by April Scheinoha
Editor
Thief River Falls Mayor Mike Lorenson reflected on the work happening in city departments Friday, April 10 during his annual State of the City address at City Hall.
Lorenson reported the city remains in a strong financial position. He said Moody’s continues to rate the city’s financial position as AA2. Standard & Poor’s has reaffirmed the city’s rating as AA due to its strong reserves, stable operations, and reasonable and responsible financial management.
Electricity is among the services provided by the city. In 2025, the city replaced aging wood poles and streetlights along First Street East. In addition, aging oil-filled switchgear were replaced with modern underground switchgear. A feeder circuit upgrade is also underway that will replace aging primary cable, improve electrical system diversity and reduce outage restoration times.
Water is another service provided by the city. At the Water Treatment Plant, the city plans to upgrade its raw water intake structure, including the replacement of pumps and controls. The last major upgrade was completed in 1972. The power-activated carbon feed system will also be modernized, and the Water Treatment Plant roof will be replaced.
Lorenson said the Water Systems Department is also working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to complete the city’s five-year wastewater discharge permit.
Public safety is a high priority for the city. Lorenson said the city has an Insurance Services Office rating of 4 due to the fire department’s strong performance related to fire suppression, emergency response and emergency preparedness. Last year, the department’s response saved more than $14.5 million worth of property.
Collectively, firefighters had about 1,500 hours of training in 2025. The department’s Fire Academy provided training to 30 firefighters from Thief River Falls, Goodridge and Middle River last year.
The Thief River Falls Police Department also serves the city. Each month, it responds to 400 to 600 calls per month. In 2025, it restarted its K9 program after the death of K9 Max. The K9 team includes K9 Banner and his handler, Wayde Jensen.
The Public Works Department remained busy in 2025. In addition to maintaining more than 67 miles of roads, 23 miles of pedestrian trails and 14 miles of alleys, the department oversaw the reconstruction of a section of First Street in 2025. Improvements were also made to the Ole Engelstad Park tennis courts and basketball court. Roofs at both the Thief River Falls Public Library and Falls Liquor were replaced as well. Remodeling projects were finished at the library and City Hall.
However, more work is expected at City Hall in the future. The building’s 30-year-old HVAC system is failing.
Kitty-corner to City Hall is Falls Liquor. Besides replacing the roof on its building in 2025, Falls Liquor expanded its selection of products. It continues to provide revenue to support city services. Lorenson said Falls Liquor and city leaders continue to evaluate a future store expansion project.
Housing continues to be a significant challenge for the city. A 2024 city housing study projected the need for 1,100 to 1,300 housing units by 2035. A small dent was made in that projected need in 2025. Last year, the city approved rezoning a parcel near Sanford Medical Center for a 65-unit apartment building. Tax Increment Financing was also granted for that building. Construction is expected to begin this year.
The council also rezoned Sanford Medical Center’s property at 324 10th St. E. and 921 Atlantic Ave. N. The vacant building will become Sanford Ambulance’s new ambulance garage.
Arenas also fall under the city’s purview. One of the most well-known developments there involved the Northern Lights hockey team. Oak View Group and the city are working with the team, which may start playing at the arena during the 2026-27 FPHL season.
In addition to that development, Oak View Group secured a long-term agreement for Super Saturday high school basketball at the arenas. It also secured a multi-year agreement with the Takedown Club for its wrestling events.