Crookston council approves demolition-loan application, industrial park design contract, MnDOT amendment and temporary easement

The Crookston City Council voted unanimously to approve four resolutions during its meeting, authorizing a demolition-loan application, design services for an industrial-park expansion, an amendment to a MnDOT contract, and a temporary easement for a state highway project.

Taylor, a city staff member, presented the first item: a resolution to apply to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development demolition loan program for the former Tri Valley building at North Broadway and requested up to $499,000. Taylor said the loan carries a 2% interest rate, a 10-year term was suggested, and there would be no principal or interest due during the first two years. He also told council the loan program can allow up to 50% forgiveness of the remaining balance if the property sees redevelopment within the loan term and the project compares favorably in the competitive funding round.

Councilors discussed temporary interim uses for the parcel while awaiting redevelopment, including gravel parking or green space, and staff agreed to return with cost estimates. The resolution to authorize the application was moved and seconded and carried on roll call.

On the industrial park expansion, staff recommended an engineering and design-services agreement with Houston Engineering Inc., which has completed preliminary engineering and is working with Minnesota Northern Railroad on a rail-spur project. Staff said Houston must reach roughly 30% design to identify necessary easements and rights-of-way for submission to the U.S. Economic Development Administration; the contract was reviewed by the city attorney and US EDA and approved by council.

Council then approved amendment number 3 to MnDOT contract number 1053917 for the Trunk Highway ADA retrofit project in Crookston. Staff said the amendment adds redesign fees and additional coordination but does not change the project completion date; the total contract is $1,115,544, of which roughly $134,000 is the city's share and the remainder is covered by the state. Staff said the city will use municipal state aid funds to cover its share and that the amendment preserves the same completion schedule.

Finally, the council approved a resolution authorizing a temporary easement to the state of Minnesota for the Highway 2 corridor project (state project number 6002-76 RW Parcel 92). Staff told council the easement would remain in effect until December 2028 unless the state determines the easement is no longer needed; the city will be paid $800 for the parcel access.

Each of the four measures was approved by roll call vote. The meeting then moved to committee budget work and other council business.