Nearly two and a half years after a fire reduced the former Hastings Cooperative Creamery complex to a charred shell, the Hastings City Council on Feb. 17 took decisive action to force the long-stalled cleanup of the Vermillion Street site. Meeting in regular session at City Hall, the council unanimously approved a resolution and order under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 463 requiring the property to be cleaned up. The action sets the stage for demolition of the burned-out structure, which has stood as a highly visible eyesore since a September 2023 fire destroyed much of the vacant industrial complex.
The vote followed comments from a construction attorney representing the property owner and a newly retained demolition contractor, who indicated work could begin as early as mid-April.
The creamery site, located along Vermillion Street, has drawn increasing frustration from residents and city officials. Since the fire, the partially collapsed building and debris have remained in place, prompting concerns about safety, nuisance conditions and the impact on nearby businesses and neighborhoods.
City officials have previously cited the property owner over failure to remove debris, and deadlines for voluntary compliance have come and gone. By approving the formal order Tuesday night, the council signaled that patience had run out.
Mayor Mary Fasbender noted the prolonged nature of the situation and the community’s desire to see progress. The Chapter 463 process allows the city to order hazardous or dangerous structures repaired or removed and, if necessary, undertake the work itself and assess the costs to the property.
Prior to the council’s vote, Aaron Dean, a construction attorney representing Lloyd’s Construction Services and the property owner, addressed the council during public comment. Dean said he had been involved in the case for only one week, stepping in after a colleague was unable to attend. He told the council that a signed contract is now in place between the property owner, 3D LLC, and Lloyd’s Construction Services for just under $411,000, with some alternates that could increase the cost.
According to Dean, Lloyd’s hopes to begin demolition work on April 15 and complete the project within 60 days, targeting a mid-June finish. However, he cautioned that several factors could affect that timeline, including weather and unknown site conditions.
“This is going to be a pretty nasty project,” Dean said, noting the potential presence of asbestos-containing materials, underground tanks or other hazardous materials not fully identified in prior reports.
Only one environmental report from 2024 has been provided to the contractor, he said, meaning additional hazardous materials could be discovered once work begins. Dean emphasized that Lloyd’s is among the top hazardous materials and demolition contractors in Minnesota and has handled projects significantly larger than the Hastings site. He also indicated that the property owner intends to formally object to the city’s order — not to delay cleanup, he said, but to preserve legal rights in case the 60-day timeline proves unrealistic.
“I don’t want that objection to be construed as being uncooperative,” Dean told the council. “No one is interested in dragging their feet.”
Despite the contractor’s assurances, the council proceeded with its resolution and order, requiring cleanup of the site. City officials have cited ongoing concerns about the condition of the property, including debris, structural instability and potential hazards to the public.
Under Chapter 463, if the owner fails to comply within the timeframe set by the order, the city may arrange for demolition and removal itself, with costs assessed against the property. City staff have been engaged in discussions with ownership and contractors for months, seeking voluntary action. The council’s vote formalizes the process and provides a clearer enforcement path.
The Hastings Cooperative Creamery building, once a prominent industrial landmark, had been vacant before the 2023 fire. After the blaze, significant portions of the structure were left standing, with burned debris remaining on site. Over the past two years, shifting ownership arrangements, management changes and legal disputes have complicated cleanup efforts. Earlier enforcement steps included revocation of occupancy certificates and citations for failure to remove debris. However, the physical condition of the site has remained largely unchanged.
Council members have heard repeated concerns from residents who describe the property as both an eyesore and a safety risk along a major corridor into the city. The issue has also surfaced at meetings of the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority, where city officials have discussed the impact of the blighted property on redevelopment efforts in the area.
Demolition of fire-damaged industrial buildings can present unique challenges, especially when hazardous materials are involved. Dean told the council that average nighttime temperatures must reach roughly 40 degrees to ensure adequate water access for dust control during demolition. With Minnesota’s unpredictable spring weather, that requirement could affect the project’s start date.
Additionally, asbestos-containing materials must be carefully removed and disposed of at specialized landfills, which can slow the pace of demolition.
“If it takes 90 days or 120 days to complete, it’s not because the owner is being uncooperative or because the contractor is incompetent,” Dean said. “It means it’s a very sophisticated project and requires a lot of caution.”
He expressed hope that work would proceed smoothly and that the council would not need to take further enforcement action.
The council’s action was widely expected, given the length of time the site has remained in its current condition.
Residents have repeatedly asked city officials when the property would be cleared. For many, the burned structure has come to symbolize stalled progress and unresolved disputes.
By invoking Chapter 463, the council has placed a formal deadline on cleanup efforts and created a mechanism to ensure compliance if voluntary action falters.
While no specific demolition date was written into the public discussion Tuesday night, the expectation set by the contractor’s comments — mid-April start and mid-June completion — offers a tentative timeline.
Whether that timeline holds will depend on weather, environmental conditions and coordination between the contractor and regulatory agencies.
If demolition proceeds as outlined, the creamery site could be cleared by early summer — nearly three years after the fire.
What comes next for the property remains an open question. Redevelopment possibilities have been discussed informally, but no formal proposals have been brought forward.
For now, the council’s focus is on ensuring the site is made safe and cleared of debris.
As Dean told the council, “I hope this is the last time that you ever hear from me as a construction lawyer.”