Cobb Cook Park

The workforce housing project was dependent on state funding. Previously planned for a city park, the project location was changed at the last minute following community pushback.

KAXE covered pushback on the LGBTQ+ community, changes in rural health care delivery, a coal ash spill at Boswell Energy Center, tribal land back efforts, helium mining and more.

The site was selected after local organizers convinced the Council to change its mind about developing Cobb Cook Park. Funding from the state is required for the project to advance.

In a special meeting Monday, the Hibbing City Council and the HRA discussed an alternative site after the Council canceled the Cobb Cook Park purchase agreement.

Organizers hosted a Save Cobb Cook Park rally before the Council meeting June 26 and spoke at the meeting. Monday's meeting appears to be a reaction to their efforts.

The public has largely responded negatively to the plan to turn a Hibbing neighborhood park into 52-unit workforce housing to replace aging public housing.

Lots of parks and little housing have the city and Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Hibbing planning a new purpose for Cobb Cook Park — if funding comes through.