Concerned about a potential negative impact on the downtown economy, government, business and civil groups in Albert Lea are questioning the idea of a Freeborn-Mower joint judicial center.

Thursday, December 13, 2001

Concerned about a potential negative impact on the downtown economy, government, business and civil groups in Albert Lea are questioning the idea of a Freeborn-Mower joint judicial center.

Representatives from both counties were scheduled to discuss the voices of discontent at a second intra-county meeting today at the Elks Club in Albert Lea.

Albert Lea Major Bob Haukoos said in a letter to county board chairman Dave Mullenbach, “The loss of the court activity would ultimately weaken the marketability of the downtown at a time when it is struggling to survive.”

Haukoos pointed out that the potential loss of law offices and other support businesses contingent upon the court and law enforcement agencies would deliver “a serious, possibly fatal blow to downtown.”

The county and city need to work together to help the area recover from its present decline, he stressed.

Police force operation was also among the mayor’s concerns.

Haukoos said it would not be acceptable for the city police department to be located out of the city center, nor for the county sheriff and the city police to have separate facilities.

“The current operation of the jail and law enforcement center is closely intertwined. If the need for additional personnel is to be avoided, they should be kept together,” he said.

The Albert Lea-Freeborn Chamber of Commerce also asked the county board not to jump to a conclusion until the organization could aggregate member opinions.

According to president Allen Pelvit, a straw poll among the board members resulted in three being in favor of the joint judicial center, four were against, and three were undecided.

Pelvit said that the chamber would finalize its recommendation after the board meeting scheduled Jan. 22.

Destination: Albert Lea, group advocating downtown rehabilitation and lake improvements, does not consider the joint facility a viable option either logistically or financially.

The organization explains the consequence of losing as many as 100 county employees will impose a major negative impact on downtown business and development. It also emphasizes the joint center would increase both direct and indirect cost for the employees, related businesses and service recipients of legal and law enforcement offices.

DAL board member Anthony R. Trow said in a letter to County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen, “We will all benefit from a stronger and more vital central business district and are counting on the county to assist those efforts.”