BLOG: How Important is Preserving Open Space and Woodlands in IGH?

Preservation of open space and woodlands in Inver Grove has been in the news a lot lately.

Last week, Dakota County announced that a 150-acre parcel along the Mississippi River in IGH is being preserved as permanent open space. The property is some of the most coveted in Minnesota, with a forest of old oaks and some of the most spectacular river views anywhere along the Mississippi's 2,320-mile length.

The City Council is also in the midst of debating activities at a possible 250-acre nature preserve just off Barnes Avenue in southern IGH.

Simultaneously, we are seeing significant new development activity in the city. At 80^th Street and Robert, for example, a brand new, 134,000-square-foot Target store is about to open its doors. Just north on Robert, Pawn America is constructing its largest store ever. And there’s talk of potential projects at 52 and 494, one of which is rumored to be a new Cabela’s.

This flurry of open space preservation efforts and development activity prompted me to post a new Facebook survey question asking readers how important the preservation of open space and woodlands is in Inver Grove Heights.

Based on the significant number of responses to that survey, it seemed like a good idea to raise the same issue here on Patch as well. 

Just how important is preservation of open space and woodlands in Inver Grove?

I would welcome comments on this issue, either by posting below, emailing me at Rep.Joe.Atkins@house.mn, or by giving me a call at the Capitol at 296-4192. 

Other local officials are keenly interested in this issue as well.

Tomorrow I will post a summary of the opinions I am getting, a discussion of how the funding for preservation works (it may surprise you), and my own take on how important it is to preserve open space and woodlands in IGH.