County Road 25 paving sparks business concerns; commissioners approve bid-setting 3-2

Pipestone County commissioners voted 3-2 to set County Road 25 for grading, widening and paving bids after extended discussion and public comment about economic and safety impacts.

Staff presented the project rationale: paving would reduce dust, improve safety for oversized agricultural equipment and provide a more reliable route for heavy vehicles. Supporters said the project addresses long-standing maintenance needs and could better facilitate farm traffic and oversize loads.

Several downtown business owners and a hotel manager urged caution. "Diverting anybody on a Pipestone route, I feel, will hurt us and impact us," Bridget Longstreet, general manager of Greystone GrandStay, said, describing a high share of overnight occupancy driven by motorists passing through town. A commissioner warned the board could not precisely quantify potential economic losses but said local businesses could be harmed if GPS and routing apps favor a newly paved bypass.

Opponents argued the board should split work into separate contracts — one for grading/widening and another later for paving — and undertake an economic impact study and additional public outreach. Supporters countered that delaying the paving risks higher costs and prolongs safety hazards on the existing gravel corridor.

After debate the motion to set bids was made, seconded and approved on a 3-2 roll call as reflected in the meeting (motion passed 3-2). Commissioners asked staff to proceed with bid documents and return with final contract awards and cost estimates for review.

Next steps: staff will prepare bid packages and timeline documents for the board; final contract awards will return to the board for approval.