ASHLEY BEBENSEE, Hub Editor
MINDEN — Minden’s population has grown by 6% since 2013, and the community is working hard to continue its upward trajectory.
The city is in the process of developing a comprehensive plan and a connectivity master plan for 2023-33. The plan is one that municipalities are required to do every 10 years, explained Minden City Administrator Matthew Cederburg.
“It’s a great planning tool to provide guidance and direction to our community over the next 10 years,” Cederburg said. “It deals with demographics, economics, housing, utilities, energy, recreational facilities, community services, transportation. It runs the gamut, and the whole point is to get the audience to get feedback.
The city held two public consultation meetings with up to 30 people attending each session. They plan to hold two more meetings this year before Miller and Associates of Kearney takes the data collected to create a comprehensive plan for the city.
The first phase of the Minden West Estates subdivision added 42 housing units, and phase 2 will add another 30 lots on a 20-acre lot. Minden is working to create a comprehensive plan to set goals for the community for the next 10 years.
Mike Konz, Kearney center
When Minden developed its 10-year plan in 2013, its goals were to improve public infrastructure, create gateways to the city, improve housing, promote commercial development, build a new swimming pool, become a leadership community and support the Minden Public School District.
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“We’ve been able to eliminate most of these things over the last 10 years, but the gateway entrances right now, it’s in the works. We worked on the study and tried to bring some ideas to the public to have a kind of flashy reception,” Cederburg said.
The community has seen its population grow from 2,923 to 3,118 since 2013 and has been able to achieve many of the goals it set for itself. The town became a leadership community and completed various improvements including a $3 million water improvement project and the addition of infrastructure for 30 more homes in Minden West Estates.
One item that continues to be a topic of discussion in the community is the century-old municipal swimming pool. Cederburg said building a new pool can cost around $4 million. The city recently purchased 30 acres of land in the southeast corner of Minden.
During a 2016 park survey, the property was considered a site for a new quadriplex swimming pool and ball diamonds.
“We haven’t figured out how to do that yet. It would be part of the 30 acres, but I think that’s a great idea. We’re just trying to find funding and fundraising and all that. I think that’s what it will lead to in the pool, but it all depends on citizen input,” Cederburg said.
City of Minden, courtesy
Although plans for a swimming pool have not materialized, residents of Minden may have another way to enjoy the hot summer days in the near future. Plans for a paddling pool will be presented to City Council for discussion later this year. If approved, construction on the project could begin as early as next spring, and the city would use a portion of American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for the wading pool.
Community goals for 2013-2023 have been framed and posted in city offices as a constant reminder of what they hope to accomplish. Cederburg looks forward to doing the same over the next 10 years.
“It’s very exciting because we’ve accomplished a lot in this one. The city and the community should be pleased with the progress, and we hope to enjoy it for the next 10 years,” he said.
ashley.bebensee@kearneyhub.com