From memory care near Paisley Park to Rivian rolling into Edina’s Galleria, the region is buzzing with projects reshaping communities big and small.

This week’s Building Buzz (covering projects from the end of August to the first part of September) spans everything from a 12-story mass timber apartment building in St. Francis to the start of a $300-million state hospital in North Dakota. We’ve also got data center proposals in Apple Valley and Dunn County that could change the tech landscape, plus a new pilot plant expansion from General Mills aimed at speeding up product innovation. Housing is making headlines too, with developments in Inver Grove Heights, Mankato, Lake Elmo, and Elk River all at different stages of review. And if that’s not enough, construction cranes are also rising for a $78-million military gallery in Bismarck, a new distribution center in Fridley, and even a taproom in Hudson for Lift Bridge Brewing.

Scroll through and see which projects are shaping the next wave of growth across the Upper Midwest.
 

AUGUST 26

Milwaukee Suburb Reviews Mixed-Use Mass Timber Project
Wisconsin Project - Athletic Facility  |  Commercial & Retail  |  Healthcare  |  Mass Timber Construction  |  Mixed-Use  |  Multi-Family  |  Parking Structure  |  Parks & Open Spaces  |  Private School  |  Residential  |  Restaurant  |  Retail
St. Francis officials will review early plans for a more than $100-million mixed-use development with a 12-story mass timber apartment building. The St. Francis Plan Commission will meet on August 27th to consider rezoning a proposed development site to a planned unit development for a lot between East Howard Avenue, South Packard Avenue and South Lake Drive. Rezoning is the next step in what will be a six-month process as the city and developer work toward an agreement and finalize building plans. Included in the plans is a 12-story, 170-unit mass timber building with underground and above-ground with amenities such as a clubroom, fitness center and indoor pool. The lot could also be home to a five-story, 130-unit wood frame apartment building. The developer also wants to build a 7,500-square-foot mass timber retail building integrated into a public park, a 5,000-square-foot daycare center and a 3,500-square-foot coffee shop. Plans also call for 13,000-square-feet of additional retail space with neighborhood-serving uses, a 4,000-square-foot dental facility and around 644 structured and surface parking spaces, the developer said. If the council approves, Cream City Real Estate Investments will sent a detailed PUD plan with more solid building plans for council consideration. (Finance & Commerce)
 

'Tech Giant' is Considering $1.6B Data Center in Dunn County
Wisconsin Projects - Data Center
The City of Menomonie officially shared the investment price-tag attached to a proposed data center project in Dunn County on August 25th, and it's $1.6-billion. If the data center were to be approved in the future, it would likely be the single most expensive project in the history of Chippewa Valley. The proposed data center was brought forth to City Council by an unknown end-user --- currently operating through alias "Balloonist LLC" --- earlier this year. The potential data center has made waves in the community since entering the public sphere in July when City Council considered and ultimately approved the annexation and rezoning of the potential project site's land parcels. There has been no official development plan for a data center presented to City Council. There has also not been any vote made by Council explicitly about the data center. So far, as it relates to the specific land in question, the council has only voted and passed its annexation and rezoning. (Volume One)
 

AUGUST 27

Chanhassen Memory Care Facility Proposed Near Paisley Park, Awaits City Approval
Community & Assisted Living  |  Healthcare  |  Parking Structure  |  Site Work
Deena Lauden, manager of property owner Lighthouse Homes LLC (Chaska), seeks to build a 23,400-square-foot assisted living facility focused on memory care at 1620 Arboretum Boulevard, just across Highway 5 from Paisley Park in Chanhassen, according to city documents. The development team, which includes architect Fusion AE (Minneapolis), is expected to present its proposal to the Chanhassen Planning Commission on September 2nd. The development, called Eden Springs, would span two buildings on a 3.5-acre site adjacent to Lake Ann Park. The number of beds reflects the maximum expected for the development, which is anticipated to include 16-rooms, five of which would include 2 beds, in each building. The two buildings would be connected by a hallway, city documents show. The buildings would be built in phases; the second building would begin construction after the first is filled with residents. The development would also include 30 parking spaces and amenities like a great room, outdoor spaces, a library area, several quiet spaces and a sunroom. The project is slated to be reviewed by the Chanhassen City Council on September 22nd. Pending development approvals from the city and licensing approvals from the state of Minnesota, Lauden hopes to start site work this fall. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

