City of Albert Lea seeks comments on proposed park for abandoned industrial site

City News October 7, 2025

City of Albert Lea seeks comments on proposed park for abandoned industrial site

From hazardous to recreational is the City of Albert Lea’s goal for a contaminated industrial site at 620 Adams Ave.

The city acquired the site through tax forfeiture after the former owner, Merrick’s of Minnesota, went bankrupt and abandoned the site in 2018. The site includes a series of buildings, some of which are structurally unsound.

The city is applying for a federal grant to clean up the site with a redevelopment goal of greenspace and parking to support a trail along the site.

“We need to protect public safety by removing the buildings that are hazardous. Before that, we need to remove asbestos, bird feces, improperly-stored cleaning supplies and chemicals in the buildings. Those materials may be seeping into soil under the buildings, which would require remediation,” said Wayne Sorensen, building official and zoning director for Albert Lea.

“With the Songbird Trail in planning stages for the former rail corridor that runs along the site, this is a great opportunity to develop a park and trailhead to support it,” he added.

Sorensen encourages the public to learn more at an open house on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 4 – 6 p.m. at City Hall, 221 E. Clark St., in the city council chambers on the top floor. City staff will be available to answer questions and provide more information.

The city is seeking public input on three options for redeveloping the site. All three options would include parking for the Songbird Trail:

Mini Park – Remove all the buildings and develop a minimal park with greenspace and parking.
Mixed Use Area – Remove the hazardous buildings and leave the three structurally sound buildings to sell to a private business for reuse. The city would develop the rest of the site into greenspace with parking and perhaps other amenities.
Full Trailhead – Remove buildings and develop a full trailhead with parking, a shelter, restrooms and other amenities. This option could also include leaving the three structurally sound buildings to sell to a private business for reuse.

The City of Albert Lea and Freeborn County have received three state grants to start developing the Songbird Trail in phases. The trail would eventually run from Front Street to Shoff Park, across Minnesota Highway 13, and to Hartland.

Residents and businesses may provide input by attending the open house or sending comments to Sorensen at wsorensen@ci.albertlea.mn.us or the Albert Lea Inspection Department, City Hall, 221 E. Clark St., Albert Lea, MN 56007. Comments are due by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3.

The City of Albert Lea will incorporate public input into the application for a $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up the site. If receiving the grant, then the Albert Lea City Council will decide on the next steps in early 2026.

For more information, including images of the three options, visit the City of Albert Lea website at https://www.cityofalbertlea.org/public-notices/.

For immediate release
Oct. 7, 2025
Media contact: Building Official Wayne Sorensen at 507-377-4340 or wsorensen@ci.albertlea.mn.us

The City of Albert Lea’s mission is to deliver exceptional services that enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.