Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce members learned at its monthly luncheon held March 19 about major projects that have commanded the city’s focus in the past year, along with what is planned in the near future.
Mayor Kirt Briggs and City Manager Jason Wedel conducted an hour-long “State of the City” information session held at Prior Lake City Hall and focused on current and upcoming development projects, street improvements, changes within the fire and police departments, park plans and topics being discussed in the current legislative session that could impact Prior Lake.
The city’s landscape could look significantly different going into 2026.
The local Economic Development Authority recently purchased the property located at 4556 Colorado Street on the southwest side of the roundabout on County Road 21 which will connect it to neighboring parcels slated for commercial development. Briggs said that initiative will provide “more nimbleness” in giving the EDA the opportunity to make decisions related to future development more quickly, and future proceeds coming when the lots are sold will go back into the development fund to support more business growth in the future.
Elsewhere in the downtown area, the long-awaited apartment building/restaurant project located next to city hall is still on the docket, as is demolition of the former T-Shirts and More building to make way for “Chula’s,” a new Mexican-Latin restaurant.
A Valvoline Oil Change service station has been approved for construction along Highway 13 next to Tractor Supply, and a childcare center is being considered for the adjacent property. The former Burger King building has been purchased, and while renovation has begun, the business occupying that space has not been identified.
New residential development will include the Jeffers Pond Apartments comprised of 140 units, Aspen Ridge with 40 new homes, Residences at Crestwood along Crest Avenue and County Road 42, and townhomes constructed by Habitat for Humanity near the Ponds Athletic Complex.
Wedel said one of the largest gains for Prior Lake came in securing annexation rights to 1,900 acres currently in Spring Lake Township. While the homes are located along the south shore of Spring Lake, much of the acreage acquired by the city is west of the lake and runs up to the border with Sand Creek Township. The city manager added the annexed area will be used for future commercial and industrial development.
Residents living in The Wilds will see a major road construction project running through the community this summer on Wilds Parkway. Many of the streets within the development were improved in recent years and the parkway was left until the project’s end so heavy equipment would not damage new improvements. The project will be extensive and include grinding down the existing pavement, removing it and replacing the roadway with new pavement.
Emergency response, city staffing
Departments dedicated to public safety experienced great change in 2024. The city’s full-time fire department now, on average, arrives at the scene of a fire in 6 minutes and 39 seconds. More than 2,000 calls were answered by the department in 2024 and units generally leave the station approximately 60 seconds after a fire call is received, according to Wedel. A new full-time assistant chief/fire marshal was hired in December, and a firefighter was promoted to fire captain.
Wedel said the Prior Lake Police Department has handled numerous reports of “crypto crimes” in recent months involving local residents getting scammed out of money. The department recently received approval from the council to use a drone for search and rescue operations, and keep tabs on large public events and high risk operations. The new technology will also help in locating lost children and vulnerable adults.
Wedel and Briggs said much additional staffing was needed in 2024 for the fall elections. A total of 22,655 local residents voted as part of the General Election, with nearly 9,400 absentee votes cast within the 90 days preceding Nov. 5. A total of 6,174 hours were worked by election judges and early voting mandates, while unfunded, cost the city close to $150,000.
Future planning
Both city officials expressed concern over several housing bills currently being considered by the legislature. Back again this year is a bill that would seriously curtail the city’s ability to enforce current zoning regulations, thus opening the door for nearly anything to be built on undeveloped land despite current zoning designations.
The presentation to chamber members concluded with the city’s plan to prioritize future park improvements. Upgrades could include upgrades to Spring Lake Park, Lakefront Park, neighborhood parks and the trail system running from County Road 42 to the downtown area, all at a total cost of $60 million. City officials estimate a total of $115 million would be needed if every public park and trail were to be upgraded. Additional resident surveys will be conducted in the future to determine which improvements should rank highest on its priority list.
