Plans for the former Medtronic facility at Sullivan Lake would include two six-story apartment buildings (center of the map), 48 townhomes (west and south of the the apartment buildings) and a market rate apartment building (north side of the property). Construction could begin next year. (Provided)
A project at the former Medtronic property at Sullivan Lake that could add 500 housing units to Columbia Heights moved forward with a city meeting on May 21.
Residents attended three concurrent meetings at the Public Library and asked questions about parking, traffic, the plans for Central Avenue, the future of Sullivan Lake and, more generally, on the impact to the city.
The project will be done in four phases. Representatives from Lincoln Avenue Communities, one of the developers, were on hand to talk about the first phase – the construction of two six-story affordable housing buildings.
The “L” shaped buildings would be in the middle of the Medtronic property where a massive parking lot now exists. Each would have elevators and 134 units of “workforce accessible” housing. Potential residents of Phase 1 would have incomes in between $40,000 and $90,000. This is not government-subsidized housing.
Phase 2 would include parking, landscaping and storm sewer changes.
The third phase would be the construction of 58 townhome units adjacent to the lake. The fourth phase would be the construction of a 100 to 150 units of market-rate apartments on the north side of the property, making for a probable five or six-story building.
There will also be commercial development – stores and restaurants – on-site, although because it’s not on Central Ave. or another main thoroughfare, business development is limited.
Medtronic still owns the property and has had it for sale on the market for several years, asking for $12 million. It includes a large building that will have to be demolished.
If all goes according to plan, construction on the first phase could begin early next year.
Mitchell Forney, community development director for the city, said the three meetings went well, and that many of the questions were about the future of Central Avenue, just to the east of the Medtronic project, officially known as the 800 53rd Avenue Project.
Forney said the project follows a trend throughout the Twin Cities for more high density housing to meet a regional housing shortage. The trend is now moving to the inner ring of suburbs such as Columbia Heights.
Forney said the city is considering all aspects of the project, including what it will look like 50 years from now. City resources such as police, fire, water and sewer services have to be considered.
Forney said those attending the meeting were very interested in the Minnesota Department of Transportation plan to build a two-lane roundabout at 53rd and Central.
Another key factor in transportation around the site is the plan to add a new rapid transit bus route that would serve the project.
At present time Medtronic still owns the property. The developers, Lincoln Avenue Communities, will have to buy the property from Medtronic and demolish the existing building.
One attendee at the meeting asked about parking. A Lincoln spokesman said much of the parking will be underground, with some surface parking.
Another attendee asked about the impact adding this much high density housing would have on the city. (Another high density housing project is being planned for the former Rainbow Foods site on Central.) She wondered about crime, traffic and the impact on the schools. The Lincoln employee said those are questions that the city council needs to answer.
One attendee asked if using the existing Medtronic building was considered. Forney said it was but that the building is 45 years old and the roof has not been maintained. Forney said the partnership with Lincoln was necessary because the city doesn’t have the money to buy the property or demolish the building.
Several people asked about Sullivan Lake Park, a separate city project. Much of the infrastructure at the park, such as tennis courts just west of the Medtronic property, is being removed and will be replaced by a fitness court. The court will provide free workouts in an outdoor setting. An improved walking path and playground are scheduled for 2026.
Future plans include a sports court and pickleball court.
There are also plans, through several government agencies, to reduce the unfiltered storm sewer water dump into the lake.
The next step for the project will be at the Columbia Heights Planning Commission on June 3. The site is now zoned for commercial use and would have to be changed to mixed use.