St. Paul HRA outlines inventory and disposition options for 200+ parcels, flags resource limits and next steps

St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) staff presented a citywide overview of HRA-owned parcels and outlined how the agency intends to prioritize and dispose of developable land while flagging funding and staffing constraints.

Deputy Director Melanie McMahon told commissioners the HRA holds records for “over 200 parcels” (tax-parcel records) that vary from tiny right-of-way or splinter parcels to larger development sites and long-term uses such as parking ramps. McMahon said parcels range from about 0.02 acres to multiple-acre sites and that multiple tax parcels can comprise a single development site. She cited redevelopment examples including 800 Robert Street, Victoria Park, and The Hollows (a 62-unit multifamily building at 60% of area median income).

McMahon provided ward-level counts and examples: Ward 1 (34 parcels, e.g., 667/771 Selby Avenue); Ward 2 (88 parcels, e.g., 430 Robert Street South — noting MnDOT will reconstruct Robert Street in 2026–2029); Ward 3 (no HRA parcels); Ward 4 (five parcels, including 902 Hersey Street, held under a long-term ground lease with Catholic Charities — initial 10-year term with two 10-year renewals); Ward 5 (nine parcels, Trout Brook and Case Ave & Mississippi St); Ward 6 (50 parcels, including 646–656 Bush currently under environmental review prior to demolition); Ward 7 (10 parcels, including 916 Wilson Avenue, a potential single-family lot).

The staff described two primary disposition pathways: a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) — issued for single parcels or a batch of nearby parcels — and direct third-party inquiries, where an interested party submits a proposal and staff evaluates it against criteria such as consistency with land-use plans, development costs, schedule, and developer qualifications. McMahon said if a proposal meets criteria, staff will bring it to the HRA for consideration and that public notice would be issued at least 45 days before the HRA considers a sale.

Staff and commissioners discussed past emphasis on prioritizing affordable housing on HRA land and the resource and subsidy constraints that can slow those projects. Staff said some parcels acquired with HUD funds or through tax forfeiture carry additional approvals or environmental-review steps that must be satisfied before disposition. Director Newton estimated HRA holding costs for properties at roughly $1 million per year and said staff would look to prioritize “low-hanging fruit” while also noting many parcels are not developable and some serve interim community uses (community gardens, temporary events under license agreements).

McMahon also reviewed HRA-owned off-street parking: the HRA owns approximately 7,200 parking spaces, about one-third of downtown off-street parking. The HRA intends to issue an RFP for parking ramp operations and last year identified ARPA funding to replace outdated ramp equipment; staff said equipment replacement will occur this year.

Commissioners asked for more transparency and follow-up. Staff committed to provide commissioners with a parcel list, a public map, the disposition policy link, and individual briefings (referred to as 2-0-1 sessions in the meeting) to prioritize parcels by developability and constraints. Commissioners also asked staff to share third-party proposals when they are received and to explain reasons for not advancing particular proposals.

No formal board decisions were made on disposition policy during the meeting; staff said they will return with follow-up briefings and recommended next steps.