FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 12, 2019

SAINT PAUL, Minn.– As the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU), the City of Saint Paul is noticing the availability of the Draft Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) for the Ford Site and adjacent parcels. The AUAR study area includes approximately 139 acres along the Mississippi River in the Highland Park neighborhood of Saint Paul, consistent with the Ford Site Zoning and Public Realm Master Plan. The study area is located south of Ford Parkway, east of Mississippi River Boulevard, and west of Cleveland Avenue.

An AUAR is a planning tool for local governments to understand how different development scenarios will affect the environment of a community before development occurs. The State of Minnesota requires environmental reviews on proposed developments of a certain size and scale.

Two development scenarios are proposed for study in the AUAR, both of which are consistent with the Ford Site Public Realm Master Plan as amended by the City Council on April 10, 2019. The Ryan Companies development scenario includes 3,800 residential units, 150,000 square feet of retail and service space, 265,000 square feet of office and employment space, and 50,000 square feet of civic and institutional space. The Ford Site Master Plan maximum development scenario includes 4,000 residential units, 300,000 square feet of retail and service space, 450,000 square feet of office and employment space, and 150,000 square feet of civic and institutional space.

The public is invited to comment on the draft AUAR. Pursuant to Minnesota Rules 4410.3610, Subpart 5, Item B, comments may address:

  • the accuracy and completeness of the information provided in the draft analysis and draft mitigation plan;
  • potential impacts that warrant further analysis;
  • further information that may be required in order to secure permits for specific projects in the future;
  • mitigation measures or procedures necessary to prevent significant environmental impacts within the area when actual development occurs, and; 
  • the need to analyze additional development scenarios as required by this part.

The City of Saint Paul is hosting two public open houses during the comment period:

  • Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 6-8 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Ave S. The primary topics will be natural and built environment, land use, geology, water resources, animal species, visual impacts, air, and noise.
  • Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 6-8 p.m., Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy. The primary topic will be transportation.

The 30-day comment period will begin on Aug.19, 2019. Comments will be accepted through Sept. 18, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. (Central).

Comments can be submitted through an online comment form found at stpaul.gov/ford-auar.

Comments can also be sent by mail or email addressed to:

Menaka Mohan
Ford Site Planner
Department of Planning and Economic Development
25 W 4th Street, Suite 1400
Saint Paul, MN 55102
FordSitePlanning@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Learn more at stpaul.gov/ford-auar

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REF. –https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/4410.3610/

4410.3610 ALTERNATIVE URBAN AREAWIDE REVIEW PROCESS.

Subp. 5.

Procedures for review.

The procedures in items A to H must be used for review under this part.

A. The RGU shall prepare a draft environmental analysis document addressing each of the development scenarios selected under subpart 3 using the standard content and format provided by the EQB under subpart 4. A draft version of the mitigation plan as described under item C must be included. The geographic extent of the analyses of direct, indirect, and cumulative potential effects conducted in preparing the document is not to be limited by the boundaries set in the order for review under subpart 3. The draft document must be distributed and noticed in accordance with part 4410.1500.

B. Reviewers shall have 30 days from the date of notice of availability of the draft environmental analysis in the EQB Monitor to submit written comments to the RGU. Reviewers that are governmental units shall be granted a 15-day extension by the RGU upon a written request for good cause. A copy of the request must be sent to the EQB.

Comments may address the accuracy and completeness of the information provided in the draft analysis and draft mitigation plan, potential impacts that warrant further analysis, further information that may be required in order to secure permits for specific projects in the future, mitigation measures or procedures necessary to prevent significant environmental impacts within the area when actual development occurs, and the need to analyze additional development scenarios as required by this part.

Governmental units shall also state in their comments whether or not they wish to be notified by the RGU upon receipt of applications for specific development projects within the area.

Last Edited: April 6, 2022