Little Falls seeks state and LRIP grants to rebuild First Street NE

City staff confirmed at the Nov. 3 Little Falls City Council meeting that the city will pursue multiple grant sources to finance reconstruction of First Street NE.

Greg, a city staff presenter, outlined a pending application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Small Cities Development Program for public infrastructure assistance and asked the council to authorize a separate Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) application. Staff said LRIP can provide up to $1.5 million per project; the council authorized submission and discussed scheduling construction in the 2026–27 season. Council members noted the project will likely require assessment hearings and bonding once cost estimates are finalized.

Staff said seeking one funding source can help leverage others and that the age and condition of utilities on the corridor strengthen the project’s case for grant funding. Council members asked about west‑side projects and resident petitions as alternative initiation paths for future work; staff responded that projects are prioritized by utility age, condition, and available funding.

The authorization to submit the LRIP application was made by motion and supported by council. The council did not adopt any binding budget or schedule at the meeting; staff will return with estimates and required assessment‑hearing steps.

Provenance: The First Street NE grant discussion and LRIP authorization were presented by staff at the public‑hearing and resolution segments. The topic appears in the transcript beginning with the DEED/public infrastructure grant discussion and continuing through the LRIP resolution discussion. The city described the LRIP program limits and the tentative 2026–27 construction timing.

Next step: staff will prepare the LRIP application and return with project cost estimates and any required assessment hearing notices before construction budgeting or bonding.