NEXT DEVELOPMENT

NEXT DEVELOPMENT Construction projects set for completion by fall

Downtown South Reconstruction

BY JACQUELINE DEVINE

The community of Prior Lake will be looking a little different by the end of this year thanks to new construction projects approved by the city to improve the quality of life in the area.

The city of Prior Lake is planning for the potential reconstruction of the Downtown South area in 2022, which includes parts of Colorado Street, Main Avenue and Pleasant Avenue. This will include replacing watermain, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, roadway base and pavement.

The city is also planning to construct a five-story mixeduse building on Dakota Street that will feature commercial elements.

DAKOTA STREET DEVELOPMENT

The city has selected a developer to begin work on a mixed-use development in the 4600 block of Dakota Street Southeast that will include market-rate multi-unit housing, as well as restaurant and retail space.

The Beard Group — a metro area developer — is proposing the apartment building, which would include 97 market-rate residential rental units, a street front restaurant of about 2,600-squarefeet, a rooftop deck for restaurant customers and a rooftop deck for tenants, as well as 169 parking stalls, 134 of which are underground.

The development would be on property owned by the Prior Lake Economic Development Authority on Dakota Street, next to city hall. The city council approved a preliminary development plan in May, and the Beard Group anticipates construction will start in spring 2023.

According to a previous report, the plan also entails reconstructing a trail that runs through Gateway Park and replacing 39 trees. Park planning would be coordinated with city staff, the Prior Lake Rotary — which has historically maintained the park — and residents of the adjacent Lakefront Plaza building.

DOWNTOWN SOUTH RECONSTRUCTION

Another project is planned for the downtown area between County Road 21 and Pleasant Street Southeast, from Highway 13 to Duluth Avenue Southeast. Current project plans include the replacement of utilities and street reconstruction, including enhanced landscape and streetscape elements consistent with the work that has been done to the north of County Road 21.

Nick Monserud, assistant city engineer, said Ryan Contracting Co. was finishing pipe installation on Colorado Street, after which the contractor will move over to Pleasant Street to begin installing pipe there. Completion was expected by the fall.

According to city officials, the project is expected to cost $5.7 million.

Jason Wedel, city manager, said plans also include the replacement of utilities and street reconstruction, including enhanced landscape and streetscape elements like upgraded sidewalks and street lighting consistent with the work that has been done to the north of County Road 21.

IMAGES COURTESY OF CITY OF PRIOR LAKE

A proposed apartment complex in downtown Prior Lake would include 97 rental units and a restaurant.

East perspective of the proposed Prior Lake Luxury Apartments from Dakota Street and Erie Ave.

More Information

To view the feasibility report and sign up for project updates, visit PLDowntownSouth.com Project Help Line & Email 612-357-7270 nicole.krause@boltonmenk.com