After Bridges Defeat, Developer Doesn’t Have ‘Another Plan’

The St. Paul Bridges riverfront project came to an abrupt end  Wednesday night when it failed to gain the support of the St. Paul City Council.

The council voted 5-2 against developer Jerry Trooien’s rezoning request to allow a proposed $1 billion dollar mixed-use retail and residential development on the west side of the Mississippi River, just opposite from downtown St. Paul.

When asked what his next move would be after the meeting, Trooien said, “I’m not going to do anything. Consistent with what I’ve said is, we don’t have another plan.”Early in the meeting, a representative of the Planning Commission recommended against “green-lighting” the project. The Planning Commission had concerns that the project would “place an excessive burden on the area,” increasing traffic and public safety concerns. The project also would be detrimental to the future development of other businesses in the area, the representative  said.

During the public hearing, supporters emphasized the jobs and revenue the project would create, and denied that it would threaten the vitality of nearby downtown St. Paul or that increased foot traffic would require an additional police presence.

Opponents reiterated earlier objections that the upscale project was “not intended for everyone to use and enjoy” and that the high-rise buildings would impede the view of the river.

Council Member Dave Thune, who represents the ward where the project was planned, introduced a motion to reject the rezoning request. While all council members expressed sympathy for the goals of the Bridges project to improve the riverfront, Lee Helgen, Kathy Lantry, Pat Harris, Jay Benanav and Thune voted against the request. Members Dan Bostrom and Debbie Montogomery voted in favor.

Related: Guest Post: Why St. Paul’s “Bridges” Project Matters by Diane Gerth