Hastings released its State of the City Address Wednesday detailing the changes and improvements made throughout the city over the last year.
A major theme in Hastings during 2021 was the number of new developments made throughout the city. Despite the ongoing pandemic, Hastings saw extensive construction that will continue through 2022.
Hastings saw the opening of new businesses, construction begin on housing developments, redevelopment to the downtown area and improvements to city roads.
In July of last year, the city council adopted a set of strategic priorities to help direct advancements of the city in the coming years.
As part of these strategic priorities, the city vowed to advance housing and economic development, as well as improve its parks and public spaces.
Delivering on its strategic priorities, the city saw a number of housing developments break ground last year.
The Heritage Ridge development began construction of 71 lots for single-family traditional and villa homes.
Community Development Director John Hinzman said the last phase of the Wyndham Hills development also broke ground last year.
New apartment building are coming to Hastings as well, as Tyler Street Landing, a 32-unit complex, was approved and the Flats on 3rd luxury apartments were also approved.
Senior housing saw major investment in 2021 as many new housing developments broke ground last year.
Construction began late last year on the Quill, a 90 affordable independent living unit located behind Schoolhouse Square.
Hinzman said progress is also being made on the Vermillion Acres development, 75 senior housing units that include dependent and memory care units.
Construction also started on the Villas at Pleasant, a 32-lot, detached townhome development, which is marketed towards seniors and empty nesters.
Growth in Hastings’ commercial and industrial sector was strong last year as well, Hinzman said during the address.
The city was able to secure a new tenant in the old Target building along Hwy 55. Fleet Farm has begun renovation of the facility and is expected to be open to customers in fall of this year.
The popular fast-casual sandwich shop Jersey Mike’s is also expanding into Hastings and is expected to open this summer at 1217 Vermillion St.
Hinzman said three land sales occurred in the Hastings Business Park last year as well.
“Quality One Woodwork began construction of a 50,000 square-foot expansion that will add another 35 jobs, Custom Sawdust completed a new office and warehouse building and Simply Secure Storage completed an addition to their facility,” he said.
The Confluence Development Project, which began in 2016 to transform the old Hudson Manufacturing Company Factory in downtown Hastings into Great Rivers Landing, is set to complete construction in fall 2022.
The Confluence will bring a hotel, banquet space, restaurant and apartments to downtown Hastings along the riverfront.
During the State of the City Address, city Finance Manager Chris Eitemiller said Hastings will continue to prioritize local road improvements into 2022.
In 2022, the city has proposed neighborhood infrastructure projects along 5th Street, Ash Street, Park Lane and Park Court, 11th Street East, Riverwood Drive and Village and segments of 13th Street, Hillside Street and Lilac Court.
Improvements include replacement of existing curbs and gutters as well as utility improvements to storm and sanitary sewers.
Along with these improvements, the city does annual pavement management to help slow the rate at which the streets wear out.
“We need to maintain our capital equipment, facilities and infrastructure — which may seem expensive now — but would be more expensive to put off or to not address these needs altogether,” Eitemiller said during the address.
Major road improvement projects from 2021 included the 15th Street reconstruction program and the Hwy 316 project.
Public Works Director and City Engineer Ryan Stempski the completed 15th Street program rehabilitated and replaced the sewer and water systems, as well as increased bike and pedestrian safety by adding a separate, full-width sidewalk to the route.
The Hwy 316 project that partnered the city with the Minnesota Department of Transportation was completed in November adding three roundabouts and a center median to the highway.
The project addressed excessive speeding and accident concerns along this major road through the city. Now with the concrete median, roundabouts and added sidewalks, Stempski said the highway is a much safer road to travel along.
As a large amount of growth came to Hastings last year, developments will continue into this new year and “2022 will be another busy construction year,” Hinzman said.
Watch the full State of the City Address on Hastings Community TV’s YouTube channel here.
