Staff: Gold Line spurred development; 12th & Geneva redevelopment workshop set April 28; zoning code draft under legal review
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Summary
City staff told the Economic Development Commission on April 2 that the Gold Line's March 22 opening and other planning efforts have increased development interest and that a public reception for a Twelfth & Geneva redevelopment workshop is scheduled for April 28.
City staff told the Economic Development Commission on April 2 that recent transit and planning work is accelerating development interest in Oakdale.
Max, the city staff liaison, said the Gold Line opened March 22 and has already been linked to new proposals and approvals in the Helmo Station Transit Oriented Development District. "Since the Helmos Station Transit Oriented Development District was created, we've had more than 600 multifamily units approved, a new coffee shop, plans for a new park and more opportunities in the way," Max said. He encouraged commissioners to monitor the city's development map and planning-commission packets to follow public hearings as proposals arrive.
Staff invited the EDC to a public reception tied to a focused two-day Urban Land Institute workshop for the Twelfth & Geneva redevelopment study. The reception is scheduled for the evening of April 28 at the Oakdale Discovery Center; staff said they would circulate final start times when confirmed.
On the zoning code update, Max reported the full draft is complete and undergoing legal review, which staff expect to finish by the end of the month; the city plans to start sharing the final draft with council once the review is complete. Commissioners asked about specific projects: staff said a daycare project adjacent to a commissioner's office has formal approvals but is awaiting financing and permit-extension conditions before construction begins; staff also noted Helmo Station parking and related work are under construction.
Council liaison Gary and Commissioner Robert Siffy described riding the Gold Line at the opening and discussed expected ridership patterns and fares. Commissioners noted weekend and special-event uses such as trips to the St. Paul Farmers Market and professional sports events, and asked about service frequency; a commissioner summarized that weekday service runs about every 10 minutes and evenings/weekends around every 15 minutes, and that a $2 one-way fare was reported, with a transfer window of roughly three hours.
Staff emphasized the connection between transit investment, redevelopment approvals and the broader zoning code update, and asked commissioners to attend the April 28 reception and the Urban Land Institute workshop if possible.
Staff also said they are tracking several commercial and residential proposals and will report as projects move to public hearings.
