Newspaper Clipping - Newspaper Clipping Scan - Lockheed redevelopment plans gain momentum - 2/6/2015'
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Lockheed redevelopment
velo ment
m momentu
plans gain make this
We plan to
by Jessica Harper unique destination," said
a senior
SUN TH1SW EEK f
DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE John Johannson,
president of Welsh,
Plans to create a shop -
vice
in area on the former an cted by CSM ure firm con -
ping Prop- tra
Lockheed Martin p p- The plans combine tra-
erty in Eagan are moving
of de- ditional suburban devel-
forward after a year opment with aspects of an
lays•City urban village, a walkable
the
On Feb. 3, retail area that features
Council unanimously on
parking, small
proved a comprehensive
guide amendparking lots, and parking
amendment, rezon-
reliminary planned structures.
ing, p relimi- Preliminary illustrations
development and prhowshow a grocery store, large
nary subdivision p an, a retailers, restaurants and
will allow CSM Eagan,a fitness center forming a
subsidiary of CSM Corp. around the outer edge
of Minneapolis, to build a ring ro ert Inside the
434,000 -square -foot, Mill- o� the
s a «re ail village" that
tibuilding retail develop
ment
called Central Park consists of small shops, of-
Commons on the prop- See LOCKHEED, 6A
erty.
LOCKHEED, from 1A
fives and restaurants.
In keeping with the
urban village design, the
project includes numer-
ous sidewalks that weave
throughout the develop-
ment and connect to exist-
ing trails.
"I'm pleased with the
proposal before us," said
Council Member Paul
Bakken, who was critical
of previous proposals. "I
think it strikes a nice bal-
ance and will be good for
the community."
In December 2012,
CSM withdrew plans to
build 400,000 square feet
of retail complex to await
results of a traffic study
by Dakota County. Initial
plans included a big -box
retailer. The study exam-
ined traffic on Pilot Knob
Road in Eagan, and its
findings were presented in
January 2013.
The developer submit-
ted a revised proposal in
September 2013 that nixed
a big -box retailer and add-
ed 50,000 square feet of
office space. It withdrew
that proposal in January
2014.
CSM submitted its cur-
rent proposal in December
2014.
Council members ex-
pressed concerns that the
developer's new plans in-
clude more parking than
necessary, but Johannson
assured council members
excess spaces will be con-
verted into green areas if
— after a year or two of
operations — CSM de-
termines the development
has excess parking stalls.
Council members
praised CSM and its af-
filiates for using trees and
green spaces to break up
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- YANKEE VOODU ROAD
CSM CENTRAL PARK COMMONS
PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN
�crca- e> EAGAN. MINNESOTA Q S c A a C H k T E C.S
The plans combine traditional suburban development with aspects of an urban village,
a walkable retail area that features on -street parking, small parking lots, and parking
structures. (Graphic submitted)
the large parking lot. is expected to follow this $2.2 million to Eagan's tax
Demolition of the spring. Johannson said he base.
former Lockheed Mar- expects the project will be
tin building is expected completed in fall 2016. Jessica Harper is at jessica.
to occur in the next few The development is ex- harper@ecm-inc. com or
weeks, and construction pected to add an estimated facebook. comisunthisweek.