Committee authorizes staff to begin talks on indoor playground and office on 4th Street North

Adam Link, who said he represents Firewood Capital, told the Virginia City Committee of the Whole on Tuesday that his firm wants to develop a 2.1‑acre city parcel on 4th Street North into a combined office and indoor playground destination.

Link described a roughly 7,000‑square‑foot, multi‑level indoor play structure and attached office space where he would move Firewood Capital’s headquarters. He said the site is near retail, health care, a school and a park and argued an indoor facility would keep winter and rainy‑day spending local. “We have over 320 families that signed up on our mailing list from around the Iron Range that are interested in an indoor playground,” Link said, noting a social‑media posting drew more than 22,000 views in one week.

Councillors asked about prior consideration by the buildings and grounds committee, the city’s process for moving from a committee decision to a full council vote, and whether further closed‑session real‑estate negotiations would be required. Councillor Johnson moved to “authorize staff to immediately start working with Fireweed/Firewood Capital on the proposed development on 4th Street North,” and Councillor Bach Schneider supported the motion.

City Clerk Pam explained the city’s practice that actions from regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole meetings may begin immediately while still appearing on the council meeting agenda for final approval. After discussion about the meaning of “immediately,” the committee approved the motion on a voice vote to begin staff work and next steps, including potential closed‑session negotiations on land transfer and financing.

Next steps: staff will start the city’s review and prepare materials for the upcoming council meeting where final approvals and any required resolutions would be considered.