My name is Jacquel Nissen and I have been working for the City of Fridley almost 7 months now. I am currently a Junior at the University of St. Thomas working on my B.S. in Commercial Real Estate and Finance. I came into this internship hoping to learn more about city development and business relations, and in return I hoped I could leave an impact at the City of Fridley. Within a short time here, I realized my expectations would be surpassed.
I have visited close to 100 businesses through Fridley’s Business Retention and Expansion Program; to not only learn how their business works, but how the city can help them. Business retention visits have given me the chance to understand the complexities that go into so many different businesses and industries, along with working to fix any problems within the city’s control. I have been able to learn from the issues the businesses have had with the city, and work with a team at the city to solve those problems.
When it comes to development, the City of Fridley has no shortage of activity going on right now that I have been able to learn from. There’s the hazardous old BAE systems 122 acre site, that’s being redeveloped into new commercial and retail space. The old Columbia Arena Site currently being cleaned up and in the plans for a new City Hall and single family housing. There is also two multiple tenant retail buildings, an extended stay hotel, and 256 unit apartment building all in the works. I have been given a great opportunity with the City of Fridley, came at a good time, and have had some great mentors to work for.