HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-1957Record of Official Proceedings of the Common Council
of the City of Rochester, Minn., September 9, 1957
OSWALO PUBLISHING CO., NEW ULM, MINN. 5195
A motion was then made by Alderman Schroeder, that the Council consider
business other than the call. Alderman Briese seconded the motion and upon roll
call all present voted in favor thereof.
Mr. Richard H. Plunkett, representing merchants,in Miracle Mile,. was
present and opposed the Minnesota State Highway Department plans for the improvement
of Highway #52 from Second Street Southwest to approximately 400 feet north. He
stated that (1) Donaldson's had employed a traffic engineer from Yale University
and some misunderstanding had arisen over understanding of his report, that the
report, after study, had said that the construction planned 'would work a hardship
on merchants". Information had been given that this report had given approval to
the entire plan, which was not true. The report stated that plans affecting the
highway north of Miracle Mile would not harm the shopping center but the plans
as submitted in front of Miracle Mile 'would work a hardship'. A telegram was
received from the engineer correcting this misunderstanding. (2) That they had
discussed the plans with a number of the largest developers in this area and the
general feeling was that a 15 foot cut dividing them from the City; would be very
dangerous. He further stated that once the plans were accepted relating to grades
and intersection design, they became permanent and could not be changed in a year
or two. He reviewed the "diamond' intersection planned north of Second Street
and thought it was the most drastic type and used only in open country areas.
Alderman Tingley arrived at 9:00 P. M. and Alderman Morris arrived at
9 : 20 P. M.
Mr. Alan Rich, Manager of Donaldson, Mr. Mayo Priebe and Mr. Dwight
Thurber also each were heard. Mr. R. V. Ehrick, City Attorney, then read the
second paragraph of Sub —Section 3 of Section 161.03 of the Minnesota State Statutes
which stated that highway construction or reconstruction within the City limits
cannot be carried out without the approval of the Council and also that highway
grade changes could not be made without the approval of the Council.
Upon motion by Haas, second by Briese, the meeting was adjourned.
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