Floodwood, MN

2nd Annual Clean Up Day Aims to Connect People with FREE Recycling Resources and Education.

A community wide clean up day was THE action idea that received the highest number of votes in our study circle process. Study circle participants stated over and over how important pride and image is our community and that we need to make improvements in this area. The first annual clean up day was a huge success however, we focused more on offering clean up services to our residents than working with residents and including them in on the process.

The second annual clean up (Wednesday April 30th) is focusing on more connecting our residents with recycling services - free recycling services at that. Electronic, scrap metal, and appliance recycling services will be on hand to offer mini work shops on what types of materials and objects are recycable and sometimes just downright valuable. In addition, the city will have the city brush dump open to receive yard refuse and to educate the citizens on how to compost. Another component of this year’s clean up day is crews, led by neighborhood residents, will walk the city cleaning up public spaces and neglected neighborhood areas. So far we have enlisted the help of Floodwood Kids Plus, boy scouts, girls scouts and senior citizens. The evening will come to close at about 6:00 with an appreciation picnic served by the Floodwood Police Department.

CITY OFFERS NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT PROGRAM TO HELP CLEAN UP BLIGHTED PROPERTIES.
The City of Floodwood is just about ready to start the first round of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program. This program offers grants of up to 50% and well as techinical assisance to property owners who would like to demolish blighted and unsafe structures. So far the program is looking to be a huge success! “I researched how much it would cost me to tear down an old house on my property. I was getting estimates as high as $7,000. Through this program I will only have to pay $1,200!” stated one property owner. The city is able to get lower prices on the demolitions because the contractor can do several properties at once and spend less on mobilization and fuel. In addition, the City will pay 1/2 the cost of the demolition. “It’s not just about handing out cash,” states Mayor Kletscher. “We [the city] are assisting participants in filling out demolition permits, hiring the contractor, and offering the clean up day so they can empty the buildings - all at very little cost.” The city has five properties enrolled in the program with another five on the waiting list.

The overall goal of both of these programs is to preserve the quality of the existing neighborhoods as clean and stable residential neighborhoods.

“These two programs [the clean up day and neighborhood reinvestment program] will help enhance our city so much. We’re not only helping people financially to clean up their properties, we’re offering the services and education as well. That [education] will have more of an impact and last much longer than any grant program.” stated Chief of Police and Blight Inspector Dave DeNoyer.

The Floodwood Business Community Partnership Beautification committee (Horizons Marketing/Niche Future Squad) met in February to discuss way to beautify our community. The committee agreed planting flowers and decorating the town is a wonderful project and would not only leave an impression on the community but to visitors as well. In addition however, the committee decided the work must not stop there - a niche or theme in the town is needed and more permanent long term projects are needed. It was quickly decided the committee should explore using Floodwood’s railroad and logging history as the town’s ‘niche’. The larger committee broke out into several sub-committees who will report to the group on Wednesday, March 25th at 12 noon at Northview Bank. A light lunch will be provided. Thank you to Northview Bank for the providing the lunch at the first meeting.