Bridges agrees to work with community

The Bridges of St. Paul project withdrew the request for a variance in zoning after reaching an agreement to talk with the community. Ward 2 City Council Member Dave Thune brokered a deal with Jerry Trooien, the developer of the $1.5 billion project.

The rezoning of the site to the broad conditions of B-5 has been opposed by much of the West Side community organizations. The rezoning passed the Zoning board then was voted against by the HRA so it was going to continue on to the full City Council on November 15.

The proposal will be pulled from the table and resubmitted when an agreement is reached.
In a statement from Thune he said, “The vision behind The Bridges of Saint Paul will only be enhanced by this new collaborative process. What is best for the city must come directly from the community.”

Members of the community are still skeptical that this new process will involve much real compromise on the issues.