Mount Vernon approves Kwik Trip development deal and urban renewal amendment for Rachel Street improvements

The Mount Vernon City Council on Jan. 6 approved a development agreement with Kwik Trip, Inc., and adopted Amendment No. 10 to the city’s Urban Renewal Plan to include Rachel Street public improvements.

Under Resolution #1-6-2025B the city accepted responsibility for constructing Rachel Street road extensions, traffic signals and required utility work, with an anticipated completion responsibility date of June 2026. The development agreement records a minimum assessment tied to the project of $2,500,000 for the Kwik Trip property and allows Kwik Trip to contribute up to 25 percent of the Rachel Street improvement costs, capped at $450,000.

Councilmembers approved the urban renewal amendment (Resolution #1-6-2025A) to designate the area appropriate for urban renewal projects that will support the Rachel Street work. There was no public comment during the advertised hearings on either the urban renewal amendment or the development agreement; both were opened and closed by Mayor Thomas M. Wieseler and approved by roll call vote with Councilmember Rose absent.

The resolutions and agreement place the public infrastructure obligations with the city and document a private investment commitment by Kwik Trip intended to offset some improvement costs. Staff noted traffic-signal, sewer and water extensions are anticipated as part of the public improvements to serve the proposed development.

The council’s action follows staff presentations and the public hearing process; the resolutions provide the legal basis for including the Rachel Street projects in the city’s urban renewal work and for executing the development agreement with Kwik Trip.

Next steps: City staff and engineering consultants will proceed with detailed project planning and implementation tasks associated with Rachel Street improvements and related permit/contract work, consistent with the timetable in the agreement.