Building Buzz: September 2023
posted on 10.25.2023
Look for our monthly Building Buzz feature that captures noteworthy construction happenings and people of note featured throughout the month in publications such as Finance & Commerce and the Minneapolis / St Paul Business Journal.
In short, we're keeping an eye on the headlines so you don't have to.
Below are headlines of note from September 2023.
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Finance and Commerce
PROJECTS - Proposed, In Action & Milestones
Avinity Plans Conversion for St. Paul Assisted Living Facility
A Presbyterians Homes & Services affiliate plans to convert its newly acquired assisted living property in St. Paul to affordable homes for seniors and employees. Avinity, an entity related to Roseville-based Presbyterian Homes, paid $9 million for the 105-unit property at 2235 Rockwood Avenue in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul, according to a certificate of real estate value make public. The seller is StuartCo Property Management, which first opened the community in the 1990s, according to Avinity.
$13M Veterinary Clinic Proposed in Wisconsin
Ethos-Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center (e-WVRC) presented plans to the Pewaukee Plan Commission for a new $13 million, 25,704-square-foot pet hospital to replace its current facility in Waukesha. WVRC wants to build a 24-hour facility offering emergency and specialty pet care at the east side of Pewaukee Road and south of Interstate 94. The building will have space for a 50,000-square-foot addition, project plans showed. WVRC is working with Keller, Inc. to design the project and move through the city permitting process.
New Viking Lakes Apartment Project Gets Positive Reception
The Minnesota Vikings are winless on the field so far this season, but the football team's owners are unbeaten at Eagan City Hall when it comes to approvals for their latest apartment project in the city. MV Ventures, a development company owned by the Wilf family, owners of the Vikings, wants to construct 327 apartments in three buildings on part of the Viking Lakes campus near Dodd Road and Interstate 94 in Eagan. The campus includes retail, residential, hotel and office buildings, and is home to the Vikings' headquarters and training facility.
Police Operations Building Nears Construction in Apple Valley
The city of Apple Valley hopes to start construction next spring on a new police operations building near Eastview High School. The city's Planning Commission recently reviewed plans for the 25,000-square-foot building, which will rise on the former McNamara Contracting site at 14325 Flagstaff Avenue, west of Eastview High School, and south of the current central maintenance facility. Designed by Oertel Architects, the building will offer a 15,000-square-foot fleet storage area capable of holding 30 vehicles, and a 10,000-square-foot area for support and office spaces. The office and support area will include locker rooms, showers, a roll call room, offices, conference room, and storage areas.
Sick to Break Ground Next Year on Bloomington Campus Expansion
German sensor maker Sick USA has closed on the land it needs to build a 144,000-square-foot expansion of its technology campus near the Mall of America in Bloomington. Sick didn't disclose the sale price and a certificate of real estate value for the land sale hasn't been made public as of September 25. The company said its plans to begin construction in spring 2024 on part of its campus at 2601 American Boulevard East.
Wisconsin Church Finds New Purpose as Affordable Housing
St. John's Lutheran Church, one of Madison's oldest churches, is getting ready to tear down its current space and build a 10-story, 130-unit affordable apartment building. Real estate experts said the church is part of a wider trend of religious groups turning their underused property into housing to help combat a nationwide shortage.
$400M Mixed-Use Development Gets Final Approval in Wisconsin
The Wauwatosa Common Council approved Barrett Lo Visionary Development's $400 million mixed-use development near the former Boston Store at Mayfair Mall. The development is made possible through nearly $58 million in financing help from the city. Barrett Lo will build around 918 apartments and 12,000-square-feet of commercial space in three phases with the expected groundbreaking date in 2025. The project is on six acres of land, which the developer said is situated mostly across surface parking lots. Construction phases of mid-rise structures will take between 10-12 years, the developer added.
Church Plans to Convert Former LA Fitness Center
The former LA Fitness center at 2420 Cleveland Avenue North in Roseville is the latest large commercial building in the Twin Cities set to get a new life as a church. Everyday Community and Church, now based in St. Anthony, closed September 14 on the $6.4 million purchase from Reality Income Corp. in San Diego, California.
Board Considers New Visions for North Commons Park
Two design options --- a $35 million renovation and addition and a $49 million new construction plan --- have emerged for the planned North Commons Park makeover in Minneapolis, a project that could be "transformational" for the North Side, supporters say. At issue is a plan to turn the 26-acre park at 1801 James Avenue North into a hub for arts, sports, recreation and community activities. Working with Fihan Design and Architecture and Locus Architecture, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is asking the public to weigh in on the options.
