RACS authorizes property buy on Connors Point

Superior’s Connors Point Industrial Park may not look it, but it’s full.

That’s about to change.

Superior’s Redevelopment Authority approved purchasing about 40 acres of land from Don Bergholm, a businessman who owns the old Meehan dock on Connors Point. The land is primarily north and west of the dock.

If approved by the Superior City Council on Tuesday, the price tag for the future development sites is $800,000.

“I think it’s a very fair price,” said Port and Planning Director Jason Serck. “Our appraisal actually came in a little bit higher than that. His appraisal came in around that.”

Serck said the city has been in the process of evaluating its property and realized it needs additional property.

The sites, which would be available for industrial development, already have sewer, utilities and roads, and the land is in a designated tax increment finance district.

“There will not be any improvements that we have to make,” Serck said. “The sewers have excellent capacity; we’ve got a lift station down there.”

A general obligation promissory note, to be repaid through the TIF district, has been approved already by the Superior City Council to finance the purchase.

“We have considerable interest in Connors Point,” said Mayor Bruce Hagen. He said by purchasing the land, the city will have contiguous ownership of the property, which is an advantage for the city.

“It allows us to develop a marketing plan,” Hagen said.

Connors Point is where Exodus Machines is expanding its manufacturing facility to ramp up production of its material handling machines to meet the demands of its alliance with heavy equipment giant Caterpillar.

It’s also home to AMI Consulting Engineers, which specializes in marine engineering. The company moved to Connors Point, which gave the company direct access to the bay for dive services it provides.

“I’ve also talked to Chad Scott (president) at AMI Engineers and they’re looking at some opportunities for that area under the bridge.”

If the council approves the purchase, Serck said, the city plans to close on the sale by the end of the month or in early December.

The council considers the purchase at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room 201 of the Government Center.

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