(KNSI) — The Sauk Rapids Economic Development Authority met Monday night and took the first step to expand the city’s downtown.
The board approved the purchase of a lot at 224 2nd Avenue North for $260,000. Community Development Director Todd Schulz explains how the move will eventually lead to new retailers and commercial businesses.
He says, “There’s been a number of different businesses that have shown interest in locating in Sauk Rapids downtown. There’s a lot of really cool synergies going on right now in our downtown, but there aren’t a lot of opportunities or places for people to go. We don’t have a lot of empty spaces, we don’t have a lot of, or really any, empty lots.”
Schulz told the EDA that he intends to seek bids from three contractors that the city uses regularly to remove the residential home from the property. The building is in good enough condition to rent out but Schulz says that the city isn’t trying to get into real estate investment. Instead, the property will be turned into green space until it can be developed commercially by a private company or organization.
Schulz says the city will be moving fast. “We’re gonna actually be closing on that property in about two weeks. There are a couple other properties, in particular in the downtown, that I think we’ve been directed to focus our efforts on, and so we’re going to be working on those here yet this summer.”
The EDA also directed Schulz to look at putting in electric vehicle charging stations near the Wash and Tan and at The Clearing event center.
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