59-Acre Mixed-Use Technology Hub Proposed in Wisconsin
An Illinois-based developer wants to build a technology hub on nearly 60 acres of the Pabst Farms property in the city of Oconomowoc. Wingspan Development Group, a sister company of general contractors Nicholas & Associates, presented their plan before the Oconomowoc Common Council. In March, the developer bough 59 acres of Pabst Farms immediately east of Fleet Farm and north of Interstate 94.
Developer Starts Construction of 130 Single-Family Apartments in Wisconsin
An Illinois developer in late summer broke ground on a 130-unit apartment project in Milwaukee's south suburb of Oak Creek, and developers said this will further introduce the national trend of built-for-rent housing to Wisconsin amid a tight real estate market. Arlington Heights, Illinois-based Heyday is building 22 buildings across 47 acres at the southeast corner of Puetz Road and 27th Street. Each building holds four, six or eight units in single-story ranch-style homes. Each unit will have a two-car garage. It took developers 18 months to plan and push the proposal through the city permitting process.
Construction of Luxury Couture Tower Accelerates in Milwaukee
Elected officials, organized labor representatives and developers met at the ongoing Couture tower project as a highlight of the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU) national tour at the Milwaukee lakefront. Construction of the high-rise has accelerated, and the developer said residents will move in by April 2024. Currently, the Couture concrete core is at the 33rd level of the luxury apartment tower. The concrete deck has been poured to level 30, precast panels are up to level 21 and exterior glass is up to level 16.
Blue Line Up for $18.6M in Fixes and Upgrades
The Metropolitan Council is looking at an $18 million-plus bill to repair and update a portion of the Blue Line light rail corridor in Minneapolis and Bloomington. Railworks Track Systems recently submitted the low bid of $18.64 million to replace track and signal components for the light rail line, which runs from downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of America. A second bid came in slightly higher at $18.646 million.
CORE X Plans Big Project in Bridgewater Township
New Jersey-based cold storage provider CORE X Partners is proposing a major expansion in Bridgewater Township, a Northfield-area community of 1,900 residents. The two-phase project would bring up to 370,000-square-feet of new cold storage space to a mostly agricultural area served by rail and 140th Street, according to an Environmental Assessment Worksheet released. Also included in the project are rail siding, septic, well and roadway improvements.
Capitol Planning Body Seeks Proposals for Mall Redesign
With the Minnesota State Capitol freshly restored and a major renovation in the works for the nearby State Office Building, the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board is turning its attention to the mall area around the sateae's most iconic building. The board hopes to update mall area plans with help from an outside consultant team. In a new request for proposals, the board is seeking a term to "build upon" the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the Capitol area and update the Capitol Mall Redesign Plan, which dates back to the mid-1980s.
First Prefabricated Bridge in U.S. Installed in Wisconsin
A new kind of bridge installation with time and labor-saving benefits made its debut in the United States for the first ti,e in Eau Claire. The Eau Claire County Highway Department installed a bridge with prefabricated parts on County Highway V. Australian company InQuik Bridging Systems manufactured bridge components in a Virginia factory and shipped them to western Wisconsin, where highway department crews placed the structure and poured concrete under the watch of structural engineers.
$16M Adaptive Reuse Event Space Proposed for Former Wisconsin Factory
A Chicago-based developed has proposed a $16 million redevelopment plan of the former Kearney and Trecker manufacturing building with the goal of turning it into an events venues in West Allis Baum Revision has proposed a development agreement with the city to renovate around 41,000-square-feet of space at 6771 West National Avenue, according to city officials. The building was put up in 1918 and served as a foundry, officials added.
'Passive house' apartment project planned in Minneapolis
An up-and-coming local developer with a passion for carbon-smart multifamily housing wants to replace a 115-year-old triplex in south Minneapolis with an apartment building designed to passive house standards. Footprint Development's latest project, which is up for Planning Commission review, would bring 32 apartments and 1,553-square-feet of commercial space to the triplex site at 3561 Minnehaha Avenue, which is at the northeast corner of Minnehaha Avenue and 36th Street.
Timberland finishes luxury apartments
Timberland Partners --- a Minneapolis-based real estate investment, management and development firm --- has completed a 246-unit luxury apartment building in Eden Prairie. The community at 8300 Commonwealth Drive is the company's largest development to date, according to a press release.
