More delays at former YMCA property

West St. Paul City Council acts on other developments

By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | March 2025

With a March 1 development deadline looming and still no final development plan in place, the City of West St. Paul is poised to grant yet another 6-month extension to Greco Properties, the developer planning to add multifamily housing to the site of the former YMCA property at 150 Thompson Ave. E. This will be the fourth extension for the project since 2022 when Hy-Vee backed out of its plans for the 9.5-acre property and sold it to the city for $5.2 million. The final plan is now expected to be complete by September. Pending further delays, construction could begin next year.

Greco intends to build a 461-unit market rate apartment complex with underground parking and a retail component such as coffee shop or fitness center, as well as 27 townhomes. Additionally, it will use the former AutoZone property on Robert Street for a 13,000-square-foot restaurant. That building is adjacent to the YMCA site. The project is expected to cost about $134 million, and the City of West St. Paul has approved tax increment funding to support creation of public amenities.

Some may be disappointed to hear that an indoor community center is not part of the project, but significant investments are slated for a large public outdoor gathering space. City-owned amenities will include a public plaza, playground or splash pad, and lawn space with pavilion and stage. The site will also feature more connections to the regional River to River Greenway trail system.

New apartment building denied on Thompson Ave.
The West St. Paul City Council recently denied a conditional use permit that would have allowed a developer to demolish the single-family home at 212 Thompson Ave. E., next door to the former YMCA site. Reuter Walton wanted to build a 4-story, 65-unit multi-family apartment building with surface and underground parking at the 1.85-acre site. The city rejected it, saying the project doesn’t align with the city’s vision for the area and that it would have a negative impact on the other nearby single-family homes and townhomes.

City purchases property on Butler Ave.
The West St. Paul Economic Development Authority recently purchased the single-family home at 424 Butler Ave. E. and the city council is discussing a potential redevelopment plan, working in partnership with Rondo Community Land Trust. Discussions are centered on creating 10 cottage-style twin homes around a central green space, all available for 80% of the average median income.

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