Region 7 ATP officials visit Sleepy Eye

Tour Del

Monte Corp.

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- The Region 7 Area Transportation Partnership met here Thursday and toured parts of Sleepy Eye with city officials.

Following a meeting, the group toured Del Monte Corp. for more than an hour, and visited Sportsmans Park and the beach area on the south side of Sleepy Eye Lake.

Mark Kober, Sleepy Eye City Manager, explained how the city applied for and was awarded a federal grant to help build a trail around Sleepy Eye Lake in 2007.

He was particularly interested in showing them State Highway 4 where it borders the lake, to help them realize safety issues on the highway.

The Sleepy Eye Master Plan calls for a boardwalk structure to be built as part of a bicycle and walking trail between the lake and highway.

Kober asked Partnership members if they felt grant money for the boardwalk should come from safety or community enhancement pots.

He later explained that funding may be a bit easier to come by if it is sought for safety purposes.

Kober and Sleepy Eye Mayor Jim Broich explained how a boardwalk could help protect the highway from icing over during the winter and keep pedestrians and bicyclists away from highway traffic.

During the Del Monte tour, Broich explained how he and Mankato City Engineer Ken Saffert worked at the plant decades ago. Broich said the plant has made great technological advances over the years, making it a much safer place to work.

Del Monte Area Manager Jay Ruenger agreed, noting a number of incentive programs including substantial rewards in place to promote plant safety.

Kober was thankful for the tour.

"We're grateful to Del Monte officials for taking the time to give us the tour during such a busy time with the corn pack beginning," Kober said.