City council to talk tax financing

With the Oak Park Mall deal appearing primed to move forward, the Austin City Council is set to discuss tax financing for redevelopment efforts at its 5:30 p.m. Monday meeting in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 500 Fourth Ave. NE.

The city of Austin, Austin Port Authority, and Austin Housing and Redevelopment Authroity have all pooled funds together for the roughly  $1.6 million of costs related to the city’s tax increment involvement with the Oak Park Mall redevelopment.

Leaders also expect an additional $375,000 from a state grant for the project.

To date, the port authority and city each contributed $750,000 to the project and the Austin HRA contributed $50,000 for a total of about $1.5 of the needed $1.6 million.

Finance Director Tom Dankert is requesting the remaining $75,000 be transferred from the city’s building fund. The additional $125,000 — $50,000 from the HRA and $75,000 from the city — is only needed because the state grant came in at $375,000 instead of the $500,000 city officials requested.

In other business, the council will hear an update from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.

SportsPlus

Albert Lea

Freeborn Co. Fair releases 2025 grandstand line-up

News

My Town My Music release 2025 Rochester Thaw Music Festival Lineup

Education

LeRoy’s Izabella Allison named to the Dean’s List at Palmer College of Chiropractic

Blooming Prairie

Education Briefs: Blooming Prairie A Honor Roll

News

History museum teaches appreciation for buildings, design through gingerbread

Mower County

Long awaited renovation/expansion project announced for Paramount Theatre

Mower County

City council puts pause on cannabis ordinance

Mower County

Holiday fun in works for Merry & Bright Night

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

None injured in Thanksgiving night house fire

Mower County

Austin man with history of drug convictions gets 67 months in prison for latest charge

News

Biden’s broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy

Mower County

Austin Area Foundation announces community funded grants to a record 22 local nonprofit organizations

Mower County

Photos: Holiday revelers face the cold for Hometown Christmas

Albert Lea

Albert Lea theater to present ‘White Christmas’

Mower County

Nativity display open for another year

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Nov. 18-25

Mower County

MnDOT hosts public meetings in December to help guide Minnesota State Rail Plan

News

Female racing pioneer ‘Motorcycle Mary’ McGee dies a day before documentary on her is released

Business

Local stores have a lot to offer during the holiday season

News

Dementia research and support to continue in Minnesota after Congress passes legislation

Mower County

Cold snap continues into this weekend

Mower County

County submits first project to FEMA for reimbursement related to June flooding