Development News for Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji City Council Awards Bid for Fifth Street Northwest Trail Project

The council considered and approved the award of a bid for the Fifth Street Northwest Trail Project (City Project 2603). The project, which has been in the grant process for approximately five years, involves constructing a trail from the Jefferson Roundabout to the post office, including addressing a railroad crossing and wetland impacts. The city engineer presented the bid opening results from May 20th, where Ryerson Construction was the low bidder at $855,959.75. The total project cost is estimated at over $1.1 million due to additional costs associated with the BNSF railroad crossing easement and other soft costs. Funding will come from an existing grant, the AT grant, construction fund reserves, and state aid construction funds. The project is scheduled to begin after the July 4th holiday with a goal of completion before the school year starts.

HRA Faces Housing Voucher Challenges, Expands Supportive Services

Council Member Rivera provided an update from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) meeting. There is a potential new applicant for an HRA opening. The Section 8 waiting list currently has 997 people, and the waiting list for Northland apartments is 286. Finding affordable housing that accepts housing vouchers remains very difficult. An MOU with BICAP was established to provide supportive housing services within Northland apartments and potentially scattered sites.

Bemidji City Council Approves Ordinance Authorizing Sale of Real Property Unanimously

The council considered a proposed final reading of an ordinance amending an uncoded section of the Bemidji City Code to authorize the sale of real property. Following a staff confirmation of no additional comments and no questions from the council, the final reading was performed. A roll call vote was conducted, resulting in a unanimous approval. Subsequently, a motion was made and seconded to authorize the publication of a summary of the ordinance, which also passed unanimously.

Bemidji Council Member Reports on Heritage Preservation, Fire Department Planning, and Station Remodel

Council Member Peterson reported on the Heritage Preservation meeting where ordinance changes were reviewed to become a member of the State Heritage Preservation Organization (SHIPO). These changes are expected to move forward to the council soon. The committee also discussed pumping station 1909 and salvaging items from that building. Additionally, Peterson reported on the long-range planning for the fire department, including a grant request for a wildfire mitigation position, the expected arrival of a new engine in early 2027, discussions about a new training officer position, potentially bringing the building department under the fire department's review, and a remodel project for Station One funded by received funds, scheduled for late summer/early fall.