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Developer proposes combined residential-commercial property

Minneapolis and Saint Paul each have the feel of big cities that preserve their small town charm. Distinctive neighborhoods attract people of varying interests as the cities’ financial districts keep the area relevant in the business world. Recently a historic part of Minneapolis has come under examination for development and proposals for the site have begun to come in.

The area in question encompasses a corner of Nicollet Mall and the city would like to construct a unique building on the site. One developer has offered a design that would add to Minneapolis’s already distinctive skyline. The design involves construction of a very thin and very tall structure.

The building would be 80 stories and would stand 900 feet tall. The developer anticipates that lower levels would be offered for commercial space and upper floors could be turned into residential apartments. Some have questioned whether the community could support and fill such a large structure, but the developer believes that it would serve an area of need for people seeking housing in the city.

Whoever wins the bid to construct an iconic building on Nicollet Mall will have to work with the city to ensure that its plans meet the zoning and building codes mandated by local and state governments. The developer will also have to ensure that the structure’s use will not violate any land use ordinances. In essence, the structure would have to walk the thin line of requirements mandated for office buildings and residential structures alike.

The development of Nicollet Mall may revitalize the area with new businesses and opportunities for residential housing. Development of the site will be tricky, however, as groups hoping to execute their plans must satisfy the concerns of the greater community. Developing a combined residential and commercial property on the site may prove challenging for the party interested in making the idea into a reality.

Source: Star Tribune, “Developer explains how an 80-story tower can work in Minneapolis,” Kristen Leigh Painter, Jan. 10, 2015