Four-Building Apartment Development Near Mankato Shopping Centers
Athletic Facility  |  Dog Park  |  Multi-Family  |  Parking Structure
Kuepers Inc. plans to build a 180-unit apartment complex on the east side of Mankato. The developer is eyeing 14.83-acres of farmland north of the intersection of Victory Drive and Dublin Road for the project. The development, called Victory Ridge Apartments, would be made up of four apartment buildings, according to plans submitted to the city of Mankato. The northernmost and southernmost buildings would include 38-units each, while the two buildings in between would include 52-units each. All would be 3-stories. Kuepers is working with architect Bolton & Menk on the project. Concept plans for the development show an open space with a play area and grill areas in the center of the site, and another, larger play area to the north. The northern play area could include a tennis court and a half basketball court. Plans also show a dog park. The complex also would include four garages with 10 stalls each and at least 360 surface stalls. The apartment complexes listed on its website offer one- and two-bedroom units, and most feature open-concept living rooms, kitchens and dining areas. The Mankato Planning Commission will review the plans, and Kuepers will need to secure additional permits and approvals before the project can move forward. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

General Mills Expands R&D Facility to Accelerate New Product Launches Amid Transformation
Expansion  |  Facility  |  Industrial  |  Manufacturing
General Mills will spend $54-million on a new pilot plant near its Twin Cities headquarters, a move intended to speed development of new products. The company has announced the plan to expand its James Ford Bell Technical Center, the 360,000-square-foot complex located at 9000 Plymouth Avenue North, just north of General Mills' headquarters. The current building includes offices, laboratories and a pilot manufacturing plant --- space generally used for smaller-scale runs of products still in development. The expansion will add another 35,000-square-feet of space and increase the size of thje pilot plant by 20%. The new space is scheduled to open in Fall 2027. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

Inver Grove Heights Approves Town-Homes Plan
Housing Development  |  Mass Grading  |  Residential  |  Road Construction  |  Site Work  |  Utilities
The City Council approved a preliminary plat and preliminary planned unit development for the proposed 119-unit town-home development project. The site is at the southwest corner of Argenta Boulevard and 65th Street West. Developed by Ace Landing Holdings LLC, an entity related to MV Ventures and Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf, the project would create "an intimate neighborhood setting with ample shared amenities," according to a project narrative. Ace Land Holdings hopes to begin mass grading, site work, utilities, and road construction for the project as soon as the "2025-2026 timeframe," according to a project narrative. Construction would play out in three to four years, starting with a clubhouse, "outdoor amenity areas," and 61-units in the first phase. The remaining units would come in the second round of construction. (Finance & Commerce)
 

Kraus-Anderson Begins Work on $78M Military Gallery
Breaking Ground - Kraus-Anderson  |  Military  |  Military Gallery  |  MBEX Members  |  North Dakota  |  Recreation & Entertainment
The North Dakota office of Kraus-Anderson has begun construction on a $78-million Military Gallery at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum on the Capitol grounds in Bismarck. Designed by Zerr Berg Architects and BWBR Architects, the 67,000-square-foot project features a 20,000-square-foot military gallery plus "ample space for large events, a North Dakota National Guard Regimental Room, expanded food service, and an outdoor courtyard and amphitheater," according to a press release. Construction is expected to be completed in Fall 2027. (Finance & Commerce)
 

Lake Elmo's Largest Housing Project Under Review
Community & Assisted Living  |  Mass Grading  |  Multi-Family  |  Parks & Open Spaces  |  Residential  |  Senior Living
Maplewood Development wants to bring hundreds of new homes to Lake Elmo, a project described in city documents as the largest single residential development in the city's history as measured by units. The city launched an environmental review of the project, which would create 67 single-family homes, 221 town-homes, 271 apartments, and 120 senior living units on a 79.4-acre farm site along Manning Avenue near Interstate 94. The comment period for the project, known as Limerick Village, runs through September 25th. Mass grading "is anticipated to begin" in Spring 2026 and construction would last "approximately two years, depending on market conditions," according to an Environmental Assessment Worksheet. The development has been in the works since at least December 2023, when the council reviewed an early concept plan. The latest concept shows an 8-acre park area, up from less than 2-acres in a previous iteration. (Finance & Commerce)
 

