Met Council Approves Grants for Job Creation, Housing and Economic Development
Projects in Saint Paul will receive $1.1 million in grant funds to support economic opportunity, redevelopment and job creation across the city.
The Metropolitan Council awarded nearly $3.4 million in Livable Communities grants in June and July, contributing to economic opportunity, redevelopment, and job creation in the seven-county metro area.
Grants awarded July 12 fund polluted-site cleanup at properties, including the area near Allianz Field along University Avenue in Saint Paul for an office building and hotel.
“This is the latest round of funding from the Livable Communities grant program to invest in our region,” said Lisa Barajas, Met Council community development director. “The program benefits the whole region by helping communities to advance economic development projects, housing choices, and transportation connections.”
Grants targeting polluted sites help fund cleanup and investigation for redevelopment. They also help pay for environmental assessments in areas with concentrations of low-wage jobs, low-income households, and Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian populations.
“The region has come a long way in terms of cleaning up properties contaminated by asbestos, petroleum, and many other pollutants,” said Elizabeth Kluesner, Minnesota Brownfields executive director. “I’ve seen remarkable progress resulting from the Livable Communities program and the partnerships formed to achieve positive outcomes for communities and the region, and I look forward to more progress to come.”
The following projects in the City of Saint Paul received Livable Communities grants:
- Contamination cleanup grants
- United Village Phase 1, Saint Paul Port Authority: $652,400 for cleanup and environmental oversight at a mostly vacant 7.4-acre site on University Avenue. Redevelopment will include construction of an 87,000-square-foot, four-story office building with retail space, and a 170-unit hotel, creating 455 jobs. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is a funding partner.
- Prior Works Creative Enterprise Zone, Saint Paul: $174,900 for mitigation at an 8.8-acre site on Prior Avenue North. Redevelopment includes renovation of about 100,000 square feet of vacant space within existing buildings, and adding commercial, office, and industrial multi-tenant spaces, and 425 jobs. DEED is a funding partner.
- United Village Phase 1, Saint Paul Port Authority: $652,400 for cleanup and environmental oversight at a mostly vacant 7.4-acre site on University Avenue. Redevelopment will include construction of an 87,000-square-foot, four-story office building with retail space, and a 170-unit hotel, creating 455 jobs. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is a funding partner.
- Seeding Equitable Environmental Development Projects (SEED)
- Hamm's Brewery Redevelopment, Saint Paul: $50,000 for assessment and inspection at a 4.9-acre site on Minnehaha Avenue East historically used as a brewery and is part of larger development plans.
- Hamm's Brewery Redevelopment, Saint Paul: $50,000 for assessment and inspection at a 4.9-acre site on Minnehaha Avenue East historically used as a brewery and is part of larger development plans.
- Predevelopment grants
- Hamm's Brewery, Saint Paul: $275,000 toward engagement, design, and planning for redevelopment at the former Hamm’s Brewery Complex, including a multicultural artist and residential hub.