WILLMAR — The Renaissance has arrived in downtown Willmar. With the Willmar City Council approval of the zoning ordinance establishing the Renaissance Zone District, economic development professionals hope it will usher in an era of rebirth for the zone, including new commercial and residential projects.
“We are hoping this new overlay will encourage investment and activity in the area,” said Dave Ramstad, Willmar Planning and Development director, at the May 4 meeting of the Willmar
Kandiyohi County’s only Opportunity Zone, located around downtown Willmar, provides potential investors with tax breaks while funding development or redevelopment of the neighborhood.
The goal of the Opportunity Zone is development or redevelopment, and the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission has contracted with Golden Shovel Agency to attract investors.
When former Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton released his list of the 128 census tracts chosen to
The opening of Spurs Grill & Bar in downtown Willmar took about three years longer than expected, but the wait has been worth it for owner and operator Esperanza Aydee Lopez.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Lopez. “I’m very excited to bring unique dishes to Willmar.”
Lopez, 41, has worked in food service most of her life but this is her first venture as a restaurant owner.
Located at 313 Fourth St. S.W. in a 1937-era Art Deco building known as Historic 313
