ST. PAUL, Minn. - A Minneapolis-based company has been awarded the development of the old Ford plant site in St. Paul.
The St. Paul City Council voted back in September to move forward with a plan to revitalize the 122-acre former Twin Cities Assembly Plant. The city rezoned the site into six districts for housing, parks, open space, retail and offices. They envisioned a mixed-use urban village, with up to 4,000 housing units, including affordable housing options for low-income residents.
On Monday, Ryan Companies US, Inc., announced that it has been awarded the development of the site. Ryan Companies has its corporate headquarters in St. Paul, and is responsible for several large development projects nationwide. The most familiar to local residents would be Downtown East in Minneapolis, and CHS Field in St. Paul.
In a press release, Ryan Companies said they will now begin a "due diligence period" to understand the history and the site, and work with the city on a detailed plan.
"The City of Saint Paul and numerous stakeholders have invested tremendous energies in re-thinking the site over the past decade, and this gives us a great basis for our work," said Mike Ryan, the company's market leader for the North region.
The press release referenced the city's vision of a mixed-use neighborhood that will "support walking, biking and transit; and provide services, jobs and activities that every generation can enjoy."
Mayor Melvin Carter issued a statement Monday, saying, “Our vision for the Ford Site is a connected, livable and sustainable development that serves the needs of our growing 21st global community. Ryan Companies will be a great partner in realizing this vision.”
Councilmember Chris Tolbert, who represents the area, called it an "important step" in the redevelopment of the site.
“We are pleased that a local developer with a history of working in the City, and a future in Saint Paul and the region was picked by Ford," Tolbert said. "We look forward to working with Ryan Companies to ensure that the master development plans fit within the neighborhood’s and City’s vision and framework for the future of this unique site.”
