Tractor Supply Company coming to Merrill, The Loft Apartments undergo renovations

TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

During the April 19, 2022, meeting of the Common Council, the new and reorganized City Council approved a resolution to provide an additional $50,000 incentive payment to the current owner (MEND Merrill LLC) of the former Piggly Wiggly store at 3402 E. Main St. in Merrill, which closed in June 2019 and has been vacant ever since, upon the completion of construction of a new 3,672-square-foot greenhouse to the west of the existing 25,697-square-foot building along N. Pine Ridge Ave. This is in addition to the $75,000 incentive payment which will be payable after the repair/replacement of the roof on the former Piggly Wiggly building which was approved in Oct. 2021 and will be payable upon the completion of those repairs.

These incentives are part of an agreement with the developer who purchased the building and will invest approximately $600,000 in renovating the building and another estimated $450,000 to construct the greenhouse. In addition to roof replacement, renovations to the building will include installing new HVAC with high efficiency, updating the restrooms with new and touchless fixtures, building a pet wash room, installing all new LED lighting, painting interior and exterior of building, removing the tile floor and grinding and polishing the concrete floor, removing all cooler pads and replacing with new concrete, building a new manager office, installing a new fire alarm and security system, installing a new overhead door, resealing and restriping the parking lot, installing a propane tank for customer sales area, and installing a fenced outdoor display area.
Once construction and renovations are completed, the developer will lease the building and greenhouse to Tractor Supply Company, bringing a new business and more jobs to Merrill. Tractor Supply Company is anticipated to open sometime this summer of 2022 in that location.

The Council also approved the Community Development Committee’s recommendation to subordinate The Lofts at City Hall’s development loan of $200,000 to Fortress Bank for up to $800,000. After discussion, it was determined this will enable the current owner to obtain additional financing from Fortress Bank for continued apartment renovations. The City is not granting any additional funding but simply agrees Fortress Bank will have first place in terms of loan priority.

Mark Rein, the owner of The Lofts at City Hall, has been working locally with Lincoln Windows to have custom windows built for the historic property, as each window is a custom size. All the windows will ultimately be replaced, and Rein is renovating each apartment as it becomes vacant. Alderman Paul Russell reported renovations in 6 of the 16 apartment units have been completed.

The apartments rent at affordable housing rates, and this is an area of great need in the Merrill community.