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Pillow Rock relocation moving forward

Geological landmark to be displayed at North American Bear Center

Keith Vandervort
Posted 7/28/16

ELY – Another hurdle was cleared last week in the re-location of the 2.6-billion-year-old Pillow Rock.

Through the efforts of an ad hoc committee of the Ely Parks and Recreation and Projects …

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Pillow Rock relocation moving forward

Geological landmark to be displayed at North American Bear Center

Posted

ELY – Another hurdle was cleared last week in the re-location of the 2.6-billion-year-old Pillow Rock.

Through the efforts of an ad hoc committee of the Ely Parks and Recreation and Projects committees, along with resident Gerry Snyder, and the cooperation with the North American Bear Center, the geological landmark will soon be at a new location to enhance the educational and tourism opportunities in Ely.

City Council members last week agreed with the Projects Committee’s recommendation to support the move of the Pillow Rock to the Bear Center, with the stipulation that the move does not cost the city any money, and that the Pillow Rock remains the property of the city of Ely.

“We are looking to enhance the landmark’s educational value and to boost tourism in the area,” Snyder said.

The Pillow Rock is located in an obscure location on Main Street in Ely. “It is mostly covered with vegetation and is mostly unknown to visitors and residents,” he said. “From time to time the area gets cleaned up but nothing more is done.”

Ideas have been discussed by the ad hoc committee to find a new location, or at least to make the rock more visible, Snyder said. “We talked about building a new park around the rock, with access to the Trezona Trail. We discussed relocation to the new library, to Whiteside Park, and to a pocket park location on Conan Street.”

The Bear Center was approached to consider having the rock displayed on their property. “With their new Ecology Center and increased educational focus on our area, they agreed the Pillow Rock will enhance their facility,” he said. “They have 30,000 visitors a year who will have a chance to learn about this unique geologic feature.”

Snyder confirmed to the Projects Committee earlier this month that all the costs associated with the move of the Pillow Rock and the display at the Bear Center will be paid by private funds. Site preparation at the Bear Center is underway and additional details are still being considered. An engineering firm is studying the process for moving and displaying the rock.

“The Bear Center is always refreshing their exhibits and trying to upgrade to continue to attract more visitors,” he said. “I think this will be a real benefit to the Bear Center as well as the city of Ely.”

Mayor Chuck Novak said discussions are continuing to make sure the Pillow Rock ownership stays with the city. “We need to retain ownership in case something would happen out at the Bear Center and they no longer were in operation.”

Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski said city staff is drawing up the proper licensure- for-use documents to be approved by the City Council.

Other business

In other business, Council members took the following action:

• OK’d liquor licenses for 2016-2017, pending proper fees and paperwork, for the following businesses: Amici’s, Boathouse Brewery, Chocolate Moose, Dee’s Bar, Ely Bowling Alley, Ely Steak House, Grand Ely Lodge, Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium, Insula, Kwazy Wabbit, Rockwood Bar and Grill, and Zaverl’s Bar;

• Approved Catz Billiards and Blues Pool and Billiard Hall license, pending receipt of proper paperwork and fees;

• OK’d Jasper Co. on-sale intoxicating liquor license for 2 W. Sheridan St., pending receipt of proper paperwork and fees;

• Approved the purchase of a riding lawn mower for the Water Treatment Plant at a cost of $2,899 from J&L Hardware;

• Authorized the establishment of a two-hour parking zone on 2nd Avenue West.OK’d liquor licenses for 2016-2017, pending proper fees and paperwork, for the following businesses: Amici’s, Boathouse Brewery, Chocolate Moose, Dee’s Bar, Ely Bowling Alley, Ely Steak House, Grand Ely Lodge, Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium, Insula, Kwazy Wabbit, Rockwood Bar and Grill, and Zaverl’s Bar;

• Approved Catz Billiards and Blues Pool and Billiard Hall license, pending receipt of proper paperwork and fees;

• OK’d Jasper Co. on-sale intoxicating liquor license for 2 W. Sheridan St., pending receipt of proper paperwork and fees;

• Approved the purchase of a riding lawn mower for the Water Treatment Plant at a cost of $2,899 from J&L Hardware;

• Authorized the establishment of a two-hour parking zone on 2nd Avenue West.OK’d liquor licenses for 2016-2017, pending proper fees and paperwork, for the following businesses: Amici’s, Boathouse Brewery, Chocolate Moose, Dee’s Bar, Ely Bowling Alley, Ely Steak House, Grand Ely Lodge, Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium, Insula, Kwazy Wabbit, Rockwood Bar and Grill, and Zaverl’s Bar;

• Approved Catz Billiards and Blues Pool and Billiard Hall license, pending receipt of proper paperwork and fees;

• OK’d Jasper Co. on-sale intoxicating liquor license for 2 W. Sheridan St., pending receipt of proper paperwork and fees;

• Approved the purchase of a riding lawn mower for the Water Treatment Plant at a cost of $2,899 from J&L Hardware;

• Authorized the establishment of a two-hour parking zone on 2nd Avenue West.