About half dozen businesses in the Superior are being forced to relocate all or parts of their operations to make ways to the next $ 1.8 billion Blatnik bridge.
On Tuesday, the city’s Supreme Council adopted a resolution by approved an agreement between the city’s redevelopment authority and the Superior Lidgerwood Mundy. The company is buying property in one of the city’s industrial parks as part of a project approximately $ 19 million. The site will host a 68,000 -square -foot building to shelter the business, which is being forced to move from the city’s waters to replace the bridge.
The company designs and produces large mechanical systems to raise heavy loads. Jason Serck, city planning, economic development and port director, told council members that the company has about 150 years of experience. The Superior Business was formed in 1947, but its roots return to the 1860s and 1870s.
“This is a shift project. Lidgerwood was not, more or less prepared for this, and that’s something that has been difficult for them,” Serck said.
As part of the deal, the company will pay about $ 788,000 to buy the land, and the city will provide up to $ 1.8 million in tax growth grants.
“While there is certainly an incentive, we want to attract businesses and help them locate when we can,” said Supreme President Jim Paine.
The president of the company did not return the requests for comment on Wednesday. Paine said the project aims to maintain the existing business in the Superior. Other affected businesses say they have faced challenges with relocation, including Brett Carlson, president of Twin port testing.
The company has about 20 full -time employees. He performs geotechnical drilling, engineering and testing of building materials. Testing of the twin ports was founded in Duluth more than 50 years ago, and Carlson said he is now trying to complete a deal to buy land on the west side of the city in Minnesota.
“The land is difficult to reach this area for commercial development, at least for what is our needs,” Carlson said. “I think I’ve heard this from some of the other businesses.”
Wisconsin Department of Transport told businesses that they should move until January 1, 2026. While the business was first announced two years ago, Carlson said Bratnik bridge replacing it was soon tracking after providing more than 1 billion dollars in Federal funds.
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“Even starting now, if we finish a land purchase agreement, we start construction in the spring, it is almost impossible to build an entire building,” Carlson said, adding that it is not an opportunity to buy an existing building.
John Mahan, owner of large Laka electrical equipment, said he has been operating his business for nearly 50 years in Superior.
“At this stage of my life, I especially don’t want to move,” Mahan said. “I would be just as happy to be here for another 50 years.”
While he said the city offered a possible location, Mahan said it was not acceptable to his business. Even so, he said he should remain in the superior to maintain his client’s base.
He is still negotiating with the state at a purchase price for his property. Even so, Mahan said he is likely to be forced to get a loan to buy a new site, and he will have to operate from two locations for a period of time. He said this means additional staff and operating costs for his business that currently has 14 employees.
“The bridge has to be replaced, and I just happen to be one of the victims,” Mahan said. “But it is what it is.”
Cara Hess, a spokesman for Halvor Lines, declined to comment on plans to move due to ongoing negotiations with the Wisconsin Department.
Superior Telegram reported that the main building of the truck company will remain in the Superior Sea waters, but its company Sister Halvor Logistics is planning to move to another location within the city. City officials have also started working with Allstate Peterbilt Group on plans to relocate their business.
Built in 1961, the Blatnik Aging Bridge should be replaced due to its worsening condition. It has been under load restrictions due to age, rust and erosion in its primary cases. The bridge also poses a security risk because its collision levels are 7 to 10 times higher than the nationwide averages in Wisconsin and Minnesota, respectively. Without replacement, the bridge is projected to close by 2030.
Construction is expected to start in the phase next year, and the bridge will close for four years starting in 2027.
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