Cities Civil and Municipal July 2024 Public Sector

Cold Spring, Minnesota

July 29, 2024

Cold Spring, Minnesota

Small-Town Charm with Big-City Amenities

Balancing growth and community spirit through strategic planning and local pride.

Cold Spring, Minnesota, exudes small-town charm with a rich historical backdrop and a vibrant community spirit. Located in Stearns County, this picturesque town is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area. Cold Spring is famed for its Cold Spring Brewing Company, established in 1874, which remains a central pillar of the local economy.

The city, home to just over 4,000 residents, boasts a strong German heritage, evident in its cultural events and community activities. With a variety of recreational parks and a bustling local business scene, Cold Spring offers a welcoming environment for families and visitors alike.

“It is a great place to live, work, and belong,” says the City Administrator, Kris Dockendorf. She emphasizes the community’s warm, personal nature, where neighbors greet each other by first names and opportunities for involvement are abundant. From volunteering to participating in city government, residents find many ways to engage with their town.

Dockendorf paints a picture of a town that offers both the security and friendliness of a smaller community while still providing the amenities of a larger city. “We have the stores, the entertainment, the restaurants,” she says, adding that a large city is only a short 15-minute drive away if something is missing.

Revitalizing Main Street

Cold Spring has a thriving downtown area that serves as the heartbeat of the community. Dockendorf shares that there are no vacant buildings downtown, and the businesses take immense pride in their appearances. “In the last seven or eight years, we’ve redone almost all the streets in the downtown area,” she states, pointing out the City Council’s efforts to maintain an inviting and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Last year, Cold Spring received a Main Street Revitalization grant, which provided substantial assistance to businesses for various building projects. Many storefronts and interiors have been upgraded as a result. The enthusiasm for beautification extends beyond business owners. “Some residents joined together and raised $10,000 for hanging flower baskets around town. They did this all on their own, and now we keep them going,” Dockendorf shares, highlighting the community’s proactive spirit.

Cold Spring is home to unique stores such as Trendsetters, Cinder Boutique, Little Sisters Antique Store, Vintage Lane Décor, Gentler Thymes, Lullaby Lane for baby and kids’ clothing, and Thirty Four Oaks for adult clothing. These boutiques offer specialty items that stand out from the typical chain store fare. Dockendorf appreciates this variety, noting, “That’s what’s really nice about them.”

Health and wellness have become a significant focus in the town. Cold Spring has welcomed several wellness-oriented businesses. Although Dockendorf does not detail their offerings, she mentions establishments like Lindsay’s Light Lounge, Natural Wellness Advantage, Soulstis, Northern Resonance, and Minnesota Brain Solutions. “They’re all in that healing and wellness space, and I think that’s a big thing right now,” she observes.

Commercial Development

Cold Spring is preserving its charm while strategically planning for future growth, especially in the commercial sector. Dockendorf recounts, “About 20 years ago, the city bought some farmland on the northern border and developed it into a business park. We sold the last lot in 2023.” This successful endeavor has seen a mix of new businesses, some of which outgrew their previous locations and others that moved to town specifically to build there.

The city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) plays a crucial role in business retention and expansion. Dockendorf shares that they are currently negotiating with a retired farmer who owns land contiguous to the existing business park. “We want to start work on the next phase of a business park,” she says, ensuring that Cold Spring is prepared for new businesses looking to establish themselves in the community.

Regarding business incentives, the city addresses requests on a case-by-case basis. A prime example of this is the Cold Spring Brewing Company. “They’ve been around for over 150 years, and they are growing very quickly,” Dockendorf says. The brewery, which also produces energy drinks, posed a unique challenge due to the high sugar content in its waste, which was overloading the city’s wastewater treatment system. In a collaborative effort, the city and the brewery built a pretreatment facility funded entirely by the brewery. “It treats their waste so that when it comes back out, it’s what we call domestic strength, which is the same strength as everybody else’s waste,” she explains.

Another significant industry in Cold Spring is Pilgrim’s, a poultry processing facility. To meet the growing water needs of both Pilgrim’s and Cold Spring Brewery, the city developed new wells and constructed a state-of-the-art water treatment facility. “It’s the first of its kind in Minnesota and only one of a handful in the entire country,” Dockendorf proudly notes. This cutting-edge system ensures that the city’s water supply meets the demands of its expanding industrial base while maintaining high-quality standards for all residents.

