Blazing Star Landing: City seeks state funding for continued cleanup

The Blazing Star Landing includes 35 acres in the central part of Albert Lea that would be a prime location for housing and commercial sites.

This site was occupied by a meatpacking plant for almost 100 years. The plant burned down in 2001, leaving a legacy of contamination. Soils are contaminated with arsenic, petroleum and vinyl chlorides, among other substances.

The site sat vacant for 20 years because of the high costs of decontamination. State funding recently led to some development, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development providing $944,000 for cleanup of 3.4 acres. A private company developed this site for housing, building a 48-unit apartment building that is full with plans for an additional 96-unit building.

Redevelopment could centralize some services, making it easier for residents to access resources.

Albert Lea needs housing to fill jobs

    • Two recent studies found that Albert Lea needs all types of housing to fill open jobs.
    • This site could be developed to fill some of that housing need, with a developer interested in building housing for low-income families and senior citizens.

Costs a barrier to redevelopment

    • Remediate buildable sites: $5.9 million.
    • Remediate future park spaces: $1.1 million.
    • Remediate and build stormwater treatment site: $900,000.
    • Install utilities and other infrastructure: $1.6 million.

City cannot fund cleanup on its own

    • The City can contribute $3 million over 20 years through Tax Increment Financing.
    • Property sales could bring in $2 million.

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