Open House for YMCA/Hy-Vee Redevelopment

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The long awaited redevelopment of the former YMCA/Hy-Vee property is moving forward with an open house planned to gather community feedback before official public hearings.

What’s being proposed: The plan hasn’t changed substantially from earlier proposals, which include more than 450 apartment units, townhouses, retail space, a sit-down restaurant, and community space—including an amphitheater, plaza, green space, and more.

• No details: The initial site plan has not been finalized, so there are no specific details yet on cost, exact features, subsidies, etc. Look for more specifics at the open house.
• More apartments?: Housing makes projects like this financially feasible. As the city manager noted previously, the less housing the more public subsidy is required. Also, there is a nationwide housing shortage and new market-rate apartments in West St. Paul have filled up quickly.
• Where: The is the former YMCA site on Thompson Road, east of Robert Street. It’s northwest of Wentworth Library and will be on the River-to-River Greenway trail with access to the walking loop and Thompson Oaks boardwalk.

Public feedback: The developer, Greco, will present an initial site plan during an open house at Wentworth Library on Wednesday, November 1 from 5-7 p.m.

Preliminary concept drawings showing the proposed development.

Timeline

This projects has seen many stops and starts going back to YMCA’s initial desire to sell their property. The latest hiccups have included rising interest rates pushing up costs, needing state approval for TIF, and the former AutoZone being in and out and now in the proposal again. Here’s how we got where we are today:

• Late 2018 – Hy-Vee finalizes purchase agreement with YMCA, sale closes in early 2019.
• October 2019 – YMCA’s original building closes.
• 2020 – YMCA building demolished.
• April 2022 – Hy-Vee abandons redevelopment plans.
• June 2022 – City reviews conceptual plans and makes an offer for Hy-Vee land.
• August 2022 – EDA approves purchase agreement with Hy-Vee (though plan is to transfer purchase to a developer) with detailed conceptual plan.
• September 2022 – Developer presents preliminary proposal.
• December 2022 – When the city couldn’t finalize a developer agreement in time, the city bought the Hy-Vee/YMCA land to control development.
• May 2023 – State gives TIF approval, an issue that was holding up redevelopment.
• June 2023 – Former AutoZone is considered for separate redevelopment.
• June 2023 – Preliminary development agreement approved.
• November 2023 – Public open house.

Oct. 24, 2023 Update: Work Session Update

Staff gave an update on the project during the recent City Council meeting, which included more detail on the proposed community space.

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