Eagan Charts Course For Sustainable Growth, Repurposing Defunct Business Campuses Into Community Assets.

Eagan Charts Course For Sustainable Growth, Repurposing Defunct Business Campuses Into Community Assets.

In Eagan, with 2024 marking a significant year in transforming defunct business campuses into lively new community hotspots. In a city that's nearly outgrown its expansion chrysalis, the name of the game is re-use and revitalize, according to a report released by the City of Eagan. Former industry giants like Thomson Reuters and Delta Airlines have left behind large footprints ripe for retrofitting, from industrial oases to affordable housing expanses.

When Thomson Reuters shifted to its new Eagan headquarters, it left behind an industrial Eden that Ryan Companies is eager to till; with an anticipated redevelopment spanning 179 acres, blending residential spaces with industrial zest, accompanied by an environmental consciousness that acknowledges the original green fabric of the area—open houses and public commentary led the company to pivot from initial plans, embracing not only walking trails but also tree preservation and wetland sanctuaries, according to the City of Eagan. Mayor Mike Maguire expressed confidence, saying, "The inclusion of light industrial components ensures it will remain a vital part of Eagan’s property tax base, while thoughtfully preserving the natural features and character that make the surrounding neighborhoods so desirable," he told the City of Eagan.

Joining the municipal makeover, the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) snagged the erstwhile Delta Airlines haunt on Towerview Road with grand designs for a residential retreat. This patch, part of the Northwest Central Commons Small Area Plan, is destined for a diverse range of housing options that pay homage to an eco-friendly ethos, all snug in the embrace of nearby parks and shops. The CDA’s dance card includes its affordable housing infrastructure, but it’s not shutting the door on private market-rate development.

Further fueling Eagan's repurpose rally, a healthcare newcomer casts its eyes on a former Blue Cross Blue Shield call center, promising jobs aplenty for the city's denizens. Solventum, an offshoot of corporate behemoth 3M, is pegged to pump the locale with 600 to 800 daily employees, contributing over 1,000 high-wage jobs to Eagan, sparking words of commendation from Mayor Maguire, "Solventum’s decision to relocate to Eagan is a testament to the strength and appeal of our city," he shared with the City of Eagan. The City anticipates a development application this year for the old headquarters. An educational injection too is on the horizon with the former Delta Dental building poised to become the new campus for Great Oaks Academy Charter School—a clear signal that Eagan’s march towards a mixed-use makeover spares no corner.

SOURCE: hoodline