Port Authority OKs $1 million for riverfront land

WINONA, Minn. – The Port Authority voted to buy riverfront property at the old Michael’s Lighting factory for $1 million. The Authority has been acting as a middleman for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to acquire the two-acre site. The Fish & Wildlife Service plans to build a 6,000-square-foot building for its regional headquarters and a visitor center. The purchase also is a furtherance of the proposed Riverfront Trail walking and biking path project down the riverfront to the Far East End.  The city already has a $7 million state commitment for the trail, mostly for a foot bridge over the Winona Marina entrance.

Contentious deal

The Port Authority is empowered to use public funds for property acquisitions that can be expected to generate economic activity. The acquisition of the Michael’s Lighting property, however, has raised eyebrows. The Michael’s property, being acquired for the $1 million is, is valued on tax rolls at only $440,000. To be sure, there also are appraisals at $800,000 — but still less than $1 million. Supporters of the deal say the Riverfront Trail will be a tourism magnet. Also, the deal keeps the U.S. Fish & Wildlife regional office in Winona. The office been in the downtown Exchange Building.