Cleanup Near Completion, Future Still Unknown for Former Verso Site

SARTELL -- Nearly three years since demolition work on the former Verso Paper mill site began, questions loom as to what the future holds.

The 70-acre site was bought by AIM Development back in 2013.

Sartell Planning and Community Development Director Anita Rasmussen says there are still a few loose end the property owner is addressing on the cleanup.

"The site itself still has some work that needs to be done, like clean up and stabilizing the site," says Rasmussen.

A two-story office building is the only part of the complex still standing, which Rasmussen says is currently for sale.

She adds the city will continue guide AIM Development with the remainder of the cleanup and when ready help decide the best way to develop the site.

"I think there are opportunities for redevelopment and those are some of the things we are looking at as we go through the comprehensive plan process and if we go a step further and do redevelopment on the site," says Rasmussen.

The mill has been vacant since 2012 after it was destroyed by a fire and explosion.