The one thing resounding of the meetings was when we talked about strategic actions was what we term Block 29. We’ve taken action on that block. We want to continue to take action on that block. I have that as our highest priority.”

Community Development Director John Hinzman

The Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA) adopted a 2024-2025 strategic plan Thursday night that prioritizes potential projects that will take shape in coming years.
Listed as “High Priority” on the plan is redevelopment of what is referred as Block 28. HEDRA has purchased several properties on the block and plans to purchase the others. All are located on the west side of the block between Fourth and Fifth Streets.
HEDRA members expressed the opinion that redevelopment of that could coincide with the rebuild of the Vermillion Street corridor planned for 2027.
“The last couple of meetings, HEDRA has met to discuss what we should be doing over the next couple of years. We had a similar exercise a year or two ago, in which we developed a strategic plan divided into different categories and generally looking at development of underutilized sites,” said Community Development Director John Hinzman. “The one thing resounding of the meetings was when we talked about strategic actions was what we term Block 29. We’ve taken action on that block. We want to continue to take action on that block. I have that as our highest priority.”
HEDRA and City Councilmember Dave Pemble brought up the Vermillion Street project.
“We want to have the Block 28 situation squared away so we don’t want to come out of the highway rebuild and have this, whatever you want to call it, sitting there,” said Pemble.
“I would agree we would like to be in the position in which we can time the construction of that project with the construction roadwork going on on Hwy. 61 so they can get both open concurrently,” said Hinzman.
Another priority is redevelopment in the area of Westview Mall. Hinzman said that with Mint Development bringing a national retailer to a site on Pleasant Street across from the mall, that will help spur interest in the area. He said HEDRA and city staff can engage in “supporting the owner and marketing and leasing opportunities and also facilitating development of additional commercial space within the parking lot area.”
Another target in the strategic plan is redevelopment in Block 15 downtown, which Hinzman described as Third and Fourth Streets between Tyler and Ramsey Streets. Developer Luke Siewert proposed the Tyler Street Landing on the site at Third and Tyler Streets.
Hinzman said it doesn’t look like that development will come to fruition.
An extended purchase and development agreement with Siewert expires in August.
“My recommendation at this point is to let that expire. I have not heard anything from Mr. Siewert at this point. That would lead me to the contrary that the project would be feasible,” said Hinzman. “I do remain open that if something came forward, I could be swayed differently, but the conversations I’ve had which were about a month ago, I don’t see that changing. That doesn’t preclude Mr. Siewert from coming back in the future with a proposal. I think the proposal we had was great from a visual standpoint and an impact statement downtown. When you get to the development deal, it seems like that was a difficult one to finance.”
HEDRA approved the strategic plan unanimously. It also contained affordable housing initiatives as well as plans to support tourism in Hastings.