Amended Development Agreements Reignite Residential and Commercial Construction at Highland Bridge

SAINT PAUL – Today, the City of Saint Paul amended select developer agreements related to Highland Bridge, giving development partners the green light to resume work on residential and commercial projects. These updates adjust the redevelopment plan to better align with current market conditions and community needs and were passed by both the City Council and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. 

"Highland Bridge is key to all of our housing, economic, and sustainability goals," said Mayor Carter. "This agreement paves the way for hundreds of new homes—and helps move our whole city forward." 

The amended agreements include obligations to build 447 new housing units across three multifamily buildings, helping ease the local housing shortage. Additionally, four new commercial buildings will be constructed, offering 36,500 square feet of space to support businesses and boost economic activity in the area. To advance sustainability goals, the developers will also pre-pay $2.8 million in Green Infrastructure assessments, ensuring continued investment in environmentally responsible site improvements. 

“I’m grateful,” added Ward 3 Councilmember Saura Jost. “After years of waiting, with today’s council action we’re getting back to the work of transforming The Ford Site into Highland Bridge. I can’t wait to see the neighborhood it becomes. We have builders ready to build and a community that is excited to see them do it. It’s a good day.” 

“With this vote, we’re shifting development at Highland Bridge into high gear and putting developers on the hook to deliver,” said Council President Rebecca Noecker. “This is the kind of economic and housing growth our city needs and I’m excited to get it moving.” 

Councilmember Johnson, who represents Ward 7 and serves as Chair of the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority said, “The HRA remains committed to the success of our major developments in Saint Paul because we know the time is now to continue to grow our tax base and build more housing. These amended agreements will now position Highland Bridge to move forward. Builders will be able to build and that is exactly what we will expect to see as soon as possible.”  

The city is also updating the minimum assessed values for 15 of the 44 parcels involved in the project. As a result, the total assessed value of the updated parcels is expected to increase by about 20% by the end of the TIF term—thereby potentially expanding the tax base when the district expires. The amended TIF plan does not raise the overall TIF budget, and base tax payments remitted are unchanged, resulting in no impact to the city’s budget. This ensures that while the project evolves to meet current needs, it maintains fiscal responsibility and stability for the city. 

ABOUT HIGHLAND BRIDGE 

Highland Bridge (formerly known as the “Ford Site”) is 135 acres of land along the Mississippi River and the former home of Ford Motor Companies' Twin Cities Assembly Plant. After closure, the City of Saint Paul and multiple partners spent a decade engaging with the community, studying environmental impacts and approving a final plan for the site's redevelopment. Ryan Companies, as master developer of the site, is executing the City's plan of a new connected, livable, mixed-use neighborhood with clean technologies and high-quality design for energy, buildings, and infrastructure. It will be woven into the existing community; support walking, biking, and transit; and provide services, jobs, and activities that every generation can enjoy. 

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