CROOKSTON MINNESOTA WWW.CROOKSTON.MN.US PAVING THE PATH TO CITY-WIDE PROSPERITY
PAVING THE PAT TO CITY-WIDE PROSPERITY CROOKSTON, MN AT A GLANCE CROOKSTON, MINNESOTA WHAT: A fast-growing city demonstrating a multifaceted approach to community development, focusing on strategic initiatives and grassroots efforts to foster growth and prosperity. WHERE: C rookston, Minnesota, USA WEBSITE: www.crookston.mn.us GROWTH AND INNOVATION PROVIDE THE ROADMAP TO FUTURE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08
ATH For several years now, the City of Crookston, Minnesota has been demonstrating exactly how to balance dynamic growth with maintaining a community-focused approach while successfully developing at an incredible pace. Leadership is focused on updating the city’s comprehensive plan, as this crucial document will provide a clear vision and actionable steps for sustainable development. Photo Credit: Mason Hendricks 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08
High on the agenda is the enhancement and strategic development of new industrial areas, and the annexation of additional spaces. As the city strides toward a brighter future, it’s completing several comprehensive assessments of its critical infrastructure—roads, water systems, sewers, sidewalks, and lighting. This will accommodate burgeoning businesses and foster an environment ripe for economic growth. This investment also underscores Crookston’s commitment to providing top-notch services and amenities, essential components of any thriving community. Encouraging partnerships between local entities, like the local university and businesses, has driven forward-thinking projects that blend education, research, and practical applications. Crookston is succeeding as a vibrant, sustainable city where infrastructure supports growth, healthcare services excel, and a collaborative community spirit fosters innovation and inclusivity. This vision of success sees Crookston not just as a city that grows but as a community where every resident thrives, contributing to a dynamic and prosperous future. A HUB OF NEW DEVELOPMENT As a city, Crookston is beginning to bloom into a developmental hotspot for its region. Currently, it’s growing in all areas across the board and has been investing most of its capital into holistically building the community. “So, the city of Crookston submitted a full application for a small cities development grant for $1.2 million. It’s a comprehensive application… and it will encompass three different types of targets,” says Karie Kirschbaum, Community Development Director. The city is seeking to use the funds for improvements to its residential housing which will focus on exterior enhancements for mixed-use apartments, commercial buildings, and older residential homes that need refurbishment. 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08 CROOKSTON, MN
Photo Credit: Mason Hendricks 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08
When approved, the city will begin construction in 2025, but before then, it’s making sure that its current and future efforts are as sustainable as possible, as it wants to preserve its historic charm, especially regarding its downtown development. In addition to the grant-funded housing, Crookston leaders have also identified a need for workforce housing. So, every year the city purchases the space needed to build more affordable workforce housing and is doing so this year as well. The city is even looking to work to develop TIF districts around the same region to help enhance its affordability. In addition to housing, the city is also paying special attention to the development of its amenities and natural resources. “The city was recently awarded two beautiful ponds stocked with fish and walking trails by a gentleman named Bob Herkenhoff,” explains Community Development Director and Executive Director for Housing and EDA Karie Kirschbaum. 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08 CROOKSTON, MN
Herkenhoff has become one of the city’s largest private housing developers over the years and upon his retirement, he decided to gift the city with one final project. Right now, the Red Lake River is the current area of focus for development.“So, Crookston has partnered with 5 other cities in the Watershed District who have come together to develop the Red Lake River Corridor,” says Executive Director for the Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership Shannon Stassen. As Stassen explains,“The development is progressing, we are currently focusing on improving signage, enhancing the access points, and introducing additional bike trails along the river.” Despite being interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project is now back in full operation, and the slight disruption led to a better outcome for Crookston Amenities. During the time the Red Lake River project was paused, the city gained additional approval for the construction of a new campground that has been built near Crookston’s historic downtown. “This will have water, sewer, electric, a new bathhouse, and much more,” Stassen says, explaining that meeting contemporary standards will be a major objective for this project. Crookston is hoping to add the RLR Corridor to its already existing array of beautiful recreational areas HARVESTING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY. CrystalSugar.com Photo Credit: Mason Hendricks 6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08
