Brainerd council authorizes plans, advertising and targeted eminent‑domain powers for Willow Street roundabout

The Brainerd City Council on Dec. 16 voted to approve plans and direct staff to advertise bids for the Trunk Highway 371B (Willow Street) roundabout, contingent on Minnesota Department of Transportation approvals, and to authorize the limited use of eminent domain for needed right‑of‑way acquisitions.

City Engineer Jesse Dean briefed the council on the two-part action: a resolution to approve plan specifications and advertise for construction bids and a second resolution authorizing staff to begin right‑of‑way acquisition steps, including eminent-domain filings if property owners prove unresponsive. Dean emphasized coordination with MnDOT and federal-funding contingencies and said the authority to pursue eminent domain was intended to keep the schedule that supports construction in 2025 and avoid multi‑year delays.

"Some folks also haven't been responsive... this helps us continue the process so we can still plan for a spring advertisement and bidding, with the intention of construction," Dean said. He added that staff would prioritize negotiated settlements and that eminent domain would be used where negotiations stall.

Council members supported the measured approach. Chairman Johnson thanked staff for being proactive and said starting the eminent‑domain process can be appropriate on time‑sensitive projects. The council adopted both resolutions by roll‑call vote to allow the project to move forward subject to MnDOT and right‑of‑way milestones.

Next steps include final MnDOT approvals, completing right‑of‑way negotiations where possible and initiating formal acquisition proceedings for parcels that remain unresolved.