Metropolitan Council awards $2.4 million in brownfield cleanup funds
Projects in Anoka, Bloomington, Minneapolis, Plymouth, Roseville, St. Louis Park and St. Paul are awarded funding
Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
651.602.1357
ST. PAUL—Jan.29, 2008—A hotel development in Minneapolis, new office space in Anoka and the rehabilitation of aging Roseville apartments are among the projects awarded brownfield clean up funding by the Metropolitan Council. The Council, at a January meeting, approved $2.4 million for 14 projects in seven communities, including Anoka, Bloomington, Minneapolis, Plymouth, Roseville, St. Louis Park and St. Paul.
“These funds help to clean up pollutants so land and older buildings can be put to more productive use,” said Council Chair Peter Bell. “The program is one of the best investment tools the Council has and creates opportunities for redevelopment, improved livability and job growth in communities throughout the region.”
The Council awards cleanup funds twice a year. This funding round will help clean up 66 acres, create more than 1,700 new jobs, increase the net tax base by $1.7 million and encourage $179 million in private investment.
To be eligible and compete for funding, metro-area cities must participate in the Livable Communities program. More than 100 metro-area communities participate in the program, which provides funding for: 1) affordable housing, 2) development that promotes mixed-use and connected land use linking housing, jobs and services, and 3) brownfield or polluted site cleanup.
Projects awarded funding include:
IMI Cornelius, Anoka—$339,000 for asbestos and lead-based paint abatement at the site of a vacant industrial facility. The location, at 1 Cornelius Place, will be the site of a 230,000 square foot office facility and, eventually, 130,000 square feet of industrial development.
Penn American District, Bloomington--$84,100 for environmental investigation, soil remediation, soil vapor mitigation and asbestos abatement on the site of a former auto dealership, repair and washing facility. The first phase of redevelopment at Penn Avenue and American Boulevard includes 40,000 square feet of retail space.
The Corners/Bloomdale, Bloomington--$75,000 for asbestos abatement on a site that formerly housed a gas station and dry cleaner. The project includes 46,000 square feet of commercial and office space that will be built in two phases at France Avenue S. and Old Shakopee Road.
Harrison Commons, Minneapolis--$14,600—for environmental investigation, soil remediation and soil vapor mitigation at Penn Avenue North and Glenwood Avenue on the site of a former gas station. Plans for the site include development of a mixed-use residential and commercial building, with 45 rental units and nearly 8,000 square feet of commercial space.
Nicollet Youth Housing, Minneapolis--$107,000 for environmental investigation, asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, and vermiculite removal and disposal at 3700 Nicollet Avenue. Development plans include a 42-unit supportive housing development, as well as commercial space.
NWIP III 2nd & Plymouth, Minneapolis--$11,400 for additional environmental investigation, soil remediation and soil vapor mitigation. The 1.7-acre site at 2nd Street North and Plymouth Avenue North was used most recently as an automotive scrap yard, and was previously used for manufacturing and storage purposes. A 47,000 square foot multi-tenant office building will be built at the site.
Open Arms of Minnesota, Minneapolis--$87,700 for environmental investigation and soil remediation. The location at 25th Street East and Bloomington Avenue South was formerly the site of an auto repair shop, signing painting business and machine shop. Redevelopment plans include a non-profit office and commercial-grade kitchen, preparing meals for home delivery to the chronically or fatally ill in the metro area.
Soo Line Building, Minneapolis—$614,500 for environmental investigation and asbestos abatement at 501 Marquette Avenue South. The existing 19-story building at Marquette Avenue and 5th Street South will be renovated to include a hotel and office development.
Spirit on Lake, Minneapolis—$328,800 for soil remediation and vapor mitigation at East Lake Street and 13th Avenue. S., formerly used as an automobile sales and repair business. Development plans include a four-story mixed-use building with 41 residential units and 6,000 square feet of commercial/non-profit space.
Bassett Creek Office Center II, Plymouth--$200,000 for air monitoring and soil remediation of asbestos-containing material at 6th Avenue North and Highway 55. After a golf driving range at the location was closed, the site was used for illegal dumping. A 150,000 square foot office building will be built at the location.
Har Mar Apartments, Roseville--$121,500 for asbestos and lead-based abatement at the apartment complex on Snelling Avenue and Highway 36, which will be rehabilitated. With additional new construction at the site the complex will include 103 affordable rental units.
Erv’s Garage, St. Louis Park--$100,000 for environmental investigation, demolition, soil remediation and asbestos abatement at a small site north of West Lake Street and Monitor Street formerly used for automotive and small engine repair. The site will be used for 4,000 square feet of new office space.
Sholom Home II, St. Paul--$101,400 for installation of additional vapor barriers at a site formerly used for a gas station, auto sales and bulk petroleum storage south of the West 7th Street and Otto Avenue intersection. Redevelopment plans call for senior housing at the site, including 45 senior rental units, a 66-unit assisted living facility and a 90-bed nursing home.
Total Tool, St. Paul--$200,900 for environmental investigation and soil remediation at a 3-acre site at Concordia Avenue and Pierce Street North, formerly used for manufacturing and machining. An addition will be built at the site for warehousing and crane repair facilities at the site, and loading and unloading area.
The Council received 16 applications for brownfield cleanup awards this funding round, totaling nearly $3.3 million.
Since the Livable Communities program became law in 1995, the Council has made 241 brownfield clean up grant awards to 35 communities totaling more than $70 million. The awards are helping to leverage another $3.9 billion in private investment, create more than 30,000 new jobs, increase the net tax base by nearly $75 million and clean up nearly 1,700 acres of contaminated properties.
The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. It runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, manages regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.
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