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Council to vote on joint letter to urge completion of trail

City News September 11, 2026

At its Sept. 14 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council will consider a resolution  to send a joint letter with Freeborn County and City of Hayward calling on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to pave the remaining half-mile gravel section of the Blazing Star State Trail.

The trail reached a major milestone in 2025 when the DNR connected the segments between Myre-Big Island State Park and Hayward, including the bridge over Albert Lea Lake. However, the DNR pulled the last half-mile of gravel from last year’s project, leaving a major obstacle to attracting more trail users  and visitors. The trail covers 8.1 miles and has been more than 20 years in the making.

The resolution and letter urge the DNR to finish the job. The Hayward City Council will also consider the resolution at its meeting on Sept. 14 and the Freeborn County Board at its meeting on Sept. 15.

Other agenda highlights:

The Albert Lea City Council will vote on a grant and loan agreement with Carrington Capital/Company of Nevada and California, owner of the Northbridge Mall. As part of the Main Corridor Urban Renewal Program, the matching grant of up to $15,200 would go toward upgrading parking lot lighting to more efficient LEDs, along with sealcoating and restriping parts of the mall parking lot.

The council will also vote on loaning $50,000 to the mall owner, at 5.23% interest over 5 years, from the city’s economic development loan fund. The city established this fund to help create and retain private-sector jobs as well as increase the tax base. If Carrington creates and retains 5 jobs through Nov. 1, 2031, then the city would forgive the loan.

In addition, the council will vote on designating Saturday, Oct. 10, as cleanup day when Albert Lea residents may dispose of certain items for free or reduced rates at the city’s Transfer Station.

How to learn more and provide input

To learn more and provide input, residents may:

  • Contact their city councilor
  • Read the agenda packet
  • Attend the Sept. 14 city council work session at 5:30 p.m. and regular meeting at 7 p.m. on the top floor of City Hall, 221 E. Clark St.
  • Watch the Sept. 14 meeting online