West Saint Paul planning commission backs multi‑phase redevelopment of 150 Thompson with conditions

The West Saint Paul Planning Commission on Aug. 19 recommended approval of a multi‑phase redevelopment project centered on 150 Thompson Avenue East that would add two apartment buildings, three townhomes, upgraded commercial space and a roughly 2.5‑acre public park at the city’s town center.

The project developer, Greco, and city staff presented a plan that would be built in phases. “This will have 272 units,” Planner Melissa (staff) said when summarizing the first apartment building. Josh Branson, president and owner of Greco, told the commission the project will be delivered in two major apartment phases with the park and townhomes and commercial upgrades included in the first phase.

Why it matters: The property has been under city control since the Economic Development Authority purchased the site from Hy‑Vee’s previously approved but unbuilt project. The commission’s approval would allow a planned multi‑use development (PMD) to replace existing B4 and R4 zoning on several parcels and clear a path for the site plan, conditional use permits and final plat required before building permits are issued. Staff and the developer said the park and public amenities were central to the vision adopted by the city council and the EDA.

What was approved and what the developer proposes Greco’s first phase would include a 272‑unit apartment building on the north end of the site, three townhome buildings totaling 19 units, improvements to an existing commercial building on Robert Street to accommodate two restaurants, and initial infrastructure for a city‑designed public park. Branson said the second apartment building, about 185 units, would be built roughly one to two years after the first phase.

The applicant and staff described several land‑use approvals required for the proposal: a rezoning to a PMD with B6 or R3 underlying zoning, conditional use permits for R4 residential units in B6, two outdoor seating areas…