.

The actual layout of the park is subject to change, but currently includes numerous trees, a small 1,700 to 1,800 square foot building, a wall listing all wars in which the U.S. has been involved and a replica of This architect's drawing shows a proposed design for the Staples All Veterans Memorial Park to be located south of Highway 10 between 8th and 9th Streets. The center of the star on the right is where the large U.S. flag is currently. Flags for each branch of the service and a seating area are also planned. the large World War II billboard that listed names of all area service personnel who were serving. Names of those local soldiers or sailors who had died in service were listed at the top.

Illustration for Veterans Memorial Park This architect's drawing shows a proposed design for the Staples All Veterans Memorial Park to be located south of Highway 10 between 8th and 9th Streets. The center of the star on the right is where the large U.S. flag is currently. Flags for each branch of the service and a seating area are also planned. Hamann told the board their project has been estimated to cost about $660,000 but he added that it could easily be much higher. The thin sliver of land was the property of the Minnesota Department of Transportation but MnDOT donated it to the city when told it would be used for a veterans park.

The group working on the veterans park is obtaining its federal 501C3 tax exempt status, the two told the EDA board. The EDA commended the veterans group for their work.

In another issue, a new community information sign is being discussed, with the current proposal being to make major improvements on the current sign on Second Avenue between Third and Fourth streets. Questions that need to be decided include who owns the sign, who would maintain it and what type of messages would be included on the sign. The EDA board decided to invite Jim Hofer and Kevin Jenkins, representing the LEAP group, to attend the November EDA meeting to discuss these ideas.

In other matters, the SEDA board:

o LEARNED that the separation of Stern Manufacturing and Stern Industries has been concluded and that Stern Manufacturing, with a plant and headquarters in Staples, is now a stand-alone entity. Final gap financing by the Initiative Foundation and the Region 5 North Central EDA will be determined on Nov. 12, with a gap financing action by the Staples EDA likely to come before their November meeting.

o HEARD an update on the Ernie's Food Market expansion project, with rain causing some delays but progress is continuing.

o HEARD that a proposed employee survey is going to be ready before the end of the year. The survey is intended to gather information from local employees about where they live, why they live there and what incentive would have to be offered to make them consider a move.

o HEARD an update on the former Carter Ringer property on the east side of Staples, Norbert Johnson is in default of a city loan for that property.

o Discussed several other items, including progress on the Wright Avenue street project near the Ernie's site; the city's Broadband application for federal stimulus funding; and progress regarding the city's North-South Corridor and railroad overpass.