Civil Municipal - June 2024

Trunk Highway 25.“While a joint City-MnDOT project, the redevelopment of this highway will activate a major area right in the city’s downtown,” Kelly notes. The project has introduced more green space and potential uses for the lake, enhancing the downtown area’s aesthetic and functional aspects. Kelly also highlights the City’s efforts to replace older infrastructure in key areas of the city.“We have another street project coming up that will update some city infrastructure, including sewer service lines from the 1930s,” he reveals. Such updates are crucial for modernizing the city’s foundational services and ensuring sustainability for future generations. The former Wright County Government Center project is potentially the most transformative for Buffalo’s downtown landscape.“This property is 6 ½ acres of lakefront property, and the County recently entered into a purchase agreement with a developer to redevelop the parcel in conjunction with our 2040 Downtown Visions Plan,” Kelly shares. The mixed-use development envisioned for this site could include residential and commercial spaces, significantly impacting the city’s core. Kelly points to Buffalo’s growth as a residential haven when discussing housing developments. “We have a lot of single-family homes, unsurprisingly, as the West Metro keeps growing out of the Twin Cities,” he says. Developments like Greenbriar Hills and Settlers Brook are expanding Buffalo’s housing stock. At the same time,multifamily and senior living facilities like Creekside Manor cater to diverse needs, including the increasing demand for affordable housing.“We’re actively seeking additional affordable housing opportunities to provide a better housing mix to our residents,” he adds, indicating a strategic focus Teri Lachermeier, Mayor 24 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 06