ELK RIVER STAR NEWS SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026 | 15
PROGRESS 2026
Elk River outlines 2026 projects, development plans
Downtown work, event center upgrades and new businesses highlight upcoming year
BY CAL PORTNER City of Elk River Administrator
The City of Elk River is advancing a range of infrastructure, development and community projects in 2026 aimed at supporting growth and improving quality of life for residents and businesses.
Downtown Improvements: The City Council is moving forward with reconstruction of downtown parking lots, with work scheduled for completion this summer ahead of the Riverfront Concert Series and farmers market season. Planning also continues for the Downtown Redevelopment Plan, currently slated for 2027. That phase is expected to include street, sidewalk, utility and curb improvements along Main Street and Jackson Street.
Furniture and Things Community Event Center: Improvements at the Furniture and Things Community Event Center are nearing completion, including upgrades to the field house, known as“ The Yard.” Construction is underway on a new vestibule entrance, and commercial fabric curtains are scheduled to be installed this spring. The upgrades are intended to
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An aerial view of downtown Main Street shows angled parking, a mix of brick and painted storefronts, and mature trees lining the sidewalks. The City Council is moving forward with downtown parking-lot reconstruction, with work scheduled for completion this summer, and planning for the Downtown Redevelopment Plan, slated for 2027, including street, sidewalk, utility and curb improvements along Main Street and Jackson Street.
expand the facility’ s ability to host events, including the Big Lake High School prom on May 2. Planning is also underway for a westward expansion of the parking lot, with bid documents in development.
Northbound Liquor Store: The city’ s new Northbound Liquor store remains in the construction document phase. Bid documents are expected to be released in April.
Fire Station 1: The project remains on hold as the city awaits land acquisition and state legislative action.
On Jan. 28, the City Council unanimously approved seeking an amendment to the city’ s local sales tax. Rep. Paul Novotny has agreed to carry the bill in the Minnesota House, with final approval tied to a local vote this November. If approved, the amendment would allow the city to fund additional Fire Station 1 capital improvement costs within its existing 25-year, half-cent sales tax authorized in 2018.
Wastewater Treatment Plant: The city is upgrading equipment at
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Key numbers, dates and milestones
Downtown Improvements
• Downtown parking lot reconstruction expected to be completed this summer( 2026).
• Downtown Redevelopment Plan slated for 2027; planned street, sidewalk, utility and curb improvements along Main St. and Jackson St. Furniture and Things Community Event Center
• Field-house upgrades(“ The Yard”) nearing completion; new vestibule entrance underway.
• Commercial fabric curtains scheduled to be installed this spring( 2026).
• Westward parking-lot expansion planned; bid documents in development. Northbound Liquor Store
• Construction-documents phase; bid documents expected to be released in April 2026 Fire Station 1
• On hold pending land acquisition and state action.
• Jan. 28, 2026: City Council unanimously approved seeking an amendment to the city’ s local sales tax; Rep. Paul Novotny to carry the bill in the Minnesota House; local vote scheduled for November 2026 Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Equipment upgrades: screw presses
the wastewater treatment plant, replacing screw presses with centrifuges used to separate biosolids. Construction is expected to begin in early April and continue through late fall or early winter. Wastewater operations will continue during the project using a temporary dewatering system. replaced with centrifuges; dewatering improvements.
• Construction to begin in early April 2026; project expected to run through late fall or early winter 2026 – 27.
• Operations will continue with a temporary dewatering system. Residential developments
• Capstone Specht Farm subdivision: 80 homes; connection to Highway 10; building sites expected by late summer to early fall 2026.
• Meadowsweet Bend: first-phase utility installation completed in 2025; paving scheduled for spring 2026. Residential developments
• Kwik Trip: break ground planned for May 2026 on a new convenience store and gas station west of the Westbound Liquor Store; Fox Haven lots purchased in 2025 \.
• Les Schwab Tire Center opened in March
2026.
• MC’ s Pub opened in March 2026.
• Casey’ s Convenience Stores purchased Ralphie’ s Minnoco in late 2025; permit to relocate the existing sign to the site with interim branding. Regular updates
• Residents can follow project updates on the city’ s website or social media channels.
Residential Developments: Construction is underway on multiple housing projects across the
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