Open records request draws city discussion
The next comprehensive plan for Staples could be a readable coffee table book, making it easier for residents to understand the future plans for the City of Staples. At the Nov. 22 Staples Economic Development Authority (SEDA) meeting, Economic Development Director Melissa Radermacher said she is working on grants that will help cover the $12,500 cost of a new type of plan.
National Joint Powers Alliance and Region Five Development Commission, both headquartered in Staples, have a partnership that will coordinate the planning with public engagement and will put the plan together.
Radermacher said the result with be a “coffee table book, nice to look at and informative.” There would also be an online version to view. The full plan would still have the statistics and technical terms of a traditional comprehensive plan, but the version presented to the public would be easier to follow.
The process will also update the city’s trails plan. It could take eight months to a year to complete, Radermacher said. She is applying to the Initiative Foundation and AgStar for the funding of the project.
Other projects
Radermacher updated the SEDA board on the downtown building purchased by the SEDA as an incubator building. Baby Steps, the current tenant, said they are unable to purchase the building at this time or pay more in rent. Radermacher said they did agree to restructure their lease so they are in charge of building maintenance, which the SEDA was estimating could be around $5,000 per year. The lease would be for one year, after which Baby Steps would again determine if they would buy the building or could pay more in rent. Radermacher said it’s reasonable to wait two, three or even up to five years, for a business to work out. The board agreed to the revised lease.
The SEDA also agreed to increase the rent with Accura Tool for space in the Staples Industrial Park building. The rent had been $4.50 per square foot and they’re raising it to $4.75.
Radermacher updated the SEDA on other happenings:
o Plans to construct lower income housing on land occupied by a trailer park near the overpass are continuing. Radermacher is working with the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership on the project. She said a family of four earning around $20 per hour could qualify for the housing.
o A Tim Horton’s restaurant is opening in Brainerd and will tour Staples.
o Radermacher has contacted developers to build a new movie theater, which could be cheaper than renovating the downtown movie theater, but so far no developers have committed.
o Radermacher said she toured the Batcher Building and has started identifying the next steps to get new occupants in the building. She said they are looking at putting living spaces in the upper level and retail on the lower level.
o Stern Rubber’s expansion project is delayed until the spring.
