Grant puts Mpls Jaguar site on track for redevelopment
The downtown Minneapolis Jaguar dealership that's sat vacant for several years will be cleaned up to make way for a new mixed-use development of housing and retail space.
That announcement came from the Metropolitan Council today. The organization approved $2.4 million dollars in grants as part of the Livable Communities program, which funds affordable housing, mixed-use development, and brownfield cleanups. This latest round of grants will help clean up 49 acres, the Met Council said in a release.
The grants include one for nearly $442,900 to do an environmental investigation at the Jaguar site, along with soil remediation and asbestos and PCB abatement. The 2.5 acres along Hennepin Avenue has been empty since 2007. The Met Council says plans include 286 apartments and about 40,000 square feet of retail grocery space.
Another grant goes to the Schmidt Brew House in St. Paul. Nearly $248,200 funds for asbestos and lead paint abatement. The building was home to an ethanol plant from 2000 to 2004. Before that it was vacant for many years.
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The Met Council says existing brew house buildings will be renovated into 130 affordable apartments.
Other plans have included a rathskeller, restaurants and offices.
The Council received 24 applications totaling more than $5 million for brownfield cleanup awards this funding round. It awarded 12 grants.