Nicollet-Lake - greater Kmart area

[SurlyLHT]

Its confusing why the city wouldn't issue a GLOBAL RFP and get some major players in here. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to put something really cool here!!! Why not get the ball rolling now?

..this area has seen a crime spike and we're years away anyhow. Might be better to do the RFP and Mpls is more stable and not in the shadow of Floyd's murder and the unrest.

[uptownbro]

Per MinnPost the city will being holding meetings about developing the property in 2022 with dem of the current building in Dec 2023. I think the city should try and go bold here as they have time to actually plan something decent

[xandrex]

There is quite a bit of underutilized land at Nicollet and Lake, including north of the Greenway. Would be cool if there was any way to do a larger area redevelopment (not unlike the Ford Site, but at a much smaller scale). Obviously not possible with so many different landowners and you'd have to build around a lot of still-in-use buildings. But this area desperately needs some investment - especially now that there's a brand-new transit station right here.

[acs]

^ speaking of which, looks like the homeless shelter at 1st and 28th street will be expanding from 1 to 5 floors: https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2021/10/ ... in-county/

[minntransplant]

The Business, Inspections, Housing & Zoning Committee is considering a "Former Kmart and New Nicollet Project Work Plan" today. Looks like the city wants to do public engagement in 2022 and then issue some documents in 2023 that describe the city's vision/plan for redevelopment. One one hand, it is nice to see some movement. On the other hand, do we really need to spend 2 years on engagement to guide how the site should be redeveloped when we already have the 2040 plan and host of other policies that should guide whatever happens? Seems like a waste of time and money.

https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2021-01280

https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download ... ations.pdf

[uptownbro]

Its good to see this still moving along within city hall but I agree I dont think it should take 2 years given the 2040 plan. What exactly would the cities vision be besides the street reopened and the land redeveloped into a mix of affordable and market rate housing with some retail that is oriented toward the bus station.

[minntransplant]

PPL did a presentation of what they are planning at 3030 Nicollet. Looks great!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epxs0LZ ... e=youtu.be

[datasage]

It appears that the plan to demo the old K-mart building and reconnect the streets wont happen until 2024 at the earliest.

https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/min ... eet-kmart/

[Blaisdell Greenway]

https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/download ... llet%20Ave

The Project for Pride in Living project replacing the old Wells Fargo won't break ground until fall 2023 BUT Afro Deli looks to be the restaurant tenant on the corner!

[Blaisdell Greenway]

The Walgreens moving into the old Office Depot space in the strip mall looks to be getting close to opening. Paper is off the windows and a Walgreens banner went up over the sign facing Lake.

[uptownbro]

Demo for the former grocery store on the kmart site has been approved and will be demolished this year before the post office moves out of the other building.
https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/ ... -demo.html

[Blaisdell Greenway]

The Walgreens moving into the old Office Depot space in the strip mall looks to be getting close to opening. Paper is off the windows and a Walgreens banner went up over the sign facing Lake.

Tried to pick up a prescription today and they were in the middle of moving from the trailer to the new storefront which will open on Thursday.

[Blaisdell Greenway]

Supervalu building on the Kmart parcel to come down. That place has gotten quite messy over the last few years.

https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis ... 600188734/

[COLSLAW5]

They have finally taken the first layer of concrete barrier and fence around the 5th precinct building so the sidewalk and bus stop should be open fully again soon.

[Blaisdell Greenway]

There are additional fences around the rest of the main parts of the Kmart parking lot, on either side of the fenced in post office parking. The lot in front of the supervalu always has dozens and dozens of cars there. No idea where they come from and what they're doing all day. There's currently a dumpster in front of the Supervalu and looks like they're clearing out the last stuff inside before starting demolition.

[MNdible]

It seems like Karmel Square has used this lot for overflow. Maybe without permission.

[Blaisdell Greenway]

That makes a lot of sense, actually. I know day laborers station themselves here for gigs but I can't imagine it was 50 cars worth of people.

[grant1simons2]

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TCF9Y7N

New Survey

[Mdcastle]

How many trolls will fill out "K-Mart" as a place they want to shop at?

[SurlyLHT]

I emphasized the need for housing and for the new space to make the area feel more like a neighborhood rather than a commercial corridor. Density with quality greenspace.