Kelly Manufacturing



National & World Ag News Headlines
Last Farm in Minneapolis Area to be Sold
USAgNet - 09/22/2017

The last working farm in Bloomington could become the site of the 2023 World's Fair. The Minnesota World's Fair Bid Committee announced Wednesday that if the state wins Expo 2023, it will be held on a 59-acre property nestled between the Mall of America and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge that has been owned by the same family since 1932.

During a joint meeting Tuesday of the Bloomington City Council and the city's Port Authority, officials voted to buy the Kelley farm property, also known as the Spruce Shadows Farm, for $32.3 million as a possible Expo site, reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Developer Ryan Cos. has been selected to consult on the property's potential to host the Expo. To buy the property, the city will use mostly liquor and lodging tax revenue designated for development of the South Loop district where the Kelley farm is located.

The family decided in 2015 to put the land up for sale.

"The Port Authority and council are excited about the project," said Port Authority Administrator Schane Rudlang, who noted that Tuesday's vote was unanimous.

The Twin Cities is one of three finalists to host the World's Fair, along with Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Lodz, Poland. The winning city will be chosen on Nov. 15.

Organizers said that the event, to be held May 13 to Aug. 13, 2023, will draw 150,000 visitors per day and generate an economic impact of $4 billion. By comparison, this year's Minnesota State Fair had an average daily attendance of 166,400 people.

Along with the city, the Mall of America is a site partner for the local bid committee. The mall owns property north of the farmland, mainly used for overflow parking, that would likely be needed for the event.

This year's World's Fair, Expo 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan, ended on Sept. 10. The last U.S. city to host a World's Fair was New Orleans in 1984.


Other National Headlines
Real Wisconsin Cheese Curds
Riverside Plastic Inc./RSI Calf Hutches
Copyright © 2024 - Farms.com. All Rights Reserved.