DEED Awards $2.3 Million for Site Redevelopment and Demolition                

St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced nearly $2.3 million for five site redevelopment and demolition projects statewide. The projects will collectively create or retain 269 jobs, increase local tax bases by $2.4 million and leverage over $157.9 million in private investment.

The four grants from DEED’s Redevelopment Grant Program and one loan from the Demolition Loan Program are expected to redevelop 33.8 acres and establish 488 housing units.

“Redevelopment grants and demolition loans are great tools that our communities can use to revitalize properties and strengthen local economies,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “The jobs created from these projects support not only local workforces, but economic growth as well.”

The Redevelopment Grant Program helps communities with the costs of redeveloping blighted industrial, residential or commercial sites and putting land back into productive use. The Demolition Loan Program helps communities with the removal of dilapidated or unsafe structures to prep sites for future development.

Since its inception in 1998, DEED has awarded more than $89.2 million in Redevelopment Grant funding, creating or retaining nearly 31,000 jobs, attracting over $4.2 billion in private investment and creating more than 10,000 housing units – almost 3,000 of which are considered affordable.

To date, DEED has awarded more than $3.2 million in Demolition Loans, reclaiming nearly 74.2 acres of blighted property.

Redevelopment projects below:

Rogers – Willis Trucking

DEED awarded the city of Rogers $515,625 for abatement, demolition and public infrastructure improvements on the 4.6-acre site located at 21601 John Deere Lane. Formerly agricultural land, the site was developed for semi-truck maintenance and storage. The site will be redeveloped into a three-story, 181-unit, market-rate apartment building with underground parking. The city anticipates the project will create five jobs, increase the local property tax base by $574,531 and leverage $36 million of private investment. The developer will provide matching funds.

Local contact – Brett Angell (763) 428-0915  

Roseville Economic Development Authority (EDA) – Twin Lakes Technology

DEED awarded the Roseville EDA $373,000 for site demolition and public infrastructure improvements on this 12.5-acre site. Formerly used as a nursery and most recently as a trucking terminal and maintenance shop, the site—located at 1945 Twin Lakes Parkway—will be redeveloped into a 152,250-square-foot light industrial tech building. Roseville EDA anticipates the project will create or retain 150 jobs, increase the tax base by $647,464 and leverage $24.1 million of private investment. Matching funds will be provided by tax increment financing.

Local contact - Jeanne Kelsey (651) 792-7086

St. Paul – Grand/Victoria Redevelopment

DEED awarded the city of St. Paul $350,000 for abatement, demolition and public infrastructure improvements on this 0.8-acre site at 841-857 Grand Ave. Formerly an automobile dealership and most recently a mall, the site will be redeveloped into a six-story, mixed-use building with 12,800 square feet of commercial space and 90 residential units. The city anticipates the project will create or retain 62 jobs, increase the tax base by $377,012 and leverage $44.2 million of private investment. The developer will provide matching funds.

Local contact - Jessie Higgins (651) 266-6652

Wright County – Old Government Center Site

DEED awarded Wright County $867,500 for asbestos abatement and demolition on this 6.8-acre site in downtown Buffalo. Formerly a gas station, a courthouse and a jail, this site will be redeveloped into 16 single-family patio homes, two market-rate apartment buildings with a total of 201 units, 18,000 square feet of commercial space and a public marina. Wright County anticipates the project will create 52 jobs, increase the local tax base by $861,644 and leverage $53.5 million of private investment. Wright County will provide matching funds.

Local contact – Elizabeth Karels (763) 684-8604

Demolition loan project:

St. Paul Port Authority (Port) – 245 Maryland Ave E

DEED awarded the Port $173,900 for building demolition on this 9-acre site. Located at 235 and 245 Maryland Avenue E., this site was first developed for big-box retail and formerly occupied by Kmart, and has the potential for a multi-story medical office development. The Port plans to issue a general obligation bond to secure the loan.

Local contact – Anna Watson (651) 204-6226

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. Find out how DEED delivers for Minnesota by visiting the DEED website or CareerForceMN.com, and learn how to do business in Minnesota.

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Upon request, this information can be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161.