Jake Spitzack
Staff Writer
An ambitious mixed-use development in the Hardman Triangle area, the establishment of a new housing reinvestment fund and upgrades at Fleming Field were among the topics addressed during the annual state of the city address, held in early March. The South St. Paul City Council used the meeting to reflect on accomplishments of 2023 and offer a sneak peek at what’s in store for this year. The theme was “Do more in 2024.” Here are the highlights.
In 2023, the Economic Development Authority (EDA) chalked up another $23.5 million in new construction in the city, which is a top five record in the past 15 years. Among the developments were the construction of the Backyards apartment complex and the Dakota County-owned Kaposia Library. The city also filled all tenant spaces at the Bridgepoint Business Park, and Luther Auto purchased the former manufacturing building at 490 Villaume Ave. and invested $4 million to make it an auto reconditioning center.
Looking ahead, Asian Mart, a multitenant specialty retail market, will break ground in April or May at 464 South Concord Exchange and be complete this fall. The owner utilized the city’s low interest business development loan program – which is available to all existing and aspiring South St. Paul businesses – to complete necessary soil correction work. Black Sheep Coffee, now under new ownership, also utilized the program to renovate its building and upgrade its kitchen equipment.
Binder Heating and Air Conditioning will break ground this summer on a new facility at 110 Bridgepoint. It will be twice the size of its current building and include spaces for other businesses. It’s expected to be complete in summer 2025.
The Wakota Crossing redevelopment project near Verderosa Avenue South will begin this year and continue through 2025. With nearly $3 million in grant funding, a 185,000 square-foot light industrial space south of I-494 will see significant soil correction so that it’s ready for future development. As a result, the community garden and compost site will be moved elsewhere.
The city is set to demolish the former Twin City Pallet Factory building at 139 Grand Ave. – located in the Hardman Triangle – and use a predevelopment grant from the Met Council to create a refined site plan for an ambitious mixed use development featuring housing, restaurants and entertainment destinations.
The city is finalizing its comprehensive assessment of city owned buildings, many of which have significant issues related to their age. A request for proposal was recently issued for the former American Legion Library and city staff hope to explore options for the site this summer. The city’s public works facility is over 50 years old and is more than 50% undersized so the city has requested funds from a state bonding bill to help replace it. They expect to hear by the end of the year if they get the funds. One building that has already been addressed was South Metro Fire Station #2, which had its roof fixed and saw interior upgrades in 2023
Housing Reinvestment Fund
Last year the EDA established a Housing Reinvestment Fund to provide low interest loans to residents for a wide variety of home improvement projects such as additions, HVAC replacement, new windows and roofing. Those aged 55 or older may be eligible for loan deferral, meaning payment isn’t due and the loan doesn’t collect interest until the property is sold or is not used as the owner’s principal residence.
Road work
The multi-year Concord Street project was completed in 2023, and 7th Avenue and 2nd Street were reconstructed along with utility, pedestrian and parking improvements.
Concord Exchange will be reconstructed this summer from Grand Avenue to 6th Street East, and improvements will be done to utilities in the area, including the sewer and watermain which date to 1978. Sidewalk reconstruction will also take place from 6th Street East all the way to the northern connection of Concord Street North near the U.S. Post Office building. That entire corridor will see streetscape improvements, including concrete boulevards, decorative lighting, trees, planters, benches and trash receptacles.
Seventh Avenue South will be reconstructed between the I-494 service road and South St. W. Work includes new curb and gutters, sidewalk replacement, streetscape improvements and watermain replacement. Watermain improvements will also take place near and across I-494.
First responders
South Metro Fire and South St. Paul Police department each received a therapy K9 this year to help officers and those receiving services. The pups, Hal and Riley, are golden retrievers from the same litter. Dakota County’s crisis response worker in the police department continues to join officers on emergency calls related to mental health issues.
Parks and Rec
The damaged overlook at Grandview Park was removed and the walking trail there was repaired.
Invasive species at Seidls Lake will be removed this summer and replaced with native vegetation. It’s the final phase of the project which began in 2021.
Wakota Trailhead, located under the I-494 Wakota Bridge, is slated to be complete this May, featuring new restrooms, picnic spaces and more.
Public Works will remodel the kitchen at Kaposia Pavilion.
Last year, the city worked to replace more than 800 trees on city owned properties that were removed due to Emerald Ash Borer. The city partnered with Tree Trust to host two community tree planting events last year and will do the same this year.
Wiggle Fest, Splish Splash Bash, Flannel Fest and other beloved annual events had great turnouts last year and will return this year. New this year is a color run that takes place in April, a youth running program and a cross-country skiing program.
Doug Woog Arena had its roof replaced due to hail damage and will soon unveil a new exercise and recovery room.
The city’s parks master plan is being updated this year and a community engagement event will be held 9-10 a.m., Saturday, Mar. 30, at Kaposia Park. It precedes the city’s Giant Egg Hunt.
Public works
Fleming Field will get a new fence, and taxiway A will be realigned and reconstructed.
The city recently broke ground on a new water treatment facility at well #3.
The John Carroll Plumbing Project is underway and is expected to be complete in spring 2025. It consists of replacing the building’s entire plumbing system and upgrading kitchen and bathroom amenities in every unit. Tenants are being relocated in phases and each is expected to be out of their apartment for four to eight weeks.
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