Oronoco Crossings Housing Project
People's Energy Cooperative is inviting qualified housing developers to submit their credentials for the Oronoco Crossings Housing Project, a residential development opportunity on a 5.25-acre parcel within the city limits of Oronoco.
For more detailed information, see the important documents below.
Press Release
To hear more from President and CEO Mike Henke and Economic Development and Key Accounts Manager Marty Walsh about the project, click below.
Request for Qualifications
People’s Energy Cooperative (“the Cooperative”) invites experienced and innovative housing developers and real estate firms to submit qualifications for the purchase and development of a 5.25-acre parcel located in Oronoco, Minnesota. The Cooperative’s goal is to partner with a developer to create a relatively dense housing project that leverages Oronoco’s new Development Flex Zoning Code, maximizes housing opportunities, and sets a standard for creativity and efficiency in residential design to inspire additional public-private development in the region.
Oronoco Crossings Housing Appendix A
At the link below you will find site details, maps, and zoning documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
People’s Energy Cooperative is not requiring the project to explicitly meet affordable housing requirements such as being affordable at a certain level of income. The intent of the project is to increase the supply of housing, having a positive impact and making housing more affordable regionally.
People’s Energy Cooperative is not requiring or restricting what type of housing can be built on this site as part of this project. The Cooperative’s goals are to allow housing developers to make proposals that they believe will result in the most beneficial project. This may include apartments, townhomes, single family homes, or other models.
All projects will need to meet the building and zoning requirements of the City of Oronoco.
No, People’s Energy Cooperative is looking to sell the property to a developer who will own or sell the land as part of the project.
People’s Energy Cooperative is not requiring the housing be available for sale or for rent, this will be determined by the developer.
People’s Energy Cooperative is not requiring or restricting solar panels or other technologies as part of this project. Solar panels would need to be approved through the normal engineering and permitting process if they were proposed.
People’s Energy Cooperative is not offering a cash subsidy for this housing project. The property will be sold at close to the amount the Cooperative has spent on the property, similar to how we sell electricity as close to cost. In addition to being consistent with our practice, the gap between market value and cost will serve as a forgivable loan, which will allow the project to receive a matching loan from Dairyland Power Cooperative, leveraging additional value to keep development costs low.
A developer may seek additional state and local programs to further lower development costs, but is not required to.
The Oronoco Crossings Housing Project is expected to pay property taxes and water/sewer use fees while not expecting to require significant buildout of infrastructure. Analysis shows the more compact the development, the more positive impact the fees and taxes will have on the city.