like Castle Park and the city’s historic theater, which has held the record for the longest continuously running movie theater for well over 100 years. A NEW ERA OF RESEARCH AND COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION Crookston is developing in many ways, and one of those ways is through its advancements in technology. Crookston recently welcomed the AG Innovation Campus, which officially opened its doors last fall. This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to researching new strains of soybeans and oils, contributing to advancements in agricultural technology. This collaboration underscores the community’s commitment to fostering research and development, and it signifies a major step forward for Crookston’s industrial park, which is rapidly becoming a hub for agricultural innovation. It’s important to note that the city’s industrial development is moving along fantastically as well. “We’ll be putting a railroad spur in our industrial park… that’s going to enable us to catch the rail straight over to the Duluth Harbor as well as to St. Paul,” Kirshbaum says. This added accessibility was only possible thanks to a $1.5 million grant that the Minnesota Northern Railroad was awarded by MnDOT. With these developments in motion, residents will have an easier time traveling and farmers in the region now have a better mode of transportation for their crops. The city’s growth is driven by an innovative spirit deeply embedded in its culture.This spirit is nurtured by the presence of UMC and the innovative practices of local farmers. This collaborative ethos extends to the broader community, creating an environment ripe for growth and development. The partnership between the university and the local community is a cornerstone of Crookston’s success. UMC students frequently engage with local businesses through hands-on projects, providing real-world experience while contributing to community development. This symbiotic relationship not only benefits the students but also supports local businesses and initiatives. LOOKING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLY DEVELOPED FUTURE Another standout example of community collaboration is the Empower Crookston Community 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08 CROOKSTON, MN
Development group. “We’re working specifically with some of the green energy initiatives that are out there. But it also includes the trails and the parks and helping businesses,” Kirschbaum says, specifying that this initiative will bring together various stakeholders to focus on more sustainable development for the city’s natural amenities and businesses. A notable project under this initiative is spearheaded by 4H2 Incorporated, a local company developing direct ethanol fuel cell technology. This innovative approach to generating electricity from ethanol, which includes exploring the use of cattails, is being developed in collaboration with research partners from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Over the next 18 months, Crookston’s top priorities will center on comprehensive assessments of the city’s infrastructure. One of the key goals is to identify and develop new industrial areas to accommodate future growth. As space in the current industrial park becomes limited, Photo Credit: Mason Hendricks 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08
annexing new areas will be crucial for sustaining the city’s economic expansion. Parks and trails will also continue to be a focal point for community development. Enhancing these recreational spaces not only improves the quality of life for residents but also makes Crookston a more attractive destination for visitors. The city is committed to expanding and maintaining these green spaces, recognizing their importance in fostering a healthy, active community. Finally, one of the biggest developments in Crookston has been the $51 million upgrade to RiverView Health. The hospital’s expansion is a key component of the city’s broader strategy to develop a robust health community. Similarly, the city is seeking to inject more commercial developments within the region and is setting the sports center up to be a core driver of the local Crookston economy. Overall, Crookston’s trajectory is marked by its strong foundation, culture of innovation, and collaborative community spirit. The city’s commitment to research and development, coupled with strategic infrastructure improvements and comprehensive planning, sets the stage for continued growth and prosperity. As Crookston looks to the future, its focus on sustainable development, community empowerment, and educational partnerships will ensure that it remains a vibrant and dynamic community. With significant projects on the horizon and a clear vision for the future, Crookston is poised to achieve new heights in economic development and community well-being. 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08 CROOKSTON, MN
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n American Crystal Sugar Company www.crystalsugar.com Photo Credit: Mason Hendricks 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08
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