HRA Meeting Date: June 30, 2025
To: Members of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority
From: Melissa Hanson, Housing Coordinator
Title
Staff Updates on Outstanding Community Development Items and City-Wide projects
Body
Action Requested:
No action. There are a number of outstanding items related to Community Development. Below is a summary update on each item. Staff will provide an update during the meeting and the Board has the opportunity to discuss each item individually if desired.
Summary Report:
City Redevelopment Projects, EDA, HRA, Planning Applications & Related Updates
* See hyperlink on the City's Construction & Development Map.
* Central Park was approved by City Council to become a local heritage preservation site.
* The Planning Commission reviewed for conformity to the adopted Comprehensive Plan for the HRA sale of 307 Sumner Street to Rice County Habitat.
* Staff continues to work on splitting the lot at 307 Sumner Street into 4 distinct lots in order to obtain individual financing and avoiding the requirement to establish a CIC - Common Interest Community - of whose cost impacts affordability.
* No new updates for The Archer House site plan application. The application is still open and needs final approval. Staff are working with the development team to complete the review. The development team plans to begin construction on the site this year.
* Loon Liquor closed on the purchase of 115 5th Street. W. (Northfield News building). The Planning Commission reviewed, and City Council approved, the conditional use permit application to operate a micro-distillery within the downtown commercial district. The EDA closed on 2 loans for the project.
* Staff have reached out to the Cedar Meadows development team and are waiting to hear back on an updated timeline for 2025. Phase I of Cedar Meadows includes a 45-unit senior housing coop. There are more than 55 reservations collected. The Gracewin cooperative's model is to start the permitting...
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