Many projects in the works in Delano

A modern kind of renaissance is underway in Delano, as several projects take flight or get underway in the next few years.

Improvements to Highway 12

The complete reconstruction of Highway 12 – to include raising the River Bridge about 20 feet so that River Street passes underneath the highway – is on the horizon for Delano in 2008-09.

Construction will start June 2008, with major reconstruction of the river bridge, Wright County Road 30 intersection, and the corridor from County Line Road west to Rockford Avenue.

In 2009, work will continue, with the railroad bridge work taking center stage, and the roadway from Rockford Avenue north to Bridge Avenue.

Revitalizing downtown

Another piece of Delano’s future includes revitalization of the downtown area and creation of an overall streetscape.

This includes ongoing projects such as redevelopment of the old city hall building.

Working with the design team, Delano is looking to redevelop the downtown riverfront. The city has acquired properties along River Street between Bridge Avenue and Railroad Avenue to improve flood protection and create an attractive image of the downtown by developing a flood wall and public open/gathering space along the riverfront. A City Design Team worked with a design consultant to develop several concepts and ideas. The final product will be developed with the full participation of the public at large, hand-in-hand with the city.

There will also be significant entrance improvements into the downtown from Highway 12 at Bridge Avenue, amongst other improvements.

Parks are also a main focus of the city, with Central Park being the subject of a master plan. This park will feature reconstruction of ball fields in 2007, and other amenities planned for 2008-2010.

New development

Trends continue to swing toward increasing new single family developments in the west and south for the city for 2007, City Administrator Phil Kern said. Trends point to further single family home construction.

New building permits continue to climb in Delano, as permit numbers doubled from 74 permits in 2003 to 164 permits in 2004, leveling off to 91 new housing permits in 2006.

Major projects in 2007 likely will include DC Ranch and Fox Meadows.

DC Ranch is a neighborhood development to be built on the northwest part of town, featuring carriage designs on large lots, to be built by Jeff Martineau of Delano Development Partners.

Fox Meadows is single family and twin homes being offered by Donnay, located on the south side of town.

Commercial new development includes an additional Delano Crossings development, major commercial development west of town, and the new Rivertown Commercial Center, where the Jukebox Restaurant, Stein’s Barbershop, and The Bead Cellar have established business.

Several projects were completed in 2005, such as Applebees, Coldwell Banker Burnet, Intrcomm Technology, and the MacLean Law Office.

Presently, Delano’s population is approximately 5,200.