City of Sartell Closes on Purchase of Verso Paper Mill Site

(KNSI) — It’s official. The City of Sartell is now the proud owner of the former Verso Paper Mill Site.

The city says it has taken over a decade of negotiations and legal challenges to reach this point. They also own the 4th Avenue South properties associated with the site.

Closing on the property took place on June 14th, 2023.

The sale includes 51 acres of property where the mill once stood and 167 acres of property along 4th Avenue South that were utilized with the operations of the mill. A portion of that property contains the original Verso landfill. The city is working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to explore its options, but Sartell officials say they intend to plat the land and sell the available property for future development to recoup costs. Both properties will be held by the Sartell Economic Development Authority.

The mill closed just over two months after a deadly explosion on May 29th, 2012. One person was killed, and four others were hurt. The site was sold to AIM Development in 2013.

Anita Archambeau, the former Community Development Director of Sartell, was hired by the city in January of 2023 as a redevelopment and planning consultant to assist in the development of a master plan for the site and work up a redevelopment strategy which will focus on determining the property’s highest, most practical, and most feasible uses.

Officials say the community will be part of that process. Residents and businesses will have the chance to give their input and guide the redevelopment.

The newly opened pedestrian bridge will connect to the mill site sometime next year.

The City of Sartell’s website has a page labeled Projects and Performance containing information about the plan, project background, frequently asked questions and timelines.

Find it by clicking here.

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