By Rich Larson
Dundas’ recent burst of housing and commercial activity may look like rapid growth from the outside, but Mayor Glenn Switzer says it is anything but sudden.
In an interview this week, Switzer emphasized that the more than 100 new single-family homes planned for development in the coming years are the result of long-term planning that stretches back decades. Projects such as the Stone Ridge II neighborhood and Bridgewater Heights are not new ideas, he explained, but later phases of developments that were approved 15 to 20 years ago.
“This isn’t explosive growth,” Switzer said. “This is having a plan, working the plan, and staying with it.”
The mayor credited Dundas’ comprehensive planning, consistent city leadership, and early investments in infrastructure for the city’s ability to grow steadily without straining services. Water towers, sewer and water systems, and multiple river crossings were designed with future development in mind, allowing new housing to be added without major upheaval.
Switzer also pointed to the value of diverse housing options, noting that Dundas offers everything from small starter homes to larger, newer houses alongside historic properties. That mix, he said, helps create a healthy, resilient community that can adapt as housing needs change over time.
Beyond housing, Dundas is seeing planned commercial infill along Highways 3 and 20, including new businesses and future development opportunities near Schilling Drive and Schilling Parkway. A major sewer repair project scheduled for this summer will temporarily alter traffic patterns but is expected to open up long-term access and development potential in the area.
The mayor said Dundas’ growth is also shaped by its regional location between the Twin Cities and Rochester, as well as its close cooperation with Northfield on shared projects like the Dundas Commons area and the new ice arena.
“Things don’t just happen by accident,” Switzer said. “When you plan carefully and work together, growth becomes an opportunity rather than a problem.”
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
