SARTELL ― The Sartell City Council approved a purchase agreement for 167 acres along Fourth Avenue South last October. An amended purchase agreement approved Monday included the former Verso Paper Mill site.

If the purchase agreement is also approved by land owner AIM Development LLC both parties will have 60 days to meet the proposed conditions and proceed to closing. 

Sartell has been working with AIM Development LLC for years to prevent the former Verso landfill site from reopening as an industrial landfill given its location in Sartell and its proximity to the Mississippi River.

The city of Sartell intends to either exhume or close the landfill, plat the land and sell the property for future development to recoup purchase costs, according to a press release. The properties will be held by the Sartell Economic Development Authority.

The future of the Verso Paper Mill site is unknown at this time and will be dependent on environmental reviews and development interest. Obtaining ownership is the first step in what will likely be a multi-year redevelopment of a core property within the city, the city said.

Becca Most is a cities reporter with the St. Cloud Times. Reach her at 320-241-8213 or bmost@stcloudtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter at @becca_most. 

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