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Rondo Community Land Trust seeks $43 million for infrastructure at former Sears site in Saint Paul
Summary
Rondo Community Land Trust requested $43 million in GO bonds to fund underground infrastructure (water, sewer, stormwater) at the former Sears site; presenters said site control is secured and the phase would enable transit‑oriented mixed‑use development that could produce housing and private investment.
Rondo Community Land Trust CEO Mike Griffin told the Capital Investment Committee that the group secured site control in March and is asking the Legislature to approve $43 million in general‑obligation bonding to install publicly‑owned underground infrastructure at the former Sears site in Saint Paul. Griffin said the ask covers sewer, water and stormwater systems necessary to unlock private development and that the funding would not pay for buildings or operations.
"This is not a request to fund the buildings. This is not a request to fund operations. This is an investment in infrastructure that enables redevelopment," Griffin said. He said the site could support a transit‑oriented mixed‑use project aligned with the Capital Area framework and estimated full build‑out could deliver about 1,000 housing units, roughly 250,000 square feet of commercial space and about $500 million in private investment.
Debbie Montgomery, a longtime Saint Paul resident and former city council member, testified in support and underscored the project's potential to return taxable property to a long‑vacant site and create housing and jobs. Members asked the city to explain phasing and costs; Sean Kershaw, interim operations manager for Saint Paul Public Works, said the city would begin planning with the land trust and private consultants, that restoring the street grid and installing underground utilities are prerequisites for above‑ground development, and that the city had not yet produced a final cost estimate.
Eric C, executive secretary of the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, told the committee the site is under the CAP‑Board's zoning jurisdiction and designated mixed‑use in the board's comprehensive plan. Committee members said they would expect further detailed cost and phasing information as planning proceeds.
