City of Hopkins • Hopkins Highlights • January 2005

Congratulations to the
Winners of the 2004
Community Image Awards

The Year in Hopkins

2004 was another exciting year in Hopkins.

It saw the completion of the Excelsior Tech Center and Regency Development. This project renovated the abandoned Alliant Techsystems defense plant into a mixed-business center that includes office space, warehouse/manufacturing space, mini-storage and production space. A neighborhood with rowhomes and detached townhomes was constructed on the surface parking lots bringing additional housing adjacent to this job center. This project was a 2004 Smart Growth Design Award winner.

Downtown was changing with four new restaurants and other new businesses opening. Community festivals such as Mainstreet Days, the Heritage Celebration, and the 70th Raspberry Festival kept people coming to Hopkins.

The new Mainstreet School for Performing Arts opened. The school provides Twin Cities students with an integrated program of superior academic standards and an arts focused education.

The new fire department and Public Works addition were completed, as was the first phase of the remodeled police department.

Adult Indoor Soccer Leagues

The Hopkins Pavilion offers an indoor soccer league on artificial turf, early March–mid-May for Adult Co-Rec teams. Teams will play seven games plus a single elimination tournament. Registration deadline is February 5 or when program is full. Fees for Adult Co-Rec teams are $750 (an additional $250 security deposit is required). Registration forms are available at the Pavilion or on our website at www.hopkinspavilion.com. Call the Pavilion at 952-939-1410 for more information.

Youth Ages 5-14 Instructional Soccer Program

The Hopkins Pavilion hosts the Hopkins Dynamo Soccer Club's Instructional Soccer Program for youth ages 5-14. The instruction (provided by the Hopkins Dynamo Soccer Club) includes a clinic t-shirt, proper passing and shooting, trapping (receiving), and dribbling. The instruction will also include small-sided games. Seven one-hour sessions will be held on Saturday mornings in March and April. Registration will close when filled with the first 40 participants at each time/age slot. The fee is $50 per participant ($45 if postmarked by February 1). Registration forms are available at the Pavilion. Call the Pavilion at 952-939-1410 for more information or check our website at www.hopkinspavilion.com.

Indoor Lacrosse League

The Minnesota Lacrosse Association schedules a Spring Indoor Lacrosse League for youth from March through May at the Hopkins Pavilion. For more information about the game, registration, fees, dates and times call the Lacrosse Hotline at 952-938-2723 or check their website at www.mn-lacrosse.com.

Turf Rental

The Hopkins Pavilion's artificial turf is available for rental for baseball practices, soccer practices, indoor lacrosse, indoor football and birthday parties from early March–mid-May. The rental rates are $75.00 plus tax per hour. Call the Hopkins Pavilion at 952-939-1410 for more information.

A recipe for safety when traveling by vehicle—take a 3-pound coffee can and fill it with candle stubs and matches (which can be used to melt snow for additional drinking water). Add:

One metal cup
Red bandana and a plastic whistle (to alert rescuers to your location)
Pencil and paper
First aid kit including any essential medications
Plastic flashlight with spare batteries
Two large plastic garbage bags and safety pins (bags are for insulation for feet and safety pins will keep the bags together)
Bottled water and snack food for energy, such as candy bars
Coins for phone calls (in case you don't have a cell phone or the cell phone doesn't work)

Some other items that you should carry include an extra set of dry clothing, a snowmobile suit, gloves or mittens, winter boots, blankets and/or sleeping bag, jumper cables, a basic toolbox, a shovel, a bag of sand or other grit for traction, tow cables or chain, road flares and reflectors. A completely charged cell phone is also a bonus if you run into car troubles.

Whenever traveling in the winter, call ahead to your destination and convey when you intend to leave, what travel route you will take and your expected time of arrival. If you are stranded, never leave your vehicle. Your chances of survival greatly increase if you stay with your vehicle.

HAVE A SAFE & ENJOYABLE WINTER SEASON!

The 2004 Hopkins Community Image Awards were presented at the December 7 City Council meeting. The awards are given annually to individuals and businesses that have made a visual improvement to their property or have demonstrated continued superior maintenance of their property, which in turn has a significant positive impact on the image of the City of Hopkins. A five-member committee reviewed the nominated properties and selected the winners. Awards consist of a commemorative plaque and a $50 gift certificate from a local home and garden store.

The following received Community Image Awards:

Single-Family Residential

8th Ave N—Terry and Lorrie Eiswald
The Eiswalds recently completed landscaping in the front yard and formal gardens throughout the yard, including a pergola in the backyard, of their well-maintained home. Some of the judges' comments included "charming, pride shows through in the care in design" and "beautiful property—should be an inspiration to others."

7th Ave N—Mark and Beth Jones
The Joneses built a two-story addition to their well-maintained home, added a two-car garage, a garden in the front yard and a patio and garden in the back. The judges commented on the "nice use of brick for the addition" and the "very nice landscaping."

Multi-Family Residential

Marketplace Lofts—The Cornerstone Group
The developer incorporated the City design standards and architectural elements of the downtown area into the great design of the project.
The brick exterior presents a quality appearance to the building.

Commercial

10th Avenue Properties, LLC—Pamela Paul
This property was nominated for its "high degree of design and renovation." The judges noted the great improvement in overall appearance and the tasteful landscaping on the small yard.

Frame Design Courtyard—John Cooley
John and Robin Cooley designed, planted, and cared for this courtyard, which is an oasis of colorful, blooming flowers in planters and pots at the rear entrances of businesses on Mainstreet near the corner of 10th Avenue.

Recycling weeks are January 10–13 and 24–17.
Refuse weeks are January 1–6, 10–13, 18–21, 24–27, and 31–February 3.