Olmsted County Seeks Consultant for Former Seneca Foods Site
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Olmsted County has decided to seek outside help in determining the future of the former Seneca Foods site in southeast Rochester.
The decision follows an unsuccessful process launched in February of this year after it was announced that Olmsted County had received an offer to purchase at least a portion of the property adjacent to Graham Park. That offer prompted the county board to solicit interest from other parties.
This led to a closed session in April, during which elected officials reviewed two proposals. Following the meeting, commissioners announced they had decided not to pursue either offer.
READ MORE: Prime Rochester Site Left in Limbo After Proposals Rejected
A news release issued Friday says Olmsted County will post a “Request for Proposals” seeking a qualified consultant to help shape the future of the Seneca Foods site. The posting will go live next Tuesday, with applications due by September 19.
County officials say the selected consultant will “analyze and evaluate options for the site.” The analysis will consider “market conditions, zoning and entitlement status, financial projections, development potential, and alignment with organizational goals.”
The release also notes that the consultant will be required to incorporate a strong community engagement process to ensure residents, stakeholders, and the county board are actively involved. Workshops and other innovative approaches are expected to be used to gather input.
Olmsted County acquired the 10-acre property in 2019 after Seneca Foods announced it was closing its canning facility. The site, which includes the historic “Ear of Corn” water tower, was purchased for $5.6 million. The county later spent approximately $1.1 million demolishing the former canning plant and restoring the landmark water tower.
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Gallery Credit: Samm Adams
