For the second time in as many years, the state of Minnesota has awarded cleanup funds to advance plans to develop the old train depot in Ely.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will grant the city of Ely $257,817 to clean up the three-acre site, which has been contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants.
While home for decades to Ely’s train depot, the property at the corner of Camp Street and Central Avenue was last home to the now-defunct Wilderness Outfitters, and is now eyed for redevelopment.
Progress is continuing on a $3.2 million project that would renovate the property for a restaurant, brewery and outdoor event center.
According to a news release issued by DEED, the project is anticipated to create 22 new jobs, increase the local tax base by $27,368 and leverage $1.6 million in private investment.
Matching funds will be provided by the city and the developer. DEED previously awarded $312,357 in cleanup and investigation funding for this project.
Vacant for years and deteriorated to blight conditions, the property is one of many in Ely that has been purchased by the Ott family and eyed for major redevelopment.
Initial work to stabilize the main structure has begun, but the key to the project is the back side of the property, which is envisioned for an outdoor event center including stage.
The depot was built in 1889 and believed to be one of the first structures in Ely.
It operated as a train depot until the late 1960s and later served as home to Wilderness Outfitters for more than 40 years.
Drawings included with an initial presentation on the project showed a bar and restaurant with 80 seats and an expanded deck and patio on the north side of the building. A microbrewery is planned as part of the project along with a vast area behind the structure for outdoor events and concerts.
