Blaine is putting the finishing touches on a new entertainment district that will also serve as a gathering place for residents and tourists. Construction could begin as early as this summer.
Plans for the development opposite the National Sports Center were announced last week. The city will hold an open house Wednesday at City Hall starting at 6 p.m. to show off the design and answer questions about the $500 million to $750 million project.
The development team, led by Elevage and Bader, plans to build a 3,500-seat outdoor stadium. Field house with pickleball court and restaurant. Attraction similar to Top Golf at Brooklyn Center. The land north of the National Sports Center is home to two hotels and a medical clinic, where the city has been acquiring dilapidated industrial buildings for nearly a decade.
“The building is aging and not what you want at the gateway to a tourist attraction that attracts 4 million visitors a year,” said Eric Sauvig, director of community development for Blaine. “We have a very unique development that doesn't exist in a metropolitan area as a destination. It will be a central gathering place for a variety of activities with the walkability of downtown.”
The parcel extending from NE 105th Street will include nearly 400 market-rate apartments, public gathering areas and green space. South side, 109th Street NE. It is located on the north side along a portion of Nassau Street and Radisson Road.
Blaine is no stranger to hosting large events. The National Sports Center hosts numerous soccer tournaments and other weekly events, and the north metro suburb hosts the annual 3M Open Golf Championship. Sara Soli, chief marketing and communications officer at the National Sports Center, said that sometimes leaves the city in a pinch when it comes to running out of hotel rooms.
“If we get a new hotel, we might be able to stay closer,” Soli said, noting that participating teams and spectators may have to stay as far away as Bloomington.
At the very least, she said, the district will give fans and spectators a nearby place to hang out before and after the game.
“It's great to have an opportunity like that next door,” Soli said. “If you have these facilities nearby, you may be able to attract more rental opportunities.”
The new stadium's primary tenant will be a minor league baseball team, but leaders are already discussing ways to use the facility year-round. Ideas include hosting concerts and inviting high school teams to use it for soccer, baseball and hockey games. There's also talk about potentially hosting a winter lights festival similar to the Bentley Building Holiday Lights Show in Duluth.
“This will be a facility that will be available to the community,” Sauvig said.
Sauvig said Blaine has had his eye on redeveloping the parcel for nearly 20 years, and it became the council's top priority three years ago. Sauvig said the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The council believes this is what the residents want,” he said.
Sauvig said no city tax dollars will be used for the project. Sauvig said the city could use tax breaks, tax increment financing or bond sales to pay for that.
Sauvig said construction will take several years.
“We're excited to do business there,” Sori said. “It will be a welcome addition to the community.”