Board directs county administration to send support letter for CCC pavilion restoration at White Lakes
March 10, 2026 | St. Louis County, Minnesota
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A group of volunteers, nonprofits and regional partners asked the St. Louis County Board for a letter of support Wednesday to help restore a 1940 Civilian Conservation Corps log pavilion on Coby Lake that was badly damaged in an arson in June 2024.
Al Hodnick, who identified himself as a resident and former Minnesota Power CEO, told commissioners the structure is historically significant and now sits stabilized after emergency work. He described a three‑phase plan that includes a land transfer already completed, restoration and ADA improvements, and a trailhead master plan tied to the Mesabi Trail White Lakes extension. "We're not here to ask for cash today, but we are here today to seek a letter of support from St. Louis County for this project," Hodnick said. (Hodnick)
Commissioners praised the project’s potential for tourism and economic development along the Mesabi Trail and agreed to direct county administration to send a letter of support to assist grant and fundraising efforts. The board noted existing resolutions of support from the cities of White Lakes and Aurora, the township of White and the Mesabi Rail Authority.
Administration and commissioners said the letter will help in applications to federal and state grant programs including the Regional Trails Program (RTP) and the Legislative‑Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR); Hodnick said the group has applied for RTP funding and soon will apply to LCCMR for construction dollars. The county also scheduled a site visit as part of the board’s June retreat.
What happens next: County administration will prepare a letter of support and coordinate with the project team and local partners to support grant applications and outreach. Project proponents will pursue RTP and LCCMR funding for parking, signage, lighting and other trailhead features.
Reporting note: Direct quotes are from the public presentation and the record of board discussion; the board’s directive was recorded as carried in the meeting transcript.
Al Hodnick, who identified himself as a resident and former Minnesota Power CEO, told commissioners the structure is historically significant and now sits stabilized after emergency work. He described a three‑phase plan that includes a land transfer already completed, restoration and ADA improvements, and a trailhead master plan tied to the Mesabi Trail White Lakes extension. "We're not here to ask for cash today, but we are here today to seek a letter of support from St. Louis County for this project," Hodnick said. (Hodnick)
Commissioners praised the project’s potential for tourism and economic development along the Mesabi Trail and agreed to direct county administration to send a letter of support to assist grant and fundraising efforts. The board noted existing resolutions of support from the cities of White Lakes and Aurora, the township of White and the Mesabi Rail Authority.
Administration and commissioners said the letter will help in applications to federal and state grant programs including the Regional Trails Program (RTP) and the Legislative‑Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR); Hodnick said the group has applied for RTP funding and soon will apply to LCCMR for construction dollars. The county also scheduled a site visit as part of the board’s June retreat.
What happens next: County administration will prepare a letter of support and coordinate with the project team and local partners to support grant applications and outreach. Project proponents will pursue RTP and LCCMR funding for parking, signage, lighting and other trailhead features.
Reporting note: Direct quotes are from the public presentation and the record of board discussion; the board’s directive was recorded as carried in the meeting transcript.
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