EDA Meeting Date: June 29, 2026
To: Members of the Economic Development Authority
From: Scott Wopata, Community Development Director
Emery John, Program Associate
Title
Establish (Re)Development Committee to provide analysis, review, and recommendations on development and redevelopment projects
Body
Action Requested:
Staff recommends a motion to approve “[name three EDA members”] and the chair to be [“name one EDA member of the three”] to serve on the (Re)Development Committee to provide analysis, review, and recommendations on development and redevelopment projects.
Summary Report:
The EDA is establishing a new workplan in 2026 that identifies progress related to significant development projects as a shared priority. The City owns multiple sites that are prime for development near and around downtown. There have been various efforts over recent years to explore development of some of these sites, particularly 5th & Washington Street as a lead project candidate due to site readiness and alignment with developer interest.
We’ve also had tremendous success as well with Loon Liquors retention and expansion to the downtown where the City proactively acquired then sold the former Northfield News site and successfully met numerous community goals (retention and expansion of local business, filling a large underutilized building in the downtown, growing tourist/destination business to the downtown, returning full city cost investment, etc.).
The 5th and Washington site, and to a much lesser degree others in early conceptual phase haven’t materialized for a host of reasons related to economic market conditions, rising costs of construction materials and labor, developer/owner equity contribution, private debt financing conditions, staff capacity, staff expertise, and/or, investor cash capital among others. Fortunately, the “out of pocket” investments have been relatively minor while exploring these options. Currently, discussions regarding potential development at 5th and Washington will need a significant amount of analysis and review to recommend moving forward (or not) with various project proposals.
A committee structure allows for consistent conversations to evaluate projects and to identify priorities for the EDA to consider and establish future policy to guide future decisions of (re)development projects. Additionally, the introduction of a new Community Development Director, new EDA members, and a changing staff structure within Community Development aligns with the need for a committee structure to evaluate current and future (re)development projects.
Staff anticipate that participation in the committee will require an additional time commitment of approximately 1-3 hours per month. The structure of the committee will begin immediately and will be re-evaluated annually by the EDA. Nominations to the committee will be on an annual basis in May or June of each year. The committee will include 3 EDA members, including one member appointed as chair of the committee. Staff will lead the work of the committee. Individuals outside of the EDA may be included to advise staff, but not as committee members. The committee will not have decision-making authority and cannot speak on behalf of the full EDA. The committee will provide updates and recommendations to the full EDA on a regular basis.
City Plans & Policies Relevance:
The City and the EDA is committed to developing its commercial tax base, economic impact to the community and downtown and leveraging assets including City-owned real estate. Establishing a (re)development committee is a strategy to advance multiple goals from the Comprehensive and Strategic Plans as well as the newly adopted EDA workplan.
Alternative Options:
The EDA may choose not to appoint a committee. In this case, the EDA can discuss alternative ways to leverage community resources to evaluate and make recommendations on current and future (re)development projects.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
June 29, 2026 - Establish a committee
July 2026 - Committee begins review of (re)development projects
May/June 2027 - Committee success is evaluated and members re-appointed