Consignment shop coming to downtown Frazee

By Robert Williams

Editor

Becker County Economic Development Authority (EDA) Specialist Cody Piper reached out to the Frazee EDA about developing the county-owned land beyond the industrial park that is adjacent to Red Willow with single-family housing.

According to EDA Consultant Karen Pifher, her company Creating Community Consulting (CCC) will complete a housing study for the area.

The study will encompass what area residents can afford, what they are looking for, what it would mean to develop there and how important walkability, bikeability and parks are as part of the neighborhood.

“Getting information on housing, the market, what’s affordable, what people want and need and what things they want integrated in that specific area,” said Pifher.

Piper has stated that to develop the property there needs to be a vision.

“My concern is if we don’t do it they’re going to pass us over and nothing will get done,” said Pifher.

EDA Chair Hank Ludtke, who is also on the county EDA board stated there are plans for development elsewhere if this project does not go through.

CCC will seek feedback from the community online and with surveys around town and will complete analysis and a report for the county by October, according to Pifher.

According to city administrator Stephanie Poegel, there is currently interest already in new homes coming to Frazee. There are three building permits for homes to begin construction by the end of summer.

While the number is small, it is significant in comparison to 2023 when there were no new homes built in Frazee the entire year.

Pifher and Ludtke also presented personal knowledge of three others who are planning to build homes in Frazee in 2025.

Red Willow

Tim Conklin, owner of 106 Properties, has proposed a development plan for single-family housing on open lots in the Red Willow development. Part of his proposal includes a bond taken out by the city to pay for development of the homes and he would build them, according to Pifher.

Conklin was scheduled to be at the EDA meeting Tuesday to explain further and discuss the plan, but was not in attendance.

EDA members discussed not allowing an agreement with no strings attached. The potential risk being a big factor and a detractor to the agreement, along with potentially working with other contractors. 

Another avenue is a potential revival of the building trades program at the high school.

“It would be great for the school and the community,” Heath Peterson said.

The proximity of Red Willow to the school only adds to the convenience of that project should the school program come back.

The county’s proposal for the property behind Red Willow is a bigger priority and multiple EDA members agreed that they want to see the county’s future plan for approving any other proposal.

New business

Pifher announced a consignment store will be moving into the ground level of 109 West Main, next to the Palace Cafe. Remodeling is currently underway.

The former bowling alley continues to attract potential investors, but Pifher did not have any specific information beyond that business plans are being created for two potential business models.

Wannigan Park

Thousands of people continue to flock to Wannigan Regional Park, in part to search out Artist Thomas Dambo’s Troll art installation.

The regional art exhibit has already had a significant impact on local communities. According to the Wannigan Park newsletter, there have been over 9,000 visitors since the installation in June.  

A problem from so many visitors is wear on North River Drive and excess dust that is adversely affecting residents of the road.

Public Works Supervisor Larry Stephenson has received two bids on resurfacing the road with Class 5 and calcium chloride for dust control.

“It’s going to get fixed,” said Poegel.

The solution is obviously temporary, but there are plans to seek funding for an asphalt paving of the road in the future.

Both projects are expected to be discussed at the next City Council meeting.

Family Resource Center

Surveys have been completed and listening sessions are being scheduled to discuss the future Family Resource Center in Frazee. 

The completed gap analysis was funded by a grant with another grant approval hopefully staffing the center to potentially be open later this year or in 2025.

Pifher announced her group is working with Rachael Johnson, Family Resource Specialist at White Earth Child Care, as they have a foothold and momentum in this space and will aid in implementing the data to identify a future location and services.

Main Street parking

Increased traffic on Main Avenue has caused multiple conversations about parking concerns.

“Thinking about a business in the bowling alley that could bring in 75-100 people per day, this is going to be a major problem, not a small one,” said Pifher.

A letter was drafted and sent to the Planning and Zoning committee seeking out a plan for parking, from parking time limitations like two-hour parking to additional signage and a new parking lot.

Pifher would like to have a subcommittee created to deal with parking issues specifically.

Community Club

CCC’s multi-use space at 305 West Main will be hosting Frazee Forward meetings on the first Wednesday of each month beginning Wednesday, Aug. 7. The meeting will begin at 7 a.m.

The goal is to improve communications across the entities in town, get business owners and individuals involved and to network and to invest in ideas that continue to move Frazee forward.

Fridays in Frazee

The Fridays in Frazee program for families has attracted 250 families and 748 individuals over the five Fridays it has been held on West Main. Those numbers will likely take a big increase as the program combines with Harvest Church’s Family Fun Night during Turkey Days.

A new location is being sought for next year to enlarge the program, allow for more parking, electricity and storage for the bouncy houses and other equipment.