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EDA reviews Lindstrom strategic plan and downtown development updates
Summary
Staff reviewed three strategic priorities — growing the commercial tax base, optimizing service delivery, and investing in public access — and reported several downtown developments, including an indoor Saturday Lindstrom market, a Mustard Seed expansion and a forthcoming downtown aesthetics package for council consideration.
Dan Freitner, speaking for staff, briefed the Economic Development Authority on the city’s strategic plan and recent downtown development activity, saying the council set three primary priorities the EDA will help implement: boosting the commercial tax base, aligning and optimizing city service delivery, and investing in public access to position Lindstrom as a destination.
"The 1st 1 was invest to increase commercial and business tax base with economic development activities," Dan said, listing the three priorities and describing how staff is breaking the plan into a Gantt‑style work plan to track deliverables across quarters.
Dan told the EDA that the docks at Beach Park represent an early win under the third strategic priority. He said staff is coordinating with other boards and commissions to align work and is prioritizing items that are actionable within capacity; larger or multi‑year goals will be advanced as funding and staff resources allow.
On downtown activity, Dan reported the Lindstrom market (a converted antique store) is operating as an indoor Saturday farmers market and drawing strong attendance; the Mustard Seed restaurant is expanding; a new book‑and‑tea shop is nearly ready to open; and at least one commercial development is close to submitting plans. He also said a developer is pursuing state workforce housing tax credits for a potential multifamily project.
The EDA discussed whether the strategic priorities should be numbered by importance; Dan and other members said the list was the product of a consensus process and is not presented in rank order. Dan noted he has a Gantt chart tracking roughly 70 items and will prioritize by capacity and grant opportunities.
The Chair asked about the Meredith Building demolition; Dan said developer Phil Dolmer has not provided a demolition timeline. Dan also reported staff plans to use the vacant Chamber of Commerce building for rotating downtown office hours so a senior staff member is available to meet business owners in person.
Next steps: council is expected to consider a downtown aesthetics package at its next meeting; staff will continue implementing the strategic plan deliverables and update the EDA as projects progress.
