Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mound businessman proposes 8,500 sq ft mixed-use building on Outlot B; council gives preliminary feedback
Summary
Colin Charleston proposed purchasing Outlot B at Old Shoreline and Commerce to build an 8,500-square-foot, single-story mixed-use building for his State Farm office and two tenant spaces with rear parking; councilors and neighbors offered design and access feedback and staff noted planning and watershed approvals will be required.
Colin Charleston, a local State Farm agent and small‑business owner, presented a concept to the Mound City Council on April 22 for redevelopment of Outlot B (corner of Old Shoreline Drive and Commerce). Charleston said he bought the existing building to preserve its history but removed it after remediation costs and ADA-access requirements made renovation financially infeasible.
His new concept would build an L-shaped, single-story, roughly 8,500-square-foot commercial building with three tenant spaces (his office occupying about 3,000 square feet) and 15 rear parking spaces plus on-street parking. Charleston said the plan is designed to preserve downtown frontage on Old Shoreline and to use rear access from Marion for parking and deliveries. He told the council he had obtained preliminary contractor and engineer input and that the site falls within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, meaning additional permitting and stormwater considerations will apply.
Council members and nearby business and property owners raised design and operational questions: they suggested the building present active frontage on Commerce and Old Shoreline (windows, signage and entrances), clarified that access and dumpster locations must not impede neighboring property operations, and asked about setbacks and tree replacement. A representative from Minnesota Lakes Bank, located across Old Shoreline, said the bank supports the concept as an improvement to the block. Several residents endorsed adding retail or dining uses but also noted market constraints for restaurants and the high cost of commercial kitchens.
Charleston said the project is intended to complement recent downtown investments and nearby housing developments, and he described the plan as the highest-and-best use of the combined parcels given current market economics. He said he is assembling detailed construction costs and additional survey and stormwater work; he will pursue planning‑commission review and required permits if the council and staff agree the concept can progress.
Ending: Council members offered preliminary positive feedback and guidance on design details, landscaping and access; Charleston will proceed with engineering, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District coordination and planning‑commission review if needed.
