Cost to move business a concern

The cost for a Little Falls business owner to expand his business in the Chief Hole-in-the-Day Business Park is more than the owner initially anticipated.

The Little Falls City Council in its planning meeting Monday discussed the owner's concern about the increased cost.

Ken Witucki, owner of Valley Hardwoods, was concerned with land and assessment costs, as well as future costs to pave abutting streets. The property is surrounded on three sides by 1,300 feet of public streets.

City Administrator Richard Carlson said staff cannot recall any other commercial property in the city that is surrounded on three sides by public streets.

The city initially set the cost for the 4.3 acres of property at $71,620 for the land and water and sewer assessments. Carlson said the land, water and sewer costs, plus adding asphalt to abutting streets, could cost anywhere between $133,300 to $149,220.

Carlson said Tuesday that the city offered to sell different lots to Witucki. The city will discuss the issue further at its next planning meeting Monday.

Witucki currently operates his business from a building at his rural residence south of Little Falls. He is requesting to expand to a 20,000-square-foot facility, add six to 12 employees and pay $9 to $10 an hour plus benefits and health insurance.

In other planning business, the council agreed to allow the owners of Little Explorers Daycare to expand their business to the North Bluff Business Park. They are looking to buy a 1.4-acre lot for $33,662.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.