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North Branch City Council is hosting a public hearing concerning a multi-million dollar project covering the northwest old town area of the city December 6.  The public has an opportunity for input and will learn about the proposed projects with the hearing beginning at 7 p.m. at city hall.

Northwest Old Town is facing a comprehensive rebuilding of aging infrastructure and in some cases introduction of improvements like stormwater controls, over a large area (see map.)

When staff is able to see actual bids, this will better refine costs but at this time the work is expected to be around $5.5 million.  Of this $539,000 is planned to be assessed (paid for by benefitting properties.)

Not all the council is on-board to do the projects immediately and there was discussion last week on delaying this. 

The concern about the state proceeding on improvements scheduled for 2027 for Highway 95 that would conflict with accessing the northwest neighborhood—was addressed by administrator Matthew Hill, who told council MNDOT has pushed #95 back to 2029.  

This hearing is a first step in a process allowing for assessment.  The city is also applying street fund monies, state aid, using watermain and sanitary sewer funds to cover expenses of the projects that are tied to the designated accounts.

Pending the discussion at the December 6 hearing council expects to vote on authorizing the development of plans and specs at the following Dec. 9 city council meeting. 

The plans would be adopted sometime in February 2026 and go out for bidding, with award of bids by May.  

The work is scheduled to be done  over summer with substantial completion by October 2026.

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