In January, the Met Council awarded more than $3.3 million in grants to help four cities clean up contaminated land and buildings for redevelopment and increased economic activity.
We awarded two types of grants: contamination investigation (1 grant) and contamination cleanup (10 grants). The grants will help clean up 46 acres, increase the annual net tax capacity by an estimated $5.4 million, and encourage $643 million in privately financed improvements.
Projects will create 1,000 jobs, 930 housing units affordable to low-income families
In addition to putting land back into productive use, the projects will create an estimated 1,000 jobs and more than 1,200 housing units. The housing includes 930 units affordable to households with lower incomes, with 837 units affordable to families earning 60% of area median income or less.
“Housing affordable to working families and older residents who earn lower incomes is increasingly scarce in the metro region,” said Council Chair Charlie Zelle. “Stable, quality housing is at the heart of thriving families and communities. These local projects are revitalizing properties and creating housing and jobs that will increase regional prosperity.”
We received 18 grant applications requesting a total of nearly $6.5 million.
Contamination investigation grant
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1222 University, Saint Paul: $49,200 for an environmental assessment work plan, environmental assessment, hazardous materials abatement plan, vapor mitigation pilot test, and other activities. Plans call for redevelopment of the existing building into 62 affordable apartments.
Contamination cleanup grants
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14th and Central, Minneapolis: $370,500 for site investigation, asbestos abatement, disposal of stained concrete, soil remediation, and other activities. Plans call for development of a six-story building with 175 affordable apartments, 1,000 square feet of gallery space, and a one-story building with 5,700 square feet of light manufacturing space.
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RBC Gateway, Minneapolis: $425,000 for additional soil and bedrock remediation. Plans call for a 36-story mixed-use tower with 590,000 square feet of office space; a 240-unit hotel; 9,100 square feet of retail; and 20 market-rate condos.
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Twin Lake Station, Roseville: $722,500 for asbestos abatement, soil remediation, and other activities. Plans call for 480 affordable apartments in 3 buildings, including 1 building with affordable senior apartments.
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Amundson Flats, Edina: $400,500 for asbestos abatement, soil remediation and soil vapor mitigation. Plans call for development of 62 affordable apartments in a 4-story building.
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907 Winter Street NE, Minneapolis: $185,000 for additional hazardous waste removal and disposal. Plans include the development of 16 market-rate apartments and 4 affordable apartments.
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Amber Apartments, Minneapolis: $180,700 for asbestos sampling and abatement, limited demolition, soil remediation, and vapor mitigation. Development will include 81 affordable apartments with supportive services.
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Stonehouse Square Apartments, Minneapolis: $140,700 for an abatement plan and soil remediation. Redevelopment plans include renovation and preservation of 71 affordable apartments.
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Creekside at Van White, Minneapolis: $367,000 for soil sampling and soil remediation. Development plans call for 90,000 square feet of office space.
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Waterford Bay, Saint Paul: $316,900 for soil vapor sampling and soil remediation. Development plans include 242 units of market-rate housing.
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605 and 617 Stryker Avenue, Saint Paul: $179,800 for asbestos abatement and soil remediation. Plans call for development of 57 affordable apartments for seniors.
About the Livable Communities program
Since the Livable Communities program became law in 1995, the Council has made 532 brownfield investigation and cleanup grant awards totaling more than $144 million. The awards are helping to leverage billions of dollars in private investment, create and maintain 45,000 jobs, and clean up more than 2,000 acres of contaminated properties.
To be eligible and compete for Livable Communities funding, metro area municipalities must participate in the Livable Communities program. Ninety-seven metro area cities and one township participate in the program, which provides funding for:
- Affordable housing
- Development that promotes mixed-use and connected land uses linking housing, jobs, and services
- Brownfield or polluted site cleanup
- Transit-oriented development
The Met Council is expected to award more than $21 million this year in Livable Communities funds to eligible applicants.