Midtown land development could change Corcoran neighborhood
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A large piece of land in Minneapolis is now on the market -- and, according to neighborhood leaders, future development could redefine the area.
The Minneapolis School District owns 6.5 acres at Lake Street and Hiawatha in the Corcoran neighborhood. Buildings there house various district offices and schools, but the land is probably best known as the site of a popular farmers market.
Dollie Crowther with city's economic development office said it's also a rare chance to redevelop such a large patch of land within city limits.
"You can get a whole lot of development ideas from a site so large, and where it's located, the entrance, the exit," Crowther said. "And a really savvy developer will really have to make some decisions on how he's going to develop, or how she's going to develop, this site."
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The district is now asking for development proposals, which excites Eric Gustafson, with the Corcoran Neighborhood Association.
"You hear a lot of stories in the news about trying to stop or slow down -- put a barricade up in front of development," Gustafson said. "That's not happening here; we're trying to shape development and I think it's really seen as an opportunity for the neighborhood."
Officials said they expect proposals to include housing and retail, but they also want the farmers market and nearby light rail station incorporated into plans.
Bids are due in November, with the school board scheduled to make its choice in December.
