The Mankato Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of CY10‑26, a conditional use permit and certificate of design compliance for a full‑block mixed‑use redevelopment on South Front Street that would add roughly 160 apartments, retail and a shared parking ramp; council consideration is scheduled for April 13.

City Manager Arndt highlighted a supportive-housing groundbreaking, a new housing land trust, transit ridership gains, a reverse-osmosis pilot for the water plant, airport funding wins and multiple infrastructure projects in his annual report to the Mankato City Council.

The council approved awarding bids for the historic Kern Bridge relocation and rehabilitation after staff reported the low construction bid of $8,381,848 and a total project cost increase to roughly $10.5 million. MnDOT will provide federal funds covering 80% of construction; the remainder will come from a state DNR grant, sales-tax-eligible local*