BLAINE, Minn. – (June 14, 2018) – Blaine is getting ready for a busy construction season. From new homes, to new commercial development, to new industrial and some redevelopment; the city is seeing plans and construction across the city.
“We have developments all across the board…we are looking at about $200 million of investment this year,” said Blaine economic development coordinator Erik Thorvig.
A couple large vacant sites will be moving forward with new business. The Kmart site near Northtown Mall is already beginning their renovations to welcome new businesses.
“The owners of the building have secured two tenets…AutoZone..and then Xperience Fitness,” said Thorvig.
The Chuck E Cheese on that site will stay put. The Gander Mountain on Highway 65 is also getting ready to turn into a multi-tenant building.
“An entertainment use called The Fun Lab just got approved by our city council. They will be taking up one third of that space,” said Thorvig.
And as Northtown Mall prepares to say goodbye to Herbergers, the mall and city are working to find new options.
“They are looking at potential opportunities to develop some of the land on the west side of the mall,” said Thorvig.
In addition to this redevelopment, there’s also plenty of brand new development in the area. Hundreds of new homes are being built. And a few new businesses are coming to town as well.
“One of the big industrial projects we have coming in is Crown Iron Works. They are going to be moving their global headquarters from Roseville to Blaine. About 125 jobs, a lot of which are high paying,” said Thorvig.
The last vacant lot near Target on 109th will be filled soon.
“Panera is going in the vacant lot that’s in Victory Village near Target.”
Additionally a new hotel will be built on Baltimore Street across from the National Sports Center.
And there’s one area of town that the city is focusing on improving, as they work with local business owners.
“One of the areas that the city is focusing on is the older industrial park just off of 105th and Radisson Road. There has already been some activity there with the Invictus Brewing. Kwik Trip is going to be starting their project on the corner of 105th and Radisson in July. The city is focusing on acquiring and working with the property owners of some of the older industrial buildings,” said Thorvig.
2018 is looking to be a busy year in Blaine.
