Sleepy Eye Mill in city's master plan

Mill envisioned as

potential for housing, restaurant, dance hall

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Restoring the Sleepy Eye Mill and the area around it is part of the City of Sleepy Eye Master Plan, Eagen Architect Fred Sabongi revealed Thursday night at a workshop at the Orchid Inn.

The mill and Sleepy Eye Lake attracted the most interest at the meeting.

"People from all over the country have heard of the Sleepy Eye Mill," Jim Hutchins said.

The mill is on the National Register of Historical Buildings, could house 22-26 apartments or condominiums, a family restaurant, sports bar, deck near the chimney, studios and a dance hall, Sabongi said.

Similar projects are under way in Olivia where an old hotel is being restored with the help of a $1.6 million grant and a large hotel in Long Prairie.

"Why is the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune doing stories about Olivia? Because things are happening there. A feature series on Sleepy Eye could also be done," Sabongi said.

"We'll work on developing the mill and street around it in future meetings," Sabongi said. "The next grant deadline is next January. Tax credits would help alot too. All you need is one major project to put Sleepy Eye on the map as a tourist destination."

Others at the meeting said Sleepy Eye is already on the map with its unique name and tie-in to the popular television series "Little House On The Prairie."

Sleepy Eye City Manager Mark Kober talked about the prospects of building a family restaurant and sports bar in Sportsman's Park on Sleepy Eye Lake. An ice fishing enthusiast said many ice fishermen on the lake talked about how much they would enjoy such an establishment.

"Right now, the lake has 200 little bars (fish houses) on it each winter," Kober said. "Many people would love to go to such a place, just for the view."

Businessman Mark Beito asked about walking paths around the lake. Sabongi said they were part of the master plan.

The Sleepy Eye water park, a $2.3 million project discussed at meetings last year, drew interest. Kober said results of a $12,000 survey by a Nebraska firm created after 60 Sleepy Eye residents were interviewed found that fund-raising efforts should not start until after the Sleepy Eye Municipal Hospital expansion project was done in 2004.

Former Sleepy Eye Councilor Earle Stevermer disagreed with the theory, saying the project should continue now. Sabongi agreed.

"You need to work on many projects so that when people come here for the water park or mill, they'll stay to visit and spend money on other things," Sabongi said.

Sleepy Eye Economic Development Director Rob Anderson said keeping the Orchid Inn open is the EDA's most important project. A $100,000 low-interest loan is available to prospective buyers.

The prospect of a grant for a buyer was mentioned. Anderson said the City of Sleepy Eye is considering buying the Orchid Inn.

Anderson said the city is working on annexing property next to the City Limits bar so a Dollar Store could be built just west of the bar. The owners of a Windom Chinese restaurant have signed a purchase agreement to buy the building that housed the former Adamo's restaurant. Plans call for the building to be refurbished and open by Sept. 1.

Sabongi talked about some of the master plan items to be discussed at the third and fourth workshops -- downtown decorative lights, benches, planters, dumpster and brick sidewalks among other things. The next master plan workshop will be held June 26.