The Mill Pond officially reopened to the public after an $838,000 restoration project that included draining the recreational lake in Jordan's Lagoon Park.

Jordan Mayor Ron Jabs spoke about a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 7. Here's some of what he said:

- Lagoon Park was originally dedicated to the city in 1929 by the flour company International Milling.

- The flood of 1960 deposited sediment in the Mill Pond that was many feet deep.

- The city has been planning for this project for many years and developed a stormwater fund that paid for much of the project.

- Bolton & Menk prepared the plans and specifications for the removal of the muck and sediment in the pond.

- The average depth has been increased from about 3 feet deep to about 6 feet deep in most areas and up to 16 feet deep in about 1 acre of the 17-acre pond.

- The excess material was hauled about 1 mile to a decommissioned wastewater pond by the Jordan Public Works building on the north side of Jordan. The pond need to eventually be filled and the Mill Pond dredging materials were suitable for that project.

- The area filled by the Public Works garage is eventually planned to become additional park land.

- The city allocated about half of the $838,000 project to dredging the Mill Pond and the other half to filling the wastewater pond.

- The Scott Water Management Organization (WMO) provided $10,000 for the shoreline restoration at the Mill Pond.

- The Association of Metro SWCDs provided the design of the shoreline restoration.

- About 1/3 mile of biologs were installed along the shore of the Mill Pond. Each one is about 20 feet long.

- The shorelines along public land will be planted with low reeds and blue water iris.

- The Mill Pond will be stocked with 800 male bluegill, 200 adult black crappie, and 34 largemouth bass.

- The beach and swimming area has been restored and about 24 inches of fresh sand has been placed in both the beach and the swimming area.

- A fishing pier will be built, installed, and ready for use in the spring of 2009.

- The city is planning to reconstruct portions of Park Drive. Preliminary plans would move the road farther from the pond edge, reconstruct pathways, and provide more paved parking.

- The Mill Pond is part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Fishing in the Neighborhood Program. For more information, go to http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/fin/kidsponds/jordan_mill.html.

"The city of Jordan considers the Mill Pond and Lagoon Park to be a very special and unique asset," Jabs continued. "We understand that anything worthwhile eventually requires care and proper maintenance. We believe this investment in our community will provide a quality amenity for many generations to come and is a wonderful investment in our community's future.

"As city officials, we are pleased with the results of this project. We appreciate all the various partnerships that made it happen. This was not an easy project to do, but it was exciting to watch the progress. Special thanks to Rachel Contracting, who has done an excellent job on this project. Thank you to all who helped make this project the success it has been.

"Today, Wednesday, May 7, 2008, is a very special day for our city. Today, we rededicate the Mill Pond to our community.

"Let the fishing and enjoyment begin!"

Here are some photos of the ribbon-cutting event: