UPDATED: Local Legislators Support Establishment of New Nature Center

Two local legislators have thrown their support behind the development of a proposed, 250-acre nature and education center in Inver Grove Heights.

District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL) is the chief author of two separate bonding requests that, if approved, would provide funding for the design and development of the Darvan Nature Center and the restoration of more than 200 acres of land.

The proposed nature center would be located near the 9100 block of Barnes Avenue in Inver Grove Heights, on a parcel of land owned by former Inver Grove Heights Mayor Vance Grannis, Atkins said. If created, the center could provide provide outdoor education and recreation opportunities and help preserve Minnesota's cultural heritage, according to the bill text.

The bills, introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives last week, don't ask for a specific amount of funding for the nature center because it is too early in the development process to know how much money may be necessary for development of the center, Atkins said.

The legislature won't likely consider a bonding bill until next year, Atkins explained. The two requests were made in advance of that bonding bill, he said, to jump start early discussions on the nature center proposal. District 39 Sen. Jim Metzen, who was unavailable for comment, also proposed two similar bonding requests for the proposed nature center in the Senate.

"We’re just beginning the process of looking into it,” said Atkins, who visited the property at least once. “It’s a very very significantly sized piece of land. You feel like you’re 1,000 miles from the city when you get out on that property."

Sen. Jim Metzen

New Activity:

— Metzen authored a resolution urging support for the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a part of the global community. SF483, introduced on Feb. 28.

—Metzen authored a bill for trunk highway #55 and county state-aid highway #63 (Argenta Trail) interchange construction environmental impact statement and scoping bond issue and appropriation awaits a hearing in the Transportation Committee. SF484 introduced Feb. 28

— Metzen authored a $200,000 bonding request  for the design and construction of a transit facility along the Robert Street corridor in Dakota County. SF531, introduced on Feb. 28.

Existing legislation:

— A bill authored by Metzen appropriating $3 million to replace barriers with noise abatement walls along portions of the Hwy. 52 corridor is awaiting discussion on The Capital Investment Committee. SF391, introduced on Feb. 21.

— A bill authored by Metzen that would appropriate $240,000 for the movement of two historical buildings to Heritage Park in Inver Grove Heights was referred to the Capital Investment Committee. SF291, introduced on Jan. 10.

Sen. Joe Atkins

New Activity:

—Atkins authored a bill that would appropriate $250,000 to pay for an environmental impact statement and scoping for or constructing an interchange at Hwy. 55 and County State-Aid Highway 63.

— Atkins is listed as a co-author of a bill that would appropriate $1.5 million to to install, renovate, or replace heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems in existing indoor ice arenas. HF684, introduced on Feb. 24.

Existing Legislation: 

—A bill authored by Atkins that would enhance identity theft and related fraudulent activity enforcement is still awaiting discussion by the Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee. HF343, introduced on Feb. 3.

— A bill co-sponsored by Atkins that would phase out a franchise tax imposed upon
corporations by 2019 is still awaiting discussion by the Taxes Committee. HF42, introduced on Jan. 10 by District 31B Rep. Greg Davids (R).