Editorial: Take action on harbor

Talk about it

Let’s get on with it.

Now that Sam Cave’s appeal has gone as far as it can go, the city needs to move up and take the lead on development, or in some cases, non-development, along Agate Bay.

It’s time to bring form and functionality to the underused and, everyone will admit it, ugly Two Harbors waterfront.

There is no better time than now to bring a collected vision to the fore. Downtown streets are being redone. There is a germ of renaissance among business owners. The design of a small craft harbor is inching along.

It’s time to bring all the pieces together.

It certainly means being careful with the history of the area as a working waterfront and its natural beauty tied to Lake Superior. While perhaps advocating a business aspect to the downtown-waterfront areas, it’s also important to simply keep in mind the creation of a sense of place, a place where residents and visitors can take in the waterfront, celebrating its mere existence.

There are many successes along the lake to learn from: Duluth’s Lakewalk, Grand Marias’ arts focus, the pristine spots to enjoy the lake all along the North Shore.

The city got caught dragging its feet on purchasing the railroad land around Lighthouse Point and other areas on the bay. Let’s hope it has learned a lesson and will now get cooking on the small craft harbor, the blight that is the old rail yards, and a plan for Lighthouse Point.

Cave still has his land for development in the area, but in conversation with the News-Chronicle, he sounds like he’s had enough. We doubt he’s completely thrown in the towel on moving ahead with hotel and condo plans, but he certainly has nothing on the table like he had when he first purchased the property.

It’s the economy and likely the lengthy court battle that has Cave discouraged. The latter, of course, is mostly by his own doing. Let’s hope that if, indeed, he is done dealing in development in Two Harbors he will not simply sit on his holdings. He seems interested in the harbor project, and perhaps that will once again inspire him.

Cave is willing to work with the city, saying he holds no ill will toward the council.

City leaders will likely roll their eyes at that notion but they must hold the public prize above personal feelings about Cave and the now six-year saga. The public would do well to get past the hard feelings as well.

Let’s get on with it.

Tags: two harbors, sam cave, opinion, editorial, waterfront