Addressing the Housing Market

Cold Spring faces housing challenges similar to those in many other communities, with affordability and housing stock being primary concerns. Dockendorf acknowledges, “We have one developer who has a large area of land that’s been under development for 20 years and is a little over half done.” The city recently approved the platting of 15 more lots, with construction set to start imminently.

Another significant residential development is in the pipeline on the north side of town. A developer recently annexed a large parcel of land with plans to develop around 100 lots, phased over several years. “He wants to get his in the ground by late fall or early spring,” Dockendorf notes, adding that these new lots will likely be ready within a year.

While the housing market in Cold Spring mirrors broader trends, properties here tend to move quickly. “There are houses available, but they move fairly quickly,” Dockendorf observes. With new developments underway and strategic planning in place, Cold Spring aims to meet the growing demand for residential housing, ensuring that new and existing residents find suitable homes in this thriving community.

Drawing Tourists

Cold Spring offers its residents an impressive array of activities, but the city is equally committed to attracting tourists. Dockendorf emphasizes the importance of tourism, noting that the city works closely with a very active chamber of commerce. “Promoting Cold Spring is their biggest focus,” she explains, adding that the city supports these efforts as much as possible.

The Sauk River, flowing through the heart of Cold Spring, connects to a chain of lakes just down the road, providing a wealth of recreational opportunities. “There’s canoeing, kayaking, and places to rent pontoons and boats,” Dockendorf says. Visitors can spend a day on the river or lakes, engaging in activities like swimming, fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling in the winter. The city also boasts facilities where boaters can dock and easily access the downtown area.

Cold Spring has a variety of attractions to keep visitors entertained. “We have a movie theater, 18-hole golf course, a bowling alley, and our brewery offers tours,” Dockendorf mentions. The town’s historical society also attracts tourists with its intriguing displays and organized bus tours. “Many people, especially seniors, enjoy the historical aspects and the brewery tours,” she notes.

Community festivals are another significant draw. The once-a-month Rock the River free concert series and other local festivals bring residents and visitors together. Dockendorf highlights FireFest, an annual event organized by the fire department featuring major country music headliners. “It brings thousands of people to town,” she says, emphasizing its popularity and the boost it provides to the local economy.

The city also boasts a state-of-the-art baseball stadium for amateur baseball, attracting many visitors and kindling community pride. “The players take good care of it, and many people come here to watch baseball. It’s very popular,” she notes. Beyond baseball, the parks offer a new splash pad and beautiful shelters and pavilions frequently booked for graduation parties, anniversaries, and other celebrations. “They get booked up a couple of years in advance. People like them so much because we don’t charge too much, and it works out better than having it at their house,” Dockendorf explains.

“We have a lot of parks here, and they’re all very busy and well-kept. We hire extra help in the summer to maintain them, and they’re a big hit in this town,” Dockendorf says. A well-maintained bike trail also runs right through town, adjacent to the splash pad. This trail connects to broader networks in both directions, encouraging families to explore Cold Spring and its surroundings. “Families get on the bike trail, stop in town, and there’s stuff to do in every single direction,” Dockendorf says, illustrating how the city’s layout supports an engaging and active lifestyle for residents and tourists.

Promoting Growth and Community Spirit

Cold Spring is looking ahead with a clear vision for the future, focusing on significant projects and maintaining its vibrant community spirit. Dockendorf highlights how the city is facilitating business growth and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. “Our goals are to remain a vibrant community and a destination for visitors,” she says, emphasizing the city’s focus on economic development and community well-being.

The emphasis on business support remains a cornerstone of Cold Spring’s strategy. The city aims to manage growth sustainably while preserving the close-knit, small-town atmosphere that residents cherish. Dockendorf expresses confidence in the community’s pride and engagement, noting, “We are blessed with a community where people take pride in their homes and want to live here.”

She highlights the local school district as a significant draw for families considering a move to Cold Spring. “It’s an excellent school district, and it fits that nice size where it’s not so huge, but it’s big enough that people want their kids to come here,” she says. The district’s high academic scores are a source of pride and an attractive feature for prospective residents. “That’s sometimes at the top of people’s list,” she notes, emphasizing its importance in the community’s appeal.

As Cold Spring looks to the future, its roadmap includes continuing key infrastructure projects and nurturing a supportive environment for businesses and residents. With a focus on steady growth, community involvement, and high-quality education, Cold Spring will continue to thrive in the coming years as it maintains its unique blend of small-town charm and modern amenities.