After nearly two decades of shaping Brooklyn Park's landscape, Community Development Director Kim Berggren is leaving her post for greener pastures in Bloomington, city officials announced Thursday.
City Manager Jay Stroebel, in an undeniable nod to Berggren’s tenure, shared with the Star Tribune "KKim Berggren has made a lasting and positive impact on Brooklyn Park. Her leadership and vision have been instrumental in numerous development initiatives, particularly along the Hwy. 610 corridor and in the formation of the Brooklyn Park Small Business Center," and with a tone of regret added that her efforts in workforce development focusing on youth and young adults have marked a significant chapter in the city's growth.
Berggren, reflecting on her time served, did not hide her affection for her job at a May 13 City Council meeting, "I'm so grateful for the chance to work here for all these years. I really can't think of a day that I wasn't looking forward to coming here and working on challenging, interesting projects with really good people," she reminisced. Brooklyn Park now faces the formidable task of filling her shoes as they initiate the hunt for a successor that can uphold and further the city's development ventures like the BioTech Innovation District designed to lure medical and research firms to swell the commercial tax base.
Those interested in stepping into Berggren’s role can view details of the job opening and apply at Brooklyn Park’s website, it's clear that the city officials are not just seeking a replacement, they are looking for someone who can shepherd the city's blueprint for growth with the similar fervor and commitment that Berggren exemplified, the job description and application can be found online at the city’s webpage, confident that the best candidate is out there waiting to build on the groundwork laid by Berggren.
