TOWER— For more than 20 years, city officials here have worked toward the day when major development would come to Tower’s harbor. It appears that day may finally arrive starting this year following the signing of a development agreement with an experienced Pine City-based builder who is proposing a mixed-use project including about 7,500 sq. ft. of commercial space along with 14 upper-level apartments overlooking the harbor. At least a dozen town homes will also be built as part of the project.
Eagle Ridge LLC has built both apartments and single- and multi-family housing in east central Minnesota and has received rave reviews from city officials in Pine City, where the company recently completed two apartment projects. The company is also building a 35-unit apartment complex in Mora this year.
It’s not the first time that city officials in Tower have signed a development agreement for the harbor site, but it is the first time since the city resolved longstanding title issues for the property. As part of that work, the city transferred the property to the Tower Economic Development Authority, which has been working for the past three years to bring a major project to the site.
The project currently under development will include the commercial and apartment building near the river rapids on the southeast side of the harbor. The three-story structure, with two levels of apartments above, will be among the most prominent structures in the city and will present an engaging façade from the Hwy. 169 bridge at the entrance to the harbor. The town homes, built as twin homes, will extend to the west from there along the harbor and docking for town home owners will be made available as part of the project.
Eagle Ridge principal Cole Newman is moving quickly to advance the project and plans to have his application for a conditional use permit to the city’s planning and zoning commission for its March 25 meeting. His company has engaged Ron Hommerding as architect on the project and is already at work on the civil engineering and has commissioned renderings of the buildings to begin the marketing.
TEDA is currently seeking funding for sewer and water extension as well as streets associated with the project.
At the same time, TEDA has issued requests for proposals from prospective business owners who are interested in owning or leasing commercial space at the harbor. TEDA is also looking for an owner or operator interested in operating a mid-level to fine dining restaurant at the site. TEDA will be reviewing responses to its requests as they come in. Currently, the deadline for responses is Friday, April 25. Interested individuals can see the full RFPs on the TEDA website at https://cityoftower.com/teda-rfp. TEDA will work to coordinate contacts with interested prospective business owners and Eagle Ridge, which will be managing the property, at least initially.