Changes ahead for highways, business makeup

The city of Cromwell is prepping for major roadwork on Minnesota Highway 210, scheduled to begin next year.

Last week, Mayor Sharon Zelazny summarized a variety of projects coming up over the next couple of years. The 210 project, set to begin in the spring of 2022, will include crosswalks and sidewalks, better lighting and improved drainage.

The project will be inconvenient but also a boon to the small town in western Carlton County, as the intersection of highways 210 and 73 is the beating heart of Cromwell and the area around it.

With just 245 residents, Cromwell has a small footprint but serves as the service center for several organized and unorganized nearby townships. Since the city relies heavily on property taxes, it's always facing budget constraints because relatively few residents and businesses shoulder the costs of running a city serving a much broader area. The city's current property tax levy brings in $125,000 annually. The city also received $30,000 for local government aid last year. With these are proceeds from the municipal bar and liquor store, and sewer and water fees. The budget allows for three full time city employees.

On the southeast corner, the Cromwell Self Serve sells gasoline, propane, groceries and hosts a kitchen that makes pizzas along with other take-home meals. Across the street, to the west, is the Cromwell-Wright K-12 school, a major employer and educator. On the northwest corner is the successful On Site company that rents porta-potties and cleans septic systems. And what was once the Trolley cafe and then a competing gas station and grocery is now the city's trusty food shelf, bustling with customers each Friday afternoon.

Just up the road on Highway 73, the Villa Vista complex combines skilled nursing, assisted living and apartments, and is the city's second-largest employer after the school. In addition, the city offers a post office, an on- and off-sale city-owned bar and liquor store, the Cromwell Medical Center (with seven employees including two doctors and a nurse practitioner), and Hair It Is! (the longest-lasting commercial business on the strip).

Cromwell offers recreational opportunities as well. There is a playground and a park pavilion with a full kitchen that hosts city council meetings, community club meetings and fundraising events, the monthly Ruby's Pantry, yoga classes, quilting weekends, graduation parties, weddings and more. Horse shows and volleyball take place in warmer months, and an ice rink The next two years will bring big changes to the small city.

Although the Minnesota Department of Transportation will oversee and pay for the Highway 210 project, Zelazny and the city council are seeking grant money to improve city services and amenities. They are pursuing a MnDot Local Partnership Program grant to construct a multi-use trail for walkers and bikers between Villa Vista and the 210-73 intersection. City officials are also pursuing a loan/grant for amenities such as street lighting and boulevard trees and submitting a grant proposal for Pavilion Park improvements. Zelazny is optimistic about the project prospects, led by city council members she praised. "They are invested in serving. They always come prepared to meetings," Zelazny said. "They read everything I send to them. They are good, level-headed decision-makers, and they sincerely care about the city."

City leaders are also encouraging new businesses. Several are on the docket. A local couple plans to build and operate a new restaurant. Another couple is planning a 30-unit apartment building for people age 55 and older that will include a coffee shop. A separate building will house the Cromwell Clinic and Marcia Pocernich's physical therapy operation. The old Co-op store, used most recently for a resale business, is under new ownership. The former hardware building is slated to re-emerge as a business.

Cromwell, like other area cities, received Covid-19 pandemic relief money that can be used for multiple projects. The mayor and council hope to use the latest relief money for infrastructure investments including water and sewer projects.