Randy Erdman, Albert Lea Mayor

Dear Governor Pawlenty,

The City of Albert Lea has been given one of the most exciting opportunities for redevelopment within the State of Minnesota! What started as an economic loss to the community is on the way to becoming one of our greatest assets &8212; a 55 acre site now known as the Blazing Star Landing.

New optimism and vision for the vacant industrial property was launched during as series of community &8220;listening&8221; sessions with over 600 citizens participating. Rebuilding the financial vitality and livability of this area was identified as a primary community goal. Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the site then led to the city hosting a Minnesota Design Team Visit where many of the ideas emphasized were illustrated in a series of design sketches and concepts. Those concepts include a lakeside resort and conference center, retail shops, residences, a marina and other water activities, all with a strong connection to our historic downtown.

We are excited to share with you the city&8217;s marketing package for the Blazing Star Landing. The strengths of this development are the centrally located waterfront property on beautiful Albert Lea Lake and its suitability for a high quality, mixed-use development.

The site was recently rezoned to a Planned Development District. Last year, citizens supported the 1/2 cent sales tax initiative for lake clean-up, and the momentum continues with the formation of the Blazing Star Landing Action Team to help shape a master-plan for the development. Preliminary steps have been taken to stabilize the site and a plan to implement strategies for lake connection, lake dredging, and linking the Blazing Star Trail is underway.

The city is responding positively to the needs and desires of the community as this project develops. Contamination mitigation, water quality and image are challenges we must overcome to make this site more attractive to potential developers. We need to help to take the project from vision to realization!

We welcome you to be part of the initiative that will impact the economic future of our community for generations to come. Together we can put the &8220;Land Between the Lakes&8221; on the map as a family and recreation destination!

We invite you to come to Albert Lea to tour the site and discuss the potential of this &8220;diamond in the rough.&8221;

Randy Erdman is the mayor of Albert Lea.