Jordan EDA Considers Additional Message Boards, Triangle Lane, and Ideas for Supporting Businesses Impacted by Construction
By Jan Gilmer
The Jordan Economic Development Authority (EDA) met Aug. 4, 2025. The agenda included a discussion on the message boards placed around the city and an open discussion regarding the aesthetics of the dead trees within the Triangle Lane business area and their impact on the city.
NEW BUSINESS
The city has placed message boards, Lagoon Park and Grassman Park. These boards house the “Dine in Jordan” brochures, which provide a list of restaurants and other food sources on one side and a map to each location on the other. The brochures have also been distributed to local businesses to provide to their clients.
Staff has observed people looking at the message boards at Lagoon and Grassman parks and have received positive feedback. The EDA discussed additional possible locations for the boards. The boards help visitors and locals identify dining options and assist eateries and businesses with additional exposure.
Staff provided pictures of the existing message boards along with marketing information for both the post version and the vertical wall-mounted version. They suggested a wall-mounted version at the Mini-Met would be beneficial during games. Pauly Park, Holzer Park and the new Broadway Plaza were also suggested locations. Staff reported the “Dine in Jordan” brochure is updated quarterly.
Councilmember Pho suggested adding the website URL for Jordan events. EDA Commissioner Shaughnessy suggested adding a QR code to the brochure so people could easily access the information from their phones. The EDA approved the purchase of two free-standing (post) message boards and one wall-mounted message board.
Staff reported a concern raised at a recent Highway 169 construction meeting about the dead ash trees within the Triangle Lane business area. The city sent letters to the businesses to inform them of the concern and to remind them property owners are responsible for the maintenance and replacement of the trees. Noting the city has grant funding for ash trees, the city has offered to use the existing grant to remove and replace the dead trees at no cost to the business owner. Business owners were instructed to contact staff if they were interested. At the time of the meeting, Taco Bell was the only business that had not reached out to staff. The city will not be responsible for any sidewalk repairs due to a planned reclamation project in 2029.
A Councilmember Schuh asked if other businesses were assessed for tree replacement; staff confirmed they were.
EDA Chair Ahlbrecht suggested improving Riesgraf Lions Park by adding a playground and picnic tables for travelers to sit and enjoy their food purchases. However, the discussion recognized that with highway construction staged in the area, it would not be a good time to perform improvements.
With construction negatively impacting visits to Triangle Lane businesses, staff also suggested new banners to identify “Triangle Businesses are Open” and rope lighting to emphasize the area and help bring business there.
MANAGEMENT REPORT
General Management Updates
City Administrator Nikunen provided statistics on boosting information about the City of Jordan and events on social media, along with costs. The statistics reflect good exposure for posts such as “Upcoming Jordan Events,” “Business of the Week” and “Construction Detour – Scott County Fair,” which received multiple views at minimal expense.
Cold Storage Warehouse Update
Nikunen provided updates on the cold storage warehouse proposal, noting Council approved the pre-development agreement, preliminary plat and the variance request for the project. Staff is currently working with the developer to finalize agreements, with the hope they will be ready for Council review at a September council meeting.
The developer has applied for tax-increment financing (TIF), which is being handled by Baker Tilly on behalf of the City of Jordan. Based on the pre-development agreement, the investment for this project is approximately $74.5 million. Tom Dillon with Inland Developers indicated they have a long-term lease with the tenant, with options to expand and renewal language.
Strategic Survey Update
Results of the Strategic Survey were reviewed and discussed. The survey had 312 respondents. This information will go through additional meetings with the City Council and the EDA. The survey included hundreds of comments, which, along with the results, will help guide staff and Council to priority projects for the City.
EDA Chair Albrecht felt parking should be removed from future surveys. With growth, there may be a need to revisit it; however, the issue has been addressed for the present time. Councilmember Schuh asked if staff could provide comparisons to previous surveys.
Comments led to discussion on what the city could do to pursue sit-down restaurants. Typically, the city does not recruit specific businesses but could generate a direct-market letter to possibly generate interest. Most chain restaurants require minimum levels of traffic or surrounding population levels to justify development. Statistics on traffic in the area is available from MnDOT, while population data comes from the Metropolitan Council.
City Council Member Update
Councilmember Schuh noted that Heimatfest is around the corner, Sept. 5–6. The medallion has been hidden, with the first clue published in The Hub News. The Hub News will publish new clues every Saturday morning.
The next EDA meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, due to the Labor Day holiday.