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After months of closed session discussion, the City of Rushford has opted to reject a counteroffer from Farmers Win Cooperative for the purchase of the former elevator site in downtown Rushford. The council approved submission of a purchase agreement earlier in the month, including acceptance of no counteroffers.
The city’s offer was largely focused more on the contingencies than the amount. It included a Phase I inspection/due diligence period with the ability to conduct surveys, reviews, inspections, and tests of the property. Previous offers to purchase the property required a “clean site” to avoid surprises related to unknown issues, contamination, or abatement cleanup.
During the closed session, attorney Mike Flaherty provided various options to the council. Since the counteroffer from Farmers Win was different from the city’s purchase agreement with contingencies, he suggested an option contract. This provides the city the right and time for the due diligence of the testing without making any final offer. The city retains rights to purchase but is not obligated. The council later unanimously approved staff to seek an option contract to allow time for the studies to be conducted, prior to any final decisions.
The property was also part of the meeting in regards to an upcoming Chamber event. During the time for interested citizens, Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Jen Hengel spoke to the council regarding a self-guided tour/open house of business opportunities within the city. Open Doors: A Tour of Business Opportunities is scheduled for Thursday, November 17, from 5:30-8 p.m., and will allow the viewing of businesses and buildings for sale and spaces available for lease.
Realtors, business owners and others available to provide property details and answer questions will be present, as will information on financing programs from local lenders and the Rushford Economic Development Authority. In some locations, Rushford Area Historical Society representatives will also be providing details of the property’s history.
Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
“Successful businesses have operated from the vast majority of these locations, which now pose opportunities for new owners,” says the Chamber’s event details. “The properties are available and for lease/sale due to upcoming retirements of long-time business owners, consolidations of businesses to other locations, and new construction in Rushford.”
The tour includes 12 properties in prime downtown locations. The owners of Norsland Lefse, Stumpy’s Bar & Restaurant, Loken’s Rushford Inn, and Shawnee’s Bar & Grill will all be retiring. Three other properties saw businesses expand to other locations in the city, including 120 W. Jessie (currently unoccupied), the former Farmers Win Cooperative site, and Horihan Insurance & Flooring America. Likewise, the property at 107 State Highway 16 saw several businesses move following a fire earlier this year. Additional properties include Jessie Street Java, the historic buildings at 100 West Jessie (formerly Il Luigi Italian Restaurant) and 300 S. Mill Street (the former Tri-County Record building), and 107 State Highway 16 (formerly Subway).
“These are opportunities for the next generation of business owners,” enthused Hengel. “The public is welcome. Come and see these buildings.”
The council also heard several other updates from staff. An updated Request for Qualifications for Airport Engineering Services will incorporate new Capital Improvement Plan changes. Councilor Sally Ryman questioned the potential property purchase for the airport.
City Administrator Tony Chladek responded that an expansion could happen at some point in the future. “Now might be the time to go ahead and acquire that. They’re saying now’s the time to push that process,” he said, referencing a discussion with Federal Aviation Administration representatives. There is currently $220,000 available in capital improvement funding.
The area in question is currently held by two or three private property owners. A portion is wooded currently. It would be an FAA process. “The federal government goes way above to make sure property owners get fair and reasonable prices. It would provide better control of tree trimming in airspace,” added Zacher.
During reports, it was noted that there may finally be some traction on a potential bike path near the school. “There’s over two million in federal funding for southeast Minnesota, but we have to be careful about what we wish for,” said Zacher. “For the canoe launch, we got the grant, but had to spend a ton of money on engineering before the project could even get started.”
Since the city has been unable to secure any grants for a sidewalk/path to the school, City Engineer Derek Olinger is conducting some quick analysis to see if a path can be done in-house by connecting to the school parking lot rather than existing city sidewalks. “This might turn out to be something we could do in house a lot easier. There’s a lot of different things they’re thinking about.” The path would sit on school property, however, and would require a right-of-way easement between the city and school.
“I always thought it made a lot of sense to get that connected over there,” noted Councilor Jim O’Donnell who served as acting mayor for the meeting.
“It would be a huge step; that’s where the majority of the traffic is during the school day,” echoed Ryman.
“It makes sense if you build a school in the middle of nowhere that you’d have a way to get to it,” added Volkmann. It was noted that one reason the grant applications had been rejected was due to the school not planning for the sidewalks/path, according to Zacher. “The school should be motivated.”
“It was an afterthought,” added O’Donnell.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, November 14, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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