ST. PAUL — A downtown Willmar apartment project was a finalist for an award from Minnesota Brownfields, a nonprofit organization that promotes cleanup and reuse of contaminated land for sustainable development.
Block 25 Lofts was a finalist under the Economic Impact (small project) category, according to Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission .
The 2023 ReScape Awards recognizing exemplary brownfield redevelopment projects completed statewide were presented April 6 at the St. Paul Event Center. A delegation of EDC and city of Willmar officials attended as well as Ted Schmid of Lumber One, the Block 25 developer.
According to a news release from Minnesota Brownfields , the awards recognized projects in various categories including community impact, economic impact, environmental impact and innovation. Projects in Albert Lea, Duluth, Mankato were recognized along with several in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The Block 25 lofts complex remains under construction between Second and Third Streets Southwest and U.S. Highway 12 and Benson Avenue in Willmar.
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Petroleum and other contaminants had to be cleaned up at the 1.10-acre site that had been used for a variety of commercial purposes including dry cleaning, a fueling station and auto repair, according to West Central Tribune archives.
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