Eagle Brook Church still in growth mode
Eagle Brook Church didn't have to stray far from its temporary home at Wayzata High School to find a place for its new $39 million campus in the Twin Cities suburbs. The campus, Eagle Brook's 10th permanent location in the Twin Cities and Rochester, will rise on an existing farm site on Chankahda Trail, just north of Meadow Ridge Elementary School in Plymouth. The 54-acres site is a mere two miles from Wayzata High School, where Eagle Brook has been holding services since 2018.
Enclave's redevelopment project in Edina clears environmental hurdle
Enclave's mixed-used redevelopment plan for the former Macy's Furniture Store location in Edina has reached another milestone with the completion of an environmental reviews. The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board said that an Environmental Impact Statement is not needed for the project, which would bring 460 housing units and 300,000-square-feet of office and mixed-used space to the one-time retail site at 7235 France Avenue South. The 8-acre site is on the east side of France Avenue north of Gallagher Drive.
Report Blames Deadly Iowa Building Collapse on Removal of Bricks and Lack of Shoring
A partial building collapse in Iowa that killed three people in May was caused by the removal of brick and inadequate shoring of the 116-year-old structure, according to a report released by officials. The 113-page investigative report by two engineering companies also blamed the collapse on improper understanding of a structural bearing wall, inadequate oversight of repairs and a history of improper maintenance.
PEOPLE
Former Inmate Rebuilds Life Through Work in Construction Trades
Like many electrical apprentices, John Bailey spends his time bending pipes, putting in wall outlets and wiring panels. He works with journeymen to decide how to best handle the job and counts on more-experienced electricians for mentorship. Before Bailey found a new life in the trades, he has been incarcerated twice in Wisconsin.
COMPANIES
How Ryan was able to Deliver PrairierCare Expansion Early
A youth and young adult psychiatric hospital in Brooklyn Park is poised to help more patients during a historically busy month now that its expansion project is Brooklyn Park has crossed the finish line ahead of schedule. The expansion added 30,000-square-feet to PrairieCare's inpatient hospital at 6400 Zane Avenue North. Minneapolis-based Ryan Cos. US Inc. announced that it delivered the expansion in August, about three weeks early. The expansion --- which adds 30 inpatient beds and will allow PrairieCare to serve an additional 1,000 patients each year --- comes at a time when "there is historically an increased need" for psychiatric services, Ryan said.
WSB Expands Baxter Office
WSB, a Golden Valley-based design and consulting firm, has expanded its office in Baxter, Minnesota. The company. which opened its first Baxter office in 2015, has relocated to the Johnson Center at 14275 Golf Course Drive in Baxter. The new 2,360-square-foot space "represents WSB's further investment in the central Minnesota region," according to a press release.
Spotlight: Architecture firm has 'bittersweet' post-Floyd rise
As 2020 began, Damaris Hollingsworth was looking forward to a good year for her fledging architecture firm, Minneapolis-based Design by Melo. Three of Design by Melo's five projects went on hold, however, when the pandemic hit in March. Other firms were letting people go for the same reason. Hollingsworth considered applying at Target or Starbucks to pay bills while keeping smaller design jobs --- and her firm --- going. Them, just as suddenly, her business took off despite the pandemic. New work rolled in from July through December. It continued into 2021, Design by Melo's first seven-figure year, and beyond.
Building a Winery on the Iron Range took Vision and a Web of Support
Is there a skill common to schoolteachers and successful restaurateurs? Northern Minnesota wine entrepreneur Tia Marie believes the ability to "read the room" she developed in 28 years as a teacher has factored into her success as the owner of two Minnesota-focused wine bars: Smoke on the Water, a production wine and cider facility located on Trout Lake in Coleraine; and Unwined Up North, the "super tiny" wine spot she opened in her hometown of Grand Rapids a few years earlier.
INDUSTRY NEWS - Local & National
Permits for Single-Family and Small Multi-Family Surge in September
Builders of single-family homes are enjoying their best September in nearly 20 years, but apartment construction activity remains slow as planned multi-family units fell further behind last year's pace during the month. In September, cities in the 13-county metro area have issued permits for 656 new single-family houses (up 80% from a year ago), and 820 planned multi-family units (down 33%), according to a monthly report released by the Keystone Report. Overall, planned units are down 6.75% from September 2022.
