Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Redevelopment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council authorizes downtown redevelopment study and approves property disposal, tax-forfeiture requests
Summary
The council approved a $35,000 preliminary redevelopment study for the 300 block, declared no public interest in 409 West Clark Street to allow affordable-housing conversion, and requested certain tax-forfeited properties from the county for potential affordable housing or code enforcement.
The Albert Lea City Council authorized multiple actions intended to support downtown redevelopment and housing.
City Manager recommended hiring a construction firm to produce a $35,000 preliminary feasibility and design study for redevelopment of the 300 block on Broadway Avenue South. The study will include construction-cost estimates, a pro forma by the city’s financial advisers and an updated rental-housing market study to determine whether private developers or nonprofit partners should be sought. The council approved the proposal and directed staff to fund the work from the redevelopment TIF district.
Separately, staff presented a public hearing and recommended declaring no public interest in the city retaining ownership of 409 West Clark Street; council adopted a resolution to allow conversion to affordable housing following responses to an RFP. The council also approved a request to county officials to transfer certain tax-forfeited parcels to the city if they cannot be sold at market, citing potential reuse for affordable housing or redevelopment.
Next steps: staff will engage the selected construction firm, finalize the scope and deliverables for the redevelopment study, issue or review the RFP outcomes for 409 West Clark, and work with the county on tax-forfeited property transfers.
