In an effort to rejuvenate urban landscapes and mitigate the effects of past industrial neglect, the Metropolitan Council has recently stepped up with financial assistance aimed at breathing new life into blighted properties. A total of nearly $1.5 million in grants have been distributed to several cities to address contaminated lands with eyes on redevelopment, transformation into affordable housing, and job creation. According to a report from the Met Council, these grants are envisaged to not only clean up but also to pave the way for economic growth in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, St. Louis Park, and White Bear Lake.
Lisa Barajas, director of the Met Council’s Community Development division, stated, "The proposed projects will help create more housing choice and affordable housing in the region, add living wage jobs, and improve connections between housing, jobs, and regional amenities." Showing a concerted effort to hit a trifecta of objectives—housing, employment, and infrastructure—the grants embody the Council’s intent to foster a more vibrant community. Specified projects include initial environmental assessments and necessary cleanup of sites prior to any construction.
A highlight among these initiatives is Loffler Crossing in St. Louis Park, which will receive $46,500 to assess a site formerly used for fueling and acetylene manufacturing. The goal is to clear the way for a development featuring 170 apartments and commercial space conveniently located near a future light rail station. Cleanup grants are also making significant impacts: the Native American Community Clinic in Minneapolis landed a substantial $352,800 to detoxify a lot previously occupied by dry cleaners and auto repair shops, which will ultimately be replaced with a health clinic, affordable apartments, and job opportunities.
Further aiding in the decontamination crusade, Gloryville in Saint Paul received a $1 million endowment for the clearing of a 2.2-acre site with a history that includes a gas station, ultimately making room for affordable apartments and commercial space; meanwhile, Wildwood Rowhomes in White Bear Lake was granted $69,900 to remediate a parcel that formerly hosted a gas station, car wash, and convenience stores, the expected result being the construction of market-rate townhomes and the rejuvenation of a building for community use.
These efforts are part of the Met Council's Livable Communities program, which has been operational since 1995, targeting redevelopment in a seven-county metro area. With 77 cities participating in 2024, the program continues to offer grants twice a year, aiding in the transformation of polluted sites into useful, livable spaces. Cities looking to partake in this environmental revival have until November 1, to apply for the next round of funding, suggesting an ongoing commitment to urban renewal and sustainable development.
