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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 03-11 Maplewood undergoing surprising building boom THE REVIEW Minnesota4,iei ; Single Copy 30` WED.,MARCH 11, 1981 Maplewood undergoing surprising building boom By MARY LEE HAGERT are issued for corporations through the Avenue.The facility will open in July with city and are tax-free at the federal level. four physicians. The clinic will be af- There does not seem to be much Interest is often three percentage points filiated with Ramsey Clinic Associates evidence of sagging construction activity below the going corporate bond rates, and the physicians will practice at St. in Maplewood this month. Users of this type of financing are not Paul-Ramsey Medical Center and will Huge yellow earth movers can be seen exempt from paying city assessments, have faculty positions at the University of in many parts of the city, where new utility fees and property taxes. Minnesota Medical School. residential dwellings or commercial The issuance of this type of financing by Robin Rainford of the Ramsey Clinic businesses are being built. municipalities is increasingly being Associates explains that the decision to Maplewood seems to be defying a criticized. Many government officials, locate the new facility in Maplewood nationwide downward trend in the con- including several Minnesota legislators, "was an easy one.We believe there is a struction industry. According to have expressed concerns about the broad great potential for future growth in this Metropolitan Council statistics, criteria used by cities when granting area." Maplewood is keeping pace and in some these mortgage revenue notes to cor- Sherwin-Williams Paint Company areas outpacing its suburban neighbors in porations. recently opened its new store at 1898 the commercial construction area. However, Olson defends the city Beam Ave., just south of Maplewood Last year, Maplewood issued 12 council's decisions to approve this type of Mall. The building constructed by the building permits for commercial business financing to commercial and industrial company has space available for two construction.The estimated cost of these developers in Maplewood. additional stores. Hirshfield's projects was a combined$2,858,000. "The revenue notes have made a big Wallcovering Company is planning to Roseville, which has a reputation of difference as far as commercial con- construct a store along Beam Avenue being a fast growing commercial area, struction is concerned. Some projects near the mall in the near future. did not surpass Maplewood last year in were enough on the borderline, that Construction work is advancing rapidly new business starts. Maplewood's without the revenue notes they wouldn't on a new six-screen movie theater at 1793 western neighbor issued eight corn- have moved ahead,"Olson explains. Beam Avenue,which is near the rear of mercial building permits in 1980.The cost City officials are not the only persons the mall's Sears Store.The new theater of its projects totalled an estimated aware of Maplewood's unusual building will be nearly identical to the Movies of $2,820,000. activity. Maplewood building,according to United Maplewood seems way ahead of other Duane Grace, a consultant for the Artists Theater officials, who own the nearby suburbs.Three building projects Minnesota State Building Code and already existing movie house.Mortgage were started in White Bear Lake last Standards Division says,"As far as the revenue note financing totaling$2,525,000 year,with a total value of$908,000.Little suburbs are concerned,Maplewood is one was approved by the Maplewood City Canada had two projects,an addition to a of the busiest as far as commercial Council for this project. McDonald's Restaurant and remodeling development goes. Dollarwise, Also receiving this type of financing in of an office building,which had a com- Maplewood has been doing very well. 1980 was Gervais Associates for a mini bined total of$70,000.The only building "I have been rather surprised that storage warehouse facility. This firma- permit issued for a commercial venture Maplewood has been that busy.It has had cing request was$900,000.The 269 storage liTOaltdale fast year was for a 302,000 ..many additions and new buildings con- units are under construction along gymnasium. structed within the last year," Grace Gervais Avenue;next to the Saints North concludes. Roller Arena. WHILE METROPOLITAN Council A 14,000 square foot Datsun auto does not have data compiled on how many IN ADDITION to the 12 commercial dealership and service facility at 2590 building permits were issued for building permits issued last year,several Maplewood Drive is being built by Hess residential dwelling units in the suburbs, new ones have already been proposed or Kline. it does have the figures available for begun during the first two months of 1981. Another mini-storage facility is being Maplewood. The city council gave preliminary erected in Maplewood. This project is During 1980,there were building per- approval for $300,000 revenue note being developed by F.E.D.Investments of mits issued for 210 dwellings in financing for Maplewood Dental Roseville at 1195 Highway 36. Maplewood. This contrasts with 168 Specialties.The corporation is proposing THE ONE MAJOR industrial building permits granted in 1979. to relocate and expand its existing clinic being constructed presently in Residential permits for past years facilities,now located at 1812 North St. Maplewood is the 3M Building 270.The totaled:239 in 1978;130 in 1977;100 in 1976, Paul Road.The new clinic will be con- fifth,fourth and part of the third floors of and 72 in 1975. structed along Cope Avenue near Strauss the building are already being occupied Why have commercial and residential Skates and Specialty Engineering. by employees.Construction workers are development in Maplewood been in- The one story office building will be for putting the "finishing touches" on the creasing, while other similar com- a dental care specialties clinic of en- second and first floors. munities throughout the nation been dodontics,orthodontics and periodontics. In addition to commercial develop- experiencing a decline? Groundbreaking for the Roselawn ment,housing construction has also been "Maplewood has had a potential for Center is expected sometime this month. strong in Maplewood during the last six development for a long time that hasn't This office-service-warehouse facility at months, explains Marge Ostrom, been recognized until just recently,"says the northwest corner of the intersection of Maplewood building inspector.The city Geoff Olson,Maplewood city planner. Roselawn Avenue and Interstate 35 will presently has 19 major housing "With gas prices continuing to go up, be financed in part by $3.9 million in developments of over 25 units either people are recognizing Maplewood as an mortgage revenue notes approved by the proposed or under construction. It also undiscovered jewel,"he continues."The city council. has 15 single-family dwellings being built city abuts St.Paul on its entire east side The developers of the center anticipate this month. and on the north.It also has great freeway approximately 250 full-time and 50 part- While the number of single-family access. Frankly, I'm surprised this time persons to be employed at the homes being built in the city is slightly development hasn't happened sooner." complex. down from past years,Ostrom says,"As Olson credits the Maplewood City A Toyota auto dealership is being far as other communities are concerned, Council with some of the responsibility for constructed at the intersection of Beam we are doing very well.Some other area the new commercial businesses moving Avenue and Highway 61 in northern cities may have only a couple new homes into the city.He praises the council for Maplewood.Building costs are expected being built in them right now." approving revenue mortgage financing to be approximately$750,000 for the 13,419 Ostrom says there are many factors notes for many of the projects. square foot building and 252 vehicle contributing to the rapid growth in the parking lot. city.She explains,"One thing we've got THIS TYPE of financing is attractive to here is a good development climate.The commerical developers because it lets AMONG THE PROJECTS started city,from the council on down,is willing them use the city's tax-exempt status on during 1980 were the Ramsey Clinic, to work with developers on their projects, the mortgage revenue notes.These notes which will be a medical clinic at 1774 Cope and that's a big plus."