Wright County Gets $867,000 Boost For Downtown Redevelopment

BUFFALO (WJON News) -- Wright County is getting some state grant money to redevelop its old government center site.  The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has awarded the county $867,000  for asbestos abatement and demolition on the 6.8-acre site in downtown Buffalo.

The former gas station, courthouse and jail site will be redeveloped into 16 single-family patio homes, two market-rate apartment buildings with a total of 201 units, 18,00 square feet of commercial space, and a public marina.

Wright County is anticipating the project will create 52 jobs, and increase the tax base by over $867,000.  There is $53.5 million in private investment in the project.  Wright County is also providing matching funds.

Tuesday's announcement by DEED included a total of nearly $2.3 million for five site redevelopment and demolition projects statewide.  The other projects are in Rogers, Roseville, and two in St. Paul.