Depot Marketplace

Location: Downtown Hutchinson, MN
Nominated by: Hutchinson Economic Development Authority

The Depot Marketplace is the result of a major redevelopment effort that occurred on a 1.585 acre site that is located on the northeast corner of Hutchinson’s historic downtown commercial district. The project was comprised of a number of elements, including: physical and environmental cleanup of the site, rehabilitation and renovation of an historic train depot, construction of a public parking lot, development of a trailhead for the Luce Line and Dakota trail systems, installation of public restrooms, and the construction of an open air pavilion that houses the local farmer’s market. The project was made possible due to a strong collaboration between the City of Hutchinson, McLeod County Regional Rail Authority, and the Hutchinson Economic Development Authority.

Over the years the site and rail operators changed hands several times before finally being purchased by the Hennepin, Carver, and McLeod County Regional Trail Authorities in 2001. Upon the purchase, the state and counties began a search for an operator of the line, but were unsuccessful. The site sate vacant and unused for over a decade before discussions started to take place regarding the cleanup and reuse of the property.

Phase II ESA was completed in June of 2012 and identified elevated levels of arsenic across the entire site, but was limited primarily to the top four feet of soil. Most of this uppermost geologic unit was comprised of fill material that was apparently imported at some point in the past from an unknown source. It is possible that the fill came from another railroad property. Petroleum contamination, in the form of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), Diesel Range Organics (DRO), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), may have originated during the century the site was used for railroad operations or possibly during a period when the site was utilized as a scrap yard. The Response Action Plan called for 14,000 tons of contaminated soil to be removed and disposed of.

The Depot Marketplace turned a highly visible, vacant and blighted property into a vibrant community gathering space. Farmer’s market attendance has more than doubled over past years and the patrons regularly express delight to the market vendors and staff. A local classic car club is regularly using the site for roll in events. Activities at the site draw both local residents as well as out of town visitors. Cleanup of the site has also resulted in a positive transformation of surrounding properties and is proving to be a keystone in the effort to revitalize the housing and commercial properties south of the project site.

Project Financing:

• City of Hutchinson
• McLeod County Regional Rail Authority
• Hutchinson Economic Development Authority
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Project Partners:

• City of Hutchinson
• McLeod County Regional Rail Authority
• Hutchinson Economic Development Authority
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
• Braun Intertec
• McLeod County Historical Society
• McLeod County Soil and Water Conservation District
• Frattalone Companies
• AMEC
• Hutchinson Downtown Association
• Hutchinson Farmers Market
• Luce Line Railroad Club
• Historic Huthcinson
• Over 15 area contractors
• Volunteers