Target mulling bigger expansion to Brooklyn Park campus

Target is considering a bigger expansion of its Brooklyn Park campus than initially planned.

The discount retail chain is now asking for environmental review of 1.7 million square feet of office space at its campus in Brooklyn Park. That's 200,000 square feet more than city officials have already approved.

Brooklyn Park's economic and redevelopment director, Jason Aarsvold, said it's not clear if Target's presence is already boosting economic activity. But that's the hope for the future.

"Setting that land aside ... has been part of a long-term, 20-25 year plan to get more of that type of development in the city," Aarsvold said.

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The city wants commercial, retail and restaurant development to follow, Aarsvold said.

Aarsvold said Target's request for consideration of more office space does not commit the company to bigger expansion plans.

"They still have to come in and submit plans for what they're actually going to build," Aarsvold said. "This is just laying out parameters for the amount of development that could occur on the site."

Target is moving 3,900 workers from its downtown Minneapolis headquarters to its campus in Brooklyn Park over the next two years.