Economic development projects
ramp up in South St. Paul

By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | February 2025

A handful of economic development and road projects are in the works for this year in South St. Paul. A few others, such as the Wakota Crossing redevelopment and the replacement of the public works facility, are on hold for now but not out of mind by city councilmembers. Expect details for the following projects to be ironed out in the coming months.

Hardman Triangle
The City recently signed a preliminary agreement with Zavi Development and TE Miller Development for the redevelopment of a 5.6-acre site at Grand Avenue East and Concord Street North, within the area dubbed the Hardman Triangle. Zavi is proposing a development that includes an independent restaurant, a destination retail site such as an indoor pickleball center, and a 200-unit market-rate apartment building. The project aligns with the mixed-use, walkable vision for the area the City identified in its 2020 Hardman Triangle Redevelopment Plan and 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The City also recently hired Tushie Montgomery Architects and Barr Engineering to develop a master plan to parcel out the entire 20-acre Hardman Triangle site and ensure future developments to the northern portion don’t interfere with development in the southern portion, such as this one. The property is vacant but has previously been home to Dakota County Technical College’s meat cutting school and yard space for Twin City Pallet Co.

Holiday gas station
A new Holiday gas station capable of serving semi-trucks may be built at the corner of Concord Street and Villaume Avenue. The property is owned by Bremer Bank, which demolished its old office building there and built a new one on the end of the lot. City staff received a concept plan for the gas station last fall that asked for flexibility from city zoning requirements to build canopies along Villaume Avenue. They voiced that a fourth gas station in the area wouldn’t likely be found to be “of public benefit” and therefore the chances of getting flexibility were low. In December, they were notified that the developer will not be seeking flexibility should the project move forward.

Marie Avenue reconstruction
In early December, the South St. Paul City Council approved about $124,000 in consulting fees for Bolton & Menk to assist city engineers with creating the final design for the Marie Avenue Reconstruction Project. Work is slated along Marie from 3rd Avenue to 9th Avenue, and includes making sidewalk connections, bike lanes and accessibility improvements. The intersection at 9th and Marie will also be reconfigured to improve sightlines, and flashing beacons will be added to crosswalks at 7th and 9th. The project is being federally funded through a Safe Routes to School Grant. Work is expected to begin this year.

Southview Boulevard
Dakota County recently completed a study evaluating traffic conditions on Southview Boulevard at the 12th and 13th Avenue intersections. The study stemmed from public complaints following the removal of a traffic signal at Southview Boulevard and 12th Avenue during the 2018 reconstruction of Southview Boulevard (County Road 14) project. The study found that traffic in the corridor has increased about 24% – in part due to the construction of a Holiday gas station at Southview and 12th – but pedestrian and driver safety has strengthened, as evidenced by fewer crashes and better traffic flow. The study provided several options for improvements and recommended ongoing monitoring of traffic and crashes to inform which are necessary. They include creating a mini roundabout at the 12th Avenue intersection, restricting parking along the north side of Southview at 13th Ave., adding “cross traffic does not stop” signs under stop signs at both intersections, and installing flashing beacons at crosswalks of both intersections.

South Concord
The City is studying the South Concord Corridor to help guide future redevelopment plans there. This is called for in its 2040 comprehensive plan, adopted in 2020. The Corridor refers to the land in the southeastern corner of the city, between Interstate 494 and the community’s southern border with Inver Grove Heights. Swanson Haskamp Consulting, LLC was hired for the project last summer, with Michael Lamb Consulting, LLC as a subcontractor. The same consultants assisted the City with the North Concord Mixed Use District Update project in 2021. The study consists of completing a market study of the corridor, developing an overall corridor vision, and implementing the corridor vision by updating zoning codes and other measures.

American Legion Library
The City has been working with the consulting firm New History since August 2024 to determine options for the reuse of the American Legion library building (former South St. Paul city library), which dates to 1927 and needs about $1.82 million in critical maintenance items. New History wrapped up its assessment of the building in November and is now drawing up options for what the building could become, whether private- or city-owned. The study team garnered community feedback about possible uses for the building at the On the Road Again festival and through an online survey. More opportunities to provide feedback will be available in the coming months and the firm’s final recommendation for the building is set to go before the city council in May.

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