South Metro Roundup: 2 New Shopping Centers Would Complement, Not Compete; 'Business Person of Year' Dies

Though you might live or work in , chances are you're curious about what's happening in your neighboring communities. Here are some of the stories posted on our neighboring Patch sites last week that could impact, help or be of interest to you. Read each story by clicking on the headline link.

Burnsville

Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Katuz declared June 9 "Michael W. Coughlin Day," in honor of Councilmember Bill Coughlin's son. Michael, who graduated this year from Carleton College, has been awarded the Patricia V. Damon Scholar Award, the National Merit Scholar Award, the Distinguished Scholar Award and the Kolenkow Reitz Physics Research Fellowship. He will work toward his Master's degree in astronomy at Cambridge University and after that will study for a Doctorate degree in physics at Harvard University.

Apple Valley resident Susan A. Luikens, 60, passed away May 27, 2012. Luikens was well known in the Burnsville community. For many years she and her husband owned and operated Beacon Mailing. She was active in the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce, serving on many committees and the organization's Board of Directors. In 2004, Luikens was awarded "Business Person of the Year" by her peers.

Eagan

A market analysis has found that two retail centers proposed in Eagan could coexist without hampering each other’s success. Eagan Community Development Director Jon Hohenstein said a 400,000-square-foot outlet mall in the Cedar Grove area would offer a different retail experience than a 500,000-square-foot traditional retail shopping center planned for the Lockheed Martin site.

As a Baltimore-based developer moves forward with its plans to construct a 400,000-square-foot outlet mall in Eagan, the city is quietly pursuing a nearby project of its own. Just across the street from the 35-acre site of the proposed outlet mall is a  wooded, three-acre parcel where some Eagan city officials hope to develop a small neighborhood park. Advocates say the park is a much-needed addition to what may soon become a densely populated neighborhood.

Lakeville

Lakeville police responded to a report last week of a multiple vehicle traffic crash involving one vehicle that had rolled over. Officers found that one vehicle had rear ended another vehicle and a third vehicle had gone off the roadway and rolled over several times, coming to rest upright. Officers discovered that one of the vehicles involved had passed the other vehicles on the shoulder and was driving in a fast and erratic manner before the crash.

Lakeville Patch Editor Derrick Williams attended Lakeville Elementary's field day and penned a column about the fun activities and memories they brought back for him. It begins:

"For many people, it brings back memories of elementary school—the annual right of passage before summer vacation. Long-jump, ball-toss, and even a 50-yard dash—participants got ribbons of participation and winners received bragging rights for a summer.

I was pretty athletic as a fourth-grader, and yes, I still have my ribbons. But that was a long time ago.

Lakeview Elementary School held its track day on June 5, and the school's Parent Teacher Organization invited Lakeville Patch to check it out.

Not only was it a chance to reminisce for me, but also shoot some photos of children in the community having a blast. Turns out I had a smile on my face the whole time, too."