Nearly 850 new homes and more than 1,100 jobs will result from $9.6 million in Livable Communities grants awarded by the Council on Nov. 28. The funds will support nine development projects that create housing, jobs and investment. Anticipated outcomes include:
- 847 new homes, including 335 that are affordable to households with low and moderate incomes
- 1,117 jobs, including 332 that are permanent living-wage jobs
- $244 million in other public and private investment leveraged
Awards include funding for:
- Redevelopment of a residential area in Richfield
- Corporate Center for a Minnesota bank in St. Louis Park
- Training Center in North Minneapolis
- Mixed-income housing in Eden Prairie
“Congratulations to the cities awarded funding, including Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis, Richfield, Saint Paul, and St. Louis Park,” said Lisa Barajas, the Council’s Community Development Division Director. “Not only for their successful applications, but also for the important work they’re doing to enhance livability and opportunity in their communities.”
Barajas also cites the successes of the Livable Communities program toward promoting and supporting jobs, development, and housing choices.
Livable Communities grants support impressive job growth, economic development
Since 1995, when the Livable Communities Act became law, through 2017, the Council has approved Livable Communities grants totaling more than $374 million to assist projects that have created or retained more than 52,000 jobs, cleaned up 2,300 acres of polluted property for redevelopment, created or preserved more than 22,000 affordable homes, and leveraged billions in additional public and private funds.
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Applicants are partners in local units of government that participate in the Livable Communities program. Proposed projects must meet criteria that the Council has vetted and approved.
Fall 2019 project grants:
Gateway Northeast — Minneapolis: $1,650,000 towards, primarily, site acquisition for a development that includes 125 mixed-income homes. The development includes neighborhood-oriented retail space.
Olson Townhomes Phase I, Minneapolis: $1,200,000 towards site preparation for a project to build 92 homes affordable to low-income families, replacing an existing multifamily residential development. A retention pond will serve as stormwater management as well as a community amenity.
848 Payne, Saint Paul: $269,500 towards a mixed-use development that includes 99 affordable homes and commercial space.
Village Creek Apartments, Brooklyn Park: $832,000 towards mixed-use development that will include both affordable and market-rate homes. The first floor would house a community commercial kitchen with space for community education and local events.
Bridgewater Bank Corporate Center, St. Louis Park: $1,204,889 towards a redevelopment project that includes an office building, structured parking, retail space, restaurant and public plaza.
Minneapolis Apprenticeship and Training Center, Minneapolis: $1,600,000 towards site acquisition and development of a training center in North Minneapolis that will focus on preparing students, youth and adult, for careers in clean energy, water systems and other technical construction fields.
Capital Professional Office Building Redevelopment, Saint Paul: $713,730 towards development that will include 92 small-size “micro unit” homes at a more accessible price than market-rate development of larger housing units.
Cedar Point II, Richfield: $1,189,000 towards redevelopment of a residential area into a mix of apartments and townhomes with additional public space.
Trail Point Ridge/Smith Village, Eden Prairie: $903,635 towards redevelopment of a 7-acre site that includes 58 mixed-income homes. The development is part of a larger plan for affordable homes for senior living and for-sale townhomes.
All of the development projects have stormwater management and/or energy conservation elements.
Livable Communities Grants: Investing in community vitality