Zoning are local rules that identify how land can be used and developed. Previously the Ford Site was zoned for light industrial development, which focuses on uses such as manufacturing, light industry and warehousing. Previous studies of the site have indicated that the site is not attractive to today’s industrial businesses due to limited transportation access, land prices, and the way the city has developed around the site.
Rezoning the property provides guidelines to ensure development of a mixed-use urban village as envisioned by the City, community and other stakeholders. The rezoning identifies the site’s redevelopment potential and market value to prospective buyers, while creating more certainty for the surrounding community on what development to expect there.
The City’s Zoning and Public Realm Master Plan and related amendments to the Zoning Code rezoned the 122-acre Ford property and three adjacent parcels into six districts.
Four of the districts are multi-family residential areas, increasing in height and density from the Mississippi River Boulevard to the eastern edge of the site.
- River residential: 2-4 story townhome, multi-family and carriage house residential buildings along Mississippi River Boulevard.
- Residential mixed-low: 3-5 story townhome or multi-family residential buildings.
- Residential mixed-mid: 3-6 story multi-family residential buildings with limited retail.
- Residential mixed-high: 4-10 story multi-family residential buildings with retail, office and other services.
Two of the districts are primarily commercial areas along Ford Parkway.
- Business-mixed: 3-6 story retail, office or services, along with multi-family residential units along Ford Parkway.
- Gateway: 3-6 story commercial/office property near the northwest side of the site along Ford Parkway.
At full build-out, the redevelopment could provide 1,500 jobs and between 2,400 to 4,000 residential units, according to the current draft plans. This density will support new retail and services that the whole neighborhood will benefit from.
