The future of a downtown Hastings parking lot, the sale of HEDRA-owned property and two downtown façade improvement grants will be among the items before the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority when it meets Thursday, Aug. 13.
The HEDRA meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Hastings City Hall.
One of the most closely watched items will be preliminary results from a community survey on possible redevelopment of Block 16, the city-owned property commonly known as the Red Rock Corridor or Depot parking lot.
The results show considerable public hesitation about redevelopment, largely because of concerns over losing downtown parking.
HEDRA will also be asked to authorize a purchase agreement for property with Gregg Lowe, consider façade improvement grants for properties at 221 Sibley St. and 312 Second St. E., and receive updates on several development projects underway or proposed around Hastings.
Block 16 survey draws more than 800 responses
HEDRA has been exploring the long-term possibilities for Block 16, a 1.81-acre downtown site containing a 100-stall public parking lot and Depot Park playground. The property is bounded by Second Street East on the north, Tyler Street on the west, Third Street East on the south and the railroad tracks on the east.
Rather than developing a specific plan first, HEDRA and city staff have been seeking community input about whether redevelopment should be considered and, if so, what residents would like to see.
The survey generated 832 responses between June and August. City staff cautions that it was a voluntary public survey and therefore represents community input rather than a statistically representative sample.
The preliminary findings show parking dominating the discussion.
Forty-five percent of respondents said they would not support potentially redeveloping Block 16. Another 32 percent were unsure, while 23 percent indicated support.
Among those opposed or unsure, loss of parking was the leading concern, cited by 36 percent. Loss of open space was cited by 18 percent, while 17 percent said they wanted the property to remain as it is. Traffic impacts were identified by 11 percent.
Parking also represents the most common current use of the site. Forty-eight percent of respondents said they use Block 16 for parking, compared with 16 percent who visit Depot Park and 16 percent who use it to connect with the Mississippi River Trail. Twenty percent said they don't currently use the property.
The survey also indicates that respondents are regular visitors to downtown Hastings even if they don't live there. Fifty-eight percent identified themselves as residents from outside downtown, while 78 percent reported visiting downtown anywhere from weekly to daily. Thirty percent said they use Block 16 itself at least weekly.
For those considering what might replace or be added to the site if redevelopment occurs, destination entertainment and restaurants or cafés received the most interest, each at 19 percent. Retail shopping received 13 percent and mixed-use retail and housing received 8 percent. Housing alone received 3 percent and office space 1 percent.
The largest response, however, was “other,” at 37 percent. Staff reported those respondents primarily reiterated their desire to leave Block 16 as it currently exists.
Thursday's presentation will be preliminary rather than the conclusion of the public engagement process. Staff plans additional outreach at Music + Market events and interviews with downtown business owners before bringing detailed findings back to HEDRA at its Sept. 10 meeting.
Property sale on agenda
HEDRA will also be asked to authorize the signing of a purchase agreement involving Gregg Lowe.
The property transaction follows discussion at HEDRA's July meeting. Thursday's agenda calls for the authority to consider authorizing the agreement for the sale of the property.
Two façade grants proposed
Two downtown properties could receive assistance through HEDRA's Façade Improvement Program.
Luke Hafstad, representing the property at 221 Sibley St., has requested funding for replacement of deck stairs, a landing and handrails on the east side of the building.
The work has an estimated eligible cost of $17,417. Under HEDRA's program, the grant can cover one-third of eligible costs up to a maximum of $5,000. HEDRA will be asked to approve the maximum $5,000 grant.
The program requires $2 in private investment for every $1 provided by HEDRA. Funds are reimbursed after the work is completed and required permits and inspections are approved. The proposed Hafstad grant would also be contingent upon review and approval of the work by the Hastings Heritage Preservation Commission.
A second application comes from Alan Blankenship of Jupiter Peak Lodging LLC, representing 312 Second St. E.
That project calls for painting the upper half of the property to match the lower portion. Eligible costs are estimated at $7,000, making the anticipated HEDRA contribution $2,333.33.
If both applications are approved, the city's 2026 Façade Improvement Grant balance would stand at $25,316.50.
Development activity continues
HEDRA will also receive its regular development update, with several projects moving forward.
For the proposed Walden development near Red Wing Boulevard and Michael Avenue, 310 Design Build has submitted an application for 143 housing lots — 119 single-family homes and 24 twin homes. Staff is seeking additional information before the application can be considered complete and scheduled for Planning Commission and City Council review.
Work has been completed on the conversion of the property at 321 Sixth St. E. into a 10-unit apartment building, which is now available for rent.
Interior construction is also underway at the new Chase Bank location in the Cub Foods parking lot near Highway 55 and General Sieben Drive.
Staff will update HEDRA on Pleasant Valley Farms as well. The City Council on Aug. 3 approved the method for providing a new public park within the development and authorized distribution of the project's Environmental Assessment Worksheet for public comment. The development is proposed on approximately 160 acres between Featherstone Road and County Road 42 and would include about 400 single-family and townhome sites along with an extension of General Sieben Drive.
The agenda also notes that demolition work at the former Hastings Cooperative Creamery property has been completed. City officials are now awaiting any future development plans for the site.
Another redevelopment effort, Block 28 at 400 Vermillion St., remains in the environmental review stage. Recent soil and groundwater testing indicates a petroleum spill or release in the drive and parking area south of the former Wells Fargo building. Staff expects that issue to be addressed through a Response Action Plan. The Phase II environmental assessment is expected to be completed soon, followed by preparation of cleanup and abatement plans.
Other projects on HEDRA's development list include the proposed Odin's Garden indoor cannabis cultivation facility on Enterprise Avenue, Suite Living senior apartments at Vermillion and 33rd streets, the final 36 lots of Heritage Ridge, the city's eastern PFAS water treatment plant, Sunset Hills Addition, Rio Gran Express and continued redevelopment of the former Hastings Theatre property.
HEDRA will also receive the first-half 2026 report from Open to Business. Five Hastings businesses or residents received services through the program during the first six months of the year, with other activities including small-business law question-and-answer sessions and business succession training.
HEDRA's next regular meeting after Thursday is scheduled for Sept. 10.