St. Cloud City Manager Veronica Miller served as the featured speaker Tuesday morning at the St. Cloud Main Street Breakfast with the Pros at the St. Cloud VFW, where she shared updates on the city’s growth, priorities, and major projects shaping the community’s future.
During her presentation, Miller provided an overview of recently completed projects, initiatives currently underway, and key developments planned as St. Cloud continues to grow.
“It was a great opportunity to talk about the projects we’ve completed, the things we’re working on now, and what’s ahead for the City of St. Cloud,” Miller said. “We have a lot of things going on—from downtown development and public safety investments to new fire stations and improvements that will support our growing community.”
Miller highlighted St. Cloud’s continued recognition as one of the Top 100 Best Small Cities to Start a Business, a distinction the city has earned for four consecutive years. In 2025, St. Cloud ranked 44th, reflecting the city’s growing reputation as an attractive place for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Among the projects discussed was a proposed public-private partnership mixed-use development near City Hall, which would include a downtown parking garage with approximately 475 parking spaces, along with residential units and approximately 16,000 square feet of commercial space designed to support downtown St. Cloud.
“We’re working on a mixed-use development right next to City Hall that will include a parking garage, commercial space, and residential units to support our downtown,” Miller said. “It’s an important project that will help bring more activity and accessibility to the heart of St. Cloud.”
Miller also addressed a topic that frequently comes up in conversations with residents — the long-anticipated St. Cloud Hotel project.
“I get asked a lot about what’s going on with the St. Cloud Hotel,” Miller said. “The city has moved forward with code enforcement action, and like everyone in the community, we want to see progress and that project completed.”
Transportation improvements were another focus as the city continues planning for future growth. Miller discussed roadway projects aimed at improving connectivity throughout the city, including planned extensions of Mutter Road, Orange Avenue, Canoe Creek Woods, and Massachusetts Avenue, along with the addition of a new east-west roadway through Stevens Plantation North.
Miller noted that St. Cloud’s growth over the past decade has made long-term planning essential. The city’s population has grown significantly, reaching an estimated 71,036 residents in 2024, compared to 58,974 in 2020 and 35,183 in 2010. She also highlighted the city’s strong economic indicators, including a median household income of $95,990 and a median home value of $413,700. The city itself covers 35.6 square miles, while the broader joint planning area spans more than 127 square miles.
Public safety remains one of the city’s top priorities, and Miller shared updates on initiatives designed to enhance emergency response capabilities. Among those efforts is the implementation of drones as first responders, allowing emergency personnel to gain rapid aerial awareness during incidents.
The city is also continuing to expand its fire rescue infrastructure. Fire Station 32 is currently being rebuilt, Fire Station 35 is under construction, and Station 36 is planned for the future as development continues across the community. In addition, St. Cloud recently secured a SAFER grant that will fund 48 new firefighters, strengthening the city’s emergency response capacity.
Another major project highlighted during the presentation is the development of the city’s Public Safety Complex on Canoe Creek Road, which will house St. Cloud’s 9-1-1 emergency communications center and Emergency Operations Center, improving coordination during emergencies and disaster response.
Miller also discussed several community improvement projects throughout the city. These include the $14.8 million 17th Street ballfields project, funded through impact fees, as well as a $500,000 upgrade to the Chisholm Park boat ramp that will repair and replace the ramp to improve water access for residents and visitors.
Additional improvements include a $200,000 upgrade to City Council Chambers, enhancing audio and video technology for public meetings, and the addition of a new shade structure at the St. Cloud Lakefront, which will feature artificial turf and sidewalks to create a more comfortable gathering space.
One of the most significant future projects discussed was the redevelopment of Hopkins Park, a $10 million investment that will bring expanded recreational opportunities to the community. Plans include a new community center, basketball court, baseball fields, soccer fields, multi-use fields, a playground, community garden, parking areas, and stormwater improvements.
Miller also noted the city’s continued focus on maintaining a high-performing government organization. The City of St. Cloud recently earned recognition as a Top Workplace for Professional Development and has received multiple national awards for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting.
The Breakfast with the Pros series, hosted by St. Cloud Main Street, provides an opportunity for local leaders and residents to connect while learning more about initiatives impacting the community.
