Melrose Council Approves Roach Development Deal, Vacates Northwest Alley

MELROSE — October 23, 2024 — Melrose City Council clears 34-unit Roach Development townhome deal and vacates a northwest alley. The council unanimously approved a development agreement with Roach Development for Lots 1 through 25 of Block 2 of Railroad West at a purchase price of $160,000, with the developer also absorbing special assessments from the Railroad Avenue road project; developer Matt Roach said the project mirrors existing Melrose properties and noted "very low vacancy" across central Minnesota facilities. The council separately vacated an unmaintained alleyway in Block 9 of the H.J. Hasc Cap's Addition, a move prompted by post-tornado questions about municipal liability for trees in the right-of-way. The board also certified $1,422.71 in unpaid solid waste bills against 10 properties through the county's special assessment process, authorized $19,555 in fire department radio replacements, and heard that 2024 building permits have reached $28.9 million — a new second-highest annual record, topping last year's $27.1 million.