Recent Floods Heighten Concerns That Dams May Not Be Built for Climate-Induced Storms
The recent floods in Massachusetts that put a few dams at risk have raised concern that structures may increasingly be at risk as the region is hit by stronger and wetter storms. There are thousands of dams across New England and many were built decades if not centuries ago. often to help power textile mills, store water or supply irrigation to farms. The concern is they have outlived their usefulness and climate change could bring storms they were never built to withstand.
Construction Jobs Rise in 45 States Over Last 12 Months
The number of workers on construction sites rose from August 2022 to August 2023 in 45 states and the District of Colombia and fell in five states, according to an Associated General Contractors (AGC) analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Texas added the most construction jobs year over year, with 21,1000 jobs (or a 2.7% increase). California came in second with 15,600 additional jobs (1.7% increase), and the rest of the leading states were Ohio (11,600, or 5%), Georgia (10,600, or 5%), and Pennsylvania (10,500, or 4.1%).
Wisconsin's Workforce Development Programs Recognized Nationally
Wisconsin's workforce development programs were recognized nationally by touring labor organizations, who are gearing up to change construction's culture and address employment hurdles as the federal government raked in money for infrastructure projects.
New Reports See Mixed Bag for Construction Economy
Demand for construction loans is down as the industry in the Twin Cities and beyond struggles with rising interest rates and tighter lending standards, but total construction spending is up from last year thanks largely to federal money, according to new reports. In its Midyear Construction Trends report, commercial real estate and investment management company Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) said financing constraints "have driven a rapid decline in construction starts over the last quarter,...As interest rates are expected to peak near year-end 2023, construction starts will continue slowing well in 2024."
Construction Industry Adds 22,000 Jobs in August, Warns of Infrastructure Red Tape
The construction sector added 22,000 jobs in August, but the industry was still hounded by a skilled worker shortage as unemployment stayed around 3.9%, according to an Associated General Contractors (AGC) analysis. AGC reported construction spending rose 0.7% in July despite a downturn in most infrastructure investment categories. AGC officials cautioned progress on many public infrastructure projects was likely undermined by added layers of red tape left behind by the Biden administration. Meanwhile, average hourly wages jumped again, and demand was ever-growing for private projects.
AGC Advises 'Zero Tolerance' for Cannabis on Construction Sites
Worried about the impact of marijuana legalization, Twin Cities commercial building contractors will rely on a drug-free policy unless guidance from the courts and the state changes. The AGC has advised members to use a zero-tolerance for cannabis approach on their job sites under the "safety-sensitive" exclusion of the marijuana law.
2040 Plan Court Ruling Creates More Uncertainty in Minneapolis
The recent court ruling related to the city of Minneapolis' 2040 comprehensive plan will create more uncertainty and have a chilling effect on construction of new housing in the city. That's what some local developers and homebuilders are saying in reaction to the ruling from Hennepin County District Court Judge Joseph Klein, who ordered the city to revert to its 2030 Comprehensive Plan within 60 days.
Sustainable: More interior designers embrace sustainable materials
In designing more sustainable buildings, architects should pay closer attention to the materials they use. Carpets, flooring, paneling, paint and other products often carry toxins or unrecyclable materials such as plastics. Greener alternatives exist, but the design industry has embraced them slowly.
Cities across Wisconsin ramp up new construction in 2023
Milwaukee's construction growth is already visible from large scale projects on the lakefront and downtown. But now it's also visible in Wisconsin's record books. The city so far this year has $449.3 million in new construction, adding 1.14% to last year's value of $39.4 billion, according to the August 9 Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) Net New Construction Report.
PROJECTS OUTSIDE FIVE-STATE AREA
Performing Arts Center Opens at Ground Zero After Two Decades of Setbacks and Changed Plans
In a mammoth room behind translucent marble walls, workers are setting the stage for the World Trade Center's newest addition. It isn't another office tower, nor is it a monument, at least explicitly, to the memory of the September 11 terror attacks. It's a theater complex.
$50M Renovation of White House Situation Room Complete
The White House Situation Room --- a space of great mystique and even greater secrecy --- just got a $50 million facelift. Actually, "room" is a misnomer. It's a 5,500-square-foot, highly secure complex of conference rooms and offices on the ground floor of the West Wing.
Largest Renewable Energy Infrastructure Project in U.S. Breaks Ground
An energy infrastructure project bigger than the Hoover Dam is how Hunter Armistead describes the $10 billion venture his company will be overseeing during the next three years. As the chief executive of one of the world's largest wind and solar development companies, Armistead said breaking ground on Pattern Energy's SunZia transmission line marks a major milestone as the United States looks to make good on promises to address climate change and bolster the nation's already overwhelmed power grids as demand increases and weather events become more extreme.
