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Business boom, construction on horizon for Montrose By Liz Hellmann, Staff Writer The sleepy little town on the western edge of the Twin Cities metro area – Montrose – is starting to wake up in a big way. More than doubling its size in the last five years, Montrose is heading into an era of more homes and new business opportunities. Just ask Montrose native and longtime mayor, Charlie Nelson. “We have been planning for the growth, and we hit the ground running,” Nelson said. When Nelson took over as mayor in 1999, Montrose had fewer than 300 homes. Today, it has more than 1,500. “We are, roughly, building 120 homes a year,” Nelson said. “And there is finally some business interest.” Residents can expect to see fast food restaurants, a grocery store, hotel, and hardware store moving into town in the next couple years. Although these businesses are not yet contracted with developers, what is certain is the serious interest they have in building in Montrose, according to Nelson. Other additions to the community will include senior living, a new water tower, and a 20-acre park. The old water tower in Lions Park will be coming down to make way for a new one to be built on the south side of town. “It’s too bad, because I remember climbing that water tower when I was young, to cool off,” Nelson laughed. Planning payoff To stay on top of all of this change, Nelson has learned to think ahead to the future. “One of the first things that happened when I became mayor is we adopted a comprehensive plan for the city, a land use plan, subdivision plan, and a planning and zoning ordinance,” Nelson said. Nelson likes to consider how the decisions the council makes will affect the town in 20 years. Right now, the city is planning on updating the three main intersections on Highway 12 to prepare for increased traffic levels. Reconstruction on Buffalo Avenue (Wright County Road 12) is finished within the City of Montrose. Improvements include adding turning lanes and widening roads by Clementa Ave., Zephyr Ave., and Wright County Road 25. “It’s just a question of which one gets filled in first,” Nelson said. Planning for a new city hall and public works facility has also begun. The Montrose Economic Development Authority is expanding as it concentrates on commercial and industrial growth, with many prospective businesses on the horizon. Nelson also attributes much of the city’s success to the many volunteers who serve in organizations, as firefighters, and on committees. “We are very proud of them,” Nelson said. Montrose offers ways to get moving But even though the landscape of Montrose is changing rapidly, the small-town friendliness remains intact. “Whenever I go for a walk, there are people on the street. It’s a great way to meet people and say ‘hi,’” Nelson said. One of the reason so many people are walking around in Montrose is its extensive trail system. Paved paths and sidewalks connect almost every road in town, wind in and out of the new developments, and stretch a mile and a half north of town. The trails will eventually connect all the way to Buffalo to the north, and Waverly to the west. “We are very proud of our trail system,” Nelson said, who enjoys biking them himself. Montrose offers another way to get out and enjoy nature, with its parks. At least five parks are located in town and offer playgrounds, picnic areas, softball, baseball, soccer fields, tennis courts, and a skate park. Another 20-acre park is in the works on Clementa Ave. It will go along with yet another new development going up this year, White Tail Ridge.
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