Community Assessment

The City of Albert Lea is located along two major transportation corridors in southern Minnesota at the intersections of Interstate 90 and 35.  The community also has a local transit system that links many housing complexes with retail, key services, and employment opportunities.  A map of this system can be found in Attachment 1.  The community is experiencing healthy growth and has strong local entities that have been leading local efforts related to housing, economic development and community development.  These efforts are lead by strong local organizations including: 

            w  City of Albert Lea                w  Albert Lea Housing and Redevelopment Authority   
   w  Chamber of Commerce        w  Albert Lea Economic Development Agency (ALEDA)

Through the Chamber of Commerce, a Housing Committee was formed and is a lead entity in examining the local housing needs and serving as a catalyst to address those identified housing needs. 

The city has numerous amenities that are enticing for community members and visitors to the area.  Albert Lea Lake is a distinctive feature of the community encompassing 2,654 acres and 25 miles of lakeshore.  The lake extends towards Myre Big Island State Park covering 1,600 acres and 40% of the lake’s shoreline.  Recreational amenities include: 

            w  Albert Lea Art Center          w  Albert Lea Civic Theatre      w  YMCA

            w  Parks and Lakes                  w  Doll Museum                        w  Historic Museum

            w  Blazing Star Bike Trail

Albert Lea is leading the state in economic development efforts related to the JOBZ program.  As of February 17, 2006, the City has completed 9 projects which is the largest number of projects by a community in the entire state.  Combined these efforts will retain 105 jobs and add 153 new jobs.  This is conservative as interviews with local employers as part of the housing study note a projected 500 new jobs in the next few years.  Major shopping and industrial areas in the community include:

            w  Downtown district                       w  Northbridge Mall                  w  Skyline Mall

            w  Northaire Industrial Park             w  Southside Business District

w  Greater Jobs, Inc. Industrial Park                 

Growth Areas

Attachment 2 illustrates the housing growth areas identified by the City of Albert Lea through their 1995 Growth and Sustainability amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.  Major areas that will be targeted for infrastructure improvements will include the Stevens Street line, Garfield Avenue lift station and force main, and new construction in the Stables area.