Some U.S. Airports add sensory-inclusive facilities and operations
Andrea Nissen is trying to prepare her 65-year-old husband, who has Alzheimer's disease, for a solo flight from Arizona to Oklahoma to visit family. She worries about travelers and airport officials misinterpreting his forgetfulness or habit of getting in people's personal space, and feels guilty about not be able to accompany him.
Minneapolis / St Paul Business Journal
PROJECTS - Proposed, In Action & Milestones
After Mixed Feedback, Plan for 355 Rentals in Maple Grove Heads to City Council
The project, which includes a mix of 350 apartments and townhomes and a new commercial building, on a 79-acre site at 17425 101st Avenue North, moved past the city's Planning Commission. But it didn't get wholehearted endorsement'; some commissioners said they'd prefer owner-occupied housing instead.
Minneapolis College Begins $22.5 Million Renovation of Downtown Business School Center
Minneapolis College and Metropolitan State University will start a $22.5 million renovation project this month to upgrade their jointly run business school center in downtown Minneapolis. The Management Education Center, located at Old Harmon building at 1300 Harmon Place, is a dual business school and entrepreneurial hub occupied by Minneapolis College St. Paul-based Metro State University, which are both under the umbrella of the Minnesota State public college system.
Wilfs Ready Plan for 300+ Apartments at Viking Lakes Development
The developer behind the 200-acre Viking Lakes campus in Eagan is getting ready to pursue its final residential phase with more than 300 new apartments. A business entity tied to Eagan-based MV Ventures, a company owned by the same Wilf family that owns the Minnesota Vikings football team, is returning to the city of Eagan as it plans new buildings for the residential development known as the Viking Lakes Residences.
Wellington's Plan to Redevelop Vacant Perkins Sit in Minneapolis Seeks TIF
The developer behind a $54 million plan to redevelop the site of a former Perkins restaurant located along Interstate 94 in Minneapolis is seeking tax increment financing. The project, led by St. Paul-based Wellington Management Inc., includes a six-story building with 155 units of affordable housing and 800-square-feet of ground-floor commercial space. The city's Planning Commission Committee of the Whole will consider a plan establishing a new TIF district to help finance construction costs.
Everyday Community and Church Buys Former LA Fitness Site in Roseville
A shuttered LA Fitness location in Roseville has been sold to a Twin Cities church that plans to renovate the property into a worship space. Everyday Community and Church paid $6.4 million to buy the 55,000-square-foot property from Realty Income Corp. of San Diego, according to a certificate of real estate value.
Windsong Farm Golf Club Building Second 18-Hole Course
Windsong Farm Golf Club is doubling down on its commitment to golf with the addition of a new 18-hole course, at a time when other private clubs are looking beyond golf to attract new members. Construction on the new 18-hole golf course at Windsong Farm Golf Club in Independence, Minnesota, began four months ago and when complete, Windsong will be the only private club in the Twin Cities with two 18-hole courses.
Greater MSP Vying for $75M to Make Minnesota an AI-Enabled Global MedTech Hub
Greater MSP and a consortium of big Minnesota employers are vying for a chunk of $500 million in federal funds to make Minnesota an artificial intelligence-enabled "Smart MedTech" hub. It's part of the U.S. Economic Development Authority's Tech Hubs Program, which aims to grow new innovation centers throughout the country to strengthen domestic economic and national security. The program was part og the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which earmarks $10 billion over five years.
Empty Bloomington Office Building Could See New Life as Indoor Golf Venue
A pro golf instructor plans to convert an unoccupied office building in Bloomington into a recreation facility featuring golf simulators and restaurant space. The plan by Ernie Rose includes adding dining space and 23 golf simulators on the first two floors of the 45,000-square-foot Creekridge Office Center. Including acquisition and buildout, the project is expected to cost $6 million, Rose told the Business Journal.
Minneapolis City Council OKs Roof Depot Site Sale to EPNI
A plan by East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) to buy the former Roof Depot site in south Minneapolis for $11.4 million has been approved by the Minneapolis City Council. The local community group has been planning an urban farm at the site, located near East 28th Street and Longfellow Avenue, for years. The 230,000-square-foot building is a former Sears warehouse that city officials once marked for demolition, to be replaced by a Public Works water maintenance facility.
Johnson Brothers Liquor Plans Warehouse at Former Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota HQ
A local wine and spirits distributor is proposing to redevelop the former Eagan headquarters of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota with a 460,000-square-foot warehouse facility and other uses. St. Paul-based Johnson Brothers Liquor Co. plans to relocate its corporate headquarters and Minnesota distribution operations to Eagan as part of a plan to transform the former BCBS site, at 3535 Blue Cross Road, and the surrounding area. This comes after BCBS confirmed earlier this year that it was putting its headquarters up for sublease.
New Balance is Opening Factory Store at Twin Cities Premium Outlets
Twin Cities Premium Outlets is expected to get Minnesota's first New Balance Factory Store later this year. The 4,000-square-foot store should open in the fourth quarter of 2023, ahead of the holidays, featuring a full range of performance footwear and apparel for men, women and children, according to an announcement from the Eagan shopping center.
Minnesota Made Hockey in Edina Plans New Training Center, Consolidation
Minnesota Made Hockey is proposing to build a 10,240-square-foot training facility on the same property as its existing hockey and ice facility in Edina. The new building would be built at the southern portion of Minnesota Made Hockey's 5.55-acre site at 7300 Bush Lake Road West, which is currently home to a 63,311-square-foot facility containing two ice rinks, according to documents submitted to Edina's planning department.
Life Time Unveils New Pickleball Club Concept in Chanhassen
Life Time Group Holdings Inc. is expanding from pickleball courts to a full-scale pickleball club, as announced in a groundbreaking announcement. The fitness club's first-ever pickleball club will be built in the company's home city of Chanhassen and is expected to be completed in early 2024. It will be built in a 25,000-square-foot building adjacent to Life Time's current fitness club at 2901 Corporate Place. The pickleball club will feature eight indoor and seven outdoor courts, as well as a viewing area, lounge and dressing rooms. Construction is being lead by Life Time's own construction firm, Life Time Construction.
Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Hinckley hotels getting multimillion-dollar facelifts
Grand Casino's two largest hotels, the Mille Lacs and Hinckley hotels, are getting multimillion-dollar makeovers. The renovation project, which is starting this month, was announced by Onamia-based Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (MLCV), the parent company of Grand Casinos. According to the press release, the hotels' complete transformation is part of MLCV's plan to revitalize its assets.
$300 million plan to redevelop Plymouth's Prudential site to return to city
A $300 million plan to redevelop the 75-acre Prudential site in Plymouth will go before the city's Panning Commission on September 6. Commissioners are expected to consider a comprehensive plan amendment to accommodate the redevelopment plan, which is being led by co-developers Minnetonka-based Roers Cos. and Indianapolis-based Scannell Properties.
North Loop Green in Minneapolis gears up for early 2024 opening
The development team behind North Loop Green, the mixed-use project under construction right next to Target Field, is gearing up for its next milestones as it eyes opening early next year. Since construction crews topped off of North Loop Green's 35-story residential tower in early August, attention is turning to residential leasing, signing retail tenants, and filling a few more offices, said Bob Pfefferle, managing director at Hines.
Lawsuit says construction of hotel in Edina's Pentagon Village is off
The development of a hotel planned for Edina's Pentagon Village that has been in the works for years is facing yet another snag. Rise Construction Services LLC, the construction are of Rise Modular, terminated its contract with Fifth Side Lodging LLC to build the hotel, according to a lawsuit filed by Fifth Side Lodging LLC in U.S. District Court on August 28.
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Caribou Coffee Signs 100,000-Square-Foot Lease at Maple Grove's Arbor Lakes Business Park
Caribou Coffee Co has signed on to lease over 100,000-square-feet at Maple Grove's Arbor Lakes Business Park. Edina-based Endeavor Development, which is leading the development of Arbor Lakes, announced the new lease with the Brooklyn Center-based coffeehouse chain the last week of September. Caribou is expected to move into the new space at the start of 2024, according to Josh Budish, principal of Endeavor.
INDUSTRY - Local & National
Construction Firms Cite Labor as Biggest Challenge Despite Slowdown in Starts
The U.S. construction market is starting to shift in the wake of less work from the private sector and ramped-up spending in industries like infrastructure and manufacturing, bolstered by federal incentives. And while supply-chain issues and higher materials prices have normalized since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, higher interest rates and --- most notably --- labor shortages are challenging company leaders across the industry.