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Council moves to pursue redevelopment grant for Tri Valley site and proposes downtown TIF feasibility study
Summary
Council authorized applying for a redevelopment grant to demolish and ready the Tri Valley building for redevelopment and endorsed starting a downtown redevelopment strategy including a proposed TIF feasibility study to align with MnDOT's 2027 Highway 2 project.
The Crookston City Council voted to apply for a redevelopment grant to remove the Tri Valley building, prepare the parcel for redevelopment and pursue funding tools to leverage MnDOT’s planned Highway 2 work. Staff described the project as a redevelopment application (preferred over a demolition‑only grant) and estimated total project costs in the $600,000–$650,000 range, with a required 50% local match (roughly $300,000).
Council and staff discussed funding options if the grant is awarded or if the city pursues demolition without a full match: possibilities included rolling the match into a temporary bond, seeking county or state partnership, or levying to cover bond payments. Staff said several potential buyers have expressed interest in the property but emphasized the city must still issue formal RFPs to secure firm bids. The staff presenter noted the Feb. 1 grant application deadline and planned to include a donation option for portions of the property not needed by MnDOT to boost the grant score; council asked staff to finalize language and return if members change their minds by Jan. 20–21.
Separately, staff presented a draft downtown corridor redevelopment strategy designed to align redevelopment activity with MnDOT’s 2027 project. The multi‑year approach includes authorizing a TIF feasibility study, creating marketing and site‑readiness plans, exploring IRP loan participation, pursuing historic preservation grants and considering property donation or demolition/site‑prep to accelerate redevelopment. Staff proposed a phased timeline: feasibility and authorization work in 2026, financing and implementation in 2027–2028, and project completion and evaluation by 2029.
Council carried the Tri Valley resolution and expressed caution about committing matching dollars before budget season; staff committed to providing additional financial scenarios to show how a $300,000 match would affect bond levy payments.
