Several show interest in former ammunition plant site
At least a half dozen developers have signaled their interest in submitting plans to remake the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant site on Monday, the first day applications were accepted.
Now called Rice Creek Commons, the site is considered one of the largest open development sites in the Twin Cities area. It served as an ammunition manufacturing facility for decades. Last November, Ramsey County said the site had been cleared of hazardous materials well enough for residential development.
The county now has 427 acres available for redevelopment and would like a single developer to come up with a plan for the whole site.
"It will have a 43-acre campus commercial site, located along 35W just north of County Road H, that will really be the premiere billboard site for development," said Heather Worthington, Ramsey County deputy manager.
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Officials also hope to have 2.5 million square feet of commercial development and as many as 1,500 housing units on the site.
Applications are being accepted through March 9. Development on the site could start as soon as next year.
The county bought the site in 2013, several years after pitching it to the Vikings in an attempt to lure the team to Arden Hills.
Correction: This story originally said that potential developers had submitted plans for the former TCAAP site. Ramsey County officials said there were six "planholders" for the property, but that they had not submitted actual development proposals. The above copy is correct.