Both the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Villager ran stories this week on the sale of the Ford Plant. Now the big question is -- who is going to buy it? And will they consider an innovative approach to developing the property in a sustainable way?
According to the Press in a May 7th article:
The real estate arm of Ford Motor Co. is preparing to seek a master developer for its Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St. Paul's Highland Park.
A Ford Land spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday the company is set to issue a request for proposals seeking a sole developer for the 135-acre parcel, considered one of the prime development opportunities in the Upper Midwest.
Stephanie Denby said the deal likely would be structured as a purchase option because of ongoing questions about the redevelopment. She could not say when the request for proposals would be issued.
"We don't know the exact timing of when the plant is going to close, we don't know the extent of the environmental remediation, and it's best just to keep all our options open," Denby said.
Ford and St. Paul officials characterized the move as a long-foreseen step in the redevelopment process, one that would give the future developer a voice in the city's planning process.
Originally expected to close this fall, the plant is scheduled to remain open at least until fall 2009.
"This is the natural course of the development process," said Council Member Pat Harris, whose Third Ward includes the Ford site. "We are pleased that Ford allowed the (city) to start the planning process first."
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