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EDA staff updates: RFPs drew no offers; Article 7 sales strong; several developments in pipeline
Summary
Staff reported two developable city parcels remain (Margaret Street Commons and an MP lot downtown); a recent RFP for Margaret Street Commons received no proposals. Article 7 residential project is over 75% sold; other residential and commercial prospects were described.
Staff updated the North St. Paul Economic Development Authority on several property and development items.
Staff said the city has two remaining developable properties: a roughly three-quarter-acre parcel near City Hall, informally called Margaret Street Commons, and an MP lot between Sidewinders bar and a former clinic downtown. A recent RFP for the Margaret Street Commons, run for more than two months, produced no formal applications; staff told the authority a developer cited high interest rates, construction costs and market instability as reasons not to submit proposals.
Staff reported the Article 7 residential development is more than 75% sold and that two duplex/townhome units on Delaware and 17th Avenue are under construction and pulling permits. Other prospects include a potential development on McKnight north of Highway 36 by Mueller Funeral Home (a combined funeral and event center concept) and a proposed pair of fourplexes at Seventh and South Avenue.
On the Pine Tree Center, staff said the Pizza Factory tenant extended its lease after a planned relocation fell through. The center remains largely vacant otherwise. Staff said some building owners are considering demolition or redevelopment but provided no firm plans.
Members asked about traffic capacity downtown in light of ongoing and potential housing projects; staff said a recent livability study reported the downtown could handle additional residential units. Staff also noted some site constraints on the parcel across from City Hall (drainage pipe and overhead utilities) that may limit development options.
