EDA backs Twin Lakes redevelopment support resolutions as developer outlines cleanup plan

Roseville — The Economic Development Authority July 14 approved a package of resolutions supporting grant applications and use of Tax Increment Financing to cover environmental cleanup gaps at the Twin Lakes redevelopment site, the city’s staff and the prospective developer told the board.

The EDA acted unanimously to forward five support resolutions that will accompany grant applications to the Met Council, Ramsey County and other cleanup funds; the measures also document local willingness to use available Twin Lakes TIF district funds toward remediation if external grants do not fully cover cleanup costs.

Why it matters: City staff and the developer described a large environmental cleanup estimate for the last parcel in the Twin Lakes Redevelopment 1 area — roughly $7.7 million of cleanup costs within a project roughly estimated at $31 million — and the need to combine multiple funding sources to fill the remediation gap before vertical development can proceed.

What staff and developer said: Jeanne Kelsey, housing and economic development program manager, told the EDA the site is the last parcel in a redevelopment TIF district and that staff were seeking resolutions of support for grant applications to help cover an estimated $7.7 million environmental cleanup. Paul Hyde of Hyde Development described $200,000 of field work already completed and said he expected more detailed data to arrive the following day to validate the budget. Hyde said he and his team are experienced in contaminated‑site redevelopment and proposed an industrial‑tech building likely to attract medical‑device, R&D and manufacturing users; he estimated the future building could support “probably over 200” jobs and significant future tax base.

Board discussion and vote: EDA members praised the developer’s experience and moved unanimously to approve the requested resolutions. Member Schroeder, motion maker, and Member Straughn, seconder, stressed confidence in the developer’s track record. Council and staff noted that several grants have staggered deadlines, including one due Aug. 1 and others on Nov. 1, and that the city will coordinate applications and reimbursement sources across Met Council, county and local pots.

Next steps: Staff and the developer will finalize cleanup data and the state pollution control agency cleanup plan. If the predevelopment and cleanup applications are successful, staff will return with formal funding and permitting steps; if not, the EDA’s resolutions record local support for using available TIF and other resources to close funding gaps.