Jordan EDA Covers Downtown Survey, New Businesses, and $50M Development Plan
By Jan Gilmer
The Jordan Economic Development Authority (EDA) met on June 2, 2025. The main agenda item was to perform a walking survey of the downtown commercial district, in addition to Placer.ai comparisons, general updates, and councilmember and commissioner updates.
NEW BUSINESS
The last downtown commercial district walking survey was performed in July 2024. The purpose of the walking survey is to review the exterior of the business buildings and to recognize improvements that would potentially be eligible for an EDA grant and to provide business owners information about the EDA grant programs. However, due to inclement weather, the downtown walking survey was tabled.
Staff provided final Placer.ai reports of a few local businesses and nearby similar businesses for comparison purposes. The Council approved the EDA’s recommendation to not renew the Placer.ai contract at a previous meeting. Prior to the contract’s expiration, staff ran reports for McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Subway for Jordan, New Prague, Belle Plaine, and Shakopee for comparison. Staff also noted that Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store requested specific details as a final report for their business to determine if signage placed out-of-state generated additional traffic to the Jordan store and found the information valuable.
MANAGEMENT REPORT
General Management Updates:
Staff has been working with Scott County and MnDOT to get signage, such as blue highway (restaurant) information signs, in place for businesses being affected by the construction of the 169/282 intersection. McDonald’s and Holiday have complained about the construction taking business away from them. Staff is researching potential ways to assist the businesses in generating more exposure and has requested the businesses provide their weekly specials to be added to the Dine-In Jordan brochure. Staff will continue to work with the State and County agencies regarding signage. Staff believes that working with the County and MnDOT to improve the timing of the signal at the intersection has improved access to the businesses. The agencies suggested providing keychains as a marketing tool for the businesses.
Discussion between Commissioners and staff included how ongoing communication regarding the 169/282/9 construction would take place with the businesses during construction. Staff responded that City staff meets with the businesses every other month to provide updates on the construction. McDonald’s, Holiday, and Clancy’s are the regular attendees at these meetings.
The project at the schools, including the roundabouts and school buildings, started May 27th. The expected completion is this fall, 2025.
City Council approved the transition of the liquor license of Delia’s Authentic Home Flavor to the new business, All in One Delia’s Authentic Home Flavor, LLC. The liquor license was issued by the City in March 2025 and is active for 12 months. The opening of the new location is estimated for the end of July or the beginning of August.
Frankie’s Wunderbar is moving forward with the improvement of their back façade and the addition of a deck extension to provide shade to clients using the backyard area. The business has tabled the idea of repurposing the existing garage into an event center at this time. They continue to work with staff to combine the bar and garage lots into a single property.
The distillery construction is nearing completion; however, it needs to apply for State and Federal licenses before it will be able to open. They are able to apply for the licenses once construction is completed. They are hoping the licenses will be issued in time for a fall opening.
Birdies is in the process of expanding their space, with framing visible.
There is a larger development being considered out on 190th Street, on the edge of town. The County needs to approve a lot split before the development can take place. The developer plans to provide staff with preliminary plats and site plans in time for the next City Council meeting. The development, a 240,000-square-foot cold storage building on 27 acres of the Quatmann land, it would add approximately 50 jobs, with an estimated 70 truck trips per day. The plan would include the extension of Beaumont Avenue for access. The project would be Jordan’s largest to date at $50,000,000. When EDA Chair Shane Albrecht asked staff what they felt the percentage chance was for this development to reach finalization, staff responded that the developer selected the Jordan site from multiple locations, indicating the 169/282 interchange project was a major consideration. Ideally, the developer would like a September 2025 groundbreaking to meet their anticipated completion in the third quarter of 2027, aligning with the completion of the 169/282 interchange project.
The bid for the Broadway Plaza was approved. The expected completion date for the plaza is mid-August, before Heimatfest.
The parking lot behind the Xcel building is starting today, May 27, 2025, and is expected to be completed before Heimatfest.
Staff is meeting with Behr Design on June 3, 2025. Behr was awarded the bid to estimate and design the reconstruction of the façade of the old Xcel building. Public Works has been challenged in getting bids for the gutting of the building due to concerns regarding the structure. The solution may be to allow the purchaser to gut the building to meet their own needs and desired plan.
The parking lot at Strains of the Earth is expected to be completed in July. Staff highlighted the business’s thorough plan of segregating the THC and cannabis businesses with separate access points and security.
There is a new business in town, a consignment shop. The business was originally going to be an event center; however, the space did not meet the requirements for an event center, and the business owner did not want to install another bathroom.
The State Baseball Tournament and State Golf Tournament will be in held in Jordan next Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
CITY COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES
Councilmember Pho attended the Hubmen Sports Cards shop open house, which was a lot of fun. He feels it will be a well-received business for community youth and sports fans. He also attended the 169/282/9 groundbreaking ceremony.
Councilmember Schuh reminded members and the public that the Jordan Brewers Appreciation Night will be held at the Brewers game on June 26th, and the Jordan Strategic Planning meeting will be held on June 30th. She inquired as to whether there is a draft of the public survey for the EDA to review. Staff indicated the draft was still in process, but when it becomes available, it will be provided to the EDA members. The survey will also be published on the City of Jordan website and mailed to all residents in Jordan.
Councilmember Schuh asked for a status update on the open position on the EDA, to which staff indicated the position was posted on the City of Jordan website.
COMMISSIONER MEMBER REPORT
Commissioner Mack attended the Memorial Day ceremonies in Jordan for the first time. He witnessed the flag raising and heard the local representatives speak. The Jordan High School band played for the ceremony at Spirit Hill Cemetery. He said it was a very nice ceremony.
The next EDA meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2025, at 6:30.