By Robert Williams

Editor

According to Clerk-Treasurer Julie Lammers, Vergas Mayor Dwight Lundgren reported having received multiple offers for the space on either side of the Vergas Liquor Store.

Discussion was quite animated about the topic at the latest Economic Development Authority (EDA)/Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) meeting Wednesday, June 4.

Lammers explained that the city is contracted to provide parking for post office vehicles doing daily drops making it nearly impossible to sell or lease the space on that side of the liquor store. 

The group came to a quick consensus that losing the contract with the post office makes pursuing a sale of that space a moot point.

Discussion on the current area between the liquor store and Altona Square took more time.

Vice President and City Council Liaison Bruce Albright brought up a lack of conversation with the owners of Altona Square Tyler Schmid and Jeff Zitzow.

“They’ve got a several million dollar, brand new building there and what are their thoughts?” Albright said. “They’ve got a garage door back there and all their utilities come out on that side.

EDA/HRA President DuWayne Ditterich, owner of the Mercantile, also has plenty of reasons to have an issue, including receiving deliveries there, along with extra store parking that currently exists there.

Albright also noted conversations have been had with people around town about both spaces and he reported nobody was in favor of putting buildings there.

Ditterich turned the conversation to potential safety concerns. 

“I’d rather see it just open green space and turn it into a downtown park,” he said.

Ditterich’s concerns include double parking that occurs in the alleyway by liquor store customers jamming up the flow of traffic. He reported a car parked there Wednesday was in the space, which is not a parking spot, for over an hour.

“That’s where all the problem comes from is double parking there and then you have people backing out into Main Street,” said Ditterich.

The double parking at the liquor store, when combined with regular parking at the Mercantile, does not leave enough space for a vehicle to pass between the two creating a bottleneck for traffic trying to enter from Main Street. 

“It cannot be a parking spot at all,” Ditterich said.

Initial requests came into the Planning Commission, which deferred to the EDA. 

Wednesday, the group came to an easy consensus that safety is the primary concern of the space between the liquor store and Altona Square and recommended to the Streets Committee and the Municipal Building Committee to look into removable speed bumps.

Facade grant

The EDA/HRA has a total of $50,000 in grant money available to local businesses to use for exterior and facade updates. A maximum of $5,000 is available per project and two projects have already been approved.

In November of 2024, the Vergas HRA received $25,000 in donations and that amount was doubled by a matching grant from the county. Most of those donations came from Vergas State Bank and Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA).

CEDA Associate Maddi Petrick reported the receipt of a grant request from Billy’s Corner Bar and Grill. Petrick also reported the request met all program eligibility requirements and guidelines. In her recommendation for approval, Petrick noted, “The project will contribute to downtown revitalization and aligns with the goals of the Facade Grant Program.”

The project is multi-faceted, roofing repair and insulation replacement estimated at a cost of more than $50,000.

The board unanimously approved the $5,000 grant.

Daycare

Petrick also provided a brief update on potential daycare in Vergas. 

“Just to preface, childcare is probably one of the slowest moving projects somebody can take on,” she said. “Any small update is going to be a really big update.”

Petrick met with a local church that was interested in potentially providing childcare in Vergas. That church has since decided they do not want to be involved in the daycare itself, but are interested in renting their space to someone who would run a childcare center.

“This is great news because it will make getting a license much easier,” Petrick said.

Petrick has toured the space with Otter Tail County Family Child Care Licensor Lisa Spangler and contacted the Fire Marshal. An architectural firm has been brought on to draw up plans for the building to submit to the Fire Marshal for a compliance ruling.

“It’s moving, at least, which is what we like to see,” Petrick said.

The church has elected to remain anonymous until receiving a potential timeline and overall cost to provide the space for childcare. According to Petrick, once that information is received and an approval is given to go ahead with the project it will become public.

Committee members

Citing an inability to give the EDA/HRA his full attention due to managing operations at his business Perham Car Care in Perham, Kevin Zitzow tendered his resignation from the EDA/HRA. 

Former member Vanessa Perry has expressed interest in returning and will complete Zitzow’s term pending city council approval. Zitzow, a former EDA/HRA President, has expressed interest in returning once his schedule allows. The EDA/HRA unanimously accepted Zitzow’s resignation.