Officials Speak on Progress of Tower's Historic Harbor Renaissance Project

TOWER - A major construction project to revitalize a northern town has little to show for it and city leaders are telling us why."I wish it was done so I could be out there enjoying it and using it and seeing all kinds of activities, but I also know that it just takes time," said Tower Mayor Stephen Abrahamson.The Tower Historic Harbor Renaissance Project has been going on for seven years and it doesn't look like much had been done but city officials say they are still working to make Tower what it used to be.In the late 1800s the area was the center of business but in 1939 the state re-aligned roads and businesses failed."You had boat works down there, boat builders, outfitters," said Abrahamson.So, in 2007 big plans were made to bring more businesses back into town."Lake Vermilion is the, one of the, biggest economic drivers in our area so we're trying to reconnect to that," explained Abrahamson.However, some folks living around Tower are not happy with the slow progress being made."You know I think people get frustrated 'cause you don't see things happening quickly," said Abrahamson.Phase one of three is now complete, a new bridge and a re-routing of 135 are to show for it.With about $6 million already spent, half the total for the project, people are itching to see more things finished."Construction; that often takes longer than you think because you run into unforeseeable issues and we have had all of those, but I have learned great patience," explained Abrahamson.The second phase includes dredging the harbor this summer to prepare for more development to begin next year."It's a development in progress and you can only do with the funds you have," said Abrahamson.Mayor Abrahamson says the project is halfway done."It will be a very successful project, it's just that it takes time. It'd be nice to do this you know I got the magic wand, you know I can do that kind of thing, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way," said Abrahamson.The city hoped to have the project completed in ten years and it's now been seven. Abrahamson tells us he still hopes they'll stay true to that ten year mark.