New Fridley Distribution Center to Rise Where McGlynn's Bakeries Once Operated
Demolition  |  Facility  |  Industrial  |  Parking Structure  |  Storage
Endeavor Development plans to build a 240,250-square-foot industrial building in Fridley. The development, which Endeavor is calling River Edge Distribution Center, would be located on 15.5-acres at 7350 Commerce Lane Northeast, according to a marketing brochure by Endeavor and Cushman & Wakefield. The development would replace an existing 162,000-square-foot building that was recently occupied by Rich Products Corp. Endeavor's new industrial development will offer a 32-foot clear height, 57 trailer stalls, 200 parking stalls and outdoor storage space. Endeavor expects demolition of the existing building to occur in Winter 2026. Occupancy is anticipated to start by fall of next year. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

Rivian to Set Up Shop in Edina
EV Safety  |  EV Showroom  |  Fire Safety  |  Vehicle Showroom
Electric car manufacturer Rivian will soon open up a showroom in Edina's Galleria mall after the City Council approved the plan at its latest meeting. The approval comes after the council had a brief dalliance with rejecting the project over fire safety concerns with keeping an electric vehicle battery inside the building. Since the initial concerns around the fire safety, Galleria provided reassurances that fire safety measures were up to code and the city added conditions to the resolution approving the showroom's set up. The conditions added are that Rivian would need an exterior door for the vehicles entry and exit. (Finance & Commerce)
 

AUGUST 28

Lake Elmo Farmland to Transform into 679-Unit Residential Development
Athletic Facility  |  Community & Assisted Living  |  Mass Grading  |  Multi-Family  |  Parks & Open Spaces  |  Residential  |  Senior Living
Maplewood Development's so-called Limerick Village development would turn 79.4-acres of farmland west of Manning Avenue North into almost 1-million-square-feet of residences. The project would be Lake Elmo's largest single residential development, according to city documents. The project proposes 271 apartments and 120 senior living apartments, according to an environmental assessment worksheet that the city of Lake Elmo released, as well as 67 single-family homes and 221 town-homes. The 271 apartments would be arranged across three buildings on the southern portion of the property according to a concept plan in the EAW. The first building would be 34,000-square-feet with 96-units, the second would span 26,000-square-feet with 75-units, and the third would be 34,200-square-feet with 100-units. All buildings would have 3-stories. The senior-living apartments would be located within one 4-story building. The concept plans include an 8-acre public park on the northern portion of the site, which would include two soccer fields. There would also be a 1.1-acre private park and a 0.6-acre private courtyard. A 7.4-acre pond would occupy the center of the site, with pickleball courts next to it. The developer is working with Alliant Engineering (Minneapolis), according to city documents. They plan to start mass grading next spring and construction could be complete as soon as 2028. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)

Mortenson Breaks Ground on $300M North Dakota Hospital
Under Construction - Energy Efficiency  |  Facility  |  Healthcare  |  Mortenson Construction  |  MBEX Members  |  North Dakota  |  Sustainability
Mortenson broke ground on the new North Dakota State Hospital in Jamestown on August 18th, according to a news release from the office of Gov. Kelly Armstrong. The estimated cost of the hospital is $300-million, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services. The 300,000-square-foot facility will provide 140 beds in a modern, trauma-informed care environment, according to the news release. It will replace the existing hospital, which has operated since 1885. Officials expect construction to be complete by the end of 2027. The department worked with JLG Architects (Minneapolis) as the principal architect and design consultants Architecture+ (Troy, New York) to design the facility. Tegra Group (St. Louis Park) acted as the owner's representative. The hospital incorporates sustainable, energy-efficient systems that minimize environmental impact and contribute to a healthier overall setting. These include a barber shop, exercise room, teaching kitchen, and botanical garden. (Construction Dive)
 

