News
Mission:
To protect and promote the natural, recreational and historic resources of Voyageurs National Park.
Plans for New Park Headquarters Progressing
Plans for new park headquarters progressing
By Tom Klein
Plans for a $20.5 million project that will provide a new headquarters for Voyageurs National Park will proceed despite the project’s failure to be included in any of the bonding proposals under consideration in the state Legislature. Federal funds are also being sought for the project.
The project’s organizers hope to break ground by July 3 for what they expect to be a two-year construction project.
The city had requested $6.5 million in state bonding for the project, which also includes a heritage center, marina and 2,000-seat amphitheater in a landscaped 20-acre park along the Rainy River in International Falls.
International Falls Mayor Shawn Mason said state funding was targeted for construction of the heritage center, but the city will be selling revenue bonds to fund other construction, including the park’s new headquarters. The plan calls for the park to lease the space from the city to pay back the revenue bonds. Interest on the bonds will be used for other construction such as the amphitheater, Mason explained.
“We knew it was going to be very competitive bonding year,” said Mason, “so we were prepared with Plan B.”
Under that scenario, construction will proceed this summer and the city will reapply for bonding for the heritage center in the next legislative session. Mason said it was critical to continue proceeding with the project because delays could boost the construction costs. In addition, she noted, the project has received strong support from the Park Service. Both the local and regional offices have approved the plan to lease space for park headquarters. The recommendation is now at the federal level for review.
“We have phenomenal support from our federal delegation,” said Mason. “We’re asking them to follow this project and make sure the paperwork doesn’t get stuck on someone’s desk.”
Mason said the design will accommodate construction of the heritage center later if funding can be secured.
The project will be environmentally friendly by pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Enviornmental Design) designation. LEED is a voluntary, national green building standard and certification system created by the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED encourages an integrated design process and establishes performance goals in the form of credits for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality, and process and innovation. Points are awarded for credits achieved, with a total of 69 points possible. Forty percent of these points must be achieved to gain certification, which includes four progressive levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Mason said the goal is to achieve at least Silver status and perhaps Gold.
She also that the heritage center will differ from other visitor sites and museums near the park by focusing on the history of the voyageurs and offering an interactive experience for visitors.
“The voyageur story covers one third of this continent,” she said. “We think the voyageur is as worthy of a center as an eagle, bear or wolf.”
Plans for the parcel also call for development of trails, Mason said organizers plan to work with conservation groups to build trails at reduced cost.
The project is also designed to complement an adjacent private development. Utlimate Development Log Homes Inc. has proposed a resort, conference center and marina in the area west of the center site.