Waite Park Touts Plans for Future Growth in its State of the City Address

(KNSI) – Waite Park’s State of the City address was delivered by the mayor and city staff on Wednesday afternoon with an eye to the future.

Mayor Rick Miller gave his assessment. “The state of the city, I think, is very positive, and we’re moving in the right direction.”

The city recently completed a strategic plan highlighting the need to focus on public safety, industrial and commercial development, and growing entertainment options. Miller told KNSI News they’re going to build a new police station by either adding to city hall where the current department is or finding a new place to build it. “That’s the future for public safety. What do we do with the police department to give them more space? And hopefully, we get more firefighters.”

Right now, the city only has 18 volunteer firefighters and needs about 30. The city is in the middle of a fire department study with neighboring communities to determine its needs. Miller says the study could lead to a full-time fire department or other changes. The building will be paid for with a sales tax approved by voters last fall. The new public safety facility should be finished in 2024.

Waite Park is also looking at building a Community OutPost but has yet to find a location despite getting funding for the project. The biggest concern is a majority of the city’s kids are on the south side, where land is most expensive.

City Administrator Shaunna Johnson says it’s all about bringing everyone together to move forward. “Connecting the vision is really what our focus is, and what we’re trying to do is really set up the community for its future.”

She says it’s all about growing the community to meet the needs of the people between now and 2043. “What’s the significance of 2043? It’s our sesquicentennial. And in that same way, Waite Park will be 150 years old. And so we want to see what it is that we want to see in our community.”

The city is also looking to team up with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota for a summer program based out of Discovery Community School. The nonprofit organization eventually wants a building in Waite Park.

A water study is underway to see if Waite Park has enough of the resource to continue expanding. Water can be hard to find in the city due to shallow bedrock.

Waite Park is also waiting to see if a bonding bill will be passed during the legislative session. The city has asked for $7.9 million for parking and other improvements at The Ledge Amphitheater.

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