SEPTEMBER 1

Apple Valley Considers Data Center, Housing Projects
Data Center  |  Multi-Family  |  Recreation & Entertainment  |  Senior Living
Construction has increased recently in south metro communities like Rosemount and Lakeville, driven by large-scale industrial and data center development and by lower-profile apartment, town-home, single-family and retail projects. Developer activity has also ticked up in Apple Valley, which is all the more notable given that --- unlike its neighbors to the east and south --- it's largely built out with just a few significant greenfield and brownfield opportunities remaining. One of the latter has attracted a proposal for an 866,000-square-foot data center campus tentatively dubbed Apple Valley Technology Park. That project, proposed by Oppidan Investment Co., has yet to receive city council approvals amid questions about whether the city's water infrastructure can handle the addition of a major new user. (Finance & Commerce)
 

Modular Hospital Project Underway in Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin Projects - Bildt  |  Boldt  |  Healthcare  |  Modular Construction  |  Prefabrication  |  Rural Healthcare  
Bildt, a prefabrication and modular supplier, is getting work in northern Wisconsin. The companies broke ground August 14th on a 35,000-square-foot hospital and clinic for Aspirus Health in Chippewa Falls. Around 30% of the facility will be built with modular construction --- the emergency department and clinic will be built off site at Bildt's fabrication facility in Oshkosh. This will allow the hospital to open three months sooner than most aggressive traditional construction schedules would allow, company officials said. The Aspirus Chippewa Falls Hospital and Clinic is expected to wrap up in September 2026. Boldt will serve as the project general contractor, officials said. Bildt will work with architectural and engineering firm HGA to design a hybrid between modular and traditional construction approach to the facility. (Finance & Commerce)
 

Sioux Falls Regional Airport Starts Construction on Concourse Expansion
South Dakota Projects - Airport
Construction has already started and officially will kick off the week of September 1st on a concourse expansion at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport. Initial work has already begun. A project to enable the airport to operate while its terminal apron is expanded to support the new gate area is wrapping up. The remaining full apron has been bid, and some work could start yet this fall. The concourse project that has been approved to move forward calls for a net gain of four gates plus a set of restrooms. Gate One already has been taken out of service with the jet bridge put into storage until the new concourse is done. The base package --- the new gates and apron --- is estimated at $70-million. The rest of the project is estimated to total $20-million to $25-million and will depend on available funding. (Sioux Falls Business with Jodi Schwan)
 

SEPTEMBER 2

Elk River Apartment Project Heads Back to Planning Panel
Affordable Housing  |  Multi-Family  |  Parking Structure  |  Residential  |  Storm Water
A local developer's plan to build two 79-unit apartment buildings in Elk River will go back to the city's planning commission later this month after failing to get the planning body's approval in late August. The market-rate project, developed by Pat Briggs, would bring two four-story buildings with parking and storm water features to a development site at 17379 Twin Lakes Road Northwest, according to a city staff report. A project narrative reveals that roughly 85% of the units would be studios. The apartments are targeted for "individuals seeking affordable housing options to work and play and access public transportation." The planning commission will revisit the project on September 23rd. Parking was one of the bigger concerns raised at the planning commission meeting. Plans submitted to the city show 258 parking stalls overall, including 124 covered spaces, for a parking ration of 1.63 stalls per unit. The city requires 2.5 stalls per unit, which works out to 395 spaces for the Briggs project. (Finance & Commerce)
 

