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Business in the
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<br /> JOHN NOLTNER
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<br /> • •
<br /> Commercial . ro eco•
<br /> •are res a In cities
<br /> In northwest suburbs
<br /> Construction boom, city by city
<br /> By Martin Keller between the Cities and St. Cloud saw the
<br /> Contributing writer arrival of a Target store and Cub Foods off
<br /> As the road goes, so goes retail develop- Highway 169. A number of commercial
<br /> ment.The adage holds true in the northwest satellites including branch banks, fast-food
<br /> metro area,where development is shaped by franchises and auto-related retail have risen
<br /> such highly traversed routes as Interstate 94, up alongside the two stores, ranging from
<br /> Highway 65 and new connecting routes that. Radio Shack to Arby's and Chesapeake
<br /> will link Interstate 35W and I-94 and other Bagel Bakery. Add a 61,000-square-foot
<br /> 0 highway sections in what many refer to as Menards store and a 60,000-square-foot Sax
<br /> the North Crosstown. Foods near Highway 169 on the east side of
<br /> . But roads alone aren't responsible for the the highway and the pieces help total rough-
<br /> boom-in commercial development there. ly$14 million in 1996 in retail development
<br /> Other factors such as demographic changes, that Steinman has seen since taking over the
<br /> the growth of industrial and manufacturing job just nine months ago.
<br /> sites and general community needs'for retail "Our commercial retail development was
<br /> properties,big and small,franchises or inde- stronger last year than our industrial,” he
<br /> pendents, all work together in forming the noted.
<br /> commercial landscape that winds its way Meanwhile queries from brand-name
<br /> from Elk River to Maple Grove, Brooklyn hotels from both the East and West coasts
<br /> Park and Brooklyn Ce'ter, Fridley and into have also crossed Steinman's desk. Also
<br /> Coon Rapids and Blain. pending is 60,000-square-foot Midwest
<br /> Sports Federation of the Twin Cities, a
<br /> Elk River sports complex for athletic training and tour-
<br /> A trailer park occupying 70 acres of land naments not unlike one built in Blaine in .
<br /> around.Elk River is clo$ing soon,freeing up 1985. The Federation has sent a letter of
<br /> another 70 acres of land zoned mostly for intent to city offices.
<br /> commercial purposes. According to Paul Today the driving elements of Elk River's
<br /> Steinman, director of economic develop- retail development rests largely withthe
<br /> ment in Elk River,the Closing is just anoth- community,retailers and the fact that "we
<br /> er sign of the times on the city's busy devel- don't have to deal with the Met Council"
<br /> opment agenda. Steinrxhan said that.Griffin over issues of planning and control,
<br /> Cos.of Minneapolis-is currently looking for Steinman said.The city's low tax base,jobs,
<br /> possible "big-box" anchor tenants fora and ample new housing starts coupled with
<br /> shopping district on the property in the the population's desire to have a full-service
<br /> Highway 10 and 169 quadrant. retail environment make it attractive to
<br /> Last year, the scenic little stop halfway retailers who see the potential,he adds.
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