News & Press Releases
Four firms offer Cedarvale plans
May 4, 2007
Council expected to choose ‘partner’ in July
BY FREDERICK MELO
PIONEER PRESS
And then there were four.
Cedar Grove, a long-delayed redevelopment project in Eagan’s tax-increment-finance district, has four developers vying for the chance to build a new downtown village of sorts.
The 65-acre project would mix retail space, offices and housing in the Cedarvale neighborhood, putting the wrecking ball to nearly 50 businesses, including the nearly vacant Cedarvale Mall.
The “new urbanist” project has limped along in fits and starts for years, facing a major setback during the commercial downturn following Sept. 11, 2001. In January 2006, the city reached a development agreement with Schafer Richardson, which planned hundreds of condominiums and town homes and a walkable commercial district.
The $250 million agreement fizzled by the end of the year, with the developer forecasting a $3 million shortfall and concerned that the weak condo market would make the project unrealistic.
The city recently received competing proposals from Doran Development with Pratt Homes, JBL Cos., Sherman Associates and the Told Development Co. To differing degrees, each mixes elements of housing, retail and office space.
Jon Hohenstein, Eagan community development director, said the proposals were general concept plans intended to be implemented in phases, most likely over a period of 10 years or more.
“Basically, our task right now is picking the right partner who can do the right project,” he said. “Down the line is when you define the right project. They’re very basic plans right now.”
The city has spent $25 million on land acquisition, utilities and parkway improvements but expects to recoup some of those costs through property taxes, assessments and selling parcels back to a developer.
A bus station between Nicols Road and Cedar Avenue would someday allow commuters to connect through a skyway to a planned bus and rapid transit line traveling between the Mall of America and Lakeville.
City officials plan to review the four proposals in May and interview the developers in June. The City Council expects to choose a master developer July 10.
“We have some very qualified developers that we’re going to have discussions with,” Council Member Peggy Carlson said. “Time to move.”
For more information, call the Community Development Department at 651-675-5660.
Frederick Melo can be reached at fmelo@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-2172.