Engineering Lab Project Earns LEED, WELL Goild in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Projects - Engineering Lab  |  Green Construction  |  Johnson Controls  |  LEED Certification  |  MBEX Members  |  Mortenson Construction  |  Renewable Energy  |  Sustainable Building  |  WELL Certification
The Warren Johnson Engineering Lab, a 109,000-square-foot facility opened by Johnson Controls late last year, was recently awarded LEED Gold and WELL Gold certifications, architecture firm EUA announced. The firm said it's the first LEED v4 New Construction project in the world with a perfect score in materials and resources. Mortenson served as the general contractor and started construction in May 2023 and completed the project in June 2024. Weas Development is the owner and developer of the facility, located at 2022 West Florist Avenue, which supports roughly 250 employees. Key sustainability features include: native landscaping, reducing irrigation by 70%; six electric vehicle charging stations; water-efficient fixtures; low-volatile or organic compound emitting materials for indoor air quality; the 126kW solar array is expected to offset 3% of building energy load; product transparency and optimization through Cradle to Cradle, Red List Free and Environmental Product Declaration certified materials; and more than 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through embodied carbon analysis and reuse of materials. (Finance & Commerce)
 

Monarch Development Unveils Mixed-Use Plan for Victoria's Downtown West Expansion
Commercial & Retail  |  Mixed-Use  |  Multi-Family  |  Parks & Open Spaces  |  Recreation & Entertainment  |  Restaurant
Monarch Development Partners has submitted plans to redevelop an approximately 12.5-acre site in Victoria into a mix of housing, retail, and public green spaces, an area the city envisions as an extension of its existing downtown. The city of Victoria earlier this year selected a team by Monard through a request-for-proposals process to serve as the developer of the vacant, city-owned land. The site is bordered by Highway 5 to the south, County Road 11 to the west, and the 3,700-acre Carver Park Reserve to the north. The project is the second phase of a larger area that the city calls Downtown West. The first phase included the Olivine Apartments. Monarch's team includes co-developer SW Group (Wayzata) as well as Civil Site Group, Saunter Architects, DJR Architecture, Confluence, and The Musicant Group. The project first phase would include: at least 40 total units of condominiums and town-homes, featuring porches, oversized windows and upper-level balconies; a 25,000-square-foot mixed-use building with a ground-floor community gathering space, shared amenities for residents and rooms for civic events; a 6,500-square-foot retail building, which would be filled with a restaurant and cafe, and a 5,000-square-foot building for a restaurant (both structures would be situated along a 12,000-square-foot central city plaza); the plaza would support programming throughout the year, featuring seating, a turf lawn and shared pergola; and two more 5,000-square-foot retail buildings on the southeastern portion of the site. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

Wyndham Garden Hotel Planned to Open in Sartell by 2026
Hotel  |  Wyndham Garden Hotel
Partners Doug Boser, Rod Lindquist, and Austin Ruehle hope to break ground this fall on the proposed Wyndham Garden Hotel, the city said in a press release. The project site is at the intersection of LeSauk Drive and Evergreen Drive. The site is within the Central Minnesota Healthcare Hub, the city said, adding that the project will "connect visitors directly to Sartell's health care, business, and recreational corridors." The developers expect to close on the property September 17th, said the city, adding that the City Council will consider a subsidy package on September 22nd. The city expects the hotel to open Fall 2026. (Finance & Commerce)
 

SEPTEMBER 3

Brooklyn Park Unveils Vision for 700-Acre Development with Biotech Focus & Mixed-Use Areas
Commercial & Retail  |  Facility  |  Manufacturing  |  Mixed-Use  |  Multi-Family  |  Parks & Open Spaces  |  Trails  
The city of Brooklyn Park has identified a preferred vision to guide the development of a 700-acre site on its northwestern edge, the last-remaining large undeveloped area of the city. City staff are expected to seek preliminary approval on their desired option for the city's so-called Northwest Growth Area Plan from the City Council next week. The draft plan provides greater detail into the exact types of uses the city envisions for areas within the site, according to city documents. Altogether, the plan guides for low- to high-density housing, mixed-use areas and biotechnology innovation districts, including production and manufacturing space. The plan could yield between 2,400 to 5,450 residential units, about 2-million-square-feet of innovation-focused space, and 70-acres of park or open space. If the City Council gives preliminary approval for this preferred scenario, city staff will be able to begin the environmental review process. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

SEPTEMBER 4

Lift Bridge Brewing Advances $16M Hudson Brewery Plan After 2-Year Delay
Facility  |  Recreation & Entertainment  |  Restaurant  |  Tap Room
Lift Bridge Brewing Co. is moving ahead with plans for a brewery and taproom in Hudson, Wisc., that will cost at least $16-million after two years of delays. The Hudson City Planning Commission unanimously backed the brewer's proposal for a 34,395-square-foot facility with a taproom, full-service restaurant, event center for about 330 people, and beer garden that would host concerts and food trucks, among other activities. A second phase would expand production and operations by another 19,600-square-feet. If the proposal is approved, Lift Bridge plans to break ground later this year and open by the end of 2026. Amcon Construction (Minnetonka) is serving as general contractor and architect. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

NVent Expanding Data Center Production with New 117,000-SQF Minnesota Facility
Industry News - Data Center  |  Electrical Enclosures  |  Liquid Cooling Equipment  |  NVent Electric
NVent Electric shared it will add a new production facility in the Twin Cities, the latest expansion for the company's growing business catering to the data-center market. The company, which makes electrical enclosures and liquid cooling equipment for electronics, said it would lease 117,000-square-feet of space in Blaine to boost production of cooling hardware. The company's announcement did not provide a specific location. The site, which will employ 175 people, is expected to go online in early 2026, the company said. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

SEPTEMBER 5

Doran Group Starts $46M 55-Plus Housing in Maple Grove
Breaking Ground - Athletic Facility  |  Community & Assisted Living  |  Doran Group  |  Parking Structure  |  Residential  |  Senior Living 
The Doran Group is blazing new trails and building on the work of its late founder with help from a $46-million, 55-plus housing project. The longtime developer of luxury multi-gamily apartment and town-home communities, founded by Kelly Doran, recently broke ground on Olinia-Maple Grove, a 132-unit "active adult" project in Maple Grove. Scheduled for completion in Spring 2027, the project marks The Doran Group's "official entrance" into the active adult sector, and is the first project the company has broken ground on since Kelly Doran's passing in December 2023, according to a press release. Olinia-Maple Grove will rise on part of a 40-acre project site at 11751 Arbor Lakes Parkway North. No stranger to Maple Grove, The Doran Group purchased the site, and began developing within the Arbor Lakes area, in 2015. The four-story community at Olinia-Maple Grove will offer "a mix of larger one- and two-bedroom homes, averaging 840 and 1,220-square-feet, respectively," according to the press release. Amenities include "private outdoor balconies for each home," underground heated parking, an outdoor terrace with a "plunge pool," and "fresh interpretations of the traditional parlor, speakeasy and library." Residents will also find a "high-end fitness center, entertainment suite, arts and crafts studio, grab-and-go market, grandchildren's playroom, sports simulator" and more. (Finance & Commerce)
 

Minneapolis Water Division Eyes $7M Land Purchase for New Facility, Leaving Century-Old Site
Demolition  |  Facility  |  Municipal  |  Warehouse  |  Water Treatment
The city of Minneapolis' Public Works department plans to buy several parcels along University Avenue to make way for a new water distribution facility. The current home of the Division of Water Treatment & Distribution Services (WTDS) is at 935 5th Avenue Southeast, but the 2.4-acre facility is "overfilled and outdated," the WTDS said in a proposal to buy about 5.24-acres in northeast Minneapolis. WTDS has been based in its current building since its construction in 1923, but city water works have operated off the site for much longer, dating all the way back to the division's founding in 1867. A city spokesperson said the city searched for more than a year for a new site to house the division's roughly 100 employees, a warehouse, and a fleet of more than 85 vehicles. The city has not yet begun the design process but anticipates demolition of existing buildings and construction of a new facility will be necessary for the site. A tentative opening date for the facility has been set for 2029. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

SEPTEMBER 10

Dunwoody will Debut New Design Programs in 2026
Industry News - AEC Careers  |  Design Programs  |  Dunwoody College of Technology  |  Experiential Graphic Design  |  Higher Education  |  Interior Architecture Degree  |  Product Design
Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis is expanding its School of Design with new Bachelor of Science programs in Interior Architecture, Product Design, and Experiential Graphic Design. The new four-year, on-campus degree programs will start in Fall 2026 to "prepare graduates for high-demand roles in the design industry," according to a press release. The new Interior Architecture degree will replace the school's current Interior Design major. (Finance & Commerce)
 

Faribault Data Center Clears Review Amid Twin Cities Growth
Data Center
The Faribault City Council launched an environmental review of the proposed project earlier this year and recently determined that the planned Archer Datacenters Faribault Campus project doesn't have the potential for "significant environmental impacts." That means a more in-depth study (an Environmental Impact Statement) won't be required for the project, which would bring up to 500.000-square-feet of data center buildings to an 84.3-acre site south of 150th Street West and east of Acorn Trail. The development also needs site plan review for "everything from the building facade elevations to storm water and site layout. After site plan review, the developer can submit for a building permit." (Finance & Commerce)
 

Victoria Approves New Commercial Development
Commercial & Retail  |  Healthcare  |  Parking Structure  |  Restaurant
About 31,000-square-feet of commercial space is planned on the outer parts of downtown Victoria, following the approval of a new development at its latest City Council meeting. Headwaters Development proposed a preliminary plat for two buildings to be built on 4-acres on Commercial Avenue, just off Arboretum Boulevard, planning notes show. One of the buildings would be a coffee shop and a bank, according to planning documents and would utilize about 11,500-square-feet across two-stories. In the same development, a 19,424-square-foot medical office building would be constructed. The developer proposed 39 parking stalls for the bank and coffee shop building, short of the 57 required by the zoning code. However, the planning staff notes the medical office building has 98 stalls proposed, higher than the 78 required, making the overall parking for the development two stalls higher than the zoning requirement. (Finance & Commerce)
 

SEPTEMBER 11

Oakdale City Council Favors Light Industrial Use for Prime 36-Acre Site 
Industrial  |  Office
The Oakdale City Council said last month it favors light-industrial uses for any redevelopment of a 36-acre site at the last available quadrant of the Interstate-94 interchanged with Interstate-494. The city has been working with Cushman & Wakefield, the property's broker, to find a developer to take over the site. The City Council's decision came after Cushman & Wakefield presented the council with three options to gauge what redevelopment possibilities it might approve for the site. Two of the options included residential projects, which the council said it would not support, partially because the city's 2040 comprehensive plan does not allow residential use of the site. Also, existing industrial buildings near the site led the council to favor industrial use. A preliminary site plan designed by HKGi (Minneapolis) show the site could include four office buildings and three large light industrial sites, along with open spaces and a boardwalk across the wetlands on the property. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

Star Tribune's Printing Plant Sale Could Reshape Hot North Loop Neighborhood
Commercial Developments - Adaptive Reuse  |  Facility  |  Industrial  |  Residential
The Minneapolis daily newspaper said it decided to close the plant as a result of declining print circulation and underutilization at the facility. Built in 1986, the Star Tribune building spans half-a-million-square-feet, with a mix of office, warehouse, and production uses. The site also includes a large parking lot, with space for over 100 cars and 80 fleet vehicles. Located at 800 First Street North, the property sits in an area of Minneapolis that had once been known for its warehouses and factories. Like the many buildings that have been transformed in the North Loop from industrial to some other use, the Star Tribune's printing facility could become another such example, some real estate experts say. Others, though, say a complete redevelopment, such as to residential, may be another option. (Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal)
 

Trident Plans Shoreview Apartment Project
Athletic Facility  |  EV Infrastructure  |  Multi-Family  |  Parking Structure  |  Renovation  |  Residential
Trident Development (St. Cloud) is planning a project that would improve or create 380 apartment homes in Shoreview, a community with a tight ho9using market. The plan, which went before the city's Economic Development Authority earlier this month, includes renovation of 240-units within the Shoreview Hills apartment complex at 4150 Lexington Avenue North. Also planned is a new 140-unit, market-rate apartment building on an adjacent site south of the existing complex. Trident is proposing a $13-million renovation budget. Planned improvements include a new roof, exterior modifications, updated unit interiors, a sport court, and more. The new construction piece will be a four-story building that would offer underground parking and amenities, such as a lobby, fitness center, community room, rooftop patio, EV chargers, and dog park. (Finance & Commerce)