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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Cloud City Council vote paves way for housing first project
A recent St. Cloud City Council vote to amend a planned unit development paves the way for a new housing first project brought forth by Center City Housing. On June 2, councilmembers approved moving forward with the project in a 4-3 vote, with Councilmembers Mike Conway, Scott Brodeen and Mike Johnson opposing. The city's resolution outlines specific requirements, such as on-site supervision and prohibits use as a temporary housing facility. Stearns County board election: Six candidates file in Stearns County Board of Commissioners special election The project, Elm Ridge Apartments, could create a 40-unit apartment building at the old YMCA site, 1530 Northway Dr., near St. Cloud Technical and Community College. It's a long-term living facility rather than a homeless shelter, and it aims to help residents establish the skills and rental history to become more independent. "Living on the streets is not a very good treatment plan," Center City Housing Executive Director Nancy Cashman previously said. "Traditionally, nobody makes good progress while living on the streets." At a May 13 St. Cloud Planning Commission meeting, Cashman said the organization obtained a subsidy to cover roughly $700 for rent and supplemental services. A National Low Income Housing Coalition report states housing first programs, like the Elm Ridge Apartments project, reduced homelessness by 88% and improved housing stability by 41%. It wasn't an easy vote for many city council members, as several neighbors showed up to the city council meeting in opposition, citing safety concerns. Center City Housing doesn't require sobriety to gain access to its housing program, citing its housing first approach. This concerned some neighbors and businesses. "This facility would allow individuals to live there without requiring sobriety — a deeply alarming prospect for those of us who live, work and raise children in this community," St. Cloud Foot and Ankle Center Clinic Administrator Reggie Gwost wrote in an emailed public comment. "Our neighborhood is home to two day cares, a charter school, an academy for autistic children, a nearby college campus, and several medical facilities. These are places meant to foster growth, healing and safety — not to be placed next to a high-risk population without support or oversight." During the June 2 city council public hearing, St. Cloud Technical and Community College President Lori Kloos also opposed the project. She expressed worries about how the project's residents might wander onto the college's campus and contribute to a perception of reduced safety, which she said could impact enrollment. "I think of our sister institution across town at St. Cloud State University. I love our partnership. I value them, and I know that there's this perception of safety, whether it's real or perceived, and I hear people say, 'Well, I'm not going to go there because it's not safe,'" Kloos said. "I do not want that for either them or for us. I want to make sure that we are safe, we are secure." Economic development: New shops, clinics, festivals part of St. Cloud East End's revitalization efforts These woes resonated with the opposing trio, who questioned the proposed location. Johnson pointed to a portion of public hearing participants opposing the development. "I fully, fully agree that we need people to survive and to thrive in these areas, and my heart goes out to them too, prayers go out to them, but I can't get behind this location," Brodeen said. Cashman told city council members the organization doesn't have a lead on any other locations. "We've looked at a couple of sites, and we've been denied a couple or not accepted, and then (with) this site the doors have been opening," Cashman said. Those voting in favor of the project referenced its need and Center City Housing's previous success. "I have a lot of respect for your organization and how you conduct your businesses and how they're run," Councilmember Dave Masters said. Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at The St. Cloud Times, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@ This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: 40-unit housing first development could come to St. Cloud
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Toyota celebrates 40 years at Le Mans with throwback liveries
Toyota is marking its 40th anniversary at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, and to celebrate this momentous occasion, it will be donning each of its GR010 Hybrids with a special one-off throwback livery! Looking for a new or used Toyota? Find it here with CARmag! Toyota has an impressive lineage of motorsport history to brag about. Across multiple disciplines, the Japanese automaker has seen some impressive success. The 2025 edition of the Le Mans will have a small dollop of nostalgia, as both competing LM Hypercars will feature some throwback liveries that not only nod to the past, but are intended to remind that Toyota is moving into the future with its technological prowess. The #7 car, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries, wears a reimagined version of the iconic TS020 GT-One livery from the late 90s. If you were a motorsport fan in that era — or a PlayStation 1 kid hooked on Gran Turismo — you'll likely remember the GT One's dramatic silhouette and sweeping red and white paint job. It never clinched victory at Le Mans, but it earned pole position in 1999 and showed what Toyota was capable of at this top flight of motorsport. The new design isn't a copy-paste job; instead, jagged white stripes slash across the GR010's red base, a modern nod to a car that defined Toyota's first serious push for an outright win. Related: Le Mans 2024 – An Experience Bar None The #8 car, meanwhile, takes a different approach. Driven by Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa, it's finished in matte black with a prominent GR logo. It's a cleaner, more corporate look, but one that reflects Toyota's current mission in top-tier endurance racing: Relentless evolution and a refusal to back down. There's even a new 40th anniversary emblem on both cars to remind fans just how long Toyota has been chasing glory at La Sarthe. And it has been a chase. Toyota first entered Le Mans in 1985 with the 85C, a car powered by a modified road-car engine. Since then, the company has started the race 26 times, fielding 61 cars and putting 62 drivers — ranging from F1 stars to endurance regulars — on the grid. The breakthrough came late, with the brand finally taking its first win in 2018. It followed that with victories in 2019 and 2020 using the TS050 HYBRID, then kept the streak alive in the new Hypercar era with wins in 2021 and 2022. Still, the past two years have ended in runner-up finishes. Beyond the liveries and stats, Toyota is also using this year's race to shine a spotlight on its hydrogen tech. While that's still in early development, it signals where the brand—and perhaps endurance racing—is headed. The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held between June 14 and 15 and marks the 93rd edition of the iconic endurance race at the Circuit de la Sarthe. This year's event will see the return of Aston Martin to the top-tier Hypercar class with their Valkyrie AMR-LMH, their first appearance since 2011. Things are a bit different for 2025, with the introduction of a revamped qualifying format. The new two-day Hyperpole sessions, held on June 11 and 12, will feature elimination rounds across all classes, culminating in a 15-minute shoot-out to determine pole positions. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post Toyota Celebrates 40 Years at Le Mans With Throwback Liveries appeared first on CAR Magazine.
