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City secures 120-day extension on mall purchase and appoints task force to continue due diligence
Summary
Fergus Falls officials obtained a 120-day extension to the purchase agreement for the local mall, set a new tentative closing date of April 15, 2025, and approved a task force to pursue due diligence and utility separation planning.
Fergus Falls city staff announced that the city secured a 120-day extension on the purchase agreement for the local mall, moving the tentative closing date to April 15, 2025, and approved a task force to advance due diligence and planning for potential uses.
City Administrator Andrew told the council that the 120-day extension was secured with the seller and that, as part of the amendment, the seller requested a 30-day cancellation clause allowing either party to withdraw with 30 days' notice. Andrew said the new closing date is April 15, 2025.
Andrew described the immediate priorities for the task force: coordinating with Otter Tail County about potential Community Development Agency (CDA) involvement, studying separation of utilities for existing businesses, and identifying additional funding opportunities beyond previously discussed deed grants. He proposed a task force comprised of Council members Laurel Kildee and Mike Mortensen, Mayor Hicks and the city administrator; the council approved the appointments.
Council member Scott Rachels asked whether incoming county Commissioner Sullivan (to be sworn in) would be involved; Andrew said Sullivan is expected to sit on the county CDA and would likely participate in county-level discussions. Several council members recommended site visits for the whole council and staggered small-group tours for the seller's tenants; staff said they would organize multiple group visits to accommodate liability and seller preferences.
Mayor Hicks emphasized the goal of the task force: to gather information and return recommendations to the full council. The council approved formation of the task force by voice vote.
