Photo by Deb Gau Marshall City Council members Russ Labat and Steven Meister talked with local residents Tuesday at a town hall meeting. The council will be holding two more public forums over the next couple of weeks.

MARSHALL — Empty storefronts and questions about development were on Marshall residents’ minds at a town hall event Tuesday night. Members of the public gathered to talk to Marshall City Council ward 2 members Russ Labat and Steven Meister in the first of three events planned over the next two weeks.

Meister and Labat said the council was bringing back town hall-style meetings with the public after the success of similar forums last year. Local residents had the chance to bring questions or concerns to council members. More town hall meetings will be held tonight and April 1 at the Marshall-Lyon County Library.

At Tuesday’s town hall, local residents asked about what the city was doing to encourage economic development. The news that the Marshall Shopko will close, taking 55 jobs with it, was one recent concern, said Al Greig. Cottonwood also lost a major employer last year when the Norcraft cabinet manufacturing plant closed.

“We need to take a good look at what we’re doing to recruit businesses,” and to find industries that would be a good fit for Marshall, Greig said.

Labat said Shopko’s closing was “a shock,” not only for employees, but for area residents who travel to Marshall to work and shop. However, he said Marshall was taking an active approach to business recruitment, with the Economic Development Authority reaching out to businesses and working to encourage development. Marshall has also worked to make sure the city has “shovel-ready” property available in the industrial park, and to keep the lines of communication open with ventures like tru Shrimp.

At the same time, Meister and Labat said there are factors outside the city’s control to consider. Retail markets are going through broader changes, for example. However, Meister said, “We have to enable citizens to be innovative.”

Residents asked what effect empty commercial buildings or empty lots on Main Street and East College Drive had on the city’s tax base.

Even with the vacancies, “We’re a little bit better than we were last year” for Marshall’s tax base, Meister said. “Everyone wishes we were better, but we’re OK.”

Council members said the city is working with private developers on possibly redeveloping the vacant property on the block near the Varsity Pub, as well as the long-vacant Marshall Hotel building on Main Street.

Marshall City Administrator Sharon Hanson said the city has been working with private entities to try and develop properties in town, and encouraging businesses to come to Marshall. While the city can’t always share details, she said, “There is definitely some interest in Marshall.”

Hanson said the Marshall community has also been taking a more regional approach to economic development. EDA Director Tara Onken has been reaching out to learn more from other regional centers like Brookings and Willmar, Hanson said.

There were also questions about upcoming city projects. Council members clarified for residents about major water treatment projects that will be starting in Marshall. Labat said there are two separate projects. One will upgrade equipment at the city wastewater treatment plant — that project is out for bids, he said. The second project will be at the Marshall Municipal Utilities water plant, and will allow MMU to pre-soften city water.

The next town hall meeting, with Ward 3 council members Craig Schafer and James Lozinski, will be held tonight. A meeting with Ward 1 council members John DeCramer and Glenn Bayerkohler will be on April 1. Both meetings will be from 7-8:30 p.m. in the community room at the library.