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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Anoka County Authority to Consider $75,000 Demolition Needed for St. Francis Water and Sewer Expansion
ST. FRANCIS, MN (September 18, 2026). The Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will consider providing $75,000 to remove a vacant and deteriorating St. Francis house that stands in the path of a major water and sewer expansion planned for 2027.
The property is located at 23925 St. Francis Boulevard NW. County documents describe the house as a vacant, blighted structure situated where the city needs an easement to extend municipal water and sewer infrastructure north of Ambassador Boulevard.
The requested money would pay for environmental abatement, demolition and removal of debris. Officials believe the property may contain asbestos and a residential fuel tank, conditions that could complicate and increase the cost of demolition.
St. Francis is working with the property owner to secure the easement and remove the structures.
City officials are also exploring whether the house can be used for a controlled training burn conducted by the local fire district. Even if a training burn is approved, the city would remain responsible for environmental precautions and the removal of ash and other debris.
The city hopes to complete the demolition by the end of October. It must still obtain required permits from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The property is one component of a larger effort to extend St. Francis water and sewer lines from their current endpoint near Ambassador Boulevard north to 241st Avenue.
St. Francis has received state and federal allocations for the expansion, but the city cannot place the new lines inside the state highway right of way. That restriction requires the city to obtain access through private property.
County documents say the expanded infrastructure could open land on both sides of Highway 47 to housing and commercial development. Officials reported that St. Francis has already lost potential development projects because municipal water and sewer service does not extend far enough north.
The city wants its utility work completed before the state begins a Highway 47 reconstruction project scheduled for 2028. The local water and sewer extension is planned for 2027, making acquisition of the easement and removal of the house time-sensitive.
The $75,000 would come from St. Francis’ available balance within the Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy fund. County staff have recommended approval.
The authority is scheduled to consider the request at its September 22 meeting. Until the board votes, the allocation remains proposed